The Picture Desk

Zeiss Sony 24mm on NEX C-3, 5N, 7

2012-01-20T14:50:00.006-05:00

It was an easy plan. Take the NEX 3, 5N and 7 and the Sony Zeiss 24mm lens out and take the same photo with each.

How hard can that be?

It was -7 and my brain froze as I was walking from the car.

All three cameras were set to ISO 200, shutter speed was 1/4 at f16. (I think). Of course when I opened the first file I learned the C3 was set to black and white.

I'll try again next week.

I was very surprised how hard it was to adjust the cameras with gloves on.

I did remember to try a panorama.... this was done with the 5N. I set the exposure compensation to +2 stops to clean up the white's.

Rob Skeoch

Gathering at the studio March 10, 2012

2012-01-14T17:16:00.002-05:00

I try and host these once or twice a year.
If you love photography you're invited.
It's a chance to meet other photographers, see what they have been up too and show what you've been up to. Last year we had 26 people. Most showed a few recent prints, one or two had a new book, and one or two had an interesting camera they enjoyed using. It's fun, very casual, you'll see great photographs and meet interesting people. Everyone is encouraged to bring something to show, but if you can't, then still come over. Most of the photographers are shooting film, about half use large format but everyone is welcome.
These are the basic rules; Be Interested, Be Generous with your knowledge, Be Interesting, Connect.
If you bring along your M-mount Zeiss lenses you can use the studios 6-bit coding kit to mark them up.
Starts at 7pm, runs till 10pm, pizza at 8pm $10 covers the pizza. 3123 Walkers Line in Burlington, Ontario.

If you're interested send me an email to skeoch at sympatico.ca

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for large format photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

What I do for Sony

2012-01-07T13:31:00.002-05:00

People often ask me what I actually do for the Digital Imaging department at Sony of Canada. Well this video from my recent shoot in Malawi is the type of the things I produce.

Rob Skeoch

I hope you get the images you want this year

2012-01-01T09:36:00.002-05:00

I bought my father a guitar last year. It's a nice instrument, more guitar than he'll ever need. It has a nice feel and certainly sounds good.

I wonder how the guy who built it, feels about it. Does he hold it like a treasure, something he's proud to be involved with, or is it number 27 finished this morning and he's ready for his second coffee?

Does he hold his creation as a piece of art or is that reserved for the guitars other people make. I've held a few instruments but never a great one. I've never held one of those wonderful wood wonders that you read about in the Christie's sale catelogue. The type of instrument that a team of investors own.

Photographs are also ment to be held. It might be in the daily paper, where you give up print quality and pick up dot-gain, but thousands of people see you work each day. I've had my share of newspaper shots but "up-graded" to magazines when I could get the work. Again it was something you could hold in your hand, even if you were just standing at Chapters. Books are similar to magazines, nicer quality and hopefully a comon thread keeps the photos together. So far I've had my work in 43 books, although when you get one picture on page 87 of a book on baseball it's not really your book.

All of these outputs are wonderful if that's what you want to hold in your hand. If you dream of the day when you can hold a newspaper or magazine with your picture in it, I hope that comes true this year.

For me it's the fine art print that I want to hold. Something that I can hold but then frame with wood and glass and hang on the wall to be studied. For me a good photograph means a good print hanging on the wall. It doesn't mean unbeatable quality, or grainless traditional prints, but something with impact that says something. Yes for me a success year of shooting comes down to a few prints hanging on the wall that have impact. I don't suggest this is true for everyone, but it is for me. I'm looking for the greatest image I can make and the final test is how the 20x24 looks framed on a wall.

Now that it's the start of a new year I can go through all the negatives and digital files from last year and come up with some great images to up-date the studio wall space. Most likely it will be a mix of digital printouts from my rodeo work, and traditional black and whites taken with the 4X10 or a film rangefinder. I'm not looking for a ton of images from last year, just a half dozen or so that I can hold in my hand.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for large format photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Short video on Sony NEX7 assignment

2011-12-31T07:42:00.002-05:00

I created this short video on the Sony NEX7 with images from my first assignment with the camera.

Maybe there is something useful for you in it.

Most of the images were done with the Sony Zeiss 24 and the 50mm f1.8. A couple were taken with the new 55-210. The work was in Malawi.

-Rob Skeoch

You can find the video here....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8gHEw_OZ-0

Sony NEX 7 in the cold

2011-12-29T16:07:00.003-05:00

I took the Sony NEX 7 with kit zoom fishing for steelheads today. I like to take a camera along because I never catch anything and it gives me something to do when I get bored after a few hours.

Rob Skeoch

Hope for a Healthy World - contest

2011-12-26T11:24:00.003-05:00

I saw an ad for this photo contest in the current issue of PDN. I've not heard about the contest before but it looks interesting if you work on Health Issues.

You can see the Hope for a Healthy World website and decide it you're images fit the Categories for Health Images. I also enjoyed looking at last years winning images.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for large format photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

New York Times best photos

2011-12-24T08:05:00.001-05:00

The New York Times best photos of the year are worth a look.

-Rob Skeoch

Sony A65 focuses fast like a cheetah

2011-12-22T17:41:00.001-05:00

My background is shooting sports. The focus speed of cameras is never fast enough. There have been great improvements since cameras started to incorporate AF years ago, but they were never fast enough.

The A65 is a huge step forward whether you're shooting Lions, Tigers, Bears, Blue Jays, Panthers, Cougars, Mustangs or Cheetah's.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for large format photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

It's time for Sony to bring out the big glass

2011-12-21T17:42:00.001-05:00

This was done with the Sony A65 and the 70-400 G lens.

The A65 is an APS-C size sensor, which make the lens like a 600mm. It's still too short. And if the camera was full-frame it would be way to short.

Sony has been talking about the 500mm f4 for three years now. We've seen mock-ups under glass, and other mock-ups under other glass. Now it's the end of 2011 and the lens is still un-released.

I hope to be shooting with this lens in 2012, I just hope Sony plans to bring it out.

Rob Skeoch

Sony A65 in the lions cage

2011-12-20T16:54:00.001-05:00

This lion was fun to shoot since he stayed in the same spot for a while. This allowed me to try a couple different settings on the Sony A65. I was using one of my favorite lenses, the Sony 70-400G.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Special Effects with the Sony A65

2011-12-19T05:00:00.001-05:00

Toy Camera Setting

Normal setting.

The subject was somewhat cooperative as I tried a shot straight and the same shot using the "Toy Camera" setting in the Special Effects feature on the Sony A65.

I like this setting the best since it darkens the corners and keeps the centre bright, just like I always printed in the darkroom.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony A65, some subjects look better in black and white

2011-12-18T04:53:00.001-05:00

I've been using the Sony A65 with the Sony 70-400G lens at the local zoo. I thought this was a fun angle on this guy. Shot using the in-camera black and white mode.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for large format photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Shooting a polar bear with the Sony A65

2011-12-17T16:12:00.009-05:00

I went out to the zoo this week and tried out the Sony A65 with the SAL70400G lens. I haven't used the camera much since I've had access to the A77. Now that the A77 has been sent back to Sony, I'm playing with the A65.

I thought these bears were white in the coke ads.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for large format photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Are you a "Real Journalist" check the list

2011-12-10T15:20:00.001-05:00

This is the latest checklist for being a "real" journalist.

