Leitz 90mm Elmar LTM in Color

by Posted in Flowers, Landscapes, Leitz 90mm f4 Elmar LTM, Nature, Still Life Leave a comment
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When I was writing the earlier post on this lens (see: Leitz 90mm f4 Elmar LTM) I realized that I’d only shown black and white images. So since the weather wasn’t particularly pleasant I decided to take some color pictures using it in and around our house:

Above – Orchid.

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One of my wife’s plants (I have no idea what it is).

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Still life

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Another orchid

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Blue and white vessels on a red cabinet

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Clouds. Taken while walking the dog after the weather had picked up a bit.

New York’s place in the history of photography

by Posted in People, Photographers, Photographs, Photography Leave a comment

The Hidden History of Photography and New York – The New York Times

Although I’m interested in many different things, I suppose my two main interests are photography and history so I was pleased to find this informative article. I was not familiar with much of the information in it e.g. Samuel Morse’s role in introducing photography into the US.

Morse’s early introduction to the daguerreotype was just the first of many firsts that New Yorkers claim in the medium’s nascent history. New York City was not only the birthplace of American photography, but also the setting for some of its most substantial early commercial and technological developments.

Source: The Hidden History of Photography and New York – The New York Times

Minolta MD 50mm f1.4

by Posted in Lenses, Minolta MD 50mm f1.4 Leave a comment
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I’ve said many times before that my first real camera was a Minolta Hi-Matic 7sii compact rangefinder. For a while I used a Canon SLR (AE-1), but when it came to switch to digital after a period using Canon and Panasonic compact digital cameras, I turned initially to a Konica/Minolta Maxxum DSLR (5D) and when Minolta got out of the camera business, to a Sony Alpha 500. So I’m a bit biased. I’ve always had a fondness for Minolta cameras, and particularly for their lenses. It should be no surprise then that when I started using legacy lenses (with an appropriate adapter) on my Sony NEX 5N, Minolta lenses were among the first I considered.

I particularly like this one. It feels good in the hand. Solid, but not unduly heavy. It’s also quite compact.

The aperture ring clicks nicely and the focus is smooth and precise. Minimum focusing distance is 1.5ft.

It’s very good optically with seven elements in six groups providing superb contrast and resolution. I love the out of focus areas (I hate the world bokeh). I didn’t notice any significant chromatic aberration and the only flare that was apparent was when shooting directly into the sun.

I think mine cost about $50, which is terrific value for money

I use mine with an inexpensive adapter on my Sony NEX 5N where it’s the equivalent of a 75mm lens.

For a more extensive review see: Minolta 50mm f1.4 – the Ultimate Standard Legacy Lens on Casual Photophile.

For some pictures I’ve taken with this lens see:

Tulips
Heron Statues
Abandoned Shacks
Thousand Lotus Terrace
Williams Burial Plot

Tulips

by Posted in Flowers, Lenses, Minolta MD 50mm f1.4, Nature Leave a comment
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We’ve had some nice, warm, sunny weather on occasion lately, but it’s largely been grim: chilly, often windy, cloudy, rainy etc. The leaves are not yet back on the trees and we’re supposed to get some more snow tomorrow, and – possibly even more next week. So to offset the gloom I thought I’d post something with a bit of color.

We had some people over the other day and after the cooking and cleaning my wife went out to get some flowers and came back with these tulips. I was very impressed by the colors.

Taken with a Sony Nex 5N and Minolta MD 50mm f1.4 lens.

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