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2025-07-29

NONS SL42 (II): Medium-format (P6) lenses - Biometar, Vega, Mir

First, I wanted to try my medium-format lenses on the NONS SL 42(II) - without the NFE, of course. These lenses have a Pentacon-6 (B) mount, so I found a Pentacon-6-Canon EF adapter.




The adapter is called the Pixco P60-EF and is relatively inexpensive. The flange focal distance is correct, but the Canon EF mount has a lot of play.


1/250 f/19:



1/250 f/16:





1/250 f/22:



1/250 f/22:




3. Mir-26B 45/3.5




1/250 f/22:



1/125 (switched by mistake) f/16:




Results:

1. The small "throat size" of the leaf shutter leads to very significant vignetting. A lens must be very specific in order to work properly with this camera without NFE (NONS Format Extender). I don't know of any such lens. This is the reason why later NONS models (SL660 for Instax Square, SL645 for Instax Mini) have a built-in (non-removable) NFE.

2. Instax film has a rather small exposure latitude. Exposure parameters must be precise. Overexposure ruins colors and details. Underexposure makes a photo too dark to see.

3. As I mentioned earlier, Instax film has a native speed of ISO 800, which is rather high, and the fastest shutter speed is 1/250, which is rather slow. In sunny conditions, a very slow aperture (up to f/32) is necessary.

Posted by malykh в 19:52 0 comments

2025-07-27

Pentax Q 03, 04, 05 lenses

My Pentax Q manual focus lenses:





These are all three of the Pentax Q manual focus lenses.

Also there was the Pentax Q 07 11.5/9 Mount Shield Lens, which is neither manual nor autofocus, it is a focus-free lens. I hope to obtain the Pentax Q 07 lens, but it is harder to find than the 03, 04, 05 lenses.

Posted by malykh в 08:53 0 comments

2025-07-25

Vega-12B 90/2.8: Samples [1] - FF - f/2.8

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)
Lens: Vega-12B 90/2.8 at f/2.8

Since I have the Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar MC 80/2.8, I see no reason to use the Vega-12B.








Posted by malykh в 16:04 0 comments

2025-07-23

Honda CL250/CL300 E-Clutch

It's interesting that the Honda CL250/CL300 motorcycles are now available with E-Clutch in certain markets.




As far as I know, the CMX 250/CMX 300 Rebels are also come with E-Clutch.

E-Clutch is better known on the Honda CBR650R and CB650R. It is an electronic clutch control mechanism that installed alongside the manual control. This allows riders to start moving and shift gears without using the clutch lever. However, it is not an automatic transmission, as the gears still need to be shifted manually. In any case, E-Clutch is a great help to beginners.

It is unclear if and when the Honda CL500 will be available with E-Clutch.



Image albums:
Posted by malykh в 12:15 0 comments

2025-07-21

Viltrox AF 28/4.5: Firmware update (PC)

I was disappointed to find that I must use a mobile application that required registration to update the firmware of the Viltrox AF 28/4.5.

Fortunately, the USB-C connection can be used not only for powering the lens's Bluetooth, but also for updating the firmware with a PC. Some time ago, the Viltrox Lens application for Windows was released. More importantly, this application allows you to update the firmware without registering.

I updated the Viltrox AF 28/4.5 firmware to v1.08:




Posted by malykh в 18:48 0 comments

2025-07-19

Kiyohara Soft VK70R 70/5 (Nikon F): Rare soft focus lens

The Kiyohara Kogaku (KOPTIC) VK70R is a 70mm f/5 soft lens.




The optical design is 2 elements in 1 group. Overall, the lens is an homage to a Vest Pocket Kodak's lens (with the hood removed to make it faster and softer).

There is no distance scale on the focus ring, only a few unnumbered marks. The lens focuses beyond the infinity at the hard stop.

The 12-blade aperture is located in front of the optical group. The clickless aperture ring is located at the front end.




When a filter is mounted (to the 49mm thread), the aperture ring becomes inaccessible. Another oddity is that the aperture ring rotates beyond the marked f/5–f/11 range.




My copy has a Nikon F mount, but other mounts were available.

Posted by malykh в 07:51 0 comments

2025-07-17

Pentax Q 05 18/8 Toy Lens Telephoto: Samples [1] - 1/2.3" - f/8

Camera: Pentax Q (1/2.3", 12MP)

The pincushion distortion is so slight that it is almost invisible. The image is noisy overall because the lens requires a lot of light.










See also related notes:
Posted by malykh в 17:57 0 comments

2025-07-15

MVC

I developed an MVC framework a long time ago. At the time, the MVC (model-view-controller) pattern was considered modern.

The controller and view components could both work with data. But where was the strict border between them?

The solution was to separate the code according to the type of data access. The controller could manipulate all data. The view could only read data. This separation turned out to be simple and effective.

Posted by malykh в 06:51 0 comments

2025-07-13

Kiev-6S: TTL light meter

The Kiev-6s can be used with a TTL prism viewfinder that has an uncoupled TTL light meter.


(The two indicators "the moon" and "the sun" light up together when the meter dial is in the right position)

The main problem is finding suitable batteries for it. It originally required a 3RTs53 mercury battery, which is unavailable today.

