|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-02-2023, 05:49 PM
|
| |
After a very mild January here in southern Ontario winter has returned.
I managed to shoot a few snow crystal images yesterday and one of them was an unusual beauty so I thought I'd share it.
Shot with a Nikon 10X microscope objective mounted on my Pentax Auto Bellows with my K3. All mounted on my 'snowcatcher' wooden copy stand.
 IMGP3250 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Forecast is calling for snow overnight, but with temperatures expected to be down around -20C by daybreak I might take the day off from shooting !!
Lots of other snow crystal images in my Snowflakes album over on Flickr, if you're interested.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
04-08-2024, 01:38 PM
|
| |
Here's some from southern Ontario.
The day started out very cloudy but miraculously cleared just as the eclipse started.
I was just outside of totality, about 99.2%. It was still spectacular though. I was surprised by how much the temperature dropped in those few minutes.
I used my K3, DA*300mm, & DA 1.4X teleconverter, together with ICE ND2000 & ND64 filters (17 stops total)
Part way through. If you look closely you can see a sunspot
 IMGP5881 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
This was the extent of totality
 IMGP5928 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Then I popped my filters off and got this funky image.
 IMGP5946 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-08-2024, 08:43 AM
|
| |
According to the excellent Takumar Field Guide there were multiple versions made.
It doesn't talk about any version being available without a removable tripod mount.
Seems that cosmetic changes to the lettering, and lens case design, were the biggest differences between the versions.
Hope that helps.
Fred.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-30-2024, 07:25 AM
|
| |
I've found that if I leave my istDS alone for an extended period with flat batteries it won't immediately power up when I put fresh batteries in.
Leaving it for a day or two with the fresh batteries in seems to refresh the internal battery and then it powers up just fine.
Have fun with the IR photography. You should be able to get some good false colour IR shots. The istDS & istDL are both fairly sensitive and don't require crazy long exposures. My starting point was usually ISO 400, 11/4s, lens wide open and adjust as needed.
Fred.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-18-2024, 06:33 AM
|
| |
Great images. If I can get anything close to that I'll be very happy.
I think you might be right about not getting carried away with the focal length. I did a test yesterday shooting the sun using my Pentax-A 400mm F5.6 with, and without, a 1.4X teleconverter. I think I might forego the teleconverter on the big day in the hope of capturing more of the corona.
 Solar test shot by Fred Widall, on Flickr
I used LV and just checked on the monitor. Hopefully you can use sunspots to nail focus. I've found that my Pentax-A 400mm F5.6 does not focus beyond 'infinity' and I can just turn the focus ring to its limit and get good results.
Can't help you with the filter questions. My filters are just regular 77mm screw in ones.
Fred.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-05-2024, 11:09 AM
|
| |
I took the opportunity of almost clear skies today to test out my setup for the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8th.
At my location we should get 99.1% coverage, so it should be impressive.
What I'm using is:
1) Pentax K3
2) Pentax-A 400mm F5.6
3) Pentax-A 1.4XL teleconverter
4) Vanguard Auctus 323CT tripod
5) Manfrotto 502AH video head
6) Feelworld FW759 7" HDMI monitor
7) ICE ND2000 & ND1000 filters
 IMGP8652 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP8649 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Here's an uncropped image. A little high cloud so not totally sharp.
 IMGP4411 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Historically April 8th has been cloudy here 64% of the time since 2000. Personally I'm predicting a late winter snowstorm :)
What gear are you folks planning to use?
I used the same lens and filter combo back in 2017 for a partial eclipse and it worked fine then.
 Eclipse by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Fred.
|
|
Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment
03-02-2024, 04:17 PM
|
| |
The El-Nikkor 50mm F2.8 is regarded as one of the better enlarger lens for macro use. You should have a lot of fun with it. Its good for up to 4X magnification.
Allan Walls has a good video on its use over on his informative YouTube channel - you might want to check it out.
You Tube
|
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4V0piuv_-70?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
|
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
09-26-2020, 02:01 PM
|
| |
 IMGP2890 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Lots of pretty bluejays at my feeder today after I put out some peanuts.
Shot with K3 and SMC Pentax-DA* 200mm F2.8.
I've owned the DA*200mm for over 9 years now, and am still impressed by it. I converted it to screw drive a while back after its second SDM failure so while its mechanical performance has been questionable, I have no complaints at all about its optical performance.
Fred
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-22-2024, 02:22 PM
|
| |
The temperatures here have risen to just under freezing so I was not having much success in capturing snow crystals this morning but I did capture this rime covered one hanging onto some ice needles.
I thought it was interesting, and it kind of reminded me of King Kong hanging off the Empire State building :lol:
Thought I'd see if you folks agree.
