Light Through The Lens

I recently updated the firmware on my Pentax K-7, and to my delight, Pentax has added the popular Reversal Film mode to this camera (previously only available on the Pentax 645D).  For those of you who don’t know, reversal film is another name for slide, or transparency film.  As someone who still shoots quite a bit of film (mostly medium format) and a good portion of it being transparencies, this is much welcome addition to the already extensive selection of color palettes available on the K-7.

I’m still running tests, but it would appear that this new color mode nearly replicates the look and feel of Kodak Ektachrome, specifically, E100G.  Colors are nice and punchy, with slightly cool shadows.  I’ve included the following side-by-side comparison showing how this new film mode stacks up against my standard processing in Lightroom.

First, the original file as imported into Lightroom using the Adobe Default profile:

Lightroom 2.7 Adobe Default

Next, the original file as imported into Lightroom using the Camera Default profile:

Lightroom 2.7 Camera Default

Next, the original file as processed in Lightroom using my standard develop settings:

Lightroom 2.7 Standard Process

Finally, the original file, imported into Pentax DCU 4.21, Reversal Film mode applied:

Pentax DCU 4.21 Reversal Film Mode

From these examples, it appears the Pentax Reversal Film Mode  does an impressive job of not only capturing the vivid green in the leaves of this leaf, but also of bringing out subtle differences, such as the yellow in the stem of the leaf.  even better is the additional clarity/sharpness obtained by processing in Pentax DCU, applying Reversal Film Mode, and adjusting the Sharpness slider to taste.

Here’s a side-by-side 100% crop of the water droplet in the center of the frame.  Notice how the Pentax DCU software is able to resolve more detail in the droplet, as well as the surrounding area:

Click the image to view Full Size

I’m going to be doing more tests on this new feature in the coming weeks, and will publish an update once I’ve gathered the results.

A big Thank You to Pentax for providing us with yet another great option for enhancing our images!

Just a quick note letting you know why it’s been so quiet here lately.

I traveled extensively in May and spent much of the month of June scanning film for several trips.  Putting the final touches on the selects now and should have something to show soon.

Also, this blog apparently got picked up by either Google or Yahoo, which has, unfortunately, resulted in an influx of spam and other false comments, which have taken me the better part of two weeks to clean up.

I hope to return to blogging on a semi-(ir)regular basis by next week.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

TG

I’m back home, having spent the past several days in Tennessee.  It was a great experience and my first of what I hope will be many visits to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The wildflowers were blooming at lower elevations, the redbuds were abundant, the waterfalls flowing, and the trails in great shape.  If you’re able to make it to the park in the next few weeks, I highly recommend it.  The rhododendrons had not yet bloomed, but from what the locals told me, it is a dazzling color display you don’t want to miss!

For this trip, I decided to try out the Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited lens, which I rented from Camera Lens Rentals.  The following is a brief overview of the lens, coupled with my experience using this lens.  It is not so much a technical review as it is a hand-on report.  While I did evaluate image quality, I did not do so under controlled conditions.  I chose to shoot in real world conditions rather than test charts in a studio.  I should also mention, in the interest of full disclosure, I paid for the rental fee out of my own pocket and was not compensated, monetarily or otherwise, by either Pentax or Camera Lens Rentals.

The Pentax DA 15nn F4 ED AL Limited is a wide angle lens, and one of only five DA Limited lenses in the Pentax lineup.  On my Pentax K-7, it is the 35mm focal length equivalent of a 22mm lens.  The build quality is what one would expect from Pentax, specifically the Limited line, and features all metal construction, excellent optics, and a built-in retractable lens hood.  The front cap screws on securely, and the lens accepts both standard and slim profile filters.  It’s diminutive size and light weight makes it ideal for travel and outdoor photography, or any situation where weight is important.  Though I didn’t use the lens in this capacity, I suspect its size makes it a capable lens for street photography and photojournalism as well.  It currently retails for around $600 at major online retailers (Amazon, B&H, Adorama) with an MSRP of  $650

The first test of this lens came along the Laurel Falls Trail, a 1.3 mi (2.6 mi roundtrip) paved trail with a difficulty rating of Moderate.  The trail ascends some 1750 feet and ends at the upper base of a spectacular 80-foot cascading waterfall.  The light conditions were a mix of sun and shade, and required a slow shutter speed (1/8s) and tripod to capture the silky smooth effect of the water.

Upper Laurel Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It may be difficult to judge in this web-sized version, but it appears to be sharp from edge to edge. with the center of the frame resolving minute details in the lichen growing atop the wet rocks.  It’s amazing the detail captured by such a tiny lens!  The corners held enough detail so as not to appear soft, though upon close inspection (100% view in Lightroom) I find them to be slightly less sharp than the center.  I doubt very much it would be apparent in prints up to 11×14, possibly larger.