First, I used a power supply to test different voltages for the TTL light meter. I tried the 3.75-4.5V range. Surprisingly, the light meter was not very sensitive to the exact voltage. The difference was minimal and depended more on the accuracy of the dial rotation.

However, the light meter itself is inaccurate. It typically shows a much faster shutter speed, which results in an exposure that is up to three stops underexposed (-3EV). This does not depend on power voltage.

After the tests, I decided to continue using the waist-level viewfinder and a dedicated light meter. 

By the way, would using an older, non-TTL prism viewfinder make the image brighter than a TTL viewfinder?
Posted by malykh в 14:29 0 comments

2025-07-11

Pentax Q: Fujifilm NP-50 battery

A Fujifilm NP-50 battery:





I'm not sure if it's genuine or fake. Most likely, the battery is fake.

In any case, it fits well as a replacement for a Pentax D-LI68 battery in my Pentax Q camera.




The Pentax D-BC68 charger works well with the NP-50.



See also related notes:
Image albums:
Posted by malykh в 15:55 0 comments

2025-07-09

Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 40/4.5: Samples [1] - FF - f/4.5

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)









Posted by malykh в 10:20 0 comments

2025-07-07

Mitakon Creator 85/2 II: Pentax K mount

My Mitakon 85/2 II lens has a Nikon F mount. I use an adapter to mount it on my Sony a7c. However, I cannot use the lens with my Pentax Super A film camera because it has a Pentax K mount.

Of course, the film camera world allows you to buy an inexpensive camera to mount your desired lens. First, though, I tried removing the Pentax K mount from the Mitakon 35/2 lens and installing it on the Mitakon 85/2. It worked!




The Pentax K mount (with its longer bolts) was successfully installed in place of the Nikon F mount.

Now that I have modified the Pentax K mount, I can use my Mitakon 85/2 lens with my Pentax Super A camera.

Posted by malykh в 14:49 0 comments

2025-07-05

Pentax Q 05 18/8 Toy Lens Telephoto

The Pentax Q 05 Toy Lens Telephoto (18mm, f/8) is another lens from the so-called "Unique Lenses" series for Pentax Q cameras. This is the third lens from this series that I have purchased for my Pentax Q, after the Q 03 Fish-Eye and the Q 04 Toy Lens Wide. On the Pentax Q (1/2.3"), it is equivalent to a 100mm lens.




The Q 05 is smaller than the Q 03 Fish-Eye or Q 04 Toy Lens Wide, but has a slower aperture (f/8 vs f/5.6 or f/7.1).

It is an electronic lens with manual focus. It lacks a built-in leaf shutter and aperture control. Therefore, it behaves similarly to that of a manual focus lens with an adapter, with a few exceptions. First, a Pentax Q camera saves EXIF data with lens information (including the permanent f/8 aperture value). Second, a Pentax Q camera recognizes the focal length (18mm) for the sensor-shift image stabilization (SR).

The focusing ring is mechanical, but overly sensitive. There is no distance scale, and the ring rotates far past the infinity (which is also unmarked). The depth of field is large, focusing is difficult.

The lens has 3 elements in 3 groups. By the way, I am unsure if the Q 05 lens is a true telephoto lens. It could just be a "conventional" long-focus lens.

The simple optical design and diffraction due to the slow aperture result in poor image quality. 

The long focal length requires a fast shutter speed (my Pentax Q uses a 1/100 limit for Auto ISO). With an aperture of f/8, it tends to use a high ISO even in fairly well-lit conditions. Another problem is that it produces low-contrast images (it reminds me of old uncoated lenses). These problems will result in a lot of noise in processed images.

This lens is called the "Toy Lens" because its image quality resembles that of cheap plastic "toy" film cameras.
Posted by malykh в 21:07 0 comments

2025-07-03

Suzuki Fronx 4WD (JDM only)

Production of the classic Suzuki SX4 model ended in 2014. Sales of the SX4 S-Cross ended in Japan in 2020. And Sales of the Vitara (as the Escudo) ended in Japan in 2024.

Although there is no direct successor to the SX4 line in Japan, the Suzuki Fronx has been considered its replacement since 2024.




The Suzuki Fronx is a model produced by Maruti Suzuki India. At slightly under four meters long (3995mm), it is an important size for the Indian market (with 1.2L NA or 1.0L Turbo engines).




The JDM version has a Suzuki K15C I4 engine, naturally aspirated (NA), Dualjet?, 1.5L (101/99ps) with a 6AT and WA06A (3.1ps) electric motor (for a mild hybrid system). 

The most interesting feature of the JDM Fronx is its exclusive 4WD option. Other markets only have the 2WD.

Video about the 4WD system:




The 4WD system uses an outdated viscous coupling instead of a modern, electronically controlled one. 



Some disadvantages are offset by ESP.




Another video provides more information about the 2WD version:




Overall, I'm ambivalent about the Fronx. However, it boasts a rare combination today: an NA engine and a conventional AT transmission.

In the same time the Honda Fit e:HEV Crosstar 4WD is available at a similar price in Japan.




Appearance is, of course, a matter of preference, but the e:HEV is a far superior powertrain.

The Suzuki Fronx is often compared with the Honda WR-V.




Although the WR-V is bigger and only has 2WD. It also lacks an e:HEV. The Fit is similar in size to the Fronx, and its 4WD uses viscous coupling too.

Posted by malykh в 11:19 1 comments
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