Sunday 22 September 2013

Shooting macro with cheap focusing rail

My biggest challenge shooting macro with reverse lenses is razor-thin depth of field. The lens focusing ring doesn't work and I had to move the camera to or away from the object to nail the focus. Very tedious exercise. I started to look for some sort macro focusing rail and just got one from eBay for $11 delivered.

Rig assembled (X-Pro1 with Nikkor 28/2.8 in reverse)

How does this rail work for macro?

Monday 16 September 2013

Happy 25th Anniversary!

Please welcome a new addition to my classic Nikon collection.
25 years ago, in September 1988, the legendary Nikon F4 was introduced. It is arguably the most innovative camera ever made by Nikon.
F4 is fully compatible (including matrix metering) with every Nikon lens made since the introduction of Nikon F in 1959. It is also the last Nikon professional camera that was operated by knobs rather than by menu and buttons.

Beautiful design by Giorgetto Giugiaro (picture was taken with DP2M)

When couple weeks ago I saw one in excellent condition for $150 I just couldn't resist and bought it. I am planning to run couple rolls through it and will share my experience.

BTW,  if you dod't know, Ilford Lab Direct (US/Canada) is now offering mail-in processing for B&W films.

All the best,
vkphoto

Saturday 14 September 2013

iShoot Quick Release Plate for Fujifilm X-Pro 1

Personally I think that the biggest X-Pro1 design flaw is its tripod mount. It is off the center and too close to battery/memory card compartment. I am using tripod often and prefer to have a standard Arca Swiss quick release plate permanently attached to the camera, but with X-Pro 1 the plate blocks direct access to battery/memory compartment and that's really annoying.
Almost immediately after getting X-Pro1 I bought the Gariz half case (my review is here) and the issue was resolved. I was one happy camper until XF 55-200 has arrived.


Thursday 5 September 2013