12/26/13

Sony Alpha A7 - Voigtländer Heliar 15 f4.5

This is the widest lens I have for the FF cameras I now own and I must admit it's very difficult to achieve good images with it. It takes a lot of practice with a wide angle lens because fore, middle and background must have something that fills the frame. I don't think I've achieved the stage where I can use this lens with any degree of confidence. I have a long way to go. Looking now at this image I also have to admit it could do with a good clean.

I used this lens quite a bit on the Nex-5N but only for B&W conversion on the Nex-7 because of the colour cast problem. This will show it's face again on the Alpha cameras, be certain of it. The weather being very bad at present, testing this lens isn't really an option, I would only get soaked and the equipment as well.

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Dil 12/26/13 17:12 comments (0)

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• Sony • Alpha • A7 • Voigtländer • Heliar • 15 f4.5

12/25/13

Cameras

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Panasonic LX5

Before I go on with this post a MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all. Another year is nearly over and time seems to just fly by, I know it does for me. I have been enjoying doing this photo blog for the last two years (even though not many people read it) and I have no intention of stopping. If truth be told, I'm really doing this for myself and if other people read it at the same time, all the better.

The above image again taken at the beach. I tend to just go around with this camera and really using it as a P&S. It's amazing sometimes how the images come out. I really like the image above, it just shows people on the beach, having some drinks and just enjoying the day out. It really was what was intended. I took a lot of images on that day and although quite a few got thrown out immediately, I did manage to get some keepers.

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DMC-LX5
Focal Length: 10.7 mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 1/125 sec
ISO: 80

Dil 12/25/13 19:00 comments (0)

Viewed 984

• Panasonic • LX5

12/24/13

Cameras

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Panasonic LX5

These images were taken in Spain at the same time I took my Nikon V1 cameras along to test a few lenses. There are times when you just don't want to take anything big-ish along with you somewhere so these little P&S cameras do have their uses.

This image for example was taken down on the beach on quite a windy day and I didn't want to start changing lenses with all that fine sand flying about, so out came the LX5. I didn't have the EVF with me at the time so these images were taken with the camera being held at arms length. I keep thinking at the time I take these photos that they'll only be snapshots and nothing special but correct post processing brings out some really nice images.

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DMC-LX5
Focal Length: 6 mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 1/100 sec
ISO: 80

Dil 12/24/13 19:00 comments (0)

Viewed 1053

• Panasonic • LX5

12/24/13

Cameras

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Sony Alpha A7 - Voigtländer Skopar 35 f2.5

I just love the Voigtländer lenses because to use them is a joy and image quality is very very good. I own a lot of these and I haven't found a lens lacking up to the Heliar 75 f2.5. Above that, in my opinion, the Voigtländer lenses start to deteriorate. I have the 85 f3.5 which I think is the worst Voigtländer lens I have used. I also own the 90 f3.5 which I find difficult to warm up to. maybe I have bad copies of both but I'm now going to test or exchange them for better copies, as I have other better lenses in the focal length range.

But all the others ranging from the 15 f4.5 heliar to the 75 f2.5 heliar, all are great lenses. On some of these lenses, like the 35 f2.5 Skopar and the 40 f1.4 Nokton the construction also includes the thumb lever for focusing. I think this is one reason I don't use these lenses more, I just hate using it. This thumb lever is found on Leica and rangefinder lenses also and I suppose somebody thought it a good idea to incorporate it into the lens design. I personally just can't get used to it and it just gets in my way. Apart from that I just can't fault these lenses, and the solid construction means these lenses will be with me for many many years to come. One final thing I have to mention is the price you pay for these lenses is very reasonable, in my part of the world you can get them for €400-€500. Try and purchase a Leica lens for that price.

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Dil 12/24/13 12:04 comments (0)

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• Sony • Alpha • A7 • Voigtländer • Skopar • 35 f2.5

12/23/13

Cameras

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Panasonic LX5

This is a camera that keeps amazing me over and over again. I've probably said it before but I suppose I'll keep on saying it. Not the newest from Panasonic, the LX7 is on the market, but it's small and I can use the same EVF that fits my still going Panasonic GF1. Although the VF is not the best, actually it's quite terrible by todays standards, it does allow me to use the camera at eye level.

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DMC-LX5
Focal Length: 19.2 mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 1/125 sec
ISO: 80

Dil 12/23/13 19:00 comments (0)

Viewed 2439

• Panasonic • LX5

12/23/13

Cameras

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Sony Alpha A7 - Zeiss Planar 50 f2

This is my first Zeiss lens and I must admit I rather like the build quality and the focus ring is buttery smooth. I can't imagine a Leica lens is better than this but I'm open for opinions. The reason I bought it was for the simple reason I wanted a nice 50mm lens for the full frame sensor and not one of the older legacy lenses. This is a quality lens that delivers really nice images and the signature is instantly visible. The reason for not buying a quality 50mm from Leica was simple: cost. I just can't justify that sort of outlay for one lens and the Zeiss comes in at a very reasonable cost. I didn't need anything faster than an f2.