Rob Skeoch

Reasons not to date a photographer

2011-12-09T07:40:00.001-05:00

50 Reasons NOT to Date a Photographer

They rather hold their bulky camera, than hold hands with you.
On a romantic date, you’ll watch the sun go down and think “Wow this is gorgeous” and they’ll go “mirror lock, tripod, and stop down f/8 at 1/125.”
You’ll never be able to enjoy tv, movies, or magazines because they’ll point out all the visual flaws.
They like to sit in obscure coffee shop and voyeuristically watch people for great lengths of time.
If you’re taking a walk outside and you come across some “interesting light” they will make you sit/stand/pose in public so that they can take a photo.
You’ll never get to enjoy freshly cooked meals because they’ll spend 15 minutes taking 20 variations of the same dish with their iPhone.
They get angry when your friends go up to them and say “I am interested in photography, can you recommend a good camera for me? Nothing professional I just want to take pretty pictures.”
You’ll wait longer for them to finish analyzing art in a museum than you’ll wait at the dmv
Same goes with old used bookstores.
When you think they’re giving you their undivided attention, they’re really wondering how they could fix you with a little Clone Tool and Patch Tool.
Or they are actually using you to not look so creepy as they people watch everything going on around you.
They rather drop $1,000+ on new glass than a purse for you.
You can’t take a photo with them without taking at least five more.
If you ask them if you look fat, they’ll say “don’t worry I can photoshop you later.”
They’ll never photoshop something simple for you if the content is not up to their “standards.”
That photo they randomly took of you yesterday? Good luck getting them to send it to you.
They spend all their time on the computer (and not for porn.)
They can’t have a normal conversation with throwing acronyms and random numbers.
They still use film cameras.
They spend a lot of time with people cooler than you i.e. models, actors, musicians, successful rich people.
They’ll be fussy over the position of a common household object, like a coffee cup.
They won’t return your calls or text messages, but you can bet they’re still posting pics on Instagram.
They like watching old films that you’ve never heard or will ever understand.
They like looking at weird things in general.
Instead of having penis-envy, they have camera-gear-envy.
If there’s a natural disaster in a far away land, they’re already on a plane going over there.
Everything is watermarked.
They think everyone else’s photos suck.
They want to color correct a lot of scenes from Twilight and Jersey Shore.
They hate rainbows, especially ones spinning in a circle.
Whenever you’re in a group talking and the conversation goes deep, they’re taking notes in some form of Moleskin.
They use over priced Moleskin notebooks.
They like trespassing into old abandoned buildings filled with health hazards.
They always want to show a new photo they took, but don’t really care if you like it or not.
They hate your n00bie friend’s new artsy profile picture.
Bright, sunny days make them sad, but cloudy, overcast days are apparently great!
They’ll take you into places that have “culture” as well a high chance of getting mugged.
Your birthday present will be a portrait that they’ve taken of you.
You can’t go anywhere new without them stopping to take a photo of everything and anything.
They will always bug you to be a test subject.
Nothing can ever be naturally pretty, everything must be fixed in Photoshop.
Bringing their camera means, bringing 50lbs of equipment.
If you break any of their things on accident, you’ll owe them thousands of dollars.
You can’t get them a birthday/Christmas present without spending at least $500
They are natural hoarders, collecting and keeping piles of old newspapers, packaging, magazines, and other things that “inspire” them.
They are weird and geeky.
They have hard drives of photos, but probably have printed 10 images.
They are always secretly judging your creativity.
If you’re ever in auto mode, they laugh at you.

Anonymous

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Ilford Titan Pinhole in action

2011-12-08T19:43:00.009-05:00

Ilford has released a new 4X5 pinhole camera. It's a simple camera made by Mike Walker over at Walkers Camera. The first batch is sold out but I kept one for myself and I took it out today for a spin.

It's very easy to use, and comes with Delta 100, RC paper for paper negatives and a box of the new fibrebase direct positive paper.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for large format supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony Zeiss 24 f1.8 E-mount are shipping

2011-12-06T16:36:00.005-05:00

I was in the Sony of Canada office this morning picking up a few things.

David the product manager for the NEX cameras mentioned that the new Sony Zeiss 24mm f1.8 lens are now shipping.

This is such a great lens I'm sure they will be sold out quickly.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Finished my tour as Photo Editor

2011-11-21T14:34:00.002-05:00

I worked at the Hamilton Spectator newspaper for the past seven years, just one or two evening shifts a week on the photo desk.

Last night was my last shift. It was fun, but I'm glad it's over.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony A77 is ready for some football

2011-11-13T20:23:00.014-05:00

It was the house league football championship's day this weekend and I thought I would check out the little guys. I sponsor a Peewee team but they didn't make it into the Championship game but I did shoot a couple games just for fun.

All of these shots were done on the new Sony A77 with the Sony 70-400G lens. Everything was shot at ISO 400, everything was on the 12-frames per second burst mode. Mostly I shot in vertical with the vertical grip.

I used the new "Zone Focus" that the A77 has, this is a great feature. All of these images are jpegs right out of the camera. All have a slight crop but no colour/exposure adjustments.
You can see the hi-rez file at flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsphotorob/6342740788/in/photostream
You can see the hi-rez file at flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsphotorob/6341985629/in/photostream
You can see the hi-rez file at flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsphotorob/6342736558/in/photostream
You can see the hi-rez file at flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsphotorob/6341983797/in/photostream
You can see the hi-rez file at flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsphotorob/6342726580/in/photostream
You can see the hi-rez file at flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsphotorob/6342728732/in/photostream
You can see the hi-rez file at flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsphotorob/6342725910/in/photostream
You can see the hi-rez file at flickr....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsphotorob/6342725680/in/photostream

Rob Skeoch

A few shots from this morning with the Sony A77

2011-11-11T14:56:00.003-05:00

These were done in the Special Effects mode on the A77 with the Sony 70-400G
Rob Skeoch

You're going to want the NEX E-mount 50mm f1.8

2011-10-29T10:04:00.002-04:00

Was shooting today in a grade eight classroom. These students are middle class in Malawi, in one of the largest cities. Each student had a desk, and the room had glass in the windows which I haven't seen in Malawi before.

I shot a fair number of images with the Sony Zeiss 24mm on the NEX7 but it was a bit wide. Once I switched to the Sony E-mount 50mm f1.8 I realized what a great little lens this is.

All the press and buzz has been around the Zeiss 24mm. There have been a couple discussions about the 55-210 and a few about the new 50mm. I think the 50mm is one lens most NEX photographers would appreciate.

The kit lens is fine, but it's too slow for low light work, the Sony Zeiss is wonderful but it's high priced and not everyone will go that route. The 50mm should be very reasonable in price and the faster speed lets you take photos that the kit lens just couldn't get.

All these were done at ISO800 on the NEX7. Mostly wide open in a dark classroom handheld.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony A77 and the sweep panorama

2011-10-28T02:55:00.000-04:00

When I first started working with Sony, everything we talked about was the in body stabilization. That was the feature they wanted to be know for.

Then they added the "sweep panorama" feature to the point and shoot line-up and eventually to the Alpha gear. The panorama became the feature to discuss because no other brand did it as well or as easily.

It's not a feature I use very often but for some reason took a number of them in this small village in southern Malawi.

These are done with the camera held sideways so they're not a full pano, but fill the frame nicely and have a very pleasing shape.

You know what, it's a great feature, and might be worth talking about.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Working the shadows with the M9 and Zeiss Sonnar

2011-10-27T02:51:00.000-04:00

This image might be a bit dark. I'm in the field and don't have the ability to lighten/darken the images till I get home. This is a jpeg right out of the Leica M9. Most likely if I use the file for anything else, I'll go back to the RAW file and clean it up there.

Full sun glaring down, hot and dusty in southern Malawi and I'm spending time in one of the small villages with a crew that works with orphans and their care providers. This women has five children but her husband was murdered last year so she raises them on her own.

I took a few images for the care group that's helping her, then grabbed a couple frames of just her and the youngest. She's just in her doorway out of the sun. This was done with the M9 and the Zeiss 50mm f1.5. I forgot to change the lens setting on the camera but it doesn't seem to have made a difference that I've noticed yet.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

I'm glad the Sony A77 has dust seals

2011-10-26T09:50:00.006-04:00

It was about a two hour drive to the south of Malawi. The main road wasn't too bad but the village we were going to was off the main road. The dirt road was a dream for those who like to go off roading, or ride the trails with their mountain bike. It was 38 degrees in the shade, but there wasn't much. The dust was crazy.

I was glad I bought that Pelican case from Daymen. I've said it before but I'll repeat it here, the Pelican 1510 is the best carry-on you can get. Water proof and most importantly... dustproof. You can lock it, put all you're gear in it and roll it along.

We were heading to the village to check on a program for orphans. There are a large number in Malawi and each village has their share.

The real young kids were in a daycare building. Just one room, open windows and a thatch roof. There was no power in the town. Only a couple of these young ones are orphans but for a small town there sure were alot of kids. The parents are working the fields or watching that the birds don't get the rice seeds that were just planted.

Even though it was sizzling out the teacher took the kids for a jog around the village. I guess he likes to send them home exhausted so they can nap during the real heat of the day. I was surprised how far he took them and a single cup of water was the reward when they returned.

I shot with three cameras during the day, the Sony A77 prototype I have was the gear I used most. It has a 16-50mm pre-production lens on it. This is Sony's first dust-proof lens, and the A77 also has the weather seals expected on pro-level gear. I didn't change the lens all day, why get dust on the sensor when it's so hard to clean on the road.

I traveled with the team to different homes in the village. About 3000-4000 people live here and survive as subsistence farmers. There are no jobs in the town except for a couple of teachers and a pastor. A few of the houses had bikes and I found this nice shot in the shade..... again with the Sony A77 and 16-50mm.

When the sun is glaring down, I try and work the shade as much as I can. This young girl is in the doorway of her mud brick house while her cousin peaks out from the back. Working the shade keeps the contrast in check, plus why have people standing in the sun longer than needed. I was invited into the house to take a look. Two rooms in a building about the size of a backyard shed where I'm from. Bamboo mats to sleep on, one stool and some cooking kit was all they owned. A mother lives here with three children. I tried to make a photo but even though it was midday, it was just too dark inside.

