Saturday's Online: More from Clyde Butcher on Lenses and Sharpness

Facebook being what is is, I can't post the link to Clyde's comments, so I've copied the quote here:

Clyde Butcher, August 26, 2014 Facebook Posting:

"Sunday I took off to Myakka to test out a few lenses. The weather wasn't really any good for photography, but I wanted to test them before my trip to Bozeman MT where I have an exhibit in the Rocky Mountain Museum.
 
Using my Sony a7R digital body, I took the same photo at Myakka using the Cambo Artus with the RZ Mamiya 75 shift lens, then with the Cannon 17mm, then the Voigtlander 15mm, and then with the Zeiss 15mm lens. My conclusion has be introduced by saying that my eyes aren't what they use to be, and that none of this was done scientifically. Anyway, when I put the images up on the computer screen the two best lenses appeared to be the Cannon 17mm and Zeiss 15mm. Hard to tell the difference. Then the Voigtlander, which was so close to the other two that it wasn't worth saying it was to much different. As for the Mamiya, it too was very sharp, but in a much different way. It looked like…well, a photograph I had taken with film. It was sharp enough for me to enlarge it to a ten foot print on my computer screen and still look sharp, but it didn't have that HD quality to it that digital lenses have…it isn't a digital lens so it behaves differently. It's hard to explain.
 
Now that I know what each lens will do, I'm ready for some "real" photography!"

 Clyde's been experimenting with digital photography, because he felt he couldn't carry around his large format cameras all the time.  But an interesting discussion of experimenting with lenses from film cameras to eliminate that "Digital Look", something that I also find unattractive.  I think you know what I mean, that "unnatural sharpness" of things your eyes can't actually see.  

Remembering that people are not best served by HD television, why should all of your photography have that HD look too?

Thanks for the Test Clyde............Glad that the Mamiya Lens looked "real":

Our Last Look (for now) at that Mamiya 80mm Sekor Macro

Meet the Minolta SRT-101

 I have already satisfied my immediate camera plan from My New Year's Resolutions.  Let's hope the rest of the years goes as well.

“The cameras of the 1960s and 1970s have a better chance of working in 2050 than those made in the 1980s……”

I begin with this quote from Karen Nakamura’s Photoethnography, entry for the Minolta SRT-101.  The SRT-101 was introduced in 1966, as one of the earliest cameras with through the lens metering. The SRT-201 added a true flash synched hot shoe, and that was the only difference.

To synch this Hot Shoe you need a cable that plugs into the side.  I never use flash, so who cares!

I’ll also share with you a friend’s story of his experience with the SRT-Series in general.  Jamie was in a small plane crash or more like a very hard landing in a farm field (no serious injuries).  He had been doing some aerial photography and on impact his SRT flew out of his hands.  He later found it imbedded in the wing of the plane, and the camera still worked!

And that’s why I love my clunky, old, fully manual, all metal body SRT cameras.  here's another view of my latest family member……..

ASA Dial.

Most of my recent 35mm B&W images were made with my SRT-202 (also used for these photos), which was a 1970’s update (1975-1978).  A fully manual camera is s great place to start if you are experimenting with film.  And even if the battery dies you can still shoot as long as you are able to “guestimate” the proper exposure.  With constant use, that “guestimation” is usually workable, especially with B&W film.

Tomorrow a few photos from the SRT-101.....................

Atlantic Monthy Retrospective on WWII

The Atlantic Monthy is publishing on the web a 20 part retrospective of WWII Photo Journalism. Warning, it does contain very disturbing content, but you are given the option of not viewing the worst images.

Many photos taken with the Graflex Camera, a standard for photo joornalist s at the time.

Best of the Blog 2010 Update

Best of the Blog has been Updated.  No clear winner this year, although Volcanoes had the most comments followed closely by Holga/Plastic Cameras.

I will be updating my website all month and will post notices for specific page updates.