NikonGear'23

Images => Nature, Flora, Fauna & Landscapes => Topic started by: Olivier on November 01, 2016, 22:13:26

Title: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Olivier on November 01, 2016, 22:13:26
I am spending some time (I started 1 week ago and don't know how long it will last) with a Helios 44 + Lens Turbo 2 on my X-T1.
My lens is probably imperfect, it is supposed to be quite sharp and contrasty, but it is not really. Still, I like what I am getting. it is famous for its swirly bokeh but in the end it is not what I am after anymore.
It seems to retain highlights better than other lenses.

Here is an 8 shots pano, under a tree I like very much in the park of the "Château de Méry sur Oise", next to my house.

Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Akira on November 01, 2016, 22:16:00
Amazing pano that conveys this beautiful atmosphere.
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: John Geerts on November 01, 2016, 22:44:06
It's a great pano indeed showing a really natural atmosphere and beautiful framing as well.

You used a somewhat smaller aparture I guess?  One can wonder that perhaps a substantial number of lenses would be able to perform in such a pano? (details are difficult to see with this size). 
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Erik Lund on November 02, 2016, 08:56:03
Looks very vintage! :)
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: rosko on November 02, 2016, 10:17:03
Hello Olivier !

What is a ''lens turbo 2'' ? An adapter ring ?

Just wondering ;)

Nice Pano, BTW.
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Olivier on November 02, 2016, 10:58:31
Thanks everyone

Francis, it is a focal reducer (x0.72) like the Speed Booster from Metabones.
Basically, it enables the use of lenses designed for full frame cameras while maintaining the angle of view close to its original value, on APS-C cameras.

Olivier
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 02, 2016, 11:03:49
Interesting to see this garden well known to us in visible light!
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 02, 2016, 11:06:31
Francis, it is a focal reducer (x0.72) like the Speed Booster from Metabones.
Basically, it enables the use of lenses designed for full frame cameras while maintaining the angle of view close to its original value, on APS-C cameras.

Is there something like this that can support not only "Nikon G" but also the new "Nikon E" glass???

I asked because a dirt cheap like new Oly EM-5 managed to jump in my shopping cart on Ebay....
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: rosko on November 02, 2016, 11:13:30
Francis, it is a focal reducer (x0.72) like the Speed Booster from Metabones.
Basically, it enables the use of lenses designed for full frame cameras while maintaining the angle of view close to its original value, on APS-C cameras.

Ok, thanks Olivier.

I didn't know about this device. :)
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Erik Lund on November 02, 2016, 11:30:12
Here is the 'Original' Speed Booster:

http://www.metabones.com/products/?c=speed-booster

And the White paper on it:

http://www.metabones.com/assets/a/stories/Speed%20Booster%20White%20Paper.pdf
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Ron Scubadiver on November 02, 2016, 22:22:35
Is that house available?  It looks like a great place to spend the summer.  Probably out of my range.
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Olivier on November 02, 2016, 22:53:31
It is beautiful and very cool inside, during the summer. The place is very well maintained with elegant wood, big windows, rooms aligned with large doors in between, it is actually a wonderful place to shoot portraits.
The castle and gardens belong to the city of Méry sur Oise, you can rent the place for special events if you wish. I have often seen weddings there and the bride did not arrive in a Renault or a FIAT!
The only time I can access the castle is for the occasional fairs organised there...
the gardens are free though.
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Hugh_3170 on November 02, 2016, 23:07:39
Frank, the Olympus OMD's (such as your new E-M5) easily handle non-chipped manual lenses and still provide metering, unlike the budget Nikons such as the D5*** and the D*** series of crippled cameras. With a simple non-electronic adapter, it can use all M42 lenses (such as Olivier's Helios 44 in this thread) and still get to infinity on account of its relatively short sensor to film plane register distance and still meter with them.  Bear in mind that its crop factor is 2.

Good luckwith your E-M5.  ;D

Is there something like this that can support not only "Nikon G" but also the new "Nikon E" glass???

I asked because a dirt cheap like new Oly EM-5 managed to jump in my shopping cart on Ebay....
Title: Re: enjoying autumn with a low contrast lens
Post by: Olivier on November 02, 2016, 23:11:10
John, I realize I did not answer your question, sorry about that.
Indeed, I used a somewhat small aperture (probably f/8), and I actually would expect other lenses to perform "better" with regards to sharpness and contrast (typically my Nikkor AF-D 50 f/1.4 would at f/8). But there is something I like in what I see from this Helios, and I don't really know what... Maybe it is simply the more film-like appearance but it is hard to put words on my thoughts.
Anyway, time to go to bed as I am traveling early tomorrow.