Rangefinderforum.com http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums Rangefinderforum.com is a site for Rangefinder Camera enthusiasts en Thu, 23 May 2013 15:07:50 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/themes/graphite/misc/rss.jpg Rangefinderforum.com http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums The Epson V500 vs Coolscan 5000 vs Panasonic G3 + macro lens http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133031&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 14:09:06 GMT There's been a fair amount of chatter here about using digital cameras to scan negatives and how they are better/worse than the alternatives. Since I've been using all three of these of these devices for scanning film, I thought I'd post a comparison showing the resulting differences in output. I am using these items mostly on their default settings. My perspective being that I really just want things to work as they come. I don't have the time to buy different software or do tons of post-processing.

This test shot was taken with an OM1 and 35-70 3.5-4.5 zoom at close focus. Film is Arista Premium 400 exposed at 400 and developed in Caffenol CH. It was a thin negative, but all scanning methods could handle it. Maybe not the sharpest film/lens setup in the world, but hey, this is just round 1. More examples will follow :D



Here is a crop from the V500, scanned at 4800 dpi. No Epson Scan sharpening and minimal if any sharpening applied:



Here is a crop from the full negative, taken with the Panasonic G3, and OM 50mm 3.5 macro:


Finally, for fun, here is one taken with the Panasonic G3 and OM macro at 1:1 reproduction:


It's no surprise the 1:1 macro shot is doing the best, sharp and at such a magnification that there's not much digital noise interfering with the grain. Of course, when you do the math, at 1:1 the 4/3 Panasonic G3 sensor is magnifying at something around 6000+ dpi if my math is correct (someone will probably correct me on this :rolleyes:) Downside is that one would need to take 4 good, level shots and stitch them together to cover a full 35 mm neg. Only worth it for the real keepers and requires a decent piece of software to do the mosaicking.

Next best seems to be the G3 shot taken of the entire negative. After cropping the top and bottom, it works out to 13mp. This is how I tend to use my camera for scanning negatives. While it's not lacking much detail from the 1:1 shot, I do see what looks like digital noise interfering with the grain, and it isn't very pretty. This leads me to conclude that even for grainy 400 speed film, 13 mp is inadequate for properly recording all the detail and grain of a 35 mm frame. But in terms of printing, it would have to be a large one to notice this.

Finally, in third, is the V500 scan, which I honestly thought did a surprisingly good job compared to my past experience with this scanner. Maybe it likes this film more than others, we'll see. Still present, however, is the dreaded V500 grain-obliterating "smear" that can only be corrected to a point by sharpening and/or image size reduction.

The Coolscan 5000 comparison is coming...

Larger images of the ones above can be seen on my Flickr set

Next up - color slide film ]]> Scanners / Scanner Software Noll http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133031 Dropped my CL. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133030&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:24 GMT Dropped my CL 1m onto concrete b/c I left my backpack open. :bang::bang::bang: Meter needle is stuck since, rf is out of whack. Off it goes to... Dropped my CL 1m onto concrete b/c I left my backpack open. :bang::bang::bang: Meter needle is stuck since, rf is out of whack. Off it goes to repair. I am unhappy, because this could've been prevented.

Note to self: always close backpack, especially when there's a camera inside. ]]> Leica M -- Leica CL efix http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133030 <![CDATA[William Eggleston's Cameras]]> http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133029&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 13:59:36 GMT Take a look at this! wild, at least to me.... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324715704578481214024861412.html Take a look at this! wild, at least to me....
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...024861412.html ]]> Rangefinder Photography Discussion danielsterno http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133029 <![CDATA[Leica teases "Mini M"]]> http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133028&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 13:55:44 GMT http://leicarumors.com/2013/05/23/new-leica-mini-m-camera-coming-on-june-11.aspx... http://leicarumors.com/2013/05/23/new-leica-mini-m-camera-coming-on-june-11.aspx and http://en.leica-camera.com/home/

Anyone have any idea what they're up to? ]]> efix http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133028 MR4 Battery Solution...Thanks Jon Goodman http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133027&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 13:28:30 GMT Anyone got a Leica MR4 meter for your M-body? I have been shying away from anything that makes the M3 form bigger or bulkier and then I realized... Anyone got a Leica MR4 meter for your M-body? I have been shying away from anything that makes the M3 form bigger or bulkier and then I realized after receiving an MR4 meter that walking around with a separate meter in hand was bulkier and less friendly than having a shoe-mount meter!

So, I had to find a battery for it...no, they won't let me get a mercury battery and yes, the wein cells are at B&H. But, Jon Goodman has an adaptor that accepts the widely available 675 hearing aid batteries. I got one and it works perfectly!!!

The meter checks perfectly with the X1 's meter...everytime...indoors or out!
I can't recommend Jon's adaptor any higher!!! If you are looking for a battery solution for a meter, then go for it!

