Ribbon High in the Branches

 

White ribbon high in the branches above,

But how?

A balloon held too loosely in the spring breeze?

No evidence to say so,

But normal silk doesn't often fly to such heights.

What luck, to have been caught at the apex of its path,

We should all be so fortunate.

 

Before me, the gladiator, the eagle, the mounted warrior victorious,

all too captured at their peak.

But do they know?

Is it not just as well to know you've attained it,

and always have the memory,

as imperfect or even embellished?

 

 

 

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

I Love Slow Photography - Jim Austin Shares "SloFo" on Film Photography Project Blog

Slow, by Reed A. George

Mamiya Universal Press Camera

 

I love slow photography. Probably my favorite camera for ultra-slow, contemplative photography is the Mamiya Universal Press (MUP). You just don't hurry this camera up. It's big, heavy, and stubborn. It makes me do photography it's way.

 

Jim ("Jimages") Austin has written a nice blog post on the Film Photography Project's blog about slow photography, which he refers to as "SloFo." I'm not sure why we need a new term for it, but I enjoyed Jim's post nonetheless. Jim was shooting in the Bahamas with a selection of Konica, Nikon, and Nikonos film cameras.

 

(Click Here) to read the blog post on the Film Photography Project's page. Be sure to watch the video that's linked to from the text; it shares different pictures than are used in the text. Plus, it's kind of fun to see Jim paddling his boat to shore.

 

If you're a rapid-fire high speed continuous shooter, you owe it to yourself to try some slow photography. Personally, I find it much more rewarding and useful in sharing my creative vision.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Mystery

Mystery, by Reed A. George

 

Another image made with the Leica CL and Gekko 100 film. When exposing it, I knew that no film could represent the full range of light levels in the scene. So, I had to make a decision - would I expose for the interior, letting the outside light go to pure white (which may have been interesting), or expose for the highlights, letting the inside go black?

 

Obviously, I chose the latter. I love seeing the structure in the window glass and especially the buildings outside. I also like the mystery of the darkness inside.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Contrasting Styles at the Japanese Ambassador's Residence

And one final shot from the new year event at the Japanese Ambassador's residence. I really like the feeling of this one.

Contrasting Styles, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 AF-D Lens

iso 220, f4, 1/250 sec.

 

I could write a good fiction story based on this image. I love the reflected man in a business suit, with a female character, likely his wife, directly behind him, while two women in traditional kimono walk the corridor from the teahouse. There's some mystery in this image.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Reflecting - Japanese Ambassador's Residence

Here's a shot I made at the new year's event at the Japanese Ambassador's residence:

 

Reflecting, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 AF-D Lens

iso 100, f4, 1/250 sec.

 

I enjoyed the combination of the traditional Japanese style teahouse in the background and the pine-surrounded pond, and hot it contrasted with the man in business suit, and especially the suited man reflected in the glass at left of center.

 

I have another reflection image from the same scene - come back tomorrow!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Whole Lotta Leica (WLL) Results - Contemplative Photography With the Summicron 35mm f2

I have pursued the concept of "contemplative photography" on and off for a couple of years now. I enjoy it, finding it to be a nice form of meditative concentration, along with making some interesting pictures if I get lucky.

 

My daughter's dive class was finishing up their checkout dives today, and I decided that I didn't feel like diving. So, I spent an hour or two hanging out, writing, and trying to focus on contemplative photography.

 

After the group went into the water, I started trying to look for interesting compositions around the quarry. Here's the stairs leading into the water.

 

Down Into the Blue, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f8, 1/60 sec.

 

 

Up Into the Blue, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f11, 1/500 sec.

 

In this shot above, I really missed an opportunity. I heard a flock of geese coming, but assumed I wouldn't be able to see them through the trees. As I was picking up my camera, they flew right across this area of open sky. I really wish I'd been ready, but that was that. Deciding not to cling to an image that never was, I kept exploring.

 

I find that whenever I sit and think, limiting my options (in this case sitting in one place for thirty minutes), I start to play with moving the camera. This does get overdone, but can lead to some interesting abstracts.

Foliage Abstract, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f16, 1/4 sec.

 

In the image below, I tried to sync the camera motion to the speed and direction of the plants blowing in the wind.

Wind Motion, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f16, 1/2 sec.

 

Glare and Motion, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f16, 1/4 sec.

