Video visit to Leica Solms factory

Finishing and checking M7 and MP bodies (basic assembly done in Portugal)

L-Camera TV #1 - Does Leica still make MP and M7? from Andreas Jürgensen on Vimeo.

White M8

275 units worldwide, price: $9,000

See Leica site

All sold out already !!!!

L-Camera TV - Leica M8 White Spotting from Andreas Jürgensen on Vimeo.

Also check out the safari M8.2 - 500 units

D5000D

A quick comparison between Nikon D5000 and Canon 500D.

Overall, apart from pixel count and LCD, the cameras specs are very similar. The 500D is a bit of a paradox: it’s a shrunken 50D plus HD video. Also really need additional investment in terms of good lenses (primes and fast zoom) to make best use of its hi-res sensor. So the question arises, if you don’t need video function and can dish a bit more money why not get the 50D which is more substantial camera with better viewfinder?

Concerning video capture, the EOS boast full HD capability. However, in both cameras the video function is complex and quite limited with no more than 24 images/sec in best case, limited or no focus, etc. Clearly this is still MK I of the integration of this function into DSLR. For the moment (or rather near future), the best compromise between picture quality, video function and handling seems the Lumix GH1.

Both cameras are compact and light to wandering around all day, if you carry only one lens or short zoom. In terms of kit lenses, the Nikon is a bit better although probably would be even better with 16-85VR (costs the same as the camera) or with new 35 AFS DX. The EOS may offer the best image quality for the price if shot in Raw at low to moderate ISO with good lenses. Nikon may be better all-rounder for the price.

Item	D5000	500D
Sensor	12 Mpix CMOS – 12 bits	15 Mpix CMOS –14bits
LCD	Lower res 2.7” vari-angle	High res 3”
Kit lens	18-55 VR - better optic	18-55 IS
Live view	Slightly faster focus dedicated button	dedicated button
AF module	11 points - better	9 points
High ISO*	good - better detail retention above 800	good - reach 12800 (but ok…)
Handling (personal view)	Slightly better	what? no click-wheel!
Extras	some corrections in camera (perspective, Raw, color fringes, etc.)
Battery autonomy CIPA	500 shots	400 shots
Depth of field	no button, via menu	dedicated button
Grip	Not Nikon official	standard BG-E5
Use Nikon lenses	All F lenses, will focus only AFS	All F non-G, through third party adapter ring, manual only
Use Canon Lenses	N/A	EF/EFS
viewfinder	slightly better – wt custom grid	small
Video	720p - no focus	full HD - limited focus
Price with kit (body only) est.	850 (700)	900 (800)

* From Camera labs, note tests with kit lens and standard Jpegs

Black Pink Mountain Tops

Ok It took me a while to figure out, but both albums were released on Jagjaguwar.

The two bands come from Vancouver and are both fronted by Stephen McBean (actually Pink Mountaintop is labeled as a side project).

As you can see the two albums have virtually the same cover....

Death Star Vs Enterprise

Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 Concept

As seen at NY Motor Show 2009

Based on Alfa 8C chassis

    

Custom Scion tC

As seen at NY motor show 2009

  

Vivitar 24mm f2.8

 

This manual focus lens can be found used for very little money today. This sample has Nikon F bayonet without diaphragm coupler of the later AIS type lenses. It can be used with most Nikon cameras (it also has “rabbit ears” for metering on older cameras with pin couplers).  It fits to old F bayonet cameras, new D40/40x/60/5000 digital cameras and surprisingly it also fits, given that there is sufficient space between the bayonet and the f-ring, also to more recent cameras with  fixed diaphragm coupler. It does not provide metering with newer digital cameras although this may be remedied by using live histograms or simply by trial and error in manual mode.

It serial number 377xxxxx indicates that the lens was produced in Japan in the seventies by Tokina on behalf of Vivitar in 1977 (?) (for Vivitar numbering system see here) .

The lens make is all metal. The focusing ring is smooth with diamond head rubber grip. Focus rotate in the opposite direction compared to Nikon’s normal layout.

It has 8 elements in 7 groups, 7 blades diaphragm and weights 250g. Minimum focus distance is 0,25 m and filter diameter is 58mm. The lens came with an original Vivitar polarizing filter.

The lens is sharp when stopped down on digital APS sensor (DX) as only the center of the image is used. Distortion and other optical defects  remain controlled. The images provided by the lens appear less contrasted than Nikon usual type of crisp images.

Users comments often point to poor color rendition. Although this may apply to different production batches, I found that images produced with this lens do have a slight yellow cast. This may be remedied by using filters (in this case polarizer) and/or by playing with the digital camera’s color setting, or even with white balance setting to achieve original results. Color results would need attention possibly in postproduction phase.

The lens should be fitted with any standard 58mm hood and front cap. Standard LF-1 back cap for Nikon mount should be used.

The lens can be used for static and nature subjects given absence of metering and manual focusing. Or with a bit of experience in hyperfocal mode given the generous native depth of field (at f16 everything is in focus from 2m to infinite) which may be amplified by the digital sensor factor.  Maybe I would not recommend its use for low light situation, unless stopped down and at high ISO setting.

So basically, this lens provides a quite useful focal length (equivalent to 35mm on DX format) with above average optical performance (especially for cropped DX sensor users). All this at a bargain if found in good condition used.

sample picture (center crop) color adjusted to vivid