When we had finished the tour of the orphans we sat down in the now empty daycare room for a meal on the floor. These women cooked for us but I'm not sure what we had. I know rice was part of it and also Nsima, which is maize flour mixed with water and boiled till it feels like Playdough. You can see them dishing it out for the kids in this shot.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Thou Shall Not Take Your Camera To Church

2011-10-23T12:07:00.006-04:00

Today started off with a long bus ride to a church in the country. I'm trying different gear each day and today I brought along the Sony A77 dSLR and the Zeiss Ikon film rangefinder. I had left the film camera behind yesterday but was missing it. I only use it for black and white but they make nice gallery prints if it's the right image.

The church had no lights and the windows on one side were mostly blocked up with loose bricks to keep the wind down. I had the A77 on sticks since I was using it for video as well, so shooting in the dark church wasn't an issue. I think it was 1/60 second wide open at f2.8 for the most part. I brought along two lenses, the new 16-50mm Sony which is a prototype and the 100mm macro which is so great for portraits.

The service started off with the women singing and I made a couple shots.

As the service continued on I found this cute shot from the back of the boys not paying attention.

Following the service I grabbed a shot of this mother and child. You have to cut me some slack on the crop.... I'll take the women on the right off but in the field I have no ability to edit the photos and everything is straight out of the camera. I can hardly get things posted to the web in Malawi. Think of it as a square.

Once the service was done the members formed a long line to move a field of bricks that had been drying. I made a number of images of this with the A77 but found it the perfect situation for black and white so shot a roll or two with the Zeiss Ikon and the Zeiss Biogon 25mm f2.8 with a B+W 040 filter to give me some sky detail. I should have those souped by Christmas. LOL

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Shooting at a home for street kids

2011-10-23T11:48:00.009-04:00

There's no fuel in Malawi. When there's a rumour of fuel people start lining up. Once the truck gets there they run out long before the line does. A "heartbreak" line is when you spend 8-10 hours waiting for the fuel truck and it never shows up. I met one women today who waited 8 hours with her two-year old and the fuel ran out when she was four cars from the front. That would be a heartbreaker too.

With no fuel for the truck, I took three buses and spent a couple hours traveling to get to a home for street kids. It was well into the afternoon before I showed up.

I shot video with the Sony VG10 and did stills with the Sony NEX7 and a Leica M9. Some friends put on a soccer clinic for the kids then played a game at the home.

This shot was done with the NEX7 and Sony Zeiss 24mm f1.8. Lots of light here but I'm loving this combo. Once you get this camera set up how you like it, it becomes a joy to use... and the lens is real nice.

I didn't feel I needed real soccer action so I did this shot showing the overall scene, again with the NEX7 and Zeiss combo.

This one continues with the soccer/overall scene. It was shot on the Leica M9 with a Zeiss Biogon 28mm f2.8 lens. I think it shows what was happening better than action would.

This final shot was done with the NEX7 and the new 55-210mm zoom. The lens and camera are pre-production but it made a nice image of this little guy who grew up on the street and was waiting for his turn in the game.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony NEX7 with Sony Zeiss 24mm is a great working combo

2011-10-22T02:56:00.009-04:00

I had my first full day of shooting in Malawi. I spent a bit of time in the local market, worked in the clinic and then went on the road with a health care provider to a rural house to check on a two-year old.

I'm trying to shoot video and stills. I have five main camera choice although I don't bring all five along. I have the Sony VG10 for video, the NEX7 for stills but it uses the same E-mount lenses, the Sony A77 dSLR, the Leica M9 system and a Zeiss Ikon film camera that uses the M-mount lenses. This is what I found the first day.

In the market people were against having their pictures taken, I was able to steal a few images by having the camera around my neck and holding the shutter down while looking the other way. These shots need a bit of crop and straightening, but the depth of field keeps them sharp. I mostly used the M9 for this. In the clinic I used the M9 a bit but the lens was the Zeiss Biogon 28 f2.8 which was a bit slow for this. I really do need a f1.4 lens, either a 35mm or 50mm if I'm going to keep shooting in third world clinics. For the home care pictures I used the M9 again, the subjects were sitting on the front porch of a house so there was tons of light and easy to use the rangefinder gear.

The Zeiss Ikon is a rangefinder film camera. I shot 28 frames of Ilford Detla 400. A couple shots were in the market when I did have permission to shoot, and the rest was in the country of boys playing with a soccer ball made out of rags. I always try and get shots of kids playing soccer, they get reasonable play in magazines when the World Cup comes around and the magazines are doing stories on the universal sport. Overall I didn't feel I used the film camera all that much. I keep the Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2 on it, with a B+W 040 orange filter to try and darken the skies.

The A77 dSLR system stayed back at the room on day 1.

The VG10 was great for video, Mostly I used the Sony Zeiss 24mm f1.8 with it, this was great in the dark clinic and I had a comfortable working distance with the subjects. This seems to be a great combo for low light video and the lens is very nice to use. The VG10 is on a tripod so I can set it up and let it run while grabbing some still shots at the same time with another camera. This seems to be working well. At the rural house I used the Sony E-mount 55-210 the most, which allowed me to be back out of the situation more and then zoom into the subject. The patient was a 2-year old and was in a lot of pain. He didn't need a camera stuck in his face as well. I even shot a few still frames on the VG10.

The NEX7 was the surprise of the day. Mostly using the Sony Zeiss 24mm this was a great combo in the dark clinic, and out at the rural house. The more I use this camera the more I'm grabbing for it. Most of the stills shot today were on the NEX7. I thought it was great in the dark clinic with the ISO turned up and I even grabbed some video with it. Overall the NEX7 is way more flexible than the Leica system to use. You get great stills even at higher ISO levels, and you can grab quick video instantly. The Sony Zeiss 24mm is very fast and provides great quality. Once back at the room I went through all the custom settings on this camera to really set it up the way I want it. I'm most excited about using this combo tomorrow.

This was with the NEX7 and Zeiss 24mm f1.8 wide open.

This was the NEX7 with the Sony Zeiss 24mm

This is with the Leica M9 and Zeiss Biogon 28mm f2.8

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

The Sony NEX 7 takes up the space of a deck of cards

2011-10-19T07:19:00.003-04:00

Sitting in the terminal in Germany.

This is the first assignment where I've brought along the new Sony NEX7 and A77 cameras. Since they are both preprodution I wont use them for any of the serious work but they sure are small and easy to travel with.

If you take the lens off the NEX7 it's hardly bigger than a deck of cards, yet has all the punch of a full size camera with it's 24 mg sensor.

I was also able to bring along the Sony Zeiss 24mm f1.8, the new portrait 50mm and the 55-210 zoom. I expect to use the lenses for both video and stills.

Too round out the gear I have an A77 with 16-50mm, a VG10 and a Leica M9 with five Zeiss lenses. I also have the adapter to use the Leica mount gear on the NEX.

Should be fun.

Rob Skeoch

New Pelican cases are a dream

2011-10-18T19:53:00.009-04:00

I'm sitting in the terminal at Toronto airport waiting for a flight to Frankfurt, then on to South Africa and then to Malawi for an assignment.

I've made a number of changes in my workflow since the shoot last month in Haiti. Trying to streamline the travel process.

In Haiti I carried my clothes and some gear in a backpack and put the main gear in a Lowepro Nature Treaker backpack which I've used for years.

It worked well but Haiti was real dusty and some of the travel gear got wet when we chartered an old lobster boat to get back to the main island, so I decided to get new cases for my next trip.

I've heard it's dusty in Malawi as well so have upgraded to a Pelican 1510 case for my gear and carry on and a larger Pelican for the checked stuff.... clothes, tripods, batteries and chargers.

Both cases are dust and waterproof and both have wheels.

Now things are rolling along.

Rob Skeoch

Heading to Malawi this week

2011-10-17T07:08:00.002-04:00

I just spent four days working the Exposure Show in Toronto. Today we pack up the goods and return everything.

Tomorrow I head to Malawi for an assignment on drilling water wells. Looking forward to sleeping on the plane.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony NEX7 with Zeiss F-mount 35mm ZF.2

2011-10-10T18:39:00.008-04:00

This is a weird combination but I wanted to give it a try.

The Zeiss ZF.2 35mm f1.4 on the NEX7.

The lens is bigger and heavier than the camera... cost more too.

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Zeiss Nikon-mount 35mm ZM at f1.4. Shutter was maxed out at 1/4000.

This is the Zeiss Nikon-mount 35mm ZM at f4.

This is the Zeiss Nikon-mount 35mm ZM at f8.

If you're interested in a M-mount Zeiss lens, or the Nikon mount 35mm, then check out my retail store.

Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 85mm ZM

2011-10-10T18:33:00.004-04:00

This is the test I'm most interested in. How does the NEX7 look with my M-mount Zeiss lenses.

