Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primotar 180mm f3.5 - Close Up Samples

Normally, the Meyer-Optik Primotar 180mm f3.5 (Exakta mount) has a two meter minimum focus distance. Not exactly good for close ups. But, I put this lens on the Yeenon 18-32mm focusing helicoid and is able to shorten the minimum focus distance by more than half, while still retains infinity focus capability. I like the results quite a bit, though it's not an easy lens to use, due to the size and weight.

This lens has a single coating of bluish colour, while my other Primotar 18cm f3.5 lens, that's meant to be mounted on a lensboard for medium/large format cameras. Interestingly, both lenses are Primotar but obviously they are physically different, and it's not just the missing lens barrel. I haven't gotten the barrelless version of this lens to work well on the home brew barrel plus helicoid. The Exakta version is just so much easier to work with.

All pictures below were taken with the NEX-6 and the Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primotar 180mm f3.5 with helicoid.

Stand on Guard

There were two coastal defence vessels parked beside the Sugar Beach. One of them was the HMCS Kingston, as pictured below. I think they were open to the public, as I saw many non-uniformed people onboard, but I didn't ask. Perhaps I should have. Never been on one of these kind of ships before and I think it would be interesting to see what it's like, when one is actually on it. I will stroll by again tomorrow, but I doubt they would still be there.

Stand on guard - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson 75mm f2 TV lens.

Tommy Thompson Park - June 2013

We often overlook, or don't spend enough time to seek out the the beauty around us. We get so used to our surroundings that we take everything for granted. Case in point, Tommy Thompson Park. I have been to this park many times, but most of the time just bike there during the day. Occasionally I would get up early and go there and take pictures. The park is a peninsula made from construction debris since the 1950s. Even today, trucks continuously dump building debris to expand it, and for this reason, the park is normally closed on weekdays and is only open to the public on weekends and holidays. It's one of the most successful projects the City of Toronto has created. The park is home to many local plant species, and wild animals such as rabbits have a large population and they can be seen often, and even coyotes have been sighted.

From the park, the Toronto cityscape can be seen, and depending on the time of the day and weather, it can be beautiful. Yesterday was one such day. I am so happy to have witness it.

The iconic CN-Tower - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson Ortal 3 inch (75mm) f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

Downtown Toronto - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson Ortal 3 inch (75mm) f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

City and nature - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson Ortal 3 inch (75mm) f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

Ducks - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson Ortal 3 inch (75mm) f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

Rabbit - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson Ortal 3 inch (75mm) f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

Flare. The purple light you see is actually internal flare. Normally flare is bad to have, but in this situation I kind of like it. I have another shot at a slightly different angle without the flare, and it doesn't look as nice - NEX-6 & Taylor-Hobson Ortal 3 inch (75mm) f2 TV Lens.

Colors of Image Sensors

One of the interesting things about digital imaging is that, each company's sensor have some unique signatures. I would say that most image sensors are not really that accurate. I mean, even if the sensor captures the colours faithfully, the RAW decoding software may have it's own interpretation of how colours should be decoded. On top of that, the users who controls the RAW decode would also interpret the colour differently. Sure, we have calibration hardware and software to help get accurate colour, but for the most of us, colour accuracy is not critical.

Over the years, I have used different sensors, including the Kodak SLR/C, which I like the colour very much; the Canon 1D with a 4 MP CCD sensor with vibrant colours; the garden variety of Canon CMOS sensors, with very please colour pallets; there is still the Panasonic LiveMOS, with similar colour signature as the Canon 1D; and of course the Sony CCD and CMOS sensors in various Pentax cameras and the NEX series.

Can't say I prefer one over the other, although in some situations, like skin tones, the Canon does look more pleasing to the eyes. All these sensors are a wonder of engineering, which allow us to capture memories with vivid details at the price so affordable that we could only dream of a mere decade ago.

Colours - Canon 5D Mark II & Air Ministry 8 Inch f5.6. Click for larger.

S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 Projection Lens - More Samples

I took the S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 lens for a walk at lunchtime to get to know it better. Some lenses, after the first few shots, you will know whether you are going to like it or not. This is one of these lenses. For one thing, this lens is surprisingly  photographic. By that I mean it's feels, and it renders pictures, like a lens designed to take pictures, not to project them. The bokeh is very nice, and the lens is sharp; even the corners are quite good at its working aperture. Clearly, this lens was designed to project larger than 16mm format film. The aperture is not very fast for a projection lens, but I actually like it this way. Sometimes too thin a depth of field is too much of a good thing. This lens has become one of my favourite projection lenses.

Chained - Sony NEX-6 & S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 Projection Lens. Click for larger.

6-5-4-3 - Sony NEX-6 & S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 Projection Lens. Click for larger.

Bike Posts - Sony NEX-6 & S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 Projection Lens. Click for larger.

Crane - Sony NEX-6 & S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 Projection Lens. Click for larger.

Anchor - Sony NEX-6 & S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 Projection Lens. 

S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 Projection Lens Samples

The S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2 projection lens is one of the three that David sent me from France. Last time I tried the Isco-Gottingen 85mm f2.8 projection lens, and it was quite good, though not as sharp as other projection lenses I have used, but definitely produces some interesting pictures. Today I tried the S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2, and it's a surprise. The lens is very sharp at the working aperture, but the best part is the very nice bokeh it produces. The pictures below were taken in the late evening, and you can see some noise in the pictures. The only thing I find distracting is that even with a very long lens hood, there is some "white out" effect, but some post processing eliminates most of it. In all, a very enjoyable lens to take pictures. Can't wait to try it in better light.