I did and I am much better of for it.:D ]]> Leica M Film Cameras dave lackey http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133027 Americamania http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133026&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 13:24:37 GMT Hi to you all. Here are some pictures for your review. More pictures here: www.robertofrieri.net (http://www.robertofrieri.net) . Attachment 95951... Hi to you all.
Here are some pictures for your review.
More pictures here: www.robertofrieri.net

.
Attachment 95951

.
Attachment 95952

.
Attachment 95953
Attached Images
File Type: jpg L1000752.jpg (51.4 KB)
File Type: jpg L1000756.jpg (48.8 KB)
File Type: jpg L1000768.jpg (30.0 KB)
]]> Critique / Salon / Picks / Most Views frieri http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133026 Rangefinder Patch Clarity http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133025&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 12:46:28 GMT A year or so ago, I got rid of my modern Leicas (an MP and M7), and opted for a pair of older Leicas (M5s), because the little voice in my head said... A year or so ago, I got rid of my modern Leicas (an MP and M7), and opted for a pair of older Leicas (M5s), because the little voice in my head said I needed the more accurate framelines. But with these older cameras the rangefinder patch doesn't snap into focus like a modern Leica -- the ghost image is just a bit more feint. And I've had a number of these cameras pass through my hands over the years (M4s and M5s), and they're all the same, whether they've had a CLA or not.

Is this something that is epidemic of the older rangefinders?

Would a 1.25x magnifier help?

I don't use rangefinders much anymore (the Leicaflex SL rocks!!!), but this annoying issue is ensuring that I use them even less.

Can something be done, other then going back to a modern Leica? ]]> Leica M Film Cameras steveyork http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133025 Herein lies the future http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133024&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 12:39:39 GMT http://petapixel.com/2013/05/22/on-the-constant-moment/

An interesting read where photography is headed. It also helps explain the one word I can't stand and how it has become appropriated, "curated", and how it has begun to be applied today. ]]> Photography General Interest kbg32 http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133024 Small camera for 3 months around the globe? http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133023&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 11:24:09 GMT Hi everybody!

I´m not a big fan of these "what camera" posts but here I go! I need your input on this one...

My lady an me are planning a long trip this summer around the globe, starting in Istanbul, then Southeast Asia, China, Japan, USA and finally Cuba. Such a stress test for a recently married couple!!

We want to travel really really light, just 2 backpacks and keep everything to a minimum. Sure I want to take some trillions of pictures but my photography skills and style changed quite a lot. Sold all my gear (including M8 and M6) and I´m looking for a small and reliable digital camera which fills these needs:

- Digital. I´ll probably take an Olympus XA or mju but those moments but most of the shooting will be digital. We also plan to update our wedding blog constantly so jpg are the way to go.
- Cheap! Surely a second hand one. Don´t need last models, will prefer older and cheaper ones. Ideally like 300-500 euros max.
- Sensor size no less than Micro 4/3. I have a Samsung S3 for pictures with huge dof already...
- Decent battery life. We´ll be walking and moving most of time, and the camera should be able to be on most of the day. 100-150 shots as average maybe?
- Reliable. M8 is a no go for this travel imho.
- SMALL Ideal size would be a GF1+20mm
- Decent low light. ISO 1600 good enough with color, entry level dslr quality if posible. Able to shoot f2-1/30-800 with nice results.
- Viewfinder is welcome but not 100% needed.
- "stealth" enough not to atract pickpockets. Black and easy to hide.

I know it´s a quite hard list. Any sugestion for a camera that should be basicaly small, cheap and with good performance?
I had the X100 in mind but I´d prefer something even smaller and I´m not crazy about the slow focus comments. GF1 looks great but never tried one. NEX-5 great but fast lenses are huge. NX1000 seems a good contender but it seems Samsungs jpgs are not that great...

Thanks!! ]]> Travel Kozhe http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133023 Interesting new kickstarter project http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133022&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 09:53:02 GMT Hi, just FYI: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ncd/the-nashville-community-darkroom?ref=live Hi,

just FYI:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...kroom?ref=live ]]> Photography General Interest Skiff http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133022 Unspoken Rules - Shooting in India http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133020&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 09:27:46 GMT I have a business trip in Mumbai coming up and I think its probably a mistake to leave behind my M3.

As such I'd like to perhaps capture some of India whilst I'm there.

Can anyone suggest any guidlines / rules given the likely terrible poverty I'll encounter when over there? ]]> Leica M Film Cameras Scheelings http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133020 Olympus PEN 14mm F8 http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133019&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 08:56:53 GMT Has anyone ever seen this lens? Seems like it was modified for use for a movie... Has anyone ever seen this lens?

Seems like it was modified for use for a movie camera?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Olympus-Pen-F...-/221227988829

wonder which lens it was hacked from? ]]> Half Frames / Subminiatures kaiwasoyokaze http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133019 Canon PowerShot TX-1 http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133017&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 07:02:28 GMT On another forum here at RFF there's a "$40 challenge" going on that I was planning to add this very recent purchase to until I realized digital cameras were excluded from the challenge. :(

Oh well, I think it's a dandy for the $40 I paid :) - hardly used, in the box, with all the stuff it originally came with. The guy even through in a nice Lowepro case and a 4GB SDHC card.

I really like how tiny it is! It's kind of an HD video camera, but then kind of a nice still camera too? Got it off Cra*g's L*st.