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 85mm ZM at f4.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 85mm ZM at f8.

If you're interested in a M-mount Zeiss lens, then check out my retail store.

Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 50mm ZM Sonnar

2011-10-10T18:25:00.005-04:00

This is the test I'm most interested in. How does the NEX7 look with my M-mount Zeiss lenses.

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 50mm ZM Sonnar at f1.5. Shutter is maxed out at 1/4000.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 50mm ZM Sonnar at f4.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 50mm ZM Sonnar at f8.

If you're interested in a M-mount Zeiss lens, then check out my retail store.

Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 35mm ZM

2011-10-10T18:20:00.006-04:00

This is the test I'm most interested in. How does the NEX7 look with my M-mount Zeiss lenses.

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 35mm ZM at f2. Shutter speed was maxed out at 1/4000.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 35mm ZM at f4.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 35mm ZM at f8.

If you're interested in a M-mount Zeiss lens, then check out my retail store.

Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 28mm ZM

2011-10-10T18:14:00.004-04:00

This is the test I'm most interested in. How does the NEX7 look with my M-mount Zeiss lenses.

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 28mm ZM at f2.8.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 28mm ZM at f8.

If you're interested in a M-mount Zeiss lens, then check out my retail store.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 25mm ZM

2011-10-10T18:05:00.005-04:00

This is the test I'm most interested in. How does the NEX7 look with my M-mount Zeiss lenses.

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 25mm ZM at f2.8.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 25mm ZM at f8.

If you're interested in a M-mount Zeiss lens, then check out my retail store.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 21mm ZM

2011-10-10T17:56:00.005-04:00

This is the test I'm most interested in. How does the NEX7 look with my M-mount Zeiss lenses.

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 21mm ZM at f2.8.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 21mm ZM at f8.

If you're interested in a M-mount Zeiss lens, then check out my retail store.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with Zeiss M-mount 18mm ZM

2011-10-10T17:46:00.006-04:00

This is the test I'm most interested in. How does the NEX7 look with my M-mount Zeiss lenses.

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 18mm ZM at f8.

This is the Zeiss M-mount 18mm ZM at f4.

Rob Skeoch

If you're interested in a M-mount Zeiss lens, then check out my retail store.

Sony NEX7 with Sony 70-400G and 100 macro

2011-10-10T17:21:00.005-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Sony Alpha 70-400G at f8 at 70mm.

This is the Sony Alpha 70-400G at f8 at 400mm.

This is the Sony Alpha 100mm Macro at f8.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with SEL 18-200mm lens

2011-10-10T17:11:00.007-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Sony 18-200mm at f8 at 18mm

This is the Sony 18-200mm at f8 at 55mm

This is the Sony 18-200mm at f8 at 200mm

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with SEL 55-210mm lens

2011-10-10T17:03:00.002-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Sony 55-210mm at f8 at 55mm.

This is the Sony 55-210mm at f8 at 210mm.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with 18-55mm kit zoom

2011-10-10T16:52:00.006-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Sony 18-55mm at f8 at 55mm.

This is the Sony 18-55mm at f8 at 18mm.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with Sony Zeiss 24mm

2011-10-10T16:43:00.005-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Sony Zeiss 24mm at f8

This is the Sony Zeiss 24mm at f2.5.

This is the Sony Zeiss 24mm at f1.8, shutter was maxed out at 1/4000

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with SEL 50mm portrait lens

2011-10-10T16:05:00.009-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the Sony 50mm at f8.

This is the Sony 50mm at f2.8.

This is the 50mm Sony wide open at f1.8. I was maxed out at the shutter speed as well.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with SEL 30mm macro

2011-10-10T16:01:00.004-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the 30mm Sony macro wide open.

This is the 30mm Sony macro @ f8.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX7 with 16mm and lens adapters

2011-10-10T15:56:00.007-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the 16mm Sony Pancake with the Fisheye Adapter.

This is the 16mm Sony Pancake with the UltraWide Adapter.

Rob Skeoch

NEX7 with SEL16mm F2.8

2011-10-10T15:19:00.005-04:00

I thought I would try the Sony NEX7 with every lens I had.

I'm not drawing any conclusions, just posting the images for you to enjoy.

The camera was the latest pre-production version which I just picked up this week.

The ISO was set to 100.

Camera on a man's size tripod.

Self-timer so I didn't jerk anything.

Everything was done on manual focus... used the scene enlarger to focus the best I could.

Aperture priority.

AWB.

This is the 16mm Sony Pancake @ f2.8

This is the 16mm Sony Pancake @ f8.

Rob Skeoch

How much video can you shoot on the NEX7

2011-10-10T14:57:00.003-04:00

Someone asked me to test the NEX7 for video, and see how far it goes before shutting down.

Wow, how easy was this going to be.

First time the battery died.

Let the camera cool for a clean start.

Second time I touched the camera and turned the video off by mistake.

Let the camera cool for a clean start.

Third time the card filled up.

Let the camera cool for a clean start.

Finally I was able to turn on the camera and walk away from it without blowing the test.

The answer is 29.50. Then I tried it again to be sure. Same answer 29.50.

If a camera can do video for 30 minutes, it's called a video camera, and taxes and duties are paid at the video rate. To keep dSLR's considered still cameras they have to stop video before the 30 minutes are up.

A real world example would be a photographer at the Olympics. If his camera will shoot for 30 minutes he is considered a videographer and must have video credentials. If his camera does some video but less than 30 minutes he is considered a still photographer and stands over there, behind the video guys. LOL

So the NEX7 will do the maximum allowed.

While I was testing the NEX7 I decided to try the Sony Alpha A77. Same answer 29.50.

Hope this answers your question.

Rob Skeoch

Sony NEX system has nine lenses and counting

2011-10-03T06:56:00.002-04:00

Right now Sony NEX has announced nine lenses for their E-mount system.

This includes the 18-55 kit lens, 18-200, 16mm pancake, just announced this summer 55-210, 50mm portrait, 30 macro, Zeiss 24mm f1.8 and the two converters to make the 16mm, wider or a fisheye.

Enough of a system for most people I'm sure. But what if you want more?

You can put almost any lens on this system with a third party adapter plate, and this includes old classics like the Leica thread mounts (LTM) from the 50's, gear for Contax and both Nikon and Canon.

It would be kind of sad if you had lenses from all these brands, Nikon, Canon, Leica, Contax and forgotten gear from Pentax and Minolta because you would spend all your time looking at lenses instead of making photos, but if you had one lens you've always loved, that has a signature look that you could build a career around, you could mount it on the NEX camera.

In fact you could do better than that. You could shoot movies with it, on any of the NEX's or the VG10 which is the same camera but designed for video.

Video shot with that old Nikon 105 f2.5 from the 70's, now that lens had a look. Video with the chrome Canon rangefinder lens that your dad used before you were born, or video with the modern Leica 50mm f.95, a lens so fast you could shoot in a cave and get it in focus.

Plus what about the great macro options. Sony has the E-mount 30mm but you could adapt a Alpha mount 100mm macro or one of the great 200mm macro's on the market. I can just image the close-up work as the "Preying Mantis" moves across the video screen and eats the .... you get the idea. (Plus I don't really know what they eat.)

With a great story to tell, and a lens with a look.... shooting movies might be fun again. The NEX system has resurrected all those old lenses for stills and movies... most likely we'll see the prices move up on eBay too.

This is the NEX7 with the Zeiss 50mm Sonnar. It's a classic design that you can get in the M-mount new or used in different Contax mounts from earlier years.

This is the NEX7 with the Zeiss M-mount 25mm.

This is with the NEX7 and the Sony Zeiss 24.

This one was taken with the Leica M9 and the Zeiss 35mm, just to compare.
Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

A few images with the Sony NEX7 and Zeiss Sonnar

2011-10-02T17:46:00.001-04:00

I tried a couple other lens combos while I was paying this model. One thing that interested me was the manual focus process on the NEX7 with various lenses including the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5 which I find hard to get in focus wide open on the Leica M9.

With the NEX7 you come up with a rough composition, hit the front button that takes you into manual focus, quickly move the "enlargement square" to the subjects face and the camera zooms in. Now you're looking at one small section of the frame, enlarged. Focus the lens, tap the shutter button and you're back to the whole composition. Shoot the picture.

With the Sonnar wide open I was getting more in focus shots with the Sony than the M9. No question the M9 was quicker to focus, just not as accurate.

This is with the Sony NEX7 wide open on the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5. I'm not saying it's a good photo, but this is the classic look of the Sonnar lens. Subject is sharp, but not as sharp as they would be with a Planar lens, but the depth of field and sharpness drop of quickly and some people like the resulting bokeh. I'm not sure it would really look that different with another lens design I'll have to try it. One thing for sure.... people like the Sonnar lenses even with their finicky issues.