 

I finished up by trying something pretty unconventional - photographing butterflies with a wide angle lens and rangefinder camera. I didn't get the exact image I wanted, but found it intriguing. I'd like to try this more:

 

Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 320, f4.8, 1/350 sec.

 

This was a fun morning. I need more time like this.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Chase Jarvis Shares Ten Things Every Creative Photographer Must Know

 

Hearts, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 400, f1.5, 1/50 sec.

 

I like to read about how to stay (or become more) creative. Many themes are repeated over and over in books or posts regarding creativity, but I figure, hey - until I'm actually using them all, I can stand to read about them again.

 

Chase Jarvis recently shared ten things every creative person should remember:

 

1. The "experts" don't know it all.
2. Clients can't express what they want.
3. Try to be "different" as opposed to "better."
4. Challenges are good.
5. Knowing good design concepts is important.
6. Simplify.
7. Don't be afraid of mistakes, learn from them.
8. Make your work so valuable that price doesn't matter.
9. Work with great people.
10. Really create something.

I like these concepts, and agree with them. For me, #3 is one of the most interesting. I don't think Chase means that you should be different just for the sake of being different. But, if you can bring a fresh perspective to your art, it doesn't necessarily have to be better than someone else's. Just fresh and new.

 

Of course, #10 makes a lot of sense, too. I remember putting together my first project submission for a magazine. It failed to get published in my target journal, but the experience of putting it together, really finishing it, did pay off. Finish things. If you don't, there's no chance they'll succeed.

 

(Click Here) to read Chase's thoughts in more detail. Worthwhile reading.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Mark Hirsch's Tree - 365 Days Project

 

Burr Oak, Platteville, WI, by Mark Hirsch

Image Source: http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2013/05/08/that-tree-a-photo-a-day-by-mark-hirsch/6021/

 

Photographer Mark Hirsch took on the challenge of shooting an image of a single tree, every day, for a year - with his iPhone. He posted his images on facebook, and they became extremely popular. Every day from March 24, 2012 - 2013, Mark trudged to the tree, regardless of weather, mood, or anything else.

 

Mark reports that this has taught him to slow down, to be "contemplative" in his photography.

 

(Click Here) to read about his project on the Denver post blog.

 

His project meant a lot of different things to different people. He reports how viewers associated specific pictures with what happened in their lives on that particular day.

 

Over 300 people showed up on-site for his final picture of the project.

 

Mark is now producing a book of all of the images.

 

I once thought of an extremely similar project - shooting a cypress tree near where I lived in Tampa, Florida. Of course, thinking and doing are two different things. And, Mark's tree got a lot wider range of weather than my cypress would have.

 

In any case, I can identify with this project. It's extremely well-done.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Kirk Tuck's Blog Takes A New Turn - Mine Is Finally Hitting A Straightaway Again

 

Department Store DJ, New York City, by Reed A. George

Pentax K1000

 

Kirk Tuck's blog, the Visual Science Lab, is going in a new direction. Wildly successful at leading discussion, debate, and yes, argument about photography equipment, Kirk is now focusing on process and technique.

 

(Click Here) to read about how it's going for Kirk on his blog, Visual Science Lab.

 

If you've been reading my blog very long, you'll know that I made a similar change in January of this year. For the first year of DMC-365 (2012), I focused mainly on using Panasonic Lumix cameras. However, I found that limiting. I'm an admitted camera junkie, and other equipment - Leica, Nikon, and others - kept creeping in.

 

So, for 2013, I've decided not to abandon the equipment side, but to add to it. In fact, my interest in Panasonic continues, and I'm even expanding that area, by becoming one of Panasonic's Early Adopters and testing new equipment as the opportunity presents itself. But, I've decided to bring in more of the creative side. In fact, I'm focusing at the exact interface between the two. Let's face it, photography is a bridge art. Photography depends upon technology, even if it's that old Brownie camera from your grandma's closet. But, even the latest greatest technology doesn't make a good picture without creativity. So, I'm going to focus on where they come together.

 

I did see a drop in page views when I first made this change in January. Now, in May, I'm consistently getting more traffic day by day than I did last year. And, I'm much happier with what I'm writing about. Of course, Kirk would never be happy with my level of blog activity. I think he's had about 200 times more hits than I. But, I'm gaining experience and exposure each and every day.

