Lake Baikal, the hovercraft Barguzin-1 near Bolshiye Koty settlement. July 2006.
Pentax *ist Ds (1.5x crop factor, 6MP) + unknown manual focus lens
2023-11-17
2023-11-15
Samsung NX2000 vs NX300: image quality
I compared two Samsung NX cameras (NX2000 and NX300) when shooting in raw (SRW) with the same copy of the Samsung NX 30/2 lens. Developed with ART using the Neutral profile.
1. The NX300's images are about 0.05-0.10EV brighter. The difference is very small.
2. The white balance of the cameras is different. But if you make the same white balance with a neutral reference, there is no color difference (I can't see it).
ISO100 f/6.3 1/15, crop 1:1
(NX2000)
(NX300)
I did similar tests several times, and each time the NX300 image had a little more moiré. Either the NX300's focusing is more precise or the AA filter is weaker. In practice, however, the difference is almost insignificant.
ISO1600 f/6.3 1/250, shadow, crop 1:1
(NX2000)
(NX300)
Noise is the same.
Overall, the NX2000's images are no different from the NX300's in practice. I shoot with the NX2000 and I don't miss the NX300 (but of course you have to consider the specificity of the NX2000 controls).
See also related notes:
- Samsung NX2000: cheap 20MP camera, welcome (2023-07-05)
- Опять Samsung NX300 (2022-10-01)
- RawTherapee (2022) и ART (2022-03-30)
Image albums:
2023-11-13
Sony a9 III: Full-frame with global shutter
The Sony a9 III camera has recently been introduced (sales expected in spring 2024). Full frame and 24MP.
The most important feature is the global [electronic] shutter, which eliminates the mechanical shutter completely and without compromise. This is a major change for digital full-drame cameras, comparable to removing the mirror (of SLRs).
There is the Sony A1 with a pretty fast sensor readout (but with a mechanical shutter). There are even full frame cameras without a mechanical shutter at all: the Sigma FP/ FP L (with slow sensor readout), the Nikon Z9/Z8 (with fast sensor readout). But global shutter is the next level of technology. I'd like to see it in budget full-frame cameras.
See also related notes:
- Sony a7c: Three years with the camera (2025-02-06)
- Low ISO emulation through image averaging (2024-04-03)
Image albums:
2023-11-11
Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6: My experience [3/3]
(see part 1)
More shots on the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP) with the Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6 at f/5.6.
Surprisingly, I liked this lens. Now I rarely use focal lengths longer than 50-55mm, but of the four 85mm lenses, the Staeble (right) is the one I use most often.
It is compact and lightweight. I am pleased with the image quality. And f/5.6 at 85mm gives a compromise between background blur and depth of field.
2023-11-09
Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6: My experience [2/3]
(see part 1)
All images were taken with the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP).
The f/5.6 aperture of the Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6 is quite slow. With a focal length of 85mm, the background is blurred, but not very much. Also, the minimum focusing distance is just under 1.5m, which is quite a lot.
The background blur is not very strong with rather large subjects.
No triplet "soap bubbles" here. Under certain conditions you can see the center spot in the circles of confusion.
2023-11-07
Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6: My experience [1/3]
The Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6 lens was made for Braun rangefinder cameras, but it can now be used with adapters. I shoot with it on the Sony a7c camera (FF, 24MP).
The resolution at f/5.6 is not ideal by today's standards, but good for the wide open aperture of an old lens (it's from the 1950s).
The f/5.6 aperture is definitely suitable for landscape photography.
There is a slight pincushion distortion.
At f/8-f/11, the lens does not produce clear sunstars.
Like many older lenses, it is prone to flare.
This also affects the contrast:
Slightly different framing increased the contrast:
I consider this to be a "single aperture" lens. I only shoot at f/5.6.
See also related notes:
- Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6: My experience [3/3] (2023-11-11)
- Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6: My experience [2/3] (2023-11-09)
Image albums:
2023-11-05
Angarsk: quality of the 1986-1987 photo card set
I wasn't expecting really good quality, but the severe misregistration (color misalignment) of my copy of the 1986-1987 photo card set disappointed me.
So I found another copy of the set from the same year:
The condition of the set is a little worse. But its quality is already better, which can be seen even with the naked eye.
(old - new)
The difference is especially noticeable in the scans:
(old copy)
(new copy)
(old copy)
(new copy)
This is a typical low quality product from the USSR, you will have to search for an acceptable copy.
2023-11-03
Lens spanner wrench
It is inconvenient and even dangerous to remove lens retaining rings with a Vernier caliper. So I bought a special lens spanner wrench:
So far I have had no problems using it.
2023-11-01
SZ Viewer A1-2023-11-01 (Android)
SZ Viewer (Android) changes:
1. It is now possible to select some units of measurement: speed (km/h or mph), temperature (°C or °F), tire pressure (bar or psi).
2023-10-31
Panoramas of the Kitoy River (September 2006)
Panoramas of the Kitoy River. September 2006.
Pentax *ist Ds (1.5x crop factor, 6MP) + unknown manual focus lens
2023-10-29
Cheecar FF 35/1.4 II: My experience [3/3]
(see part 1)
More examples of background blur on the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP) with the Cheecar FF 35/1.4 lens at f/1.4.
I'm not sure if the claimed f/1.4 aperture is real (but it's clearly faster than f/1.8-f/2). Overall, I see this inexpensive (that's important) lens as a demo version of a reasonably fast 35mm lens. It allows you to evaluate whether such a lens is needed.
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