When you stop down to f5.6 you get more sharpness but less of a signature look, which is why people buy the Sonnar.
Again, this one is wide open on the NEX7.
Rob Skeoch

I sell the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5 at my retail store for rangefinder gear.

Using the Sony Zeiss 24mm and the M-mount Zeiss 25 on the NEX7

2011-09-30T04:21:00.001-04:00

These are a few more comparisons between the two Zeiss lenses on the 24mg Sony NEX7 camera. These were in the open shade and the white balance was set to shade. The ISO was 200.

They were both done in manual focus.... which is very easy on the camera since you can switch to the enlarged focus area very easily, and you can set this area to any place in the viewfinder.

This was done with the NEX7 and the Sony Zeiss 24mm lens.

This image was taken with the Sony NEX7 and the Zeiss M-mount 25mm lens.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

NEX7 with Zeiss 24 and 25 and Leica M9 with Zeiss 35

2011-09-29T08:43:00.008-04:00

I had some fun this week using and comparing the Sony NEX7 with the Leica M9. I'm not sure what purpose this testing would have but it was fun. It wasn't all that scientific either. These are all jpegs right out of the camera.

This is taken with the Leica M9 and the Zeiss 35mm at F5.6. White balance was set to shade.

This is taken with the Sony NEX7 and the Zeiss 25mm in the M-mount at F5.6. White balance was set to shade.

This is taken with the Sony NEX7 and the Sony Zeiss 24mm at F5.6. White balance was set to shade.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

The 3-D quality of a Zeiss lens

2011-09-26T16:17:00.001-04:00

A couple weeks back I was asked if the Sony E-mount Zeiss 24 has the same 3-D pop you find with the other Zeiss lenses on the market.

I wasn't sure, so I put the lens on the NEX7 and left it there for a few days. Anytime I had a chance to take a snapshot I would use this combo.

I really don't know if it has a 3-D effect. I'm not sure the other lenses do either. Maybe people are seeing something I don't see or maybe they know what they're looking for.

The lens has a lot of pop, but then it should, it's a premium lens made by a top brand. The fact that it's slightly wide on the APS sensor helps as well. I think it has a nice effect, seems very sharp, good colour (which you would expect) but I don't know if it has a 3-D look. Of course if I put the NEX7 in the 3-D mode and did a sweep 3-D shots to watch on the Sony 3-D TV with the crazy 3-D glasses, now that would be cool.

I'll try that next.

If you're looking for a Zeiss lens in the Leica M-mount for your NEX camera you can find them at my retail store. I don't sell Sony gear but cater to the rangefinder crowd.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Using the Sony NEX7 with the Zeiss E-mount 24mm

2011-09-25T15:24:00.014-04:00

The Sony NEX7 with the Sony Zeiss Sonnar E 1,8/24ZA seems to be a nice combo for a walk around camera. The lens is slightly larger than I would have expected but feels good in your hand.

The NEX7 seems to have the controls set up well for shooting in "Manual" Mode. The twin wheels on top work well as Aperture and Shutter Speeds although I always turned the right wheel first, even though I thought I was on the left wheel. It will take a few more days to get the feel down without having to look at the camera. Only an issue if you use a viewfinder like me, since with LiveView you would see the wheel.

The only other issue I have had with the camera is my large thumb moves off the thumb bump and right onto the "record" red dot. Sometimes I put the camera into record mode without knowing it. I'm sure I'll figure this out as well.

These shots were all done from a moving boat while I was hard at work. Yes, that's me with the bass. They were done at ISO 200, manual mode, either F8 or F9, AWB, straight jpegs from the camera.

If you need a Billingham or Domke case for your NEX7 check out my retail store.

Rob Skeoch

Sony A77 with the Sony 300mm f2.8G at youth football

2011-09-18T17:00:00.010-04:00

The 300mm lens is a classic in photography.

I first had a 300mm on my old manual focus Nikon. You needed a pipe wrench to focus the thing. It was both photography and a nordic workout at the same time.

Then I had a small 300 f4 for Pentax, it had internal focus which was a nice feature at the time. I up-dated that lens to a newer version of the 300 f4, I think that one was an Ed lens.

Then I went back to Nikon and used the 300 f4 AF, then the 300 f2.8 AF. I even borrowed the Nikon 300 f2 for a game. Huge piece of glass, hard to get in focus, wasn't on the market all that long.

Then I bought a 250mm for the Hasselblad to shoot NBA. Not quite a 300mm but still in the range.

Then switched to Canon and bought a 300 f2.8 which was ruined in a storm while shooting sailing. Then replaced it with another 300 f2.8.

Then I bought a Schneider 300 f5.6 for my 8x10 camera and hauled it around the woods for a couple years before replacing it with the Fujinon 300 f8 that I still use on my 4X10.

Then I started shooting with a Pentax 645 AF and bought the 300 f4 AF for portraits.

Finally after all those years and lenses I'm using the Sony 300mm f2.8 AF on the new A77.

You know what, I've loved the 300mm for along time but I have to admit, the 70-400G is easier to use, more flexible and I think it might actually focus faster. Wow, I'm tired just thinking about it but really the zoom lens might be a better solution. Especially since f-stop isn't as important when you can just crank up the ISO on the new sensors.

I'll try the zoom for hockey and then we'll know for sure.

These shots were all done with the Sony A77 and the 300 f2.8. All on burst mode which sets the lens to f3.5 and gives me 12 frames per second. ISO was 1000.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Using the 50mm Sonnar and M9

2011-09-17T04:20:00.001-04:00

I'm having a lot of fun using the Zeiss C-Sonnar 50mm f1.5 ZM lens on the M9.

I tried a few shots while shooting the dancer last week. I don't find them real sharp wide open and up close but love the look once you stop down to f4. The lens has a great look to it. This was shot at f2. It's a jpeg right out of the camera, nothing done to it.

I also took the lens to Haiti for my shoot there. Stopped down it makes a nice landscape lens, although I think the Planar 50 f2 would be better in this situation.

Rob Skeoch

If you're looking for a 50mm lens for your rangefinder, I have the 50mm Planar in stock right now. The Sonnar is on backorder.

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear, including Ziess lenses, cases and film is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony A77 images in the Picture Effect mode

2011-09-16T00:05:00.001-04:00

I tried a couple more of the "Picture Effect" modes with the Sony A77.

These are all shot using the 70-200 f2.8G lens. The kit was on a monopod... a tripod would have been better.

This is the straight shot. Taken at f4, 1/400, at ISO250 using the zoom as at 200mm.

The HDR Painting mode can be set to low, med or high. This first one is the Painting mode in high.

In the low mode you get a more subtle effect.

Rich Tone Monochrome seems to take three images and combine them for a better quality black and white image. The file is still a RGB file and still opens in PS at 68mg's, same as the other images.

It was getting dark by the time I tried the Toy Camera mode and Steve was done not catching anything. This shot is dark and darkening the corners doesn't help.

Soft Focus, also has a high, med or low setting. This one is in the low setting.

The Miniature Mode will take the most practice. This is the best of the test shots.

Rob Skeoch

Using the Biogon 28mm on the Leica M9

2011-09-15T04:40:00.003-04:00

You never want to underestimate the images you can make with a 28mm lens.

The length is a true classic.

David Burnett told me 25 years ago at a Maine Photographic Workshop that you had to have one. This was back in the day when a photographer like David traveled the world with four lenses.... 28mm, 50mm, 100mm and a 200mm. None of those crazy zooms for David... of course he won every award worth winning on his way to becoming Magazine Photographer of the Year... World Press Photo of the Year, Robert Capa Gold Medal, Overseas Press Club and the White House Picture of the Year. A nice collection of hardware, so maybe he knows what he's talking about.

Working in Haiti this August I took along the Zeiss Biogon 28mm f2.8 for the Leica M9 and Zeiss Ikon film camera. The lens was fast enough at f2.8 for most indoor situations. You can usually hold a rangefinder at slower speeds if the subject isn't moving so shooting wide open at 1/15 or 1/30 wasn't an issue. The image quality at f2.8 is very high anyway.

One of the great features of this length is how the subject jumps away from the background if you get up close. These two boys were hanging around the inside of the church as we interviewed school teachers looking for work. The subject is large enough in the frame but you are still see the where they are.

For many situations the working distance between the photographer and subject is comfortable and feels safe to both participants. The subject lies comfortably in the frame as well.

If you want to order the Zeiss 28mm, just send me an email. I also have great cases for rangefinder shooters at my retail outlet.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear, including great cases and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Trying the Sony A77 and Picture Effects

2011-09-13T13:37:00.001-04:00

The Sony A77 has 11 Picture Effect Modes. You find them by pushing the Fn button and scrolling bottom right.

I tried a number of the different modes, but not all are suitable for every subject... which makes sense. The top two images are straight images. The Picture Effects that looks nice with this subject follow.