 

THANKS FOR READING!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Skeletons From The Closet - March Results - Rokkaku-Do Temple in Kyoto Shot With Zeiss Ikonta 521/16

Every year when I visit Japan, I make it a goal to get out early in the mornings for some solitude, thought, and photography. This year, I achieved that on our last day in Kyoto, by visiting Rokkaku-Do, a Buddhist temple from the early Heian period. That means it was like constructed before the year 1000 (otherwise known as Y1K to the computer scientists of the time). Rokkaku-Do is in an urban part of Kyoto, and is immediately adjacent to the headquarters of Ikenobo, the association for Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement. Apparently, Ikebana was started at Rokkaku-Do temple.

 

(Click Here) to read more about Rokkaku-Do temple.

 

I shot in an interesting way on this morning. I carried my Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, a tripod, and my Skeletons From The Closet camera for March, the Zeiss Ikonta 521/16.

 

(Click Here) to read more about my Zeiss Ikonta 521/16.

 

I used the LX7 as my exposure meter and scene test camera. Setting it to the same iso as the film in the Zeiss Ikonta, and selecting square image format, I found the LX7 extremely useful in this way. I also have a nice set of LX7 images to compare to the film shots. I plan to do a post about that in the future.

 

I used my DIY paper card rangefinder to just distance for focusing. (Click Here) to read about that. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for a description and link to a very helpful website for making your own rangefinder card.

 

Here are some of the quiet scenes I experienced that morning, scanned and cropped, but otherwise unedited.

 

Dragon Fountain, by Reed A. George

Zeiss Ikonta 521/16 with Tessar f3.5 Lens

 

 

Swan Pond, by Reed A. George

Zeiss Ikonta 521/16 with Tessar f3.5 Lens

Wooden Stool, by Reed A. George

Zeiss Ikonta 521/16 with Tessar f3.5 Lens

I knew that I liked the shot above as soon as I took it.

Symmetry, by Reed A. George

Zeiss Ikonta 521/16 with Tessar f3.5 Lens

That is the hexagonal main hall roof reflected in the water above. Rokkaku means hexagon in Japanese, and is the source of the temple's popular name.

Traveling Monks and Fallen Blossoms, by Reed A. George

Zeiss Ikonta 521/16 with Tessar f3.5 Lens

 

The best part of my morning was when an elderly Japanese lady came by and said good morning to me. Surprised that I could answer in Japanese, she then began my education about Rokkaku-Do.

 

Kami-Sama, by Reed A. George

Zeiss Ikonta 521/16 with Tessar f3.5 Lens (cropped)

 

She spoke only Japanese, so I must admit that I missed a significant part of the lesson. However, I did understand that the stone gods (kami-sama) above were collected from an important path in the area, I believe a path that led between multiple temples. She also told me that old ladies like her knit the hats and aprons for the kami-sama, because they want to make sure they don't get cold out here.

 

If you notice the little white sculptures lined up in front, they are ceramic doves. When I asked her what they were for, she literally took me by the arm, and walked me up to them, telling me how young couples who are in love come here for a specific purpose. She walked with a spring in her step, like a young girl with her boyfriend. She explained to me that a prospective bride can write down the things she likes about her fiance' on a piece of paper, and also list the things she's not so crazy about, putting an X next to those. The paper is then rolled up and put into a special groove in the bottom of the pigeon statue. The gods will work to make the X'd features of her lover go away. I loved that I was able to understand this part, through a combination of halting language on my part, rapid-fire Japanese on hers, and some hand gestures.

 

She also took me inside one of the buildings to explain that Rokkaku-Do was one of 36 stops on the Kansai Kannon pilgramage, where people visit 36 different spots to worship the god Kannon.

 

(Click Here) to read more about the Kansai Kannon pilgrimage.

 

My only regret was that she was too shy to let me take her picture. She politely gave me a wave of the hand, shook her head "no," and quickly moved off. I have said that my goal is not to catch every possible good photograph, but to make sure the ones I do get are the best I can make them. She'll have to be one of the ones I missed.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

When the Inner and Outer Worlds Converge

 

Image Source: http://munchow.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/when-inner-and-outer-world-become-one/

 

I read a thoughtful post, about the simultaneous exploration of the outer world and the inner world of the photographer himself (or herself) in the making of photographs, on Otto Von Munchow's blog.

 

(Click Here) to read the entire post on munchow.wordpress.com, including some thoughts from Henri Cartier-Bresson, a master of sharing the inner and outer worlds and where they converge.

 

One of the concepts that Munchow brings up is "tunnel vision," the exclusive focus that one gets when fully absorbed in photography. He mentions that when he achieves this state, he can be sure that there will be some good images in whatever he's taken. But, he cannot usually say which ones, until he reviews them.

