Showing posts with label Super Takumar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super Takumar. Show all posts
2012/04/03
Like trying to photograph clouds (Cherry Blossoms @ Branch Brook Park,Newark NJ)
Like trying to photograph clouds (Cherry Blossoms @ Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ), originally uploaded by john m flores.
Via Flickr:
Photographing cherry blossoms is like trying to photograph clouds. From far away it's an explosion of color and interesting forms, but as you get closer the effect dissipates, until you are under the tree and raise your camera asking yourself, "what can I take a photo of?" The individual flowers are pretty but not stunningly so, and being so close is like being in a fog, not in a cloud. It's an odd thing.
Honestly can't say I was happy with the results of this foray. At first I wanted to blame the Panasonic GH2 and was picking nits with White Balance, sharpness, wrong lenses, etc... But the truth of the matter is that sometimes you go to shoot a pretty place and can't figure out how to wrap your head around it. This is one of those times.
The good news is that my wife really enjoyed the park and wants to go back. So I may get a second chance.
Photographing cherry blossoms is like trying to photograph clouds. From far away it's an explosion of color and interesting forms, but as you get closer the effect dissipates, until you are under the tree and raise your camera asking yourself, "what can I take a photo of?" The individual flowers are pretty but not stunningly so, and being so close is like being in a fog, not in a cloud. It's an odd thing.
Honestly can't say I was happy with the results of this foray. At first I wanted to blame the Panasonic GH2 and was picking nits with White Balance, sharpness, wrong lenses, etc... But the truth of the matter is that sometimes you go to shoot a pretty place and can't figure out how to wrap your head around it. This is one of those times.
The good news is that my wife really enjoyed the park and wants to go back. So I may get a second chance.
Frederick Law Olmsted was here.
Via Flickr:
Strolling through Branch Brook Park and admiring the blossoming cherry trees is a pleasant experience. The paths wind through one picturesque scene after another. It should be no surprise - Frederick Law Olmsted was here. Olmsted, perhaps the most well known landscape architect and park designer of the last 300 years, designed in the British style - highly crafted landscapes that give the appearance of a natural setting when in fact every hill, every valley, every tree and bush has been considered.
For other examples of Olmsted's work, see Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City.
Panasonic GH2 with the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. I think I was lazy this day because once I put this lens on I didn't take it off. Like here, when we got to the top of this hill overlooking the cherry blossoms below, I could have taken out a wider lens, like the 35mm in my bag (the 21 was with my sister-in-law). Instead, I thought that I'd try to make do with what I had. It's a good exercise, and the lessons that primes are supposed to impart - think about ways to tell a story and compose a scene using what you got. In a similar situation, someone with a standard kit zoom would undoubtedly go as wide as they could and capture as much of the vista as possible. That could work, and I would probably do something similar, but then I'd end up with the same shot as everyone else, wouldn't I?
Strolling through Branch Brook Park and admiring the blossoming cherry trees is a pleasant experience. The paths wind through one picturesque scene after another. It should be no surprise - Frederick Law Olmsted was here. Olmsted, perhaps the most well known landscape architect and park designer of the last 300 years, designed in the British style - highly crafted landscapes that give the appearance of a natural setting when in fact every hill, every valley, every tree and bush has been considered.
For other examples of Olmsted's work, see Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City.
Panasonic GH2 with the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. I think I was lazy this day because once I put this lens on I didn't take it off. Like here, when we got to the top of this hill overlooking the cherry blossoms below, I could have taken out a wider lens, like the 35mm in my bag (the 21 was with my sister-in-law). Instead, I thought that I'd try to make do with what I had. It's a good exercise, and the lessons that primes are supposed to impart - think about ways to tell a story and compose a scene using what you got. In a similar situation, someone with a standard kit zoom would undoubtedly go as wide as they could and capture as much of the vista as possible. That could work, and I would probably do something similar, but then I'd end up with the same shot as everyone else, wouldn't I?
2012/04/02
Cherry Blossoms at Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ (Panasonic GH2 withSuper Takumar 50mm F1.4)
Cherry Blossoms at Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ (Panasonic GH2 with Super Takumar 50mm F1.4), originally uploaded by john m flores.
