Incredible Deal on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 on Amazon

This is the best price I've ever seen on this camera:
 
 
 
 
I am quite tempted to buy one myself at this price.
 
Get it while the price is low!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Unique Composition of Familiar Subject

 

Brooklyn Bridge by phatning

Olympus Pen E-PM1, Lumix 14mm f2.5

Image Source: http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu264/tkning/120615%20NYC%20Photowalk/P6150270-2.jpg

 
I have read and heard it said that the ultimate photographic challenge is to make a unique picture of an often-photographed familiar subject. Well, phatning has posted the shot above on mu-43.com. I think it accomplishes that goal quite well.
 
(Click Here) to see the post on mu-43.com.
 
When I saw the post entitled "Brooklyn Bridge," I didn't have high hopes. I think this picture delivers. Just my opinion, of course.
 
There is an old bridge on the property where I work. I walk there often, but have yet to make a unique image of it. This gives me hope. I will have to try again.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 

I Would Have Thought It Was April Fool's Day, But Here's a New Polaroid Instant Camera - Digital!

 

Polaroid Z2300 - Instant Digital Prints!

Image Source: www.amazon.com

 
Well, I suppose it had to happen someday. Polaroid is back in the instant camera business. The newly-announced Z2300 uses a digital sensor and has an integrated printer, which makes 2"x3" prints on the spot.
 
Pretty cool. Retails for $159.
 
(Click Here) to read the same story I did on ePhotoZine.
 
(Click Here) to read about it on Polaroid's site.
 
I sort of see this like an iPhone camera with a printer attached. It would be great for parties. I think it's great to see the combination of digital imaging and instant printing in such a small package. Gimmick? Perhaps. But, I bet the original Polaroid instant films were seen the same way, and they sure found more serious uses, such as for setting up large format images before committing to regular film.
 
Anyway - certainly something different, and that's worth something today.
 
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THEME Interview with Leica Product Management Director Stefan Daniel

 

Leica M Monochrome
Image Source: http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/m_monochrom/
 
The photography website THEME (the.me) posted an interview with Leica's Product Management Director, Stefan Daniel.
 
(Click Here) to read the whole interview at THEME.
 
Among the many points discussed in the interview, I found these most informative:
 

• Leica continues to make film cameras (the MP and M7) at a low but constant rate.
• Mr. Daniel believes that the reasons that some photographers continue to use film are not technical in nature. Nor are they to avoid the cost of digital equipment. He states that especially with the advent of the new Leica M Monochrom, there is no longer any technical advantage to shooting film. Black and white image quality was one of the last remaining technical benefits of film; now the Monochrom has fixed that.
• When asked if Leica are planning to remake and reissue any of their classic lens designs, Mr. Daniel pretty clearly said that they are not heading in that direction. They don't want to redo what they've already done.
• There is a big Leica factory expansion going on in Wetzlar, Germany.
• In regard to why the M system still offers only manual focus lenses, Mr. Daniel indicated that lens compactness is the driving factor. He basically says (my words, not his) that anyone can achieve compact lens design with small sensors (e.g. Micro 4/3 format), but that the challenge is to pair small lenses with big sensors. Manual focus is currently the only way to achieve that at the level that Leica prefers.

So, this leads me to believe that if Leica were to come out with a new interchangeable lens system camera, it would proably not be Micro 4/3 format. I would think it would be APS-C or larger sensor size, but would incorporate autofocus. Total speculation on my part, of course.

Another personal opinion - Leica would lose a lot of their nostalgic buyers for M system lenses if they shifted to autofocus. I can honestly say that manual focus makes me feel much more of the photographic process. When I think of the photography that I love, my left hand forms the shape of a lens barrel and focus ring.

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How About an HDR Competition?

 

Inside the Stone House, Manassas Battlefield, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7, f6.3, HDR

 
mu-43.com is hosting a salon competition - hurry - it closes on July 18.
 
(Click Here) to enter!
 
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World Pentax Day Entries - Got Out With My Pentax Spotmatic!

 

Officer On Field, by Reed A. George

Pentax Spotmatic SP, Takumar 35mm f3.5

 
June 23, 2012 was World Pentax Day. So, I made sure to get out with my trusty old Spotmatic and a few favorite lenses.
 
(Click Here) to see the World Pentax Day gallery.
 
I took my daughter and her friend to a civil war reenactment at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, on the Bolivar Heights battlefield. An eleven year old girl with her friend, out in the heat, at a civil war event. You may be able to guess that I had a very short time window. But, all was not lost. We actually timed our arrival perfectly, with the final cannon blast happening just a few minutes after we arrived.
 
 

Firing Orders, by Reed A. George

Pentax Spotmatic SP, Takumar 35mm f3.5

 

Officer's Sabre, by Reed A. George

Pentax Spotmatic SP, Super-Takumar 50mm f1.4

 
It's nice to have any reason to get out and shoot a good old camera. World Pentax Day worked for me!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Better Than Halfway Through the July Film Challenge!

 

T. Rex, Smithsonian Natural History Museum, by Reed A. George

Leica M4P, 50mm Summicron f2

 
I am on day five of the seven day film challenge, started on Rangefinder Forum.
 
(Click Here) to read more about the challenge.
 
I have been shooting Leica film cameras exclusively for this one, beginning with a Barnack-designed Leica IIIa(G) from 1937. I am visiting my parents now, shooting with a Leica CL and 3.5cm Elmar f3.5, and a Leica M4-2 with Summicron 50mm f2 and Elmarit 90mm f2.8.
 
I have been thoroughly enjoying the experience of shooting with film for several days in a row. The experience has been different every day. Starting out, on a regular work day, I was challenged to find enough to shoot to finish a roll. Now, that problem has passed. For example, I went to the rifle range with my step-dad this morning, and shot several exposures there.
 
Anyway, part of the challenge is to select three favorites, and write about the experience of using film for seven days. Hopefully, it will be hard to select three favorites. We'll see.
 
So far, so good.
 
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