Tamron SP 17mm f3.5 - Infrared Photo Set

This is probably the last set of infrared pictures from the Spadina & Queen area, taken the day before my last day of work at lunch time.

I wanted to experiment with different wide angle lenses for IR photography other than the Pentax-M 20mm f4 lens I almost exclusively used before. Last time I tried the Flektogon 35mm f2.8 with good results, and I decided to try my widest manual focus lens - the Tamron SP 17mm f3.5. As it turned out, it wasn't bad at all. I was afraid I could not get infinity focus, but with aperture set at f8-f11, it was fine. What I really should have done, is try the Canon FD 20mm f4 against the Pentax-M 20mm f4, but there is always the next time.

The Tamron SP 17mm f3.5 is not as sharp the Pentax-M 20mm f4, especially at the edges, but it's a much wider angle therefore not a fair comparison.

The Hug Me Tree 2013 - Canon 20D IR & Tamron SP 17mm f3.5 Adaptall. Click for larger.

Spadina & Queen 2013 - Canon 20D IR & Tamron SP 17mm f3.5 Adaptall. Click for larger.

Grange Park - Canon 20D IR & Tamron SP 17mm f3.5 Adaptall. 

Tree outside Umbra building - Canon 20D IR & Tamron SP 17mm f3.5 Adaptall. 

Pancolar 50mm f2 on NEX-6

Mirrorless cameras have been a godsend for manual focus lens lovers. For one thing, they can take pretty much any SLR lenses (except the Samsung NX, which has a much longer flange distance). The other advantage is that viewfinder does not go dim when you mount a very slow lens, or stopping it down, because the electronic viewfinder/LCD screen compensates the loss of light by brighten up. The only disadvantage I see, so far, is that there is no affordable full frame mirrorless cameras on the market today. Hopefully that will change in a couple of years.

The Sony NEX-6, in my opinion, has the best balance between price, performance, and usability. It's very comfortable to hold, has most of the controls accessible without going into the menu, an excellent viewfinder, and most important of all, exceptionally good image quality. While I struggled with the Pancolar 50mm f2 on the 5D Mark II, it is a breeze using it on the NEX-6. If there is a full frame equivalent of the NEX-6 at affordable price, the world (OK, at least me) will rejoice.

Downtown Buildings - Sony NEX-6 & Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f2 @ f8.

Grange Park in B&W with Taylor-Hobson 75mm f2 TV Lens

Grange Park is one of my favourite places to take pictures on my lunch hour walks. I visit the park at least once a week and often more frequently.  It's also a park where people like to stroll, or sit on its many park benches. Even in the winter, many people spend their lunch hour here, to temporarily get away from the busy office routine.

This set of pictures was shot with the Sony NEX-6 and the Taylor-Hobson 75mm f2 TV lens.  This lens lacks a focusing mechanism and I have it mated to the Yeenon 18-33mm focusing helicoid, which I reviewed here.  It's a good combination and they look very nice and balance well together.  So far, the Yeenon helicoid has held up well, though I have not used it as vigorously as I did with the previous, cheaper ones.

Romancing in the park - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson 75mm f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

Silhouette - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson 75mm f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

Urban forest - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson 75mm f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

Trespassers - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson 75mm f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

Photo Essay with Schneider-Kreuznach Arton 90mm f4 DKL

There was a gathering on Grange Park yesterday about Native land rights.  I like this kind of occasions for photography purposes.  Didn't know about this before hand and I just I happened to be there testing out the Schneider-Kreuznach Arton 90mm f4 DKL lens.  Perfect opportunity to photograph something different than the usual places/subjects.

Spectators -- NEX-5N & Schneider-Kreuznach Arton 90mm f4.  Click for larger.

Drummers -- NEX-5N & Schneider-Kreuznach Arton 90mm f4.  Click for larger.

Mohawk from the side -- NEX-5N & Schneider-Kreuznach Arton 90mm f4.  Click for larger.

Mohawk from the back -- NEX-5N & Schneider-Kreunach Arton 90mm f4

True Photographer -- NEX-5N & Schneider-Kreuznach Arton 90mm f4. 

Grange Park in Infrared

Grange Park -- Canon 20D IR Modified & Pentax-M 20mm f4. Click to see larger.

The Grange Park is a relatively large park that attract a lot of people, especially on a nice day during lunch.  The park is right behind the Art Gallery of Ontario, and beside the Ontario College of Art.  I also enjoy a walk to this nice park during lunch time.  Only a few minutes from my work place. Lots of photo opportunities.