Via Flickr:
My wife is the flower photographer. I feel like a hack compared to her. We'll go out, shoot the same thing, and have completely different photos. She sees things that I don't. It's as simple as that. But hey, I'm willing to take a swing and see what comes out.
My wife is the flower photographer. I feel like a hack compared to her. We'll go out, shoot the same thing, and have completely different photos. She sees things that I don't. It's as simple as that. But hey, I'm willing to take a swing and see what comes out.
Cameras Aplenty at the Cherry Blossoms of Branch Brook Park
Via Flickr:
Here's a little known fact - there are more cherry blossom trees in Branch Brook Park in Newark New Jersey than the much more famous cherry blossoms in Washington DC. Even on this dull day the park was filled with families, couples, and people of all ages admiring the beautiful trees. They come armed with cameras - dSLRs, point & shoots, and cell phones - and snap away at the beauty around them.
Taken with the Panasonic GH2 with the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. This is a potent combination. The lens is a bit soft wide open but sharpens up nicely stopped down along with improved contrast. The GH2 is cheap-feeling besides the Pentax K-01 but it's a highly functional tool; after sitting dormant for well over a month, it took no time at all re-familiarizing myself with the control layout. The EVF is chock full of valuable shooting information, but it's a little coarse and the color is off a bit. And just a note about the control dial - many people suggest that two control dials on a camera suggest serious intent. The GH2 has one with a press-to-toggle feature. Works fine for me. Seriously.
Here's a little known fact - there are more cherry blossom trees in Branch Brook Park in Newark New Jersey than the much more famous cherry blossoms in Washington DC. Even on this dull day the park was filled with families, couples, and people of all ages admiring the beautiful trees. They come armed with cameras - dSLRs, point & shoots, and cell phones - and snap away at the beauty around them.
Taken with the Panasonic GH2 with the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. This is a potent combination. The lens is a bit soft wide open but sharpens up nicely stopped down along with improved contrast. The GH2 is cheap-feeling besides the Pentax K-01 but it's a highly functional tool; after sitting dormant for well over a month, it took no time at all re-familiarizing myself with the control layout. The EVF is chock full of valuable shooting information, but it's a little coarse and the color is off a bit. And just a note about the control dial - many people suggest that two control dials on a camera suggest serious intent. The GH2 has one with a press-to-toggle feature. Works fine for me. Seriously.
2012/04/01
Bocce Ball in Branch Brook Park (Comparing the Pentax K-01 to the Panasonic GH2)
Via Flickr:
We came for the cherry blossoms, which on this dreary day were still quite stunning. But on the way back to the car I noticed that the bocce courts, which before had been overrun by children, were now being used as they should, by elderly men of Italian descent (typically), playing this simple game of lawn bowling. The simple games, of course, are often the most intriguing, and a good way to pass the afternoon.
After weeks of shooting with the new Pentax K-01, I thought that I'd give the Panasonic GH2 a little workout. I handed the K-01 to my sister-in-law to play with. By the by, she's an artist and a very visual and creative person; she made no comment about the camera, either how it looks or how it operated (I set it to P mode for her). Is it possible that the K-01, as controversial as it is among the pixelscenti is much more anonymous among the masses?
In any case, the GH2 spent the afternoon mated to the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4, very often wide open, and very often with an ND. Just playing around really.
Regarding Pentax manual focus lenses, I think that I prefer the GH2 over the K-01. Yes the K-01 has focus peaking, but I have found that you need to zoom anyway to ensure critical focus, so ultimately the GH2 zoom to focus is just as useful. Additionally, I find the GH2's combination of metering, adjustable histogram, and exposure preview to be much more useful than the K-01's metering. Ironic then, that the Panasonic is still better than the Pentax at using old Pentax lenses.
This overcast day was also a reminder of how good the GH2 is. No, it doesn't have the dynamic range of the K-01, and there's some noise viewable at 100% at base ISO. But the EVF is full of useful information, the controls (while less solid feeling) are eminently usable, and the image quality is pretty damn good. Seriously, if you can't take a good photo with the GH2, don't blame the camera.
We came for the cherry blossoms, which on this dreary day were still quite stunning. But on the way back to the car I noticed that the bocce courts, which before had been overrun by children, were now being used as they should, by elderly men of Italian descent (typically), playing this simple game of lawn bowling. The simple games, of course, are often the most intriguing, and a good way to pass the afternoon.
