Search in the blog:

2025-10-15

Meyer-Optik Helioplan 40/4.5: Samples [2] - FF - f/4.5

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)









Posted by malykh в 23:07 0 comments

2025-10-13

My Pentax Q lenses

All my Pentax Q lenses (including "Unique Lenses"):




From left to right:

Pentax Q 02 5-15/2.8-4.5 Standard Zoom

The total number of Pentax Q lenses was eight:




Two of them are missing: 

Pentax Q 06 15-45/2.8 Telephoto Zoom. I don't like zooms. And I don't like telephoto lenses. Also this lens is rather unreliable.

Pentax Q 08 3.8-5.9/3.7-4 Wide Zoom. This lens is more interesting. However, it is too expensive and rare.

Posted by malykh в 13:50 0 comments

2025-10-11

Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Main camera DCP file for ART/RT (download)

The JPEGs produced by the Motorola Edge 50 Pro are terrible, so I mostly shot in DNG. I created a dual illuminant (StdA + D50) profile (DCP) for the ART and RT raw converters. It is based on my shots of the Calibrite ColorChecker Classic Mini. See details: ColorChecker, DCamProf, ART/RT

Download file (2025-10 version): edge50pro-main.dcp (64KB)

1. This DCP is for the main (wide angle) camera only. I don't use the other cameras due to their bad quality, so I even didn't try to create profiles for them.

2. The DCP contains the Base table only. I removed the Look table because it hinders highlight recovery.

3. There is no suitable JPEG preview in DNG files, so the Auto-Match Tone Curve doesn't produce anything. You should use a custom tone curve instead. Or, at least, choose the Smooth S-shaped base curve.

4. The colors may not be as saturated as you expect. You can adjust the Saturation/Vibrance to your liking.

Here are some samples with the default settings from the ART raw converter. The only exceptions are that the Custom (DCP) setting is used instead of the Camera standard setting, and the Smooth S-shaped base curve is chosen.




Posted by malykh в 21:19 0 comments

2025-10-09

Cannondale Cujo 1 (2018): New grips again

I have already replaced the handlebar grips on my Cujo 1 (2018), but they have worn out again, so it is time to replace them again.




These are some unknown lock-on grips that go by several names.

Posted by malykh в 19:26 0 comments

2025-10-07

Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime: Samples [1] - 1/2.3" - f/1.9

Camera: Pentax Q (1/2.3", 12MP)
Lens: Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime at f/1.9; The profiled lens (distortion/vignetting) correction is disabled.

I am slightly disappointed with this lens. I expected better resolution from a standard prime lens. However, the poor resolution may be due to the 1/2.3" sensor. There is also noticeable distortion and purple fringing.










See also related notes:
Posted by malykh в 11:41 0 comments

2025-10-05

ColorChecker, DCamProf, ART/RT

I have the Calibrite ColorChecker Classic Mini target. Using DCamProf, I created some color profiles for use with the ART (RT based) raw converter. I will share my experience.

The overall workflow is described here: How to create DCP color profiles


1. It is crucial to avoid overexposing the highlights in color checker pictures. That was my main problem. You can use the Raw Histogram of ART/RT to check the highlights. Take a lot of pictures with different exposures and then select the best one.

2. In real life, it is often sufficient to use a single D50 illuminant color profile.

3. On my Linux system, argyll-scanin is called scanin (installed from the argyll package).

4. The path to the ColorChecher.cht file is also different: /usr/share/color/argyll/ref/ColorChecker.cht

5. X-Rite/Calibrate changed their formula in ColorCheckers produced November 2014 and later. cc24_ref.cie (from DCamProf) is for targets produced before November 2014. While cc24_ref-new.cie is for targets produced November 2014 and later. Therefore, I use the cc24_ref-new.cie file.

6. You can try the -s option with make-profile to use an alternate optimization algorithm.

7. Pay attention to the DE values in the make-profile result report. In my experience, they should not exceed 5. If the values are too high (10+), take another picture of the color checker.