 King Kong ? by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Fred.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-18-2024, 04:11 PM
|
| |
After a green Christmas and New Year's cold temperatures have finally arrived in southern Ontario so once again I can capture some beautiful snow crystals while freezing my butt off :)
Here's the first one for this year. Shot using a Nikon E 4X/0.10 160/- finite objective.
 IMGP4136 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
This one is the same crystal shot with a Nikon MPlan 40X 0.65 DIC 210/0 objective. I took 13 exposures adjusting the focus point by a few microns each time. I then combined them using the 'Focus Merge' option in Affinity Photo 2. The image is uncropped so FOV is approx 0.6mm. Amazing detail from an objective which cost me US$30!!
 IMGP4140 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
My setup is basically the same as last year.
 IMGP8411 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Fred.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
11-05-2023, 12:32 PM
|
| |
Last week I went for a walk with my K3 and a Helios 44-2 lens on which I'd reversed the front element. The Helios is famous for its swirly bokeh, and reversing the front element takes it to a whole different level resulting in a very different look to the images.
I thought using it on the fading Fall colours might result in some interesting images. It did.
I realise these are not to everyone's taste but I hope you like them.
I think this one is my favourite. Makes for an interesting windows background.
 IMGP3865 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Trying to nail focus is quite difficult and highlights tend to blow out, so fine details are hard to manage. Does give some interesting results though.
 IMGP3827 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3874 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3875 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3782 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-25-2023, 09:38 AM
|
| |
It was -10C here this morning with a little snow drifting down so I was able to shoot a few snow crystals.
Mostly the crystals were less than perfect but they still have their own unique beauty.
 IMGP3298 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3316 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Here we have what appears to be two stuck together
 IMGP3319 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
I also tried doing some focus stacking. Here's a stack of eight images taken with my 20X objective.
 IMGP3306 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
The inner structure looked interesting so I swapped over to my 40X objective for a closer look. Here's the result, after cropping a little. The FOV is approx. 500 microns.
 IMGP3315 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Hope you like them.
Fred.
Snowflake album |
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-26-2023, 11:42 AM
|
| |
Winter is finally winding down here in southern Ontario so I've dismantled my 'snowcatcher' for another season and brought my gear in from the garage.
This winter was probably the worst for photographing snow crystals in the past ten years or so. Unusually warm temperatures for most of the winter, and blizzard like conditions when we did get snow. I only ended up with twenty or so images worth keeping.
Anyway here's a last few images to keep you going until next winter.....
 IMGP3300 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3219 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3100 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3082 - Snowflake at 20X by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3247 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-31-2022, 04:39 PM
|
| |
I have a number of cameras I use for infrared.
I started out with my istDS. As has been mentioned the UV/IR cut filter is fairly weak in the early DSLRs so IR is possible, although long shutter speeds are required. False colour infrared images are easy to produce with a simple channel swap, as well as the usual B&W. I use a Hoya R72 filter on it.
Here's an example.
 Lantern Hill and Hollow Cottages, Ingonish, Cape Breton (G117) by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Then I picked up a Sigma SD14 which like a number of the early Sigma DSLRs has an easily removed UV/IR filter, converting it to a full spectrum camera. I picked up an M42/SA mount adapter so I was able to use my M42 Pentax lens on it.
I never had success generating false colour images but for B&W I find it excellent.
 SDIM3081 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
I also found an article on simulating the old Kodak Aerochrome look. Set the white balance to tungsten and use a green filter. The resulting image has a very distinctive look.
 SDIM3898 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Then I acquired converted istDL2 where the UW/IR cut filter has been replaced with a 720nm filter. This allows for regular shutter speeds and lets me choose from all my lenses. A converted camera is the easiest to use.
 IMGP0735 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
I also have a 720nm converted P&S camera, a Luminx DMC-SZ7 but I've never been happy with the results I get with it.
Lots of other examples in my infrared album on Flickr.
p.s. Hmmmm, now I understand what my wife means about me having too many toys :lol:
Happy New year all.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-01-2023, 07:45 AM
|
| |
Michael,
May I recommend to you the excellent extreme macro website created by fellow Pentaxian Johan J. Ingles-Le Nobel.
He's put together an impressive collection of articles on macro techniques and equipment, and they are well worth reading.
Fred
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
12-26-2022, 09:55 AM
|
| |
Like so many other people we got hammered by the recent storm. Happily our area didn't get too much snow, just a lot of blowing and drifting, but I'm sure that was cold comfort to all the folks affected by the numerous collisions and road closures.
It did however give me a chance to get started again on shooting snowflakes (in between shoveling them).