After weeks of shooting with the new Pentax K-01, I thought that I'd give the Panasonic GH2 a little workout. I handed the K-01 to my sister-in-law to play with. By the by, she's an artist and a very visual and creative person; she made no comment about the camera, either how it looks or how it operated (I set it to P mode for her). Is it possible that the K-01, as controversial as it is among the pixelscenti is much more anonymous among the masses?
In any case, the GH2 spent the afternoon mated to the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4, very often wide open, and very often with an ND. Just playing around really.
Regarding Pentax manual focus lenses, I think that I prefer the GH2 over the K-01. Yes the K-01 has focus peaking, but I have found that you need to zoom anyway to ensure critical focus, so ultimately the GH2 zoom to focus is just as useful. Additionally, I find the GH2's combination of metering, adjustable histogram, and exposure preview to be much more useful than the K-01's metering. Ironic then, that the Panasonic is still better than the Pentax at using old Pentax lenses.
This overcast day was also a reminder of how good the GH2 is. No, it doesn't have the dynamic range of the K-01, and there's some noise viewable at 100% at base ISO. But the EVF is full of useful information, the controls (while less solid feeling) are eminently usable, and the image quality is pretty damn good. Seriously, if you can't take a good photo with the GH2, don't blame the camera.
2012/01/03
The future is hazy
Via Flickr:
Start the New Year doing what you want to do that year. Carry it through.
Start the New Year doing what you want to do that year. Carry it through.
2011/12/28
Mugs
Via Flickr:
With black and white I will hone my sense of shape and form and figure and ground. My Panasonic cameras will get more excercise than the Pentax K-5 simply because I can view and compose in black and white on their digital screens.
With black and white I will hone my sense of shape and form and figure and ground. My Panasonic cameras will get more excercise than the Pentax K-5 simply because I can view and compose in black and white on their digital screens.
Humpty Dumpty sat on the bookshelf next to the motorcycle books
Humpty Dumpty sat on the bookshelf next to the motorcycle books, originally uploaded by john m flores.
Via Flickr:
There is no color in winter, so instead of fighting it I will embrace it. This shall not be the winter of my discontent. This shall be the winter of black and white.
There is no color in winter, so instead of fighting it I will embrace it. This shall not be the winter of my discontent. This shall be the winter of black and white.
2011/12/04
Sorry for the cats.
Via Flickr:
There's been way to many lately. So here's a lens that's older than me. This photo was taken with the Olympus 45/1.8 lens mounted to the Panasonic GF2. It's proving to be a potent combination. I was hoping to use the 45/1.8 for video, but the AF is too slow and the barrel too small to fit a follow-focus easily. This Takumar, on the other hand, was purchased by mistake. I had intended to return it after ordering the Olympus, but could't make myself do it. So it will be used for video.
There's been way to many lately. So here's a lens that's older than me. This photo was taken with the Olympus 45/1.8 lens mounted to the Panasonic GF2. It's proving to be a potent combination. I was hoping to use the 45/1.8 for video, but the AF is too slow and the barrel too small to fit a follow-focus easily. This Takumar, on the other hand, was purchased by mistake. I had intended to return it after ordering the Olympus, but could't make myself do it. So it will be used for video.
2011/11/23
Another cat...
Via Flickr:
...can only mean one thing - another lens. Introducing the Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. Say that three times fast! Just like the online reviews suggested, it's a bit soft wide open, but that's ok - I think we're over-obsessed with sharpness these days. I'm planning to use this lens for video primarily, so the bit of edge softness won't matter so much.
Taken with the GH1, because the GH2 is out on loan.
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A fellow photographer and I are interviewing veterans for the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project (www.loc.gov/vets/). My friend is shooting stills and I'm shooting video with the GH2. This is my first use of the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4. I had it stopped down a couple of clicks and had 1 CFL softbox to the camera left, and 1 CFL softbox and CFL reflector on camera right. I was shooting from a Vanguard CF monopod with a Manfrotto 701HD fluid pan head. I also had Express35 15mm rods supporting the D|Focus follow focus and smallHD DP4 EVF.
This is a shot straight from the camera, before any color correction (grading in videospeak). I'm frankly blown away by the sharpness of this cheap consumer camera when combined with this 40+ year old lens.