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The half-red filter I originally bought has now turned up, I'm guessing that and my half-blue one are intended for black and white. That said, I fully intend to have a play with them on digital and see how they alter landscape shots.
Comment by Dangermouse posted on Bi-colour filter - why? at 23/06/2010 - 16:19
I'll have a play and see what results I get. So far I've managed to make the kitchen sink look very odd by turning the right hand half red and the left half blue!
Comment by Dangermouse posted on Bi-colour filter - why? at 22/06/2010 - 21:36
As a result of an ebay accident (seller sent the wrong filter, but said they'll send the one I ordered and to keep the first one as it was their fault - excellent customer service!) I've ended up with a bi-colour red/blue filter. It has 180 degrees of the glass disk red and the rest blue.
I'm just wondering where/why this would be used?
I'm just wondering where/why this would be used?
Comment by Dangermouse posted on Bi-colour filter - why? at 22/06/2010 - 14:43
axl wrote:
OK, even if OP is off elsewhere I'll share my opinion.
I have had FA43 since January. Marvelous lens IMO. I got DA*55 to replace my K50/1.2 and K55/1.8. After a week's trial I returned it back to the shop.
It's a great lens, but I don't think optically it's better than 50/1.2 and it's OOF rendering is pretty horrid compared to my K50, especially with highlights or contasty stuff in the background.
Other than that I liked it. If I never would have had 50/1.2 I'd probably keep it but once I have tried the OOF rendering of K50/1.2 I couldn't force myself to pick DA* over it. The DA* is very contrasty and very sharp right from 1.4 and not too dissimilar from 43 in overall IQ.
I'd never replace one by another though. I think they complement each other rather nicely.
Oh and for what it's worth, DA*55 DOES cover FF image circle, but without aperture ring it's only usable on few film bodies and only as MF lens because of lack of screwdrive...
my2p
What did you think of the DA 55mm compared to the old K 55mm f1.8? Just intrigued how they compare as I'm never likely to be able to afford the DA version but am rather fond of the K series.OK, even if OP is off elsewhere I'll share my opinion.
I have had FA43 since January. Marvelous lens IMO. I got DA*55 to replace my K50/1.2 and K55/1.8. After a week's trial I returned it back to the shop.
It's a great lens, but I don't think optically it's better than 50/1.2 and it's OOF rendering is pretty horrid compared to my K50, especially with highlights or contasty stuff in the background.
Other than that I liked it. If I never would have had 50/1.2 I'd probably keep it but once I have tried the OOF rendering of K50/1.2 I couldn't force myself to pick DA* over it. The DA* is very contrasty and very sharp right from 1.4 and not too dissimilar from 43 in overall IQ.
I'd never replace one by another though. I think they complement each other rather nicely.
Oh and for what it's worth, DA*55 DOES cover FF image circle, but without aperture ring it's only usable on few film bodies and only as MF lens because of lack of screwdrive...
my2p
Comment by Dangermouse posted on which one to choose DA* 55 or FA 43 limited at 22/06/2010 - 13:38
I think Street View renders the whole "security" argument completely void. You can access it anonymously via a cybercafe (are there any of them left?) or library, or even free wifi hotspots. It has high resolution images of everything visible from public roads and no login or special software is required.
I spent three years studying intelligence/security type stuff, there is plenty of readily available information on historical espionage and techniques. The goal is always to be the grey man, the faceless unmemorable individual. You won't achieve that wandering around with an SLR and trying to get a good composition!
Any real "hostile reconnaissance" is likely to use a camera phone and maybe a notepad to sketch things like interior layouts. Items that any person is likely to have on them and that won't arouse suspicion if seen in public. You can now buy a video camera built into an MP3 player - clip that on your breast pocket, put your headphones in, and you look like just another bored commuter while recording everything. The only way to tell the player apart from a normal one is the tiny hole for the camera.
I spent three years studying intelligence/security type stuff, there is plenty of readily available information on historical espionage and techniques. The goal is always to be the grey man, the faceless unmemorable individual. You won't achieve that wandering around with an SLR and trying to get a good composition!
Any real "hostile reconnaissance" is likely to use a camera phone and maybe a notepad to sketch things like interior layouts. Items that any person is likely to have on them and that won't arouse suspicion if seen in public. You can now buy a video camera built into an MP3 player - clip that on your breast pocket, put your headphones in, and you look like just another bored commuter while recording everything. The only way to tell the player apart from a normal one is the tiny hole for the camera.
Comment by Dangermouse posted on Threatened by police ... at 22/06/2010 - 13:32
philstaff wrote:
Ian
There are a few on ebay but the prices are daft. I paid £50 for mine, £80+ is ridiculous. It's a great lens but it's fully manual.Dangermouse wrote:
Pentax-M 28mm f3.5. Buy one now, perfect focal length for APS-C and incredibly sharp even wide open.
Im always on the look out for these little gems.Pentax-M 28mm f3.5. Buy one now, perfect focal length for APS-C and incredibly sharp even wide open.
Ian
Comment by Dangermouse posted on Old v New at 22/06/2010 - 10:53
mayday wrote:
Accident implies that nobody is at fault. Neither the Police nor the vulture lawyers like that idea...Steve Chasey wrote:
British Police seem treat all RTA as crime scenes - whether fatal or not. End result - big delays, lots of huffing and puffing etc. Years ago, in times when life appeared to be simpler, they'd sketch the scene, runs a tape measure over the skid marks etc, photograph it all and get the road open again asap.
Steve
I understand it's no longer considered a RTA but a RTC. Substitue Accident with Collision!British Police seem treat all RTA as crime scenes - whether fatal or not. End result - big delays, lots of huffing and puffing etc. Years ago, in times when life appeared to be simpler, they'd sketch the scene, runs a tape measure over the skid marks etc, photograph it all and get the road open again asap.
Steve
Comment by Dangermouse posted on Threatened by police ... at 22/06/2010 - 10:43
Pentax-M 28mm f3.5. Buy one now, perfect focal length for APS-C and incredibly sharp even wide open.
Comment by Dangermouse posted on Old v New at 21/06/2010 - 19:37
Does anyone know whether the Samyang 8mm is a full frame lens? I know it has the aperture ring so exposure would be correct.
As I'm thinking 8mm on a film body would be fun, let alone what it'd do on digital!
As I'm thinking 8mm on a film body would be fun, let alone what it'd do on digital!
Comment by Dangermouse posted on Samyang 85mm f1.4 at 20/06/2010 - 17:01
I find that industrial stuff and architecture tend to make the best mono subjects, mostly as it seems to work well on texture and detail. Rocky terrain also works for much the same reason.
Comment by Dangermouse posted on monochrome? when? why? at 20/06/2010 - 15:28
