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Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-11-2020, 01:07 PM
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Forum: Ricoh GR
05-30-2020, 08:15 AM
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What a joy this little beauty is, a handful of my favourites from the last year.
That's an Anne Boleyn handful :D
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Forum: General Photography
11-23-2019, 05:27 AM
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During the Pentax 100 year celebration month, Pentax is running a series of talks and one of them was by Fumio Nakamura (中村文夫). I attended his presentation a couple of weeks ago, and while there are some things I have surely forgotten, these are the parts I thought would be interesting.
Nakamura-san is a photographer and writer now, but formerly a Pentax employee who worked for them through most of the 80s and 90s. It seems that among other things, he was responsible for putting together brochures. As an example, he mentioned that all the photography in the LX brochure was done by him and a lot of the other brochures around that time,.
This presentation was titled “Things you didn’t know about Pentax”, and it was basically a series of “Did you know?” trivia about Pentax. As a result, it was a bit random, but quite interesting nonetheless.
AOCO’s first lens
Towards the beginning of the presentation, he showed a copy of the first product ever made in the Asahi factory. It was a simple metal barrel with a lens in it. There were other interesting items he showed, like a lens branded Takuma (not Takumar). He also had some old scopes, binoculars, limited edition cameras and clear plastic models of some 80s era film cameras.
SMC coating on everything
The SMC coating is something Pentax has always been proud of. It was generally thought to have been introduced on the Super-Takumar Zoom 85-210mm F4.5. However, it seems that the last batch of the Super-Takumar Zoom 70-150mm F4 was also made with SMC coating on it. In fact the original explanations of what SMC was included diagrams with the formula of the 70-150mm. These copies are not marked, but it’s really obvious that the coating is different when you see them one beside the other.
There was a time when Pentax was so crazy about SMC that they were coating even pointless parts of cameras with it. For example, the face of the little clock inside the LX (bottom-left n the below image) is SMC coated. That function was developed at the request of the police and security forces, and Nikon made something similar as well, but he joked that Nikon’s can’t have been as good without SMC coating.
Pentax’s role in inventing DX coding
He told the story of how Pentax influenced the standard for DX coding on film. It seems that Kodak had proposed the basic idea of using a code to communicate film specification to camera manufacturers. Their proposal involved a series of perforations in the film itself at the beginning of the film. They showed the diagrams from Kodak’s proposal with a square 8x8 (I think) grid of perforated dots. This would be read by the camera as it pulled the film in. However, the camera makers found this impractical and prone to failure. So it was actually Pentax that came up with the idea of metallic regions on the film cylinder and contacts in the camera to read the pattern. Ironically, it was Fujifilm that was more cooperative and proactive in actually releasing DX films, rather than Kodak who came up with the idea in the first place.
SMC Takumar 2000mm f16 Prototype
One of the old Pentax locations in Maenocho Tokyo has recently been demolished to make way for new apartment complex. While they were clearing out the basement, they found some interesting things. The one they showed was an old prototype for a “compact” 2000mm f16 lens using mirrors. It had a handwritten note on it that says “SMC TAKUMAR, 1:16 f-2000mm, 240001 ASAHI OCT.CO. JAPAN”, and it is a weird thing to say the least.
I don’t find any reference to this on the internet, and it sounds like no-one remaining in the company had a recollection of it. They only had photos to show on screen, so excuse the quality of these extreme crops from my GR III.
Pentax as part of the old and new National Stadium
I made a post a couple of years ago about the old Pentax HQ building in Tokyo, and the mosaics that adorn it its exterior. Here is the post if you’re interested.
Pentax mosaics on old HQ building - PentaxForums.com
It seems that around the same time AOCO also commissioned a mural by the same artist to be incorporated in the National Stadium to be used for the 1964 Olympics. He showed it on screen and pointed out the lens-like motifs in it, which are similar to those on the old HQ building.
With the 2020 Olympics coming, that stadium has been demolished now and a new one built in it’s place. The stadium itself is actually pretty much complete now. My train passes it on the way to work. After a period of uncertainty, it has been decided that that AOCO mosaic and other artworks from the old stadium will be incorporated in the new building.