Bokeh - NEX-6 & S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2

Bokeh #2 - NEX-6 & S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2

Rose - NEX-6 & S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2

The French Connection

Before I started this blog, I could never have, in a million years, envisioned how generous some of my readers are. I am still awestruck with the Carl Zeiss Jena projection lenses that Ramon from Cuba, gave me, and now, David, a reader from France sent me three projection lenses and a Yashica rangefinder lens for me to experiment with.  All these lenses I have never used, or even seen before. I don't even know how to even begin to thank David for his selfishlessness and generosity.  I guess the best I could do, is to make pictures, and write about these lenses.

Friendship from France. Click for larger.

The Projection lenses are: Isco-Gottingen 85mm f2.8, Anastimat Benoist Berthiot 125mm f2.9, and a less known (by me) S.F.O.M 100mm f3.2. All these lenses have a long enough flange distance to be used on full frame. The rangefinder lens is a Color-Yashinon DX 35mm f1.8. This is one intriguing lens with three TWO aperture blades. The shape of the opening changes as it closes down. Unfortunately, the flange is too short to be used even on the NEX on a helicoid. Need to think of some creative ways to get some pictures out of this one.

On the other hand, I couldn't wait to put one of the lenses on the helicoid and see what kind of pictures it can produce. I chose the Isco-Gottingen 85mm f2.8, as it readily fits the "interchangeable" helicoid system I have. From the few pictures I took, the lens does not seem to be overly sharp, but it does produce relatively nice bokeh and handles the highlights very gracefully. It sort of reminds me of the Steihnheil Culminar 85mm f2.8. Would interesting to shoot them side by side and see how they differ. Of course the pictures will have to be restricted to f2.8.

Rose - NEX-6 & Isco-Gottingen 85mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Bokeh - NEX-6 & Isco-Gottingen 85mm f2.8

Waterfront Festival 2013 - Tall Ships

If you live in, or close to, Toronto, and you are a lover of Tall Ships, be sure you don't miss the Redpath Waterfront Festival happening today June 20 to June 23.  Lots of activities for kids and big kids alike. There is the 1812 On Tour that gives you a taste of what life was life in 1812.  You can buy tickets and board the Tall Ships. On Sunday June 23, there is a Parade of Sail where all the Tall Ships will pass through the Harbourfront. Bring your kids, or yourself to the Harbourfront and have a good time!

Fair Jeanne - Canon 5D Mark II & EF 16-35mm f2.8L II. Click for larger.

Sailing - Sony NEX-6 & 16-50mm f3.5-5.6. Click for larger.

My bike Bumble Bee - Canon 5D Mark II & EF 16-35mm f2.8L II. Click for larger.

BeaverTails - Canon 5D Mark II & EF 16-35mm f2.8L II. Click for larger.

Man made beach - Canon 5D Mark II & EF 16-35mm f2.8L II. Click for larger.

Fair Jeanne and Bumble Bee - Canon 5D Mark II & EF 16-35mm f2.8L II. Click for larger.

Wood Lathe - Canon 5D Mark II & EF 16-35mm f2.8L II.

Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 92mm f1.6 - Photo Set

My Cuban friend Ramon generously gave me two of this prized Carl Zeiss Jena Projection lenses. The 92mm f1.6 is one of them. These are absolutely gorgeous lenses, both in built quality and optically. I believe these lenses are uncompromised design using the then latest techniques and material. The large aperture and size of the lens would make these lenses extremely expensive to make. Perhaps, these lenses were made for theater projections, but that's just my guess. In any case, they are beautiful lenses no matter how you look at them, and they produce very pleasing pictures.

Little House in the Forest - NEX-6 & Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 92mm f1.6. Click for larger.

Mismatched - NEX-6 & Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 92mm f1.6. Click for larger.

Rust - NEX-6 & Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 92mm f1.6. Click for larger.

Maple Flower/Seeds - NEX-6 & Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 92mm f1.6. Click for larger.

Daisies - NEX-6 & Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 92mm f1.6.

Wollensak Raptar 50mm f1.5 C-Mount - Photo Set

The Wollensak Raptar 2 inch (50mm) f1.5 is the last c-mount lens I purchased, and that was last year.  So, I have been pretty good at NOT buying a lot of lenses. I figured I really should use more of what I have already got. Most c-mount lenses vignette severely on the NEX cameras, including this one. In many ways, that's one of the charm of this kind of lenses; it's a hardware based vignette feature and no Photoshop is required :)

I really like this lens. Not only because it's optically interesting, but the build quality is first rate. The chrome finish looks gorgeous; decades passed and it is still beautiful. Very happy to have this lens. In fact, I like this one more than the Kodak Anastigmat 50mm f1.6, even though it does not have the close focusing capability as the Kodak. Both lenses are superb but the excessive swirling of the Kodak sometimes drives me crazy.

Bokeh - NEX-6 & Wollensak Raptar 50mm f1.5. Click for larger.

Bokeh #2 - NEX-6 & Wollensak Raptar 50mm f1.5. Click for larger.

Glenpine in Black & White - NEX-6 & Wollensak Raptar 50mm f1.5

The Jay Walker - NEX-6 & Wollensak Raptar 50mm f1.5