 

I am very different in that way. I certainly experience this focus on the subject, process, and myself - "tunnel vision." However, I usually know which images are going to be the best from the set, even when I'm shooting film and cannot review them on the spot. Of course, there are sometimes surprises, both positive and negative. Those "missed the focus by that much" to use Maxwell Smart's expression (sorry, it's an old TV show, called "Get Smart"), and those rare images that didn't make an impression while shooting but just jump out at you when you see them developed. However, I can usually pinpoint the three or four best shots before seeing them.

 

Below is a case in point. I was initially attracted to the water droplets on this lotus leaf. As I was working on different angles and approaches, the shadows and textures became much more apparent. In fact, the line of the shadow taking on approximately the shape of a yin-yang symbol finally popped into my head, and I captured it. To me, this embodies how I felt about this place, this moment, and myself, photographing lotuses on the grounds of a Buddhist temple. I knew I liked this one before reviewing it.

Lotus Leaf and Water, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, 24-85mm f2.8-4 Lens

iso 100, f16, High Dynamic Range (HDR) composite of three exposures

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Spanish Girl on Train

I took these two shots on a train, on the way to the Spanish coastal city of Sitges. Individually, I don't think they say much. Together, they remind me of some of the details of the day - the weather, the sounds of the train on the tracks, the day we had exploring the Mediterranean beach and sights.

Spanish Girl on Train, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Processed with Snapseed

 
I'm in the process of working out how to use my iPad for photo backup on travel. I'm not quite there yet. As a result, these pictures don't have metadata associated with them (a problem I think I know how to fix), so I can't say the exposure details at this point. Not that they matter much - it's the feeling and details of these shots that mean something to me.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Why Is This So Bloody Fun? Holga Plastic Lens on Micro 4/3.

So, on a whim and a suggestion (from Andrea Costa, one of my readers), I recently picked up a Holga plastic lens for my Lumix DMC-G3 Micro 4/3 camera. Total cost? $22 including shipping, and a couple of weeks waiting for shipment from Hong Kong.
 
(Click Here) to go to Holga Direct if you want one.
 
I used mine on our last day in Barcelona. I can't really explain why, but it's sort of freeing to not worry about the technical quality of your images. It's a blast to just snap whatever comes in front of your eyes. One very rough focus knob is all there is. The f-stop is always f8. I used aperture priority sometimes, manual shutter speed settings, other times. Most of the time I used iso 400, but went up to 3200 in dark places.
 
This shot was taken from the cable car going up to Montjuic Castle. These guys were working on the roof of a building in the part.

Roof Repairs, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

Going Up, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

I find that this lens works best with bold shapes and colors. Maybe that's one of the things I like about using it. It just kind of captures blurry little memories of what you're experiencing. I really, really like using it.

Vines, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

Montjuic Castle Arches, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

 

Lamps, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

Tomatoes, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

I highly recommend that you get one of these. I can feel it being a great solution for creative block, when I just can't think of anything to shoot, or what to say with my photography. I wondered about whether I'd regret using it on a trip to Barcelona - didn't I want all nice, sharp images? The answer is no. The Holga lens really added to my trip, and the shots here will be part of my memories of the trip.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 

"Everyday Poetic" by Olivier Duong (thef8blog.com)

 

Everyday Poetic by Olivier Duong

Image Source: http://thef8blog.com/everyday-poetic/

 

As every morning, I was blowing through a lot of news and blog entries online to see if there's anything new and interesting in the online world of photography today. Not finding anything inspiring, I decided to take at look at Olivier Duong's blog, thef8blog.com. That's when I saw the image above.

 

(Click Here) to go to thef8blog.com

 

Apparently, Olivier is writing an ebook, and took this shot during a mind break in the coffee shop. I'll be sure to look for his book when it comes out.

 

I love the flowing lines, monochrome treatment (I bet the colors in this shot were interesting, too), and sort of rough post-processing. The vignetting in the corners focuses the viewer on the smooth curves of the fabric, just as it should. Nicely done, Olivier!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

It's getting near the holidays, folks! Please order your gifts from Amazon through the link below! Save me from another $.28 revenue month (not joking, that's what I made last month)! :)

 

 

 

The Psychology of Photography - Published by Theme

 

Image Source: http://the.me/the-psychology-of-photography/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+themephoto+%28theme%29

 
Occasionally, I like to back up and think about why I (we) photograph. I put an enormous amount of time and thought into my photography, and it rewards me back more than I put in. Theme recently published a thoughtful article on the subject.
 