So when you see footage of the games in the new stadium next year, you can know that even if most of the journalists these days are using other brands, there is a little piece of Pentax in the fabric of the building.
Also see Nippon Camera
I found that the latest issue of Nippon Camera magazine has a section on Pentax history authored by Nakamura-san, which contains a lot of the same content that he showed in this presentation, including his hunt for the original factory of Asahi, which now long gone and under a completely different street grid in a suburban area of Tokyo.
Finally, if you like this kind of report and missed it, this is the second one I've done, and the other is about the FA Limiteds in the lens forum.
The FA Limited Development Story (also a little DA Limited) - PentaxForums.com |
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
09-27-2019, 08:14 PM
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Got one! Fingers crossed it's in good condition!
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
09-09-2019, 11:21 AM
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Just having some fun with film and decided to try my hand at pushing a BW film to iso 3200. As for the method, I used DD-X and just followed the recommended timings for agitation etc, the only thing I did differently is I left the film in the developer for 22 minutes instead of the 20 on the box. Just hoping to make it slightly more contrasty.
For comparison I have couple shots where I tried to take the same shot on my K1 and on film. One of the K1 shots is not at iso 3200 though so not an apples to apples comparison, just a frame of reference. The second is 3200 though and the K1 shots are developed in camera using the BW jpg profile.
Here is the K1 at iso 800 50mm
Here is the HP5 at 3200 iso on a 50mm
Another on the K1 at 3200 iso on 50mm
And the same shot on HP5 at 3200 iso
So over all a good experience. I am impressed with by the results and find HP5 at 3200 iso to be perfectly usable. It is definitely grainy, but that is kind of the point of doing this on film. I have been enjoying shooting film lately and even had my 14 year old daughter help develop these. A medium format film camera might be in my future but for now I am have a stockpile of 35mm film and a couple bodies and some kids that are excited to shoot film with me.
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
09-05-2019, 01:30 PM
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The Manor House at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia.
Taken with an IR (720nm) converted Panasonic DMC-ZS25 (1/2.33") f6.3 @ 1/60.
It is special to me because I know it was taken in the high-nineties Georgia heat, one handed, with my daughter on my shoulders.
Processed to look ethereal as if emanating from the fog...
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-05-2019, 11:38 AM
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This afternoon, I drove to South Shields, a coastal town roughly 18 miles from my home by road (a little closer as the crow flies). Here, at the mouth of the River Tyne, lies historic Herd Groyne Lighthouse (built 1882) - a subject I've photographed several times over the last few years, and one of my local favourites.
The light was beautiful though, sadly, the skies had few clouds to add interest for photographic purposes, and there was a chill wind blowing! Still, I grabbed the below shot in the early evening sun, looking up from the rocks on the beach below. Once again, I used the Canon A1200 with CHDK to capture in raw, and processed in RawTherapee :)
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
09-05-2019, 11:50 AM
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Two days and no contributions? :o
Well, here goes nothing... :p Cross-posted from the "Confessions of a Toy Camera Shooter" thread:
This afternoon, I drove to South Shields, a coastal town roughly 18 miles from my home by road (a little closer as the crow flies). Here, at the mouth of the River Tyne, lies historic Herd Groyne Lighthouse (built 1882) - a subject I've photographed several times over the last few years, and one of my local favourites.
The light was beautiful though, sadly, the skies had few clouds to add interest for photographic purposes, and there was a chill wind blowing! Still, I grabbed the below shot in the early evening sun, looking up from the rocks on the beach below. Once again, I used the Canon A1200 with CHDK to capture in raw, and processed in RawTherapee :)
Additional info:
Sensor is 12MP 1/2.3" CCD. Settings were (P)rogram mode with -1/3 stop EV compensation, ISO 75, 1/1600s, 7.4mm (41mm equivalent) at f/3.3...
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-04-2019, 12:49 AM
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Wonderful Delta Intergrale Evo 1 in a garage in Spain. I spotted this car last year, and it had been sort of neglected with loads of dust on it. Made a picture of it with my GRII, which can be found on my flickr page. This year the owner had the good fortune (and or time) to restore the car a little.
