Tag Archives: Photo Gear

Olympus + Leica

Technical Notes: Olympus E-PL1 and the 80 year old German Leica 50mm f/2 Summar I took off the Russian Zorki 4.  Since the lens lacks any coating whatsoever, the flaring is way over the top when I shoot towards any light source.  It took a lot of post processing in Capture NX 2 to get the […]

Zorki 4

Notes:  Went on another treasure hunt and added this to the mix for a very good price.  The Zorki (spelled in Cyrillic) was Russia’s attempt at making a Leica clone.  This particular model is the Zorki 4, using the M39 Leica Thread Mount lenses.  The Summar 50mm f/2 collapsible lens wasn’t in the best of […]

Kodak DC 210 vs Nikon vs Canon vs — Does it even matter anymore?

The first digital cameras I used were the school’s Sony Mavicas that stored images on floppy discs and the Apple Quicktakes.  It wasn’t until the affordable Kodaks came out that I finally got one of my own. My dad bought me that Kodak DC 210.  It was on discount for about $400+.  I was in […]

Polaroid Spectra

I’ve had this Polaroid Spectra sitting on the shelf for a while. It also came with a pack of expired film.

Fujifilm X100

After acquiring new gear, I like to take my own “product shots.” This is the latest addition to the fleet, the Fujifilm X100. Even I get tired of all the clackety clacking that my various cameras make. It’s refreshing to use a large sensor camera with a good lens, and whisper quiet shutter.

Nikon F100

Notes: Latest addition to the fleet (although about 10 years late to the party!), the Nikon F100.  Will shoot black and white film for the upcoming gigs this month.

Vidicon

Notes: Found this Ampex Vidicon 25mm f/1.4 on another treasure hunt.  The other 25mm I have focuses, but you can’t change the aperture.  This one, you can change the aperture, but the focusing seems to have been set to infinity by the factory.  A workaround is to “focus” by not threading it all the way […]

Team Square / Triangle

A post about using Alternative / Vintage / Orphaned lenses on the Micro 4/3 system via adapters. Featured: Canon TV Lens, Canon FL Mount, and C Mount Lens.

Harinezumi

Notes: Another little friend added to the mix…the Digital Harinezumi 2!  I believe the name is Japanese for “Hedgehog,” and its movies really mimic 8mm film.  One of these days I’m going to have a photo shoot and limit myself to just one camera via “Random Select.” 🙂

Old Gear

Notes: So here are the results from the various gear I’ve found on my treasure hunts.  The first ones are from a 55mm f/1.4 Auto Sears (M42 Pentax Screwmount).  It’s a re-badged Japanese lens and it has a nice dreamy quality.  The flaring is different from the vintage Nikons and good in its own way.  […]

Digging…

Digging, it refers to DJ’s and Turntablists going through crates of records, looking for samples and other inspiration to create their music / artform. I guess that’s why I’ve been on my vintage theme. When people want to get into photography, they always ask me what camera to get.  It’s a bit more complicated than that…  […]

New Toys

Notes: Found these gems while browsing antique stores.  Granted, none of them work, but they sure look cool as props/accessories/camera bling. 🙂

Ring Light

Model: Frannie MUA / Hair: Nhi Lighting Assistance and Props: BRC and PT I draw, I take photos, I write about it.  Thanks to the team for all the help.  Thanks to BRC for letting me take his ABR800 ring light out for a test drive.  It definitely produces some blinding light.  Even shooting through its “portal” has […]

32°

Notes: It snowed in the ATL on Christmas, so of course I had to step outside. Thanks to KT for putting up with the bitter cold just so I could shoot and then write about it. If you guys have been following for the last several posts I’ve pretty much been trying to give a […]

Photos: Canon 10D Test Images

What’s that saying? People know the price of everything but the value of nothing?  These images are from a Canon 10D, given to me by a good friend (Thanks JK!). It’s an older camera that doesn’t go for much on the used market, but I’ll graciously add it to the fleet.  In the off and boring […]

Kodak Black and White Memories

    With the recent demise of filmstock such as Polaroid instant film and now Kodak Kodachrome, I’ve been thinking about shooting more film.  When I think back to random events in my life, I’m always glad that I carried a film camera around with Kodak black and white film, even when it wasn’t practical, […]

Photos: Random 85mm 1.4 Tests

Technical Notes: Random tests of the Nikon 85mm f/1.4, first impressions are:  it’s not as versatile as the 105mm 2.8 VR Micro for portraits, definitely not as sharp wide open, and the minimum focus distance is limiting, but the bokeh is quite “painterly.”  DOF is so shallow at 1.4 that you can definitely “buzz” a person […]