(Click Here) to read the story on Theme. Be sure to watch the TED video. There are graphic images in the video, but they're strong, meaningful ones.
 
Sometimes the "philosophy of photography" can seem dull and overly-introspective to me. I've read some books (including some famous ones) that I forced myself to finish, and then concluded that I was no smarter at the end than the beginning. So, I like short, thoughtful pieces like the one above.
 
A couple of concepts that stuck with me are that photography is a way of "...crystallizing one's own experience..." and a way to "...to less ignore the life we live in..."
 
Another touchpoint of this article and video is that good images force us to act. I believe that all good art evokes emotion (I'm not sure who said that, but it's not my original idea). That emotion is not always positive or good. And, I also believe that emotion drives action. So, I can go along with this concept.
 
Finally, the piece makes the point that a good image is made by the photographer, the camera, the object, and most importantly by the viewer. The viewer must get the point for the communication to have been effective.
 
I found this brief piece interesting. But, enough navel gazing. Let's get out and make some pictures.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

So This Poll Has Me Thinking... Should I Be Planning My Photos More?

 

View Poll Results: Do you stage your pictures?
Yes, I usually do		5	6.94%
Sometimes I move things around or adjust the lighting.		23	31.94%
I shoot what I see.		44	61.11%
Voters: 72. You may not vote on this poll

 
 
Table Source: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122125
 
I found the table above on rangefinder forum. I really enjoy these polls there. I am in the middle grouping, where I normally like to just shoot what I see, but sometimes arrange things a little. I rarely stage a picture. I am beginning to think that this is an area that would improve my range and results.
 
I have been reading a book by Chris Orwig, People Pictures: 30 Exercises for Creating Authentic Photographs.
 
Here is a link to the book on Amazon:
 
 
Chris' book is a series of assignments for exploring and improving your people photography. I have been reading it slowly, over a month or so.
 
In the past, I have had good luck with following assignments in photography books, most notably the book Contemplative Photography.
 
(Click Here) to see my post on that book and the associated exercises.
 
For some reason, I have not actually done any of the assignments in Orwig's book. I think it's a real stretch for me. In fact, he comes at photography from such a different place than I do, he has an assignment that "challenges" the photographer to take an unstaged series of photos.
 
I don't like the look and feel of totally posed photographs. However, I think the trick is in getting the shot set up, then getting a little bit of unstaged emotion from the subject. I don't have any interest in taking high school portrait-style images. But, a little planning can really help. I will challenge myself to actually perform some of the exercises in Orwig's book, and report back.
 
Here's an example of a mildly-staged shot. I asked these girls if I could photograph them as they lay onthe grass in front of the stage at the Floyd Festival. I simply asked them to put their heads as close together as possible, then walked up between them so that I could shoot nearly straight down. I like the result. If I hadn't been nervous and feeling like they'd want me to hurry, I would have added a little fill flash. They don't look like they're bothered by my presence now, do they? That was a feeling I generated myself. Next time, I'll stay a little longer and try to get the perfect shot.

Buddies, by Reed A. George
Panasonic DMC-G3, Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 at 17mm
iso400, f3.5, 1/3200 sec
 
 
So, I'll try to put some focus on planning my shots a little more, and see what develops.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Another Vicarious Travel Set - This Time, Bali, Indonesia, by choongmin63 on dpreview Forum

Bali, Indonesia, by choongmin63 on dpreview.com

Image Source: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=41873175

 

Member choongmin63 has posted a few excellent pictures from Bali, Indonesia on dpreview.com.

 

(Click Here) to see the post on dpreview.com.

 

I can't see any information on what lenses were used, but the title indicates the pics were taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3. Every time I see something like this, I remind myself that if I hold back on gear purchases, I can afford trips to amazing new places. I'd like to see Indonesia first-hand.

 

Thanks, choongmin63, for sharing your vision with us.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Landscape Photographer Hans Strand Shares His Story On Zeiss Lens Blog

 

Hans Strand - Master Landscape Photographer and Zeiss Enthusiast

Image Source: http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=1785

Hans Strand, Swedish landscape photographer, and I have at least a couple of things in common. First off, Hans is a trained Mechanical Engineer with a passion for photography. Second, he appreciates fine photographic equipment, from the point of view of an engineer.

