Riconar/Rikenon 55/2.2: Two types of focusing and background blur

The Riconar 55/2.2 lens has a simplified manual focusing mechanism by moving only the front element instead of the entire lens unit. 

The Leica M-Sony FE/E close focus (helicoid) adapter can be used to reduce the focusing distance (see 1 or 2). In the case of the Riconar 55/2.2, however, this adapter (together with the Pentax K-Leica M adapter) allows you to compare both ways of focusing: by moving the front element or by moving the entire lens unit. In the second case, the lens is set to focus at infinity and the close focus adapter is used to focus at closer distances.

This has an unusual effect. Since the position of the optical elements is different when focusing closer than infinity, this results in different image quality and different background blur. 

Due to the soft focus, it is difficult to focus with the lens (compared to focusing with the adapter). The focusing distance may be slightly different.

All images were taken with the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP) at f/2.2:

1.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

2.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

3.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

4.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

5.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

6.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

7.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

The difference is most noticeable at close focusing. Then, lens focusing gives more aberrations (and soft focus), but softer background blur. Focusing with the adapter reduces the visible aberrations, but the background blur looks more like "soap bubbles" (triplet like).

It's like having two different lenses in one.

See also related notes:

• Riconar/Rikenon 55/2.2: Samples [1] - FF + close focus (helicoid) adapter (2023-12-05)

Image albums:

• Lens accessories
• Riconar/Rikenon 55/2.2

Hyundai XTeer Gasoline Ultra Efficiency 5W-20

Another xW-20 motor oil (I still prefer this viscosity).

Hyundai XTeer Gasoline Ultra Efficiency 5W-20 (4L)

Unlike the outdated previous oil, this one is API SP/ILSAC GF-6.

See also related notes:

• Hyundai/KIA Premium Gasoline Engine Oil SAE 5W-20 (API SL/ILSAC GF-3) (2023-04-13)

Image albums:

• Oil

Pentax K vs Sony FE/E caps

I was looking for caps (Sony FE/E mount side) for the adapters.

I had to try several options. This one fit well:

It turns out that a non-original Pentax K cap also fits:

It's funny.

Both types of caps:

See also related notes:

• Крышки байонета Sony E (2022-04-17)

Image albums:

• Lens accessories

Canon G1400: Out of order

In 2017, I purchased the Canon G1400 printer. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a very disappointing model.

It worked fine for the first time, but then printing with black ink deteriorated dramatically. I had to print in "high resolution paper" mode, so that the black color is made by mixing C/M/Y colors.

The print heads often dried up, and it took a lot of ink to clean them.

Then misregistration (horizontal color misalignment/shift) occurred. Replacing the timing slit strip did not help.

Now the C/M/Y colors started to disappear, and cleaning did not help for long.

So I stopped using the printer altogether.

I think the G1400 is garbage compared to my previous Canon iP5000.

See also related notes:

• Brother DCP-T220: My new printer (2023-12-29)

Image albums:

• Printer

Noname [OEM] 50/1.1 FF: Background blur (and Pentax K 50/1.4)

Comparison of background blur with the Noname [OEM ] 50/1.1 FF (center) and the Pentax K 50/1.4 (right) lenses on the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP) camera.

The scenes were changing because of the wind.

1.

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.1, 1/8000)

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.4, 1/8000)

(Pentax 50/1.4 at f/1.4, 1/8000)

2.

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.1, 1/8000)

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.4, 1/8000)

(Pentax 50/1.4 at f/1.4, 1/8000)

3.

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.1, 1/4000)

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.5, 1/4000)

(Pentax 50/1.4 at f/1.4, 1/2500)

4.

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.1, 1/8000)

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.5, 1/8000)

(Pentax 50/1.4 at f/1.4, 1/8000)

5.

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.1, 1/1600)

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.5, 1/1600)

(Pentax 50/1.4 at f/1.4, , 1/1000)

6.

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.1, 1/400)

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.4, 1/400)

(Pentax 50/1.4 at f/1.4, 1/320)

7.

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.1, 1/3200)

(Noname 50/1.1 at f/1.4, 1/3200)

(Pentax 50/1.4 at f/1.4, 1/2000)

The Pentax has a wider field of view.

The background blur of the Noname lens is stronger and smoother (may look boring).

The f/1.1 aperture definitely has more light transmission than the f/1.4 on the Pentax.

The Noname's f/1.4 aperture still has more light transmission than the Pentax's f/1.4 aperture, but noticeably increases contrast and reduces flare (compared to the f/1.1 aperture).

See also related notes:

• Mitakon Creator 85/2 II vs Vivitar 85/1.8: out-of-focus area blur (2023-12-21)

Image albums:

• Jupiter-3 50/1.5
• Noname [OEM] 50/1.1 FF
• Pentax K 50/1.4

Barguzin-1 (July 2006)

Lake Baikal, the hovercraft Barguzin-1 near Bolshiye Koty settlement. July 2006.

Pentax *ist Ds (1.5x crop factor, 6MP) + unknown manual focus lens

See also related notes:

• Баргузин-1 (июль 2006) (2022-12-19)

Image albums:

• History

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:

• Samsung NX

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:

• Sony

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.

See also related notes:

• Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6: My experience [1/3] (2023-11-07)

Image albums:

• Photo
• Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6