The "Retro Photo" gives your photo an early 70's look. Poor contrast, colours are off, kinda looks like the stuff my dad did with the old Kodak Brownie. Thankfully he never got a shot of me in a Tutus.

The Miniature mode needs a bit more testing. In this mode, a portion of the frame is blocked out and the remainder clear. You put the subject in the clear area and the rest takes on a miniature or small toy effect.

This is the built in "Soft Focus" Mode. You can control the amount of soft focus between low, medium and high. This is the high setting. The low mode gives an image similar to any Canon zoom lens.

The black and white "Posterization Mode" will be useful for shooting portraits of political leaders and also works well for dancers.

I thought the were fun. I'll continue to play with them.

Rob Skeoch

Sony A65 with the new Sony 16-50mm f2.8

2011-09-13T06:14:00.001-04:00

Yes more pictures of the dancer.

This time with a pre-production version of the A65 and the new 16-50mm f2.8 Sony lens.

This first shot is the straight image.

This uses one of the 15 Picture Effects built into the camera. This is Toy Camera. I think it looks great.... better than the regular image. Of course I've always loved burnt in corners on a print.This is the straight print.

This is a Picture Effect called High Contrast black and white. I like it too.
Rob Skeoch

Sony A77 in the burst mode

2011-09-12T13:14:00.001-04:00

I was wrong.

In the burst mode on the Sony A77 you can shoot RAW and jpegs. I shot 12 frames in RAW and jpeg before the camera stuttered.

In the burst mode you can adjust the aperture... not in the continuous focus mode, but once you switch to single focus, you can adjust the aperture since the focus is locked at the first frame.

With the 70-400G lens the camera shoots wide open in the burst mode. This is f4-f5.6. However with a faster lens it will shoot at f3.5. So with a 85mm f1.4, it's not wide open but f3.5.

Sorry for any confusion my mistake might have caused.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Why people push film, or pull it for that matter

2011-09-12T07:14:00.003-04:00

I had an email asking why people push film and what that means.

When people push film they are taking a film like HP5 at 400 ISO and shooting it as if it was ISO 1600 (pushing the ISO). If they processed it normally the pictures would be two stops underexposed. So they leave it in the developer longer so the film will print better. It makes the images a bit contrasty but there is no choice because the subject is so dark. Most people push ISO 400 films to about 1600 or 3200. Quality is greatly reduced while contrast is increased. They do this because of a low light situation.

Some photographers use this technique on a low contrast day (raining) to get the images a bit more contrasty while printing. They might push the 400 to 640 or 800 and live with a slight quality loss. I've done a fair amount of this and Ansel Adams made a science out of it. His pictures are generally considered better than mine as well. If you don't know St. Ansel's work, you better quit photography or check this.

Pulling a film is not as common, although I use it all the time.

If you take a 400 ISO film and shoot it at ISO100 the negatives will be too dark to print properly. So you cut back the development time by about 30% which reduces the contrast. On a super contrasty day this technique allows you to control the contrast while still getting great detail overall and more detail in the shadows. I like full shadow detail which this technique provides.

I usually shoot my ISO 400 film at 200 and reduce the development slightly to get a negative that prints nicely on my enlarger and still retains great shadow detail. It would look darker than most people but that's how I like it.

It's part science and part gut feeling.

People shoot large format negatives because each frame is it's own piece of film and can be developed individually for the highest quality. Wow, develop each frame separately, these people should discover digital.

If you have never pushed film what are you waiting for. Buy a used film camera that uses the same lenses as your digi. If you don't know what to get, then get a Leica M6 and a 35mm lens. Now buy some film and give it a whirl, you might learn more about photography than you thought. It's harder than it looks but a ton of fun. And you might get a great shot that rivals Ansel's halfdome, not likely but it could happen.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony NEX 7 with Zeiss 24mm f1.8

2011-09-11T05:08:00.005-04:00

I had a chance to try the new Sony NEX 7 with the Zeiss 24mm f1.8 lens. Both the lens and camera are pre-production. I'm not sure how useful this posting is, since they are early versions and the photos are kinda lousy.... and I mean user error or what is often called poor photography. LOL.

The lens is bigger than you might want. Much bigger than the 16mm pancake that came out with the original NEX5. It's about the same size as the 18-55 kit lens and the new 50mm portrait lens.

This is the perfect length if you believe that every photo ever taken would have been better if it was taken with a 35mm (35mm on full frame, 24mm on APS). If you believe this, you might like a posting a few weeks back about shooting everything with the 35mm.

Some people are going to want to buy the NEX 7 just for this lens. Those who consider themselves street photographers, those that shoot travel shots and those who love buildings.

Compared to the Fuji X100 with 24mm lens, the NEX is a larger package. Both cameras are interesting and worth considering but the NEX has way more flexibility since the lens comes off. The OLED viewfinder works very well and the camera is enjoyable to use. The Fuji does have the classic look working for it.

Even as a pre-production lens, I found it very sharp. I'm a huge Zeiss fan and willing to admit it. I've had Zeiss on both the Blad system and Rollei gear in the past, and my retail store was the first store in Canada to carry the Zeiss gear in the Leica M-mount.... and now the Nikon/Canon mount. So I love Zeiss glass.

I think this lens will be very worthy of the name. It's sharp, has great contrast and great flare control. Sony believes they have a great camera with the NEX7, plus they make a great sensor, now they have a top drawer lens to add to the combo.

The lens comes in the black finish. The only other lens in the line-up that's black is the NEX 7 18-55 kit lens. I like the black look better than the silver. The lens is heavy, I guess it has a lot of glass in it. Who would have thought. LOL.

I had to give the camera back. There are only two in Canada and my turn was up. I still have the lens and will try and get a few shots with the NEX5N.

At the concert I shot at ISO 400, leaning on the speaker. The focal length is a little short for this situation, but I was also shooting with a dSLR that night.

It's hard to see how great a lens is, when the picture has blur, but it was all I could find.
Again with the blurry shots. Sorry. Blur, pan with flash fill. Nothing to see here folks.... keep moving.

I really will try and get something useful next time out.

In the meantime why not order a Zeiss 35mm f2 for your Leica M camera. I have black and silver in stock at the store.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

Sony A77 with 70-400G at another football game

2011-09-11T01:46:00.002-04:00

It was a perfect fall day today.

Great sun but cool. Not a cloud in sight.

The smell of bacon on a bun and burgers on the Que. I even tried one of the burger so I can tell you it was good.

Nothing... nothing is as great as the start of football season. The rep teams started last week, but the Novice House League players suited up for the first time ever, today. (OK, I admit the Season Opener in baseball is pretty good too)

I was ready for some football.

Cracked open a new Gitzo Carbon Fibre, overpriced monopod. The Gitzo that I've used for the past 20+ seasons is a little dented and just a touch short with the 70-400G lens from Sony on it. The 300 f2.8 is a bit taller and it works great on the old stick.

The A77 was outfitted with the Vertical Grip. When you buy the camera, do yourself a favour and order the VG at the same time. It holds a second battery, but is comfortable to shoot with. I think it's more comfortable to shoot vertical than horizontal with the camera.

I shot the entire day in the burst mode. This gives me 12 frames per second, the lens shoots wide open and I get to set the ISO speed to 400. This gave me an exposure of 1/2500 for most of the full lit shots. When you're in the burst mode you can only shoot jpegs, which is fine with me since I usually only shoot jpegs anyway.

I've been asked a number times about the buffer filling up at 12 fps. I tested it twice. Once on my foot and once on the grass. I was able to 18 frames of my foot before the camera stuttered once. On the grass I was able to get 17 frames before the stutter. The camera continued to shoot in both situations but not at 12 fps. During the actual game I had two or three times when the camera buffer was filled and the frame rate dropped off. It would have been nice if it went farther but 18 frames of a running back with the ball gave me a couple nice choices. The shots of my foot were nice too.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com

If you need a Gitzo Carbon Fibre monopod, send me an email and I'll get you a quote.

NEX 5N with 18-55

2011-09-10T13:57:00.003-04:00

I had a chance to try the new Sony NEX 5N with the kit lens. These are two of the images from the dancer shoot.

I didn't have the new viewfinder, I haven't yet tried it.

The NEX5N is an up-date on the NEX5, but allows an electronic viewfinder, has a few more special features and a new sensor. The biggest difference seems to be the EVF and the touchscreen.

Rob Skeoch

If you're looking for a great case for your digital NEX or rangefinder, my store has the top of the line Billingham Digital Hadley in black, sage and khaki. You can find my store here....

rangefinderstore.com

NEX7 with new 50mm portrait lens

2011-09-07T08:10:00.001-04:00

I had a chance to try a pre-production Sony NEX7. These shots are with the new NEX 50mm portrait lens which is also pre-production.

