nathaniel_pearson

The Kodak Medalist is an amazing machine.

 

Get it converted to 120 (Manfred of manfredschmidt.com can do it for you).

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For reference, a couple examples of what the 50/4 does for me currently.<div></div>

My impression from online tests (using the RD-1) at luminous-landscape was that the

Ultron had noticeably more aberration (esp. chromatic) in the outer field at wide

apertures than did the Summicron. All told, flare bothers me less than some other

factors, as I rarely shoot outdoors contre-jours.

 

I certainly love my CV 21/4 and 50/1.5. However, it is nice to ponder using the very

best-performing lens in a given niche (fast 135 28). The Mamiya 50/4 might well

qualify as such in its own niche (6x6 50), of course. If only it were faster...

 

All of which raises an idea for CV: build a couple lenses for Mamiya 6! I'd love to see

a lens specialized for indoor available light shooting with that camera -- specifically,

I'd sacrifice the typical top leaf-shutter speed (I'd accept 1/125 instead of 1/500) for

an f/2 lens. Even with the fairly wide rf parallax that the 6 has, focusing precision

concerns would likely limit such a lens to standard (75mm) or wider angle -- but it

would carve out a whole new niche for itself!

Thanks to those who have posted pics and comments so far. Frederick's night shot of the towers is technically impressive, if indeed shot wide open. In mulling this lens, though, I'd be asking it to fill the niche of my Mamiya (6) 50mm (which I'd likely have to trade/sell, perhaps along with the body, to finance a 28 'cron). The Mamiya 50/4, while slow, can make beautiful environmental portraits wide open. However, as a flash-averse shooter, I might really appreciate two more stops (plus the size and gear reduction entailed in switching to the Summicron), even at the expense of a bit more grain and shutter noise. The Mamiya is incredibly easy to hand-shoot stably at slow shutter speeds -- but, alas, few interesting low-light subjects are catatonic. Thoughts?

From tests the 28 'cron looks superb (yes, pristinely so -- ceci ce n'est pas un troll...),

and I've thought about saving up for it. But after extensive googling I've still had a

tough time finding many pictorial examples that exploit the lens's distinguishing

technical capacities (speed, sharpness, even illumination, inclusive composition). Can

some of you who have used it post some of your favorite examples? Many thanks.

Bliss.<div></div>

Central's used gear is generally ludicrously priced -- and I see no market wisdom in

letting a Minolta CLE+40+90 kit gather dust at an asking price of ~$2K (if memory

serves). To me, the people looking for such cameras in the age of pocketable digital

ease are likely to know how much they go for on Ebay. So, either Central strikes it

rich with a very rare loaded sucker, or they're merely pricing things to stay in order to

perpetuate the archaic, aisle-cramping, stuffed-to-the-gills atmosphere.

 

As pointed out, their darkroom stuff is priced ok. And though film tends to be nearly

double what it should be, they do usually have some 120 Fortepan &c. on ridiculous

clearance price. Plus, there are some awfully nice folks there (George and Tim come

to mind), and they really look out for regulars, i.e. try to get them a discount on a

used item, a sample roll of film now and then, &c.

Rob, looks like you might be in a good position to document the final October sea of

red at Busch Stadium with your 21mm...

They do suffer from oversharpening, I think -- I downsized them after one round of sharpening, and added another 'sharpen edges' to try to recapture the snap...and, voila, the edge halos, weird-looking glasses, &c.

 

Btw, Max, your Zuiko is en route today. Thanks for comments, all.

All shot w/CV 50/1.5 on M3, on FP4+ and/or HP5+, if memory serves.

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To follow up a couple of the 21mm views I just posted, here are a few more from the

recent nationwide evening of vigils in support of Cindy Sheehan. One of the Chicago

vigils, of course.<div></div>

And a clickable landscape.<div></div>

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Another abstract.<div></div>

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A couple more...<div></div>

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