david_smith110

<p><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/658/20780655551_7dbe2db33c_c.jpg" alt="" /><br> <em>coco thru two windows, real and reflected</em><br> <em><br /></em>a7 II • FDn 50/1.7</p> <p>My nephew runs an English school over in China. This last couple of weeks he has had some of the families of the children he teaches over in San Fran for an American trip. I was fortunate enough to get to hand out with them for a while since I live not to far away. Some of the families even hired me for a day to follow them around and document their trip. I shot over 2000 photos for that event alone and I am still sorting thru them, but here are a few of the ones I have ready.</p>

<p><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/472/19445449116_82b2bcf49a_c.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/19465173012_595dfe1650_c.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/348/19402432288_6b25502653_c.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Some night shots from the 4th of July. Vendors and fireworks. A7 with FDn 50/1.4</p>

<p>This might help a little bit. Here are my old film lenses being used on my A7. https://www.flickr.com/photos/8539414@N07/sets/72157641534772013</p> <p>And here are many of the same lenses being used on my NEX 7 (sometimes with a Speedbooster for the Yashica lenses). https://www.flickr.com/photos/8539414@N07/sets/72157629936411965</p> <p>You will notice that for the most part the photos are pretty similar. Since I have developed my particular style of shooting it really doesn't matter which format I use to create images with. They will basically come out looking like they do. The main issue is really being able to use the correct focal length of the lens. I prefer full frame simply for the fact that if I mount a 50mm on it then it is a 50mm, as god intended. I shoot a lot of my images at 50mm so it is nice not to have to go searching in the 35mm focal length for a good fifty something after the crop factor is taken into consideration.</p> <p>Now you can mitigate a lot of this on apsc by using a Speedbooster. Those little things are amazing and they work EXACTLY as advertised. At least the one by Metabones does, I recommend them over the others since they developed the concept for mirrorless cameras in conjunction with Brian Caldwell, a noted lens designer. After I purchased my Contax Yashica to NEX speedbooster it pretty much stayed on my camera.</p> <p>My advice? Go full frame. It simply gives you more options. Unless you shoot a lot of telephoto then apsc will give you the added reach. Either way, just go make great images.</p>

<p>Ahhhhh, Campagnolo. That's good stuff. :)</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/427/19268138720_91dbf687de_c.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/505/19455687025_6a3b9e8fd6_c.jpg" alt="" width="534" height="800" /></p> <p>sooc</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/317/18833167154_5d2d26314f_c.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Safety Orange playing at the local fireworks show on the 4th of July. All shots on A7 with Canon Fdn 50/1.4</p>

<p>Im glad you feel that way about the shower girl photo Karim. That one stands out as special to me as well. In relation to the photo my little girl was down in the pool under the bottom of the photo, where the rails enter the water. I had moved around to this location to grab some more shots when my eyes focused past the railing and I saw the young girl.</p> <p>It was one of those epiphany moments when I saw her standing starkly against the wall. I quickly raised my camera, focused and fired off two shots. Being surrounded by parents who were watching their kids splash around there was some trepidation about taking photos of a young girl showering if anyone noticed. But I simply could not let the moment pass in sort of a HCB decisive moment way. I was full well ready to defend myself if someone approached me and demanded to know what I was doing.</p> <p>As it was...nothing happened. I actually wish I could track down her parents and offer them such a powerful image of their child. But it is probably not worth the can of worms that might open so she will just have to remain an unknown girl in a beautiful photo.</p> <p>On the technical side, the rendering of the old mirror lens in this capture is very pleasing. There is a softness to it, a film like rendering which lends a powerful overall mood to the image which I don't think would have been there had I used another lens.</p> <p>Thanks for you comments as always Karim. :)</p>