I've been playing around with the Voigtländer Nokton 35 f1.2 II at f1.2 and boy, do I need to get some practice in. If you haven't been using a fast lens on full frame before I must warn you it's totally different than using one on an APS-C sensor. It's much more difficult to get critical focus in the right place. I've only been able to nail the focus correctly probably only 25% of the time. I must now take my hat off to Steve Huff for getting the images he does, but then again, he's been doing it a lot longer than I have and I'm sure there's something in practice makes perfect. I'll be showing a couple of images in my daily posts, so stay tuned.

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Dil 12/23/13 12:04 comments (0)

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• Sony • Alpha • A7 • Zeiss • Planar • 50 f2

12/19/13

Cameras

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Sony Alpha A7 - Leica Elmarit 90 f2.8

Now this is one heck of a lens. I think that statement says it all. As can be expected from a Leica lens build quality is second to none and is quite heavy in the hand. It does make the A7 system a little front heavy when holding, but it's not impossible to handle. One of the best things about this lens is the built-in hood which you just pull forward to use. That together with a max aperture of f2.8 makes this lens a dream to use, especially on a full frame sensor. I'm certain this will be one of my most used lenses in the near future.

I've been reading some comments on the Internet forums lately from users who swear they will never buy a manual focus lens. Well, for me, it is slower and is nothing for anything that is on the move but it's all about the fun and slowing down to get exactly what you want int he frame. It's all about the fun of it. I will admit that I have many AF lenses and I do prefer them at certain times, but for my general walks etc I'll always take a manual focus lens or two with me.

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Dil 12/19/13 10:47 comments (0)

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• Sony • Alpha • A7 • Leica • Elmarit • 90 f2.8

12/19/13

Cameras

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Sony Alpha A7 - Minolta Rokkor 90 f4

I haven't seen many posts or news about this lens on the Internet for some time. Maybe people have just forgotten about it with newer models on the market. This model has been discontinued for some time but you can still pick them up on eBay once in awhile. I got mine for a good price and I thought that it had something wrong with it, so good was the price. However, it has proven to be a good performer on the Nex and M43 series cameras. If it will perform well on the Alpha models remains to be seen.

One of the best things about this lens is it's size. It is very small as can be seen, and light. I wouldn't class it as a low light lens because a max aperture of f4, but if you've good light then it shouldn't be a problem and with high ISO images getting better and better it should be possible to us this in low light. I'll be trying this on the A7 in poor light, just to see if shutter shock or blurred images will be a problem. In my opinion, this is where IBIS comes into it's own and I wish the Alpha cameras had it. Now that Sony are co-operating with Olympus it won't take long to incorporate the Olympus IBIS into the Sony cameras. It's only a matter of time.

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Dil 12/19/13 10:32 comments (0)

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• Sony • Alpha • A7 • Minolta • Rokkor • 90 f4

12/18/13

Cameras

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Sony Alpha A7 - Voigtländer Heliar 75 f2.5

This is one of my alltime favourite manual focusing lens on the nex system. Extremely sharp at all apertures with very good micro contrast, it has never failed to get me the image I wanted. As you can see it is very small, not too light with very good build quality and fits on the new Alpha A7 very well. It does't give the impression that it's too big or too heavy for the system and it a dream to use. I will be using this lens a lot ont he A7 if my testing proves to be positive. I have no reason to doubt that the lens will not perform on the A7/A7R because it was perfect on the Nex-7.

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Dil 12/18/13 14:49 comments (0)

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• Sony • Alpha • A7 • Voigtländer • Heliar • 75 f2.5

12/18/13

Cameras

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Sony Alpha A7 - Voigtländer Nokton 50 f1.5

This isn't a lens you find too aften or often talked about but it has performed extremely well on my APS-C and M43 cameras. It is a rather heavy lens but doesn't give the impression it's too front heavy for the Alpha cameras. It has a long throw however when focusing from MFD to infinity. It doesn't bother me but it's something potential buyers should be aware of. My version is in the Nikon mount so if you would want this mounted on a Nex or Alpha camera you require a Nikon(s) to E mount adapter. Mine is a cheap one off ebay and works flawlessly.

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Dil 12/18/13 14:29 comments (0)

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• Sony • Alpha • A7 • Voigtländer • Nokton • 50 f1.5

PhotoBlog of Random Images

Sony Alpha A7 - Voigtländer Heliar 15 f4.5

Panasonic LX5

Panasonic LX5

Sony Alpha A7 - Voigtländer Skopar 35 f2.5

Panasonic LX5

Sony Alpha A7 - Zeiss Planar 50 f2

Sony Alpha A7 - Leica Elmarit 90 f2.8

Sony Alpha A7 - Minolta Rokkor 90 f4

Sony Alpha A7 - Voigtländer Heliar 75 f2.5

Sony Alpha A7 - Voigtländer Nokton 50 f1.5

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