8. It is better not to use an embedded tone curve for ART/RT. So I use the -t none option with make-dcp, and disable the "Look table" in ART/RT.

9. I also prefer to completely remove the "Look table" from a dcp file. I use the dcp2json and json2dcp commands of DCamProg; in the intermediate JSON, I remove the "ProfileLookTable" field.

10. Do not use the HueSatMap 3D (the -D option with make-dcp). In some cases, it can worsen highlight recovery in ART/RT.

Posted by malykh в 09:57 0 comments

2025-10-03

Angarsk: 7 views from 1956 (and 2025)

This is a small postcard titled "Виды Ангарска" (Views of Angarsk, 7 photos) from 1956. Also, see the postcard (11 photos) and the postcard (10 photos) from 1956.




The views themselves are tiny, about the size of a postage stamp, so the resolution is low.

I've also included similar views that I took in September 2025.

Disclaimer: My photographs are nothing more than a documentation of reality.

1.




2. Дворец культуры (a palace of culture).
.




3. Проспект Ленина (Lenin avenue).





4. Гостиница "Саяны" (Sayan hotel).





5. Иркутский техникум жидкого топлива (Irkutsk liquid fuel technical college); кинотеатр "Победа" (Pobeda/Victory сinema).





6. Улица Олега Кошевого (Oleg Koshevoy street).





7. Центральный проспект (Central avenue).






Image albums:
Posted by malykh в 10:10 0 comments

2025-10-01

Shimano Deore XT BB-MT801

This is a Shimano Deore XT BB-MT801 (BSA Hollowtech II, Deore XT) bottom bracket.




It comes with three 2.5mm spacers.

Note that one spacer must be installed on the right side anyway (68/73).




As far as I understand, the 2.5 mm place was originally intended for mounting specific types of front derailleurs. If you are using a different type of front derailleur, or none at all, the space must be filled with a spacer.

The bottom bracket weighs 79 grams (with a single spacer).



Image albums:
Posted by malykh в 18:11 0 comments

2025-09-29

Staeble-Telexon E 85/5.6: Samples [3] - 135 film - f/5.6

Camera: Zenit-3M (with some limitations)
Film: Ilford Pan ISO 100 (135 B&W)

Since I don't have a Paxette camera, I tested the lens using a Zenit-3M instead. Unfortunately, this combination doesn't allow for focusing on distant objects.








Posted by malykh в 10:12 0 comments

2025-09-27

Audiotrak Prodigy Cube: Op-AMPs

These are the operational amplifiers (DIP8) for the Audiotrak Prodigy Cube:





Posted by malykh в 18:37 0 comments

2025-09-25

Angarsk Construction Department: 25th anniversary medal





The medal features an artistic rendering. It is inspired by a real-world fountain (see also).



Posted by malykh в 19:57 0 comments

2025-09-23

Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime

The Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime is the only AF prime lens for the Q series. I prefer prime lenses to zoom lenses, so I searched for this one. Fortunately, this (used) lens is neither too rare nor too expensive.




On the Pentax Q (1/2.3"), it is equivalent to a 47mm lens - a true standard lens. The f/1.9 aperture makes it the fastest lens in the Q series.

It is quite small, especially compared to the Pentax Q 02 Standard Zoom.




The filter thread is the 40.5x0.5 (like old lenses, not modern ones).




The lens has 8 elements in 5 groups. 




Like all AF Pentax Q lenses, it has a built-in leaf shutter, with speeds up to 1/2000. This is typical of a leaf shutter, but the speed is too slow for sunny weather. To address this, the lens has a built-in ND4 filter that can be controlled via the camera settings. Alternatively, you can switch to the electronic shutter.

The aperture (the leaf shutter) has 5 blades.

Posted by malykh в 19:41 0 comments
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)

Blog Archive