(Click Here) to read Hans' complete story on the Zeiss lens blog, outlining how he transitioned from Engineering to Photography as his vocation, how he composes his images, and why he enjoys Carl Zeiss lenses.

We also have some differences. Hans is a master of the wide angle, which is somewhat elusive to me (I'm working on it). He maximizes depth of field and ultra-sharp focus in his landscape work. Another difference - he loves cold places. If I were to pick an ideal location to photograph, it would likely be a tropical island (Kauai comes to mind), or the Sierra Nevada Mountains, at the cold end. Hans prefers Iceland. To each his own.

Finally, one more point we share - even though he does a completely different style of photography, Hans appreciates the precision and timing of Henri Cartier Bresson's (HCB's) compositions. In my opinion, no other famous photographer has gotten it as right as HCB. Every time I pick up a rangefinder and head out to shoot a street scene, I wish for some insight from that guy.

I also enjoy Zeiss lenses - especially old ones, like the old Zeiss Tessar f2.8 on my 521/16 medium format folding camera that I used for these two shots:

Snow Dance, by Reed A. George

Zeiss 521/16 Medium Format Folding Camera, Zeiss Tessar f2.8

Waterford News, by Reed A. George

Zeiss 521/16 Medium Format Folding Camera, Zeiss Tessar f2.8

To tie it in a little, of course I enjoy my modern Zeiss Biogon 25mm f2.8, which makes a wonderful normal lens on the Lumix G3, great for street photography.

(Click Here) to see my recent post of a triptych shot with that combination.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 
 
 

 

Mike Johnston of The Online Photographer Shares Some Lumix DMC-GF1 Shots of the Abandoned Pabst Brewery

 

Abandoned Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee, by Mike Johnston of the Online Photographer

Image Source: http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2012/05/the-abandoned-pabst-brewery.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2FZSjz+%28The+Online+Photographer%29

Mike Johnston of the Online Photographer has posted some great images from an abandoned Pabst beer brewery in Milwaukee, WI, USA.

(Click Here) to see Mike's post on the Online Photographer blog.

Mike's images were shot with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 at iso1600 - a real stretch in terms of image quality for that camera. Of course, at the resolution of small online images, they sure look great. Mike reports that the noise would make printing of them pretty tough.

Mike toured the building with photographer Jack MacDonough, and includes a shot of Jack working with his Leica S2 on a tripod in his post. That's Mike's favorite of the bunch; it's my favorite, too.

We have all made the mistake of going to a great location without a tripod. Mike made that mistake (admittedly), but pulled through pretty well with his GF1, if you ask me.

I've written in the past about the photographic allure of abandoned places and things.

(Click Here) to see my last post on the subject.

The subject still intrigues me.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Kirk Tuck of Visual Science Lab - Olympus Pen F 150mm f4 on G3 - Well, It Works Quite Well, Thank You!

 

Kirk Tuck's Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 and Olympus Pen F 150mm f4

Image Source: http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2012/05/panasonic-g3-meets-lens-from-another.html

 
Kirk Tuck recently wrote about the experience of using a very nice legacy lens on his Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3. This is the 150mm f4 made by Olympus in the 1970s.
 
(Click Here) to read Kirk's post on Visual Science Lab.
 
By the way, if you don't read Kirk's blog regularly, you should. Here's the address:
 

http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com

 
Kirk's contention is that Olympus is following its own footsteps, introducing new Pen lenses for the Micro 4/3 line that represent equivalents to those of the past. The Pen F lenses were made for the original Olympus Pen system, which was a half-frame 35mm format - the same field of view as Micro 4/3.
 
Kirk also makes the point that without all of today's gadgetry built into the camera, great optics can still produce great results. I agree wholeheartedly. After scanning film for a couple of hours last night, I had a couple of examples that remind me how sweet old glass can be. For example, this is from my Leica Summar 5cm f2 lens from the 1930s:
 
 

Stand-Up Bass Taking a Rest, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIC, Leica Summar 5cm f2

 
The Leica Summar is a very early 35mm rangefinder lens, and is known for "soft" glass, which is easily damaged by cleaning or otherwise. In fact, it took purchasing three different units before I found an undamaged one. But boy, does it have character.
 
I will admit that while I am still in love with many of my old lenses, including attached to the latest Lumix bodies, I for one cannot wait to try out the new Olympus 75mm f1.8.
 
Thanks, Kirk, for sharing your thoughts!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
Notice: As of today, 6/1/12, this lens is only available for pre-order. It is not in stock.