Here's a couple from this morning:
 IMGP3126 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP3122 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
For this year I came up with a method of attaching a microscope turret to my bellows with 4X, 10X, 20X & 40X microscope objectives attached. That way I can quickly alter my magnification without disturbing my specimen.
 IMGP8406 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
It seems to be working at present, although at 40X the DOF is very small even for snowflakes.
Anyway, hope you like them and be sure to give this post a thumbs up :)
 IMGP3033 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Fred.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
10-29-2022, 05:37 PM
|
| |
I've been reading some articles online about the strange and unusual bokeh produced when you reverse the front element of an Helios-44-2 58mm F2 and I thought I'd give it a try. Happily, I was able to acquire one locally from MightyMike.
Reversing the element takes seconds. Just need to remove one retaining ring to get the element out.
I've been having fun experimenting with this lens. The results are pretty extreme and not to everyone's taste, I'm sure.
Here's the bokeh when the element is in its normal orientation:
 IMGP2302 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Here's the same setup with the element reversed:
 IMGP2320 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Here's a couple of flower images:
 IMGP1965 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP1914 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Unmodified it's a decent enough 55mm lens, but modified it becomes something unique. I can't imagine I'll be using it a lot but I'm having fun at the moment.
Fred.
|
|
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
07-02-2022, 03:27 PM
|
| |
... with the greatest of ease.
I love the challenge of keeping the squirrel's off my bird feeders. I've tried many methods over the years but they always seem to find a solution. My latest effort is to hang the feeder off an eight foot tall 2x4" post which is encased in 6" wide piece of metal ductwork, which is too slippery and too wide for them to climb........ until today when this young genius discovered that he was small enough to climb up inside of the ductwork and reach the prize.
I let him have his fill, he's earned it. In a couple of weeks he'll be too fat to fit :)
 IMGP0208 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP0216 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
|
|
Forum: General Photography
06-28-2022, 08:56 AM
|
| |
For those who are interested in learning more about extreme macro you might want to check out the Allan Walls Photography channel on YouTube. Lots of useful information in his videos.
Also the discussions of the helpful folks over on the Photomacrography forums are a goldmine of information.
Fred.
Extreme Macro Album |
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-01-2022, 06:26 PM
|
| |
... of his unheated garage.
Looks like winter is starting to wind down here in southern Ontario with daytime temperatures above freezing forecast for the next couple of weeks.
Time to dismantle my 'snowcatcher' and bring all my gear in from the unheated garage for another year. I managed to capture some really nice crystals this year, and tried out new techniques and equipment. My K3 stood up to the cold very well, including one night we got down to -35C (a new record for here).
I've swapped over to mostly using 10X microscope objectives for my shots. I have two, a finite corrected Nikon and an infinity corrected Olympus. To my tired old eyes they seem to perform equally well. I've also been using lighting gels to add colour to the crystals for a different look.
Anyway I thought I'd share a few final images for this year. Hope you like them.
Like the 'biplane' motif on that one.
Amazing detail in that one.
Similar to the one above, but without the central structure
I'm still debating whether I like the coloured ones.
These are ice needles. Tiny little things from about 1mm to 4mm across
That's all folks.... until next December anyway.
Fred.
Snowflakes | Flickr |
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-24-2022, 10:06 AM
|
| |
Out shooting snow crystals this morning and the conditions were good for hexagonal plate crystals, rather than the more common & larger dendrities. The plates are just visible to the naked eye, down below 1mm, but they pack a lot of detail in their tiny forms.
I shot these with a Nikon 10X microscope objective hooked up to a bellows on my K3. Check out this thread if you'd like to see my setup.
 IMGP6734 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP6732 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP6731 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP6716 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP6724 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
Also managed to capture some columns and 'bullets' which are even smaller
 IMGP6726 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP6723 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
 IMGP6711 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
|
|
Forum: General Talk
12-03-2021, 07:45 AM
|
| |
I just came across a new video on the physics of snowflakes that I thought might be of interest to some of you. Enjoy.
You Tube
|
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ao2Jfm35XeE?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
|
Winter is just getting going here in southern Ontario so probably a few more weeks before I can get capturing some more of these little beauties. Here's a very nice one I captured in February.
 IMGP4375 by Fred Widall, on Flickr
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-24-2021, 06:32 AM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
03-02-2021, 03:11 PM
|
| |
Thanks Bob,
I have played in the past with manually creating a depth map and then using it to displace images in Photoshop. It works ok, but can be tedious to do, and the results 'iffy'.
Running this '2dtodepth' program inside Google Colaboratory does all the work for you and seems to give excellent results. You can open the output in SPM then process it as desired.
I'll attach a sample of the output.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-20-2021, 08:00 AM
|
| |
| |