Over the next few blogs I'll show a number of images from this shoot with various cameras.

The camera has a OLED viewfinder, similar in quality to the Sony Alpha A77 and A65. I did use the viewfinder, shooting in the manual mode. The viewfinder allows the camera to work similar to an dSLR without the bulk while still providing easy control of both shutter speed and aperture. The NEX7 has a 24mg sensor so the image quality is the same as an dSLR as well.

I had to give the camera back to Sony but will continue playing with it once I get it back.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

Sony Alpha A77 with 70-400G at football game

2011-09-06T02:35:00.001-04:00

It's Labour Day Monday and the start of the football season. I had a chance to shoot an Atom game and half a Peewee game before my shift on the Photodesk at the newspaper began.

Using the Sony A77 with the 70-400G lens, I shot 633 images between the two games, using 63% of one battery. I kept the Live View screen turned in (off) and chimped through the viewfinder. I'm not sure if this uses more or less battery power. This was the first time I shot vertical with the camera. It's very natural to use with the VG since most of the important buttons are repeated with the grip and in the same spot whether you're vertical or horizontal.

I shot almost the entire game vertical and used the 12 frames per second burst mode for almost all of it.

This is what I've learned about the burst mode. It's much better than with the A55. On the first generation of camera using the burst mode (7-fps with the A33/A55 and 10 fps with the A55) the camera is shooting jpegs, and is basically in iAuto mode. The camera sets the ISO, shutter speed and aperture. I always found the camera set the ISO too low, which meant I was shooting rodeo bull-riding at ISO 100, wide open at 1/500 second. Not quite fast enough.

The burst mode on the A77 has much more control. And this isn't the final firmware for the camera either. With the new burst mode I get to set the ISO. This is key because I can kick it up to ISO800 on a dull game, control the exposure with the "Exposure Compensation" control, and the lens shoots wide open, which is how I shoot sports anyway. These small changes are huge where it counts.... at the assignment.

At today's football I thought the camera was a dream to use. I have hands the size of hockey gloves and am always hitting buttons and changing modes without knowing it. With the A77 this wasn't an issue and none of the settings changed unless I changed them. The viewfinder has no clutter over the image. All the speeds and info are along the top and bottom outside the image area. This gives you an uncluttered view of the whole frame.

The focus on the camera is great. And the follow focus is outstanding. You could get a runningback sweeping with the ball and get the entire play in focus. I know everyone says their camera will do that, but few actually will produce a series of files where you can read the brand of the helmet on every frame.

These shots are ISO 800, wide open with the 70-400G in the burst mode. Each image has been cropped in PS.

Rob Skeoch

Sony A77 with 70-400G at a Rugby game

2011-09-05T17:01:00.002-04:00

I've been using the Sony A55 since it was announced last August. Then I used the A33 and then the A35, which I took to Haiti two weeks ago.

Now I'm shooting with the Sony A77.

At the beginning I had questions about the Electronic Viewfinder. I'm an old guy who shoots in an old school way. I leave Live View turned off and was happy using a optical viewfinder. After the first series of cameras, I decided I better become an expert with this new viewfinder, since it seems to be the direction Sony is moving in.

For the most part I pushed on instead of going back to the old style.

Now, Sony has the latest EVF and I'm used to using one. I find them great for judging exposure in manual. I can chimp my photos with the viewfinder, it doesn't matter what the sun is doing. They boost the image when the image is dark, and once you get used to them, they're great for action.

With the Sony A77 I wanted to hit the ground running and am already used to the viewfinder.

These photos are from my first action assignment with the camera. The day started bright and sunny and I shot mostly at ISO 400. As the weather turned for the worse I pumped it up to ISO1600. For the most part I shot on manual and the lens was the Sony 70-400G. I used the eight frames per second mode at first but decided to try the 12 fps burst mode which is great for sports.

I shot 1113 photos over the three games, using one card and a bit. The vertical grip holds two batteries and I was on the second one. I shot jpegs only and cropped them in iPhoto with no other adjustments.

The biggest issue with the assignment was I only shoot Rugby every couple years and have problems figuring out what is going on... which doesn't follow the first rule of sports photography.... know the sport.

The experiment continues.

You can see the video, including a large number of photos here.

Rob Skeoch

This lens always makes it on my trips

2011-08-28T16:21:00.025-04:00

I guess everyone has a favorite lens.

You know the one. You've used it for years, it's been on all the assignments, if you had to take just one lens, this would be it.

I've heard that line for so many years... "If you could take just one lens on a trip around the world, which would it be?"

Kinda a weird question really.

If I ever get a trip around the world I'm not taking one lens. Lets be reasonable... it's a trip around the world.

There is one lens that will be in the bag though. The Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2. I used it two years ago through China, have shot a number of portraits with it, and used it last week in Haiti.

The length is perfect on a full frame rangefinder or film camera and the Zeiss version is in my price range. The Leica version is nice and I owned the Summicron years ago when I shot for Doctors Without Borders in Cambodia. The current Leica f1.4 Summilux has a great following as well but is out of my price range.

The Biogon design started in 1935 with the 2,8/3.5 cm lens for the Contax and has been modified a number of times. Zeiss made a 38mm Biogon for the Hasselblad that was sold with the body attached as a Super Wide camera. The current Zeiss Biogon 35mm comes in an f2 version and a Compact "C" f2.8 version.

Lens speed is one of those things that doesn't always matter, until you don't have enough, then it matters a lot. In Haiti it's blazzingly bright outside and you're stopped way down and using a fast shutter speed just to get the right exposure. You don't need a fast lens for this but when you're working in doorways, open shade or with window light you might wish for more speed than f2 will give you.

In one of the clinics I was shooting in, one light bulb and a couple windows, I was shooting with the 35mm legth because the small room was packed and I wanted to get everything in, but would sometimes switch to the 50mm because it's a touch faster at f1.5. I guess it would have been a good time to use a 35mm f1.4 or maybe the new Voigtlander 35mm f1.2. Neither of which I own.

This first shot is a teacher waiting for a job interview. He's inside a school room, leaning on the front window, which is under an overhang. Other teachers wait in the background. Probally a couple stops down which puts you right in the sweet spot of the lens.

In the clinic it was dark with one light and a couple drapped windows on the right. I shot wide open. Maybe I should have focused on the child and let the mom go soft... or maybe not.
This is another teacher waiting for an interview. All the light is coming from the door to the right.
This one was a tough exposure. I had to lighten the image a bit to get detail in the face. This is a dark hallway with beds here and there. Patients were treated right in the hall.
So there you have it. If you only get to buy one lens get the Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2. Even if you add all the lenses to your kit, this will remain as one of your favorites.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for rangefinder gear and Zeiss lenses is www.rangefinderstore.com. You can buy any of the Zeiss lenses through my store.

First concert shots with the Sony A77

2011-08-27T07:48:00.012-04:00

I shot my first concert with the Sony A77 last night.

I only brought the 70-200G to this outdoor event. The camera is a pre-production model and doesn't meet the final specs for the Production Models. The lighting was stage lighting and I keep the camera on AWB. The bands where Glory Days, A Springsteen Tribute, and Ian Thomas. These are full frame photos right out of the camera. No crop or adjustments, Jpegs.

I tried a couple ISO settings, as indicated with the photos.

AF was fantastic.

ELV was great and very useful when shooting manual exposure.

I didn't have the Vertical Grip.

It's easy to shoot through a 4GB card with these large files.

This shot was at ISO 1600, 1/250, f.2.8, Manual, AWB, AF on the face, leaning on the stage for support.
This shot was at ISO 1600, 1/250, f.2.8, Manual, AWB, AF on the face, leaning on the stage for support.
This shot was at ISO 1600, 1/250, f.2.8, Manual, AWB, AF on the face, leaning on the stage for support.
This shot was at ISO 6400, 1/6400, f.2.8, Manual, AWB, AF on the face.
This shot was at ISO 800, 1/500, f.2.8, Manual, AWB, AF on the face.This shot was at ISO 800, 1/400, f.2.8, Aperture Priority, AWB, AF on the face.

I'll continue to play and shoot before drawing any conclusions.

Rob Skeoch

Had a chance to try the Sony A77

2011-08-24T16:52:00.011-04:00

Sony launched the Alpha A77 today and I had a chance to take a few images at the Toronto press launch.

This was done with the new kit lens 16-50mm f2.8.
This was shot with the A77 and Zeiss 135mm at f1.8.
This photographer was testing the gear as well. A77 with 135mm f1.8.
Another shot with the A77 and kit lens.

I set the ISO to 1600 for most of the shots.

I'll try and get a few more shots over the next few days. Also I'll try and post images from the NEX 7 and A65.

-Rob Skeoch

I've packed the gear for my Haiti work

2011-08-14T15:32:00.004-04:00

I leave for Haiti in a couple hours.