Overall, I found the Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL lens to be a very capable and worthwhile lens.  After 10 days of use, in real world situations and under mixed lighting conditions, I can honestly say I would recommend this to anyone looking for a lightweight alternative to the usually bulky wide angle lens.  Its combination of size, handling, and image quality make it a must have for outdoor, travel, and landscape photography.

I’m headed to Tennessee tomorrow for four days in Pigeon Forge and Gatlingburg, home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

According to The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog, the wildflowers should be at or near peak while I’m there.  Needless to say, I’m looking forward to it!

Along the way, I’ll be testing the smc PENTAX DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited, which I have on loan from CameraLensRentals.com.

See you next week!

I’ve been featured in an advertisement for Lasersoft’s Silverfast Archive Suite scanning software in the April 2010 issue of Shutterbug magazine.

My ugly mug appears right above David Brooks, the editor of Shutterbug (and an accomplished photographer, too!).  Check it out at your nearest newsstand or bookstore and read about why David and I both use and recommend Silverfast!

Thompson Island Reflection, 2009

I have updated my website to include a dozen new images from my trip to Acadia National Park last fall.  Please take a look when you have a moment.  This is part of a larger body of work; one which I hope to have finished before the end of the year.  I’m envisioning these as large scale prints (20″x24″) as well as smaller plates for an upcoming book.

As I continue to work through a backlog of scans from last year, I’ll post the results; some here, some on the website.  Keep checking back and see what’s new.

I recently returned to printing after a 6 month hiatus.

Having been frustrated by color matching issues with Photoshop CS4 which, in one case, resulted in output so far off the mark it had me calling Epson, Apple, and Adobe to try and pinpoint the problem (not an easy task, especially when nobody wants to admit there “might” be a problem with their product), I threw up my hands, admitted defeat, and walked away from printing altogether.  Further attempts only fueled my anger and frustration, and ultimately led to my putting the printer up for sale.  Lucky for me, it didn’t sell.  After seeing the results a friend and colleague was achieving using Lightroom 2, I decided to give it a try.

The printing experience in Lightroom 2 is amazing.  It’s Print module is simple and unobtrusive.  It has everything you need to make stunning prints.  And it has allowed me not only to return to printing, but to do so in a more productive way.  I highly recommend Lightroom 2 to anyone who prints their own work.

There’s a wonderful article, published today, over at The Online Photographer by contributing author Jim Hughes, titled Fugitive Color.

If you haven’t read it yet, stop what you’re doing right now, go check it out, then come back here for the rest.  It speaks volumes about the current state of affairs in photography.

The last line in the article is pure gold, and got me thinking, “How DOES one re-learn to see”?

I’ve been busy working on a couple projects, and figured it was time for an update.

New Photography Services

I’m pleased to announce two new additions to my photography services; Equipment Pre-Sales Consultation and Onsite Technical Support.  These services are designed to compliment each other and to help my your life a little bit easier.

Targeted at first-time camera buyers and seasoned photo enthusiasts, my Equipment Pre-Sales Consultation service takes the hassle out of buying new gear by removing the financially-motivated biases which often plague retailers.  I’ve used many brands of equipment over the years; 35mm and medium format, film and digital, SLR and compact, tripods, memory cards, film, lighting, and accessories.

Whether you are ready to order or are just starting out, I can assist with every step of the equipment selection process, and help you find the right solution for your photographic needs.

My other new offering, Onsite Technical Support, has been designed from the ground up to offer technical assistance to photographers, as well as other creative professionals, by providing custom solutions specific to the profession.  This includes installation of new hardware, software, and accessories; monitor and printer color calibration, digital photo library management, implementing backup solutions, and much more.

Moving on…

New Personal Work

Fallen, Matthiessen State Park, 2010

The last several weeks I have been making weekday trips to Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park near Utica, Illinois.  This time of year is great for getting out and photographing the beautiful sandstone canyons, frozen waterfalls, and unique features each of these parks offers.  It’s done more than awaken my photographic eye from a “creative slumber”; it has reaffirmed my belief that even in the dead of winter, you can find beauty in nature, and produce inspiring work.

Took a day trip this week, during a snowstorm, to Starved Rock State Park, one of the more scenic state parks in Illinois. The park was empty, the trails were blanketed in fresh snow, and the entire place felt like my own private playground. While the weather didn’t offer up sunshine or blue skies, soft diffuse light provided by the clouds offered up some good opportunities for winter still photography…and some high definition video. Enjoy!