Anyone here tried one of these? Thoughts? Pro's / Con's, etc.




Basics:

Canon PowerShot TX-1

Stills: 7.1MP (3072 x 2304)

Video: 1280 x 720 @ 30fps (720p)

Lens: 10x optical zoom / 39-390mm (35mm equiv)

Aperture: F3.5-5.6

ISO: 80 - 1600

EXP. Comp: +/- 2EV in 1/3 EV increments

MSRP of US$499 (06/2007) ]]> Point-N-Shoot Dave S. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133017 Leningrad rangefinder coupler problem http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133016&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 06:22:32 GMT Hi all,
I just received my leningrad, I haven't done much test about in but I've already encountered one major problem. The rangefinder coupler doesn't spring back, it just stay in whatever last position it was. any way to fix this?

Any help will be greatly appreciated ]]> FSU Former Soviet Union RF kievan81 http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133016 think tank mirrorless mover 30i...a review http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133015&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 05:26:52 GMT good does not have to be expensive! recently, think tank was kind enough to send me a sample from their new mirrorless mover range of bags for a... good does not have to be expensive!

recently, think tank was kind enough to send me a sample from their new mirrorless mover range of bags for a review.

my lovely mail carrier dropped it off the other day and i quickly tore the box open, loaded it with my gear and headed downtown for some shooting. the 30i is slightly smaller than the billingham f1.4 that had been holding my gear but it all fit nicely. i packed it with my fuji x-pro1 along with 18/35/60 lenses, some extra batteries, my business cards, a few sd cards, lens cleaning cloth, my iphone 5 and the ipad mini. i was ready for the streets! now, let me say that the first thing that i noticed about the 30i was the strap...think tank has the nicest straps that hold the retro series of bags onto my shoulder and this new bag had a different strap on it! i was sad. actually this new strap looks a bit thin and meek compared to the retro one but it does the job well. it has a padded shoulder patch that is sticky and keeps the bag from falling. i normally wear my camera bags over my head, bandolero style and thankfully the 30i strap is long enough (longer than the strap on the much pricier billingham) for this to happen with ease. in fact, i had to shorten the strap a bit and so there was some left over room to spare...this is how a strap should be!

i have to admit that if i had seen the 30i on a store shelf that i might have passed it up. it looks sort of like a lunch kit where the top is reserved for a small thermos. for those who like a camera bag not to look like a camera bag then this is the one for you. this is a simple, no frills, no extra pockets bag and i have to say, it’s the one i have been waiting for think tank to make. oh, it still has the rain coat tucked into it and plenty of storage but it’s not fussy with tiny pockets, though i love the dividers inside that can hold an iphone and 2 sd cards! that is brilliant thinking and a great use of space.

access while wearing the bag is as easy as unzipping the top and grabbing what you need or putting it back. i was very excited to try out the new flap with no velcro or snaps but with strong enough magnets to keep it in place...but...the flap was kind of superfluous! it only covered the outside pockets and isn’t really needed. but it works!

i should add that it has an inside see through pocket, 2 side stretchy pockets on the outside that i love for things like my ear buds and change for parking and a handle on top for a quick grab when leaving the car. the padding is perfect and the bag is not heavy at all...a small complaint about the retro 5 after using it since it came out.

i’ve also added the specs from the think tank site but really, all you need to know is, that for $70., this is one fantastic bag! it holds a camera with lens attached along with a couple of other lenses and pretty much all that you’d need for a days shooting or for your holiday.

picking a daily bag just got a lot harder!







Features:
•Dedicated iPad pocket
•Flip-Top lid with magnetic closure provides quick access to gear
•Removable shoulder strap
•Rear slot for your belt or a Think Tank belt
•Easily accessible front zippered pocket for accessories
•Side pockets (stretchable/gusseted)
•Internal mesh pocket on the lid for battery or other accessories
•Grab handle on the lid
•Poly Ballistic fabric ensures durability
•Seam-sealed rain cover included

Specifications:
Mirrorless Mover 30i:
• SKU: 87453000 664 7 (Black/Charcoal)
• ID: 10.6” W x 8” H x 3.9” D (27 x 20.5 x 10 cm)
• ED: 11” W x 8.9” H x 5.7” D (28 x 22.5 x 14.5 cm)
• Smart Phone Slot: 2.8” W x 5” H x 0.6” D (7 x 12.7 x 1.6 cm) • iPad pocket: 9.8”W x 8.1”H x 0.9” D (25 x 20.5 x 2.3 cm)
• Weight (with all accessories): 1.0 lbs (0.5 kg)


Materials:
Exterior: All fabric exterior treated with a DWR coating while fabric underside is coated with PU for superior water resistance, YKK® RC zippers, 1680D ballistic polyester, 600D brushed polyester, Ultra-stretch pocket, antique nickel plated metal hardware, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

Interior: removable closed cell foam dividers, 200D polyester, PU backed nylex liner, 2x PU coated nylon 210T seam-sealed taffeta rain cover, 3-ply bonded nylon thread. ]]> Micl Photo Acc / Bags/ Meters / Tripods etc back alley http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133015