Sigma DP2 Quattro at work. Showing of the selling point of the Foveon sensor: the colours. This red is deep and rich and is straight out of camera. My editing software DxO wants to change it, but I won't let it; It is exactly the way the red should be (in my eyes).
 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo I by A Brinkman, on Flickr
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
07-01-2019, 08:30 AM
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Now that I've done it, I can't believe it took me so long to ride on the Staten Island Ferry.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
06-23-2019, 05:02 PM
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Two shots from Wellfleet MA on Cape Cod
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
05-16-2019, 08:22 PM
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Ihnatowycz Hall, Toronto.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
05-10-2019, 01:44 AM
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Hello Unfiltered Friends of the glorious Pentaxforums! These Foveons are addictive. Aftrer de SD Quattro I recently picked up a well used DP2 Quattro and DP1s....
This image below is from a little trip I made to the Eifel in Germany a couple of months ago. Beautiful nature and historical towns, such as Monschau.
DP2 Quattro
F7.1 / 1/250s/ iso 100
Monschau
 Monschau - Germany [Explore] by A Brinkman, on Flickr
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
05-07-2019, 06:17 PM
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A few shots from in and around the marshaling yard at the Junction, Toronto, including a tram on a train.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
03-09-2019, 09:29 AM
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Winter day, Boston harbor.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
01-13-2019, 06:58 PM
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Westerly RI, 27 Dec. 2018.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
12-29-2018, 03:54 PM
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From a holiday visit to SW Rhode Island and SW Connecticut, shots from Westerly, Stonington and Mystic.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
12-03-2018, 03:34 AM
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Recently I was offered a Sigma sd quattro, and, being intrigued by the concept for some time now, I jumped on it. Call me crazy, with the recent anouncement concerning the L mount, but it was a very good offer, and I believe that Sigma will support and sell SA lenses for some time. You can of course never sure, and when it comes to cameras; Sigma is a very special company.
Now unfortunateley the light overhere hasn't been good (awful in fact, and this sensor as we all know needs loads of light if handheld) so just a quick B&W photo of my son.
Shooting experience reminds me a little about the Pentax K-01 I had earlier, but I am still learning... When you get it just right, it is awesome...
 playtime is goodtime by A Brinkman, on Flickr
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-01-2019, 03:25 PM
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Taken at our annual Parish Fair today... the shell of a live and rather beautiful giant tortoise, which was part of a viewing (and, in some cases, petting) experience by a registered endangered wildlife keeper and conservationist.
When capturing this in close-up, I thought it might make an intriguing abstract image, although anyone familiar with tortoises could probably guess what it was :p
Shot with the Canon A1200 using CHDK, and processed in RawTherapee :)
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
08-24-2019, 12:45 PM
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A few from today's walk to Causey Arch in Stanley, Co. Durham, about seven miles from me...
My main intention for the walk was to get some exercise and visit this woodland that I've never been to before, despite always living close by. My secondary intention was to get some photos of Causey Arch railway bridge, the oldest surviving rail bridge in the world (built in 1725-1726). Unfortunately, due to the time of day, very bright sun and dark shadow areas, the dynamic range was simply too much for the little Canon A1200. The bridge was almost directly back-lit, so no dice. If I'd taken a tripod, I could have captured several shots at different exposures and combined them, but really I'd have been far better off taking a DSLR. Much as I really like the A1200, one must accept its limitations as an older, tiny-sensor camera :o
Still, I got a few snapshots of other things... nothing much - a rock cliff formation (larger than it looks - my Mum climbed and abseiled down it in her younger days :p) in the gulley, the old Tanfield railway line, picturesque power lines and the rather cute local tea rooms :)
All taken on the A1200 with CHDK, processed in RawTherapee with some mild film-simulation added to the mix...
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
08-27-2019, 12:17 PM
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A couple from my pleasant lunchtime stroll along the River Wear (pronounced "Weer"), on a hot, sunny day... again, shot in raw with the Canon A1200 using CHDK, processed in RawTherapee :)
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