Lazy August

Leaf -- NEX-5 & Kowa 50mm f1.2 Projection Lens. Click for larger.

This has been a lazy August for me.  Don't know if it's the very hot and humid weather, or I just want to take it easy.  The desire to go out and take pictures has been waning but I find it relaxing in a different way as picture taking is relaxing.  Most people take more pictures in the summer, but strangely enough, I am take more pictures in the spring and fall. Find the colour and subjects are better in those two seasons.
 

Window Sill Planter

Pretty Flowers -- NEX-5 & Kowa Prominar-16 50mm f1.2 Projection Lens. Click for larger.

I have often wondered if I had only a body and a couple of zoom lenses, would I still be taking as many pictures I have been doing.  The answer is probably no.  I think new lenses/cameras encourage picture taking.  You've got to try out the new stuff, right?  Unfortunately, I do think, though, that often this makes me take pictures for the sake of taking pictures, instead of getting serious and think more of what or why I am taking pictures.  No matter, for me, the fun is often the process, and if the pictures turn out that I like, it's bonus.

Black Ninja

Ninja -- NEX-5 & Kowa Super-Prominar-16 Projection Lens. Click for larger.

So I have replaced the c-mount to NEX adapter on the Vivitar 2X macro teleconverter focusing helicoid with a 49mm NEX reversing ring.  The opening is now much larger than the c-mount's 25mm diameter.  The first lens that benefits is the Kowa Super-Prominar-16 projection lens.  This lens was not able to focus to infinity before because the c-mount was restricting the lens from going further into the lens mount (camera body).  Now that the mount is larger, infinity focus is possible.

It turns out that I like this lens a lot.  Sure it vignettes a bit, and there is purple fringing, but it's very sharp and the depth of field is so thin, even when shot from quite a far distance.  Perfect for low light or when thin depth of field is needed.

More Kowa Eiki 50mm f1.2 Projection Lens Samples

Blossoms -- NEX-5 & Kowa 50mm f1.2 Projection Lens. Click to see larger

I have become very fond of this little lens.  The lack of infinity focus is a disappointment, but the uniqueness of the picture rending quality makes up for most of it.  The incredibly thin depth of field at f1.2 at close range makes pictures interesting.  The creamy and slightly dreamy quality of the lens begs to take pictures at high key.

Pretty in Pink -- NEX-5 & Kowa 50mm f1.2 Projection Lens.

Projection lenses have the best price to fun ratio.  They are cheap and in abundance.  Easy to make it work with EVIL cameras and they are great for portraiture, close-ups, flowers, and anything that looks nice with thin depth of field.  If you have considered doing it, you should really start and the amount of fun and satisfaction you will have, money can not buy.  Be warned, though.  You might get addicted.

A Snail's Pace

Getting there -- NEX-5 & Kowa (EIKI) 50mm f1.2 Projection Lens.

The Kowa Super Prominar-16 50mm f1.2 projection lens is so far the fastest of the projection lenses I have, beats out the Paillard-Bolex 50mm f1.3 by a hair.  It's also the only projection lens so far that won't focus to infinity with my home-brew focusing helicoid.  The end of the lens almost touches the helicoid, and still not enough to focus more than a few meters away.

Unlike the razor-sharp Paillard-Bolex 50/1.3, this one is much softer.  I have only used it once today, so haven't really gotten a feel for it yet, but I kind of like how the pictures come out of the lens.