Q&A

Nikon, Pentax, Sony.

Inspiration, Q&A

Nikon, Pentax, Sony

I had an opportunity to handle a Nikon D810, a Pentax 645Z, and a Sony A7RII yesterday.

Previously, I’ve owned a D800E, a 645D, and an A7s, so I was familiar — in a general sense — with each manufacturer’s offerings.

Ultimately, I had abandoned all of those last generation models, for one reason or another.

Care to guess which one of the latest generation offerings I found the most desirable?  The least?

—Peter.

Burning a hole.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Prosophos - Burning a Shutter Curtain Hole

Yes, I did it.

I managed to burn a hole in my M3 shutter curtain.

After all of these years… this is a first.  I had read about it but never really worried about it.

As far as I can tell, it was caused by not having the lens cap on while I was outside in intense sunlight (at the Blue Jays game).  My uncapped lens likely focused the rays of light onto a small area of the shutter cloth and — voila! — a hole was created.

This is what the hole was doing to all of my film images:

(iPhone shot of a scanned image on my computer screen)

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Prosophos - Shutter Hole

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Fortunately the curtain can be easily repaired/patched.

Now I have to reconsider my w(hole) modus operandi for shooting.  I have been using my lenses with protective hoods and filters but no lens caps.

—Peter.

Undisclosed Lens #3 (test shot on digital).

Inspiration, Leica M9(P)/M-E (CCD Lives!), Q&A, Teaching point, Undisclosed Lens #3

If you have been following along, my last few posts contain photographs created with Undisclosed Lens #3.

So far, I’ve only shot with it on film.

I decided to examine central sharpness, wide open, on the Leica M9.

Here is the original test shot:

Undisclosed Lens #3 (test shot)

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And here is the central crop of the above image, at 100%:

(focus was on the “T” of the word “Teas”)

Undisclosed Lens #3 (100% crop)

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Once again, I’m quite impressed with this lens.

—Peter.

Tidbits.

Inspiration, Q&A
  1. Leica announced today that the new generation M9(P)/M-E CCD sensors are ready.  Good news for those affected by the dreaded corrosion issue.  Good news also for those of us who are hanging on to our M9(P)/M-E cameras.
  2. By now, most of you are aware of the new Sony A7RII:Sony A7RII

For many reasons, I should be jumping on this camera.

Strangely, I’m not even remotely interested.

Am I:

  • getting old?
  • happy with what I have?
  • becoming more and more an admirer of film?
  • all of the above?

—Peter.

Courtesy of my Wife.

2015, Favourite, Inspiration, Portrait, Q&A, RHM, Sony RX100

We went to a wedding yesterday, and my wife took this image.

(It’s not often I have proof that I am a part of these wonderful kids’ lives 🙂 )

Incidentally, the camera used was a first generation Sony RX100 and after all of these years, I am still pleasantly surprised by the output of this small (and small sensor) camera.  Compared to my Leica M9 images – in this light – you’d be hard-pressed to discern the difference at web-size output, unless you were looking for differences in depth of field.  The M9 files are more robust with respect to post-processing, but that’s certainly expected.

—Peter.

Courtesy of my Wife

There is fungus among us.

Inspiration, Mamiya RZ 110mm F/2.8, Q&A, Teaching point

Mamiya RZ 110_2.8

My newly-acquired Mamiya-Sekor Z 110mm f/2.8, which was used to take these recently posted images here, here, and here, has fungus in it.

A lot of fungus.

It was described as “mint” by the seller in Japan.

To his credit, he has sent me a replacement lens.  It’s not quite as nice cosmetically, but the glass is clean (other than dust, which all of these Mamiya RZ lenses seem to attract in great quantity).

Yet, I wonder if I should keep and pay for the eukaryotic-exotic first lens?

It seems to perform spectacularly.

Myco-graphy anyone?

—Peter.

Gear Update at PhotographsbyPeter.com.

Inspiration, Q&A

It is with regret that I announce the Leica 35 Summilux FLE has decided to leave PhotographsbyPeter.com to pursue other projects.   This change will be effective August 2, 2015.

Please join me in recognizing the 35/1.4 FLE for its valuable contributions to PhotographsbyPeter.com.

In its time on this site, the Leica 35 Summilux FLE made a positive difference with its image rendering (though it sometimes struck viewers as a little too bold and busy).  It is therefore with warmest personal regards that I wish this lens every success in its endeavours with another photographer.

Subsequent to this change and as I assemble replacement gear, the Leica 50 Summilux ASPH will take on an expanded role.  However — as always — its use will be restricted to within approximately 200 feet of my house.

Please therefore join me in wishing the 50 Summilux ASPH much success in its new and expanded role.

Sincerely,

—Peter.