<p>Edward, I completely agree with everything you said. I myself shoot exclusively with 'recycled' SLR lenses from the film era.</p> <p>My comment stems from a personal feeling I have toward lens test in general and was not directed at you specifically. I believe lens comparisons to be a complete and utter waste of time. But they seem to proliferate on forums dedicated to photography and in many ways they do far more harm then good. There are three main reasons I dislike them.</p> <p>1. <strong>They are unscientific</strong>- For the most part these comparisons are done in completely uncontrolled environments with little to no control over all the variable that can effect the results for each lens. From lighting conditions that change every few seconds, to changing wind speed and directions, from mistakes made in camera settings, to crappy tirpods, from how much alchohol was consumed at the beginning of the test vs the end....the list goes on forever. It could be that when the tester shot a photo on the first lens he nailed focus on some leaves where the lighting was good and there was no wind. But on the next lens several minutes later a cloud had covered the sun a bit and the wind had picked up. Maybe focus wasnt exactly perfect on this shot so now we might have some 'blurring' in certain parts of the photo they may have <em>absolutely nothing</em> to do with the lens. These are silly and anecdotal examples I know but in uncontrolled situations it is almost impossible to make a claim either way.</p> <p>2. <strong>Sample variation</strong>- If both of us own the exact same old lens then the simple fact is that the results I get on mine may not be anywhere near the results you get on yours. We have no idea about what happened to each of our copies in the last twenty years. Uncentered elements, fungus, dirt, grease, internal damage we cant see. Again, to many uncontrolled variables can effect the outcome of a lens comparison and skew the results one way or the other. This may convince someone to not buy a particular lens which has the potential to become their favorite piece of glass ever and inspire their photography in ways we cant imagine.</p> <p>3. <strong>It promotes gear centric photography over creativity</strong>- I agree completely with your statement concerning our craft having a unavoidable technical aspect. And the more I shoot thru the years the more I try to downplay that aspect every chance I get, especially with new or young shooters. Photography is one of the Arts that is, for better or worse, chained to technology in a way in which Dance or Painting is not. It is both a strength and a horrible weakness. Lens comparisons tend to focus so much on the elements of a photograph that are <em>not really important</em>. Corner to corner sharpness, center sharpness, bokeh, chromatic aberations, etc. The absolute worst thing we can expose a new photographer to are all the trivial little technical considerations that mean so little and can be overcome easily by creativity and vision. And the proof of this?</p> <p><em>A good photographer can take an amazing photograph with a crappy lens.</em></p> <p>If this is the case then we need to preach instead the value in learning photography...not specs. Instead of providing a row of images shot at every aperture with minute differences (that are scientifically uncontrolled anyway) we should instead show powerful and moving imagery shot with these lenses which will inspire the viewer to do likewise. In other words..."Hey, check out these images I shot with this old lens." "Holy wow man, those are great!". This is the dialogue we should be having in the community.</p> <p>Again, this is not directed at you Edward. I see lens comparisons and tests on photographic sites everywhere across the web. And the lot of them do little or nothing to advance the creative or artistic portions of our Art.</p> <p>I would like to thank you for the time you did invest in getting the test together however. At least you are putting effort into advancing our craft. :)</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/545/18968251519_2ea1339c8f_c.jpg"" alt="" /><br> <em>conserve</em></p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/310/18966686600_b8ba76368d_c.jpg" alt="" /><br> My little girl.</p> <p>John, I do like the processing. :)</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/551/18968245149_206483a38a_c.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>All shots this week are from a local water park where my little girl was taking some swim lessons. I grabbed my A7 and the most telephoto lens I own to capture her at a distance. The lens is an old Mitakon 500/8 mirror lens in Nikon mount. It is not what I would call a great lens by any means but it has a certain look to it. I really love mirror lenses for their unique bokeh and like to use them to paint a scene with the no focus style of photography I shoot from time to time. Hope you enjoy.</p> <p>BTW Sanford, I really love Big Sur. I used to ride my motorcycle through there all the time.</p>

<p>Test less. Create more. :)</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/272/19070708695_62d1458eca_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/387/19044549016_b54a032a51_c.jpg" alt="" />Here you go John. These are some minimal changes added to a couple of photos you sent me. Basically some color toning, a little texture on one and a darker boarder. Pretty much what I do to a lot of my photos.</p> <p>I have to say that I really like the quality of the Summar in this regard. It renders a very soft and dreamy scene and I could play around a lot with images that are created with this lens. I hope you like the results, I realize they might not be for everyone. :)</p> <p> </p>

<p>Hey again John, I responded to your email.</p>

<p>Ian, a very powerful photo. Immediately draws the eye.</p> <p>Barry, there is an incredible timelessness about your image. I could almost imagine it being shot on film back in the 60's rather then recently on mirrorless. </p> <p>Sanford, you first image has some of these qualities as well. Especially with the foggy background. </p> <p>John, this is a bit of an odd request but I have an overwhelming desire to do slight post processing to some of your recent Summar photos. I actually did some to the Bluebell photo you posted this week. I would be interested if you wouldn't mind me posting it to see what you think. There is a beautiful antiqueness to that lens that I would like to experiment with.</p>

<p>Kyle, glad to hear another person had made the move to mirrorless. The camera really is nothing more then just a tool but it is nice to feel a connection between yourself and the instrument you use to make are or produce work for a client. The XT1 is a gorgeous body and sometimes I regret choosing my A7 over the Fuji. But I know had I went with the XT1 I would have had the same periodic feelings about not choosing the Sony.</p> <p>The Fuji X cameras benefit from an envious selection of lenses for sure. I wish Sony had such a focused and thoughtful plan for their lens lineup as Fuji had. They are catching up with some nice Ziess offerings but they are still behind in this aspect.</p> <p>Even though I shoot full frame now I sort of miss the versatility of crop sensor. Yes, the FF depth of field is nice and correct field of view with old lenses and all that. But sometimes I wish I still had the extra speed my Speedbooster gave me on my old NEX 7. The Fujis are simply a great platform for Speedboosters and I still may have to purchase an X camera in the future.</p> <p>But anyway, I hope you are happy with you selection. It is a wonderful camera to be sure. Cant wait to see some images from it.</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5615/15523181346_81b60e02b2_c.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>a7 • Konica hexanon AR 200/4</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3944/15360757338_9ddd93b468_c.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>a7 • Konica hexanon AR 200/4</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3878/14298939788_bfda1bcf04_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></p> <p>a7 • Konica hexanon AR 28/3.5</p> <p>Not really anything new this week so a trip down memory lane.</p>

<p>Kai over at DigitaRev did a nice little piece on the new Batis lenses. Seem old Kai is warming up to the whole A7 thing.</p> <p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/344/18613683215_ce82f70d4e_c.jpg" alt="" width="534" height="800" /></p>