I've repacked my checked bag and the camera carry on.

When I go on a trip like this I feel the gear, and overpriced clothes I've assembled over the years, keep calling out.... "Take Me". Like it's an honour to be chosen for the big trip.

My original pile of gear has been edited down. I had too much to carry plus it would be hard to work out of the camera bag if it's really packed in.

The first item cut was the Sony A900 full-frame camera. Wow, it's a great camera but I can't see lugging the weight around the island. Since I wasn't taking the camera, I didn't need the two batteries or the charger.

Also since it was the only full-frame, I could also cut out the Fisheye, since it's only a Fisheye on full-frame, plus the Zeiss 135mm f1.8 is a great length on the full chip, but kinda long on a cropped APS sensor. Left both of those behind.

So the only dSLR gear that made the bag was the Alpha A35 with the Zeiss 24-70mm and 100mm prime. I also had a 20mm and flash in the pile but left them.

The video gear went in the bag intact. The TD-10 Sony camera shoots both 3-D and 2-D. A wireless mic, remote, tripod baseplate, batteries and a small charger.

Most of the shooting will be done on rangefinder cameras. The Leica M9 will do much of the work but I always shoot some black and white film, so bring along a Zeiss Ikon with Delta 400 film. The M9 charger and two spare batteries came along. The Zeiss Ikon has fresh batteries in it, so I'll risk not taking a spare.

All six of my Zeiss M-mount lenses are coming along. This might be a bit of overkill but how can you leave a lens behind when you plan to spend the next week shooting with the camera. I also brought the viewfinders for 18mm and 25mm. Also two B+W040 orange filters for the lenses. For the most part I'll leave the Zeiss 28mm on the Zeiss camera body to use for film.

The Sony NEX C3 was edited out with the adapter for the M-mount lens. You can't take everything.

I'm taking two point and shoots for others to use. A Sony TX10 and a HX100. Just one battery each and I left the chargers behind.

My light meter made the bag while my Gitzo Reporter and ball head went into the checked bag.

I had the carry on and checked bag all packed. My Domke Little Bit Smaller bag that I've used around the world didn't make the cut and looked dejected on the bag pile in the corner of the studio.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for rangefinder gear is www.rangefinderstore.com

I need to edit my gear before heading to Haiti

2011-08-13T18:06:00.002-04:00

I leave for Haiti in a couple days.

Last time I was there was 18 years ago.

Things in the photo industry have changed a fair amount in 18 years. Last time I went I took a pair of Leica M6's, four lenses and a couple bricks of Kodachrome and T-Max 400.

It seemed like a lot of stuff back then, but really it was simple times. A couple cameras, a black body for black and white film, and a chrome model for Kodachrome. Wow how simple was that.

Now I'm hauling a camera store down there.

I need to shoot some video so put a 3-D Sony Handycam TD10 in the bag. It needs a wireless mic, remote, a video baseplate for the tripod, spare batteries and of course a charger.

Just like years ago, the main camera is a Leica. This time it's an M9 but I'm also taking along a Zeiss Ikon rangefinder because I want to shoot a bit of black and white. I have six lenses for the M system. The Zeiss 18mm f4, Zeiss 25mm f2.8, Zeiss 28mm, Zeiss 35mm, Zeiss 85mm f4 and the crazy Sonnar 50mm f1.5 which is a great lens in low light. For the rangefinders I also have a couple viewfinders for the wide angles, filters for the b&w, and of course spare batteries and a charger.

The Sony NEX C3 adds a second digital body that takes the M-mount lenses with an adapter. It also backs up the video camera, needs spare batteries and a charger.

I'm not comfortable just taking the rangefinders so I'm planning to bring a Sony Alpha A35 and the full-frame A900. Sony lenses include the 16mm, 20mm, 24-70, 100 macro for portraits, and the Zeiss 135mm for more portraits. The cameras use different batteries, so I have spares and guess what.... chargers. There's also a Sony flash in the pile.

I'm taking two point and shoots for others to use. A Sony TX10 and a HX100. Just one battery each and one charger since the HX100 uses the same one as the video camera.

My light meter and an old Gitzo Reporter tripod that's been around the world a couple times rounds out the pile. I replaced the ball head on the Gitzo this year and the tripod is ready for another 30 years.

Now comes the editing. Just like usual.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for rangefinder photo supplies is www.rangefinderstore.com

Almost one year with the Sony A55 and this is what I've learned

2011-07-30T08:15:00.001-04:00

When I first got the A55 almost a year ago, the first shoot was a rodeo in Jackson Hole.

Things haven't really changed all that much, except I've learned to enjoy the camera and really love the rodeo.

These couple shots were done on the A55 and the 70-400mm G lens. These are all full-frame since people find them more useful. I think each could use a bit of a crop.

This is what I've learned.

This shot was done in burst mode at 10 frames per second. That frame rate is tough to beat. In the past year I've learned to just hold the shutter down and get the frames. In the past I was a more selective shooter but if the picture is all that really matters.... you get more great moments if you just hammer down at a fast frame rate.
The 70-400mm G lens is the most useful lens in the line-up. For years I didn't like the lens because the first time I tried it was at a ski race and the wind was blowing me all over the hill with this huge lens. I stopped using it for a while. Now I love it when shooting outside. It has a ton of reach, quick focus and is well balanced on a Gitzo monopod.The A55 has a translucent mirror. That's it's technological advantage. Once you get used to the viewfinder and how the camera focuses, you get way more in focus shots than ever before. This cowboy racing through the barrel races was sharp from one end of the course to the other. Must have had five good choices from the one race.With this shot you really can see the speed in the ponies, and with autofocus that works and a quick frame rate I had a fair number of choices. This was taken on high speed of seven frames per second not the full burst mode of 10 fps. Once you take the camera off burst mode and use the high speed mode... you can shoot in RAW and JPEG, have control of the ISO, and much more control of the exposure. I use the 10 fps burst mode sometimes, but the 7 fps high mode is very useful as well.
Again, except that it needs a crop, the shots were all in focus, well exposed and there was a nice selection of moments to choose from.Now that I'm used to the A55, I can't wait until the A700 replacement comes out.

Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

I'm starting to really enjoy the Sony 100mm macro

2011-07-28T07:50:00.001-04:00

When shooting wild birds, photographers tend to grab the longest lens they can carry. We've all seem photos of them in action with 600mm and 800mm lens sitting in their blind while mosquitos munch on them. It takes a very dedicated photographer to do it.

I'm not one of those people.

Sony invited a group of shooters to the Mountsberg Raptor Centre to photograph the birds of prey and try out the latest cameras and lens. This was a great chance to try gear that you rarely get your hands on like the 300mm f2.8 and 70-400G lens.

I've been enjoying the Sony 100mm macro on the A33 for the past few weeks and used this lens for most of the day. Since you can walk right up to the birds at Mountsberg the focal length worked fine and the close focus was useful a couple times. Each of these photos was taken wide open at f2.8. For the most part the camera was on "Aperture Priority". You can see from the first photo the working distance if you wanted to walk right up.

This is a very small bird, right out of the bath. Farther behind it was an old barn. I love how the subject jumps off the frame while the out of focus area becomes just tone. It's a result of the shallow depth of field from f2.8, the smallness of the subject and the distance from the background.This small owl is about the size of two tennis balls on top of each other. No issues with the close focus though since the macro goes much tighter.Rob Skeoch

My retail store for traditional photo supplies is www.bigcameraworkshops.com

Leica M9 with the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5

2011-07-27T07:41:00.001-04:00

The Zeiss 50mm f1.5 lens seems to stay close to it's roots as a fast, light lens, designed to be used wide open, while producing an interesting bokeh that people love... especially with portraits.

Using it on the M9 at around f4 I found a sweet spot where the subject is sharp enough, I've covered any fickleness with the M9 focus, yet the background is soft.

Compared to the Planar design, the Sonnar's have more aberrations but tend to flare less and have greater contrast. It's an optical design found most often on rangefinders since the mirror on an SLR would interfere with the lens. There have been a few Sonnar designs in longer focal lengths such as the 150mm for the Hasselblad. I think if you want a pure sharp lens go for the Planar. If you want a lens with a signature look, then grab the Sonnar. For some reason they are tough to get in perfect focus on every M9 but they seem to work fine on all the film cameras.

At the local rodeo this week Robert Ball took a minute to pose for me. Robert had a dislocated shoulder and fresh stitches from a horse kick earlier in the week. He still tied onto a bronco this weekend and won the division.

Did I mention these guys are tough.

Nick Goncalves is one of the top bull riders in the area and is the subject of a project I'm shooting on rodeo cowboys. I like how the lens draws him sharp but the background is soft. It's a great look that works well for portraits.
Rob Skeoch

My retail store for rangefinder supplies is www.rangefinderstore.com