Hermanland

I used to update the EXIF to record the old manual lens used to take the photo. I found I had named the same lens in a different way which is confusing. To help standardizing the naming, I find the need to maintain the name list of my lens collection. Following is the starting point:

Accura Diamatic 135mm F2.8 sn 255136E (M42)
Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm F2.8 (Exakta)
Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm F2.8 sn 4167584 (M42)
Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm F2.8 sn 10821332 (M42)
Fuji Fujinon 55mm F1.8 sn 504882 (M42)
Fuji Fujinon EBC 50mm F1.4 sn 152687 (M42)
Ricoh Rikenon 50mm F1.7 sn 064529 (M42)
Ricoh Rikenon 55mm F1.4 sn 300886 (M42)
Ricoh XR Rikenon 50mm F1.4 sn119235 (PK)
Ricoh XR Rikenon 50mm F2.0 sn147970 (PK)
Schneider Xenon 50mm F1.9 (M42)
Schneider Xenar 135mm F3.5 (M42)
Mamiya Sekor 55mm F1.4 sn 12622 (M42)
Meyer Primotar E 50mm F3.5 sn 1886013 (Exakta)
Meyer Trioplan 100mm F2.8 sn 1693275 (Exakta)
Meyer Telemegor 180mm F5.5 sn 2635559 (M42)
Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 (4/3)*
Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm F2.8 sn 212552458 (4/3)*
Panagor PMC Auto 24mm F2.5 sn 811280 (M42)
Pentacon Electric Multi Coated 50mm F1.8 (M42)
Pentacon Auto Multi Coated 29mm F2.8 (M42)
Pentax SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 sn 7091893 (M42)
Pentax Super Takumar 55mm F2.0 sn 4385425 (M42)
Pentax Super Takumar 105mm F2.8 sn 3713851 (M42)
Pentax Super Multi Coated Takumar 28mm F3.5 sn 6026565 (M42)
Pentax Super Multi Coated Takumar 35mm F3.5 sn 6267555 (M42)
Pentax Super Multi Coated Takumar 135mm F3.5 sn 7881939 (M42)
Pentax smc PENTAX-M 40mm F2.8 (PK)
Pentax smc PENTAX-M 50mm F1.4 sn 2172411 (PK)
Pentax smc PENTAX-M 50mm F1.7 sn 3486469 (PK)
Pentax smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL sn 5729169 (PK)*
Pentax Takumar 55mm F2.0 sn 278890 (M42)
Yashica Auto Yashinon DS-M 50mm F1.4 (M42)
YashicaML 50mm F1.4 sn A1059628 (CY)
Yashica ML 24mm F2.8 sn A1522979 (CY)
Yashica ML 50mm F2.0 sn A90126668 (CY)
Vivitar Auto VMC 50mm F1.7 sn 97502071 (M42)
Voigtlander Color Skopar  X 50mm F2.8 sn 5766359 (Bessamatics)

* : These are auto focus lens for DSLR.  Others are manual lenses originally for film SLR.

Like all Four Thirds DLSR camera, my E-420 can be used with all my old manual M42, PK, CY or even Exakta or Voigtlander mount lenses via suitable lens adaptors. Except for the top quality (and hence more expensive) adaptors made in Japan or Germany (which I have not got the chance to use yet), most adaptors do not focus correctly at infinity. Instead of turning the focusing ring to infinity, I need to turn the ring back for a small amount. I kept a record here for self reference:

For Four Third – M42 adaptor made by Pixco working with M42 – Voigtlander adaptor (unknown maker), Voigtlander Color Skopar X 50mm F2.8 lens (serial no. 5766359) focus infinity at 20 metre setting 

Pentax ist DS2 vs Olympus E420 as DSLR for old manual lens e.g. M42, PK, Exakta, CY lens.

Good

• Brigther and bigger viewfinder for manual focusing (pentaprism vs pentamirror, the lower croping factor also contributes bigger viewfinder under same magnifying factor, the bigger viewfinder also contributes brighter viewfinder).
• In-focus indicator still works without any electronic coupling (although some E420 lens adaptors also provide electronic coupling to enable in-focus indicator, I found these adaptors are less reliable.  2 out of 3 adaptors I tested in the shop did not operate properly. Furthermore, I found a Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.4 lens could not properly mount on an adapter because the electronic part of the adapter blocked the rear lens mechanism).
• Lower croping factor (1.5 vs 2.0 and hence 50mm lens is still 75mm portrait lens instead of 200mm tele lens).
• PK lens can be used without any adaptor.
• Guarantee exact focusing at infinity for PK and M42 lens (four thirds lens adapter often focus beyond infinity and hence manual focusing is still needed even for landscape photo).
• Metering is more accurate when aperture wide opened (properly because APC-C format comparing with four thirds format is less far away from 35mm format).
• PK lens with “A” mode setting on aperture ring can be used with any exposure mode.
• PK lens without “A” mode setting can still be used in semi stop down metering.
• Image quality seems better at wider aperture (properly because of the absence of image-space telecentric requirement which is essential in four thirds system).
• Smaller Depth of Field DOF (because DOF is inversely proportional to format size).

Bad

• In-camera jpg output is not as good (but raw is good if properly developed).
• No RAW+JPG mode (I still want in-camera jpg as backup until I am more confident in my raw develop skill).
• Heavier (because of the four AA batteries).
• No live view.
• Less variaty of lens adaptor available e.g. Exakta lens, CY lens (hence, I still use E420 with these lens).
• No dust reduction.

Conclusion

I dont use expensive DSLR to play with the manual lens because I expect the sensor will be more easily contaminated because of the frequent exchange of lenses. Furthermore, an effective dust reduction system is an appreciated feature which I can find in Olympus E420. PK lens means Pentax K mount lens and hence it is not surprising to find Pentax ist DS2 can preserved more automation features on the old PK lens. Both cameras are small and portable. However, Pentax ist DS2 allows easier manual focus and crops the focal length less to the tele side. Metering is more accurate and image quality is better at wider aperture. Comparing to the 4 years old Pentax ist DS2, there is no doubt the image quality from the modern Olympus E420 is better, especially the in-camera jpg output. The difference is less significant when shooting in raw. For M42 or PK manual lens, I think Pentax ist DS2 is better for the job. Similar criteria may be used to assess other lens system. For example, what is the best DSLR for the old manual Leica M lens. I guess Leica M8 or even the cheaper EPSON digital rangefinder may work better than Olympus E-P1 with M adaptor. I shall never be able to prove it because Leica sounds too expensive for me to get one

I finally got a DSLR specially for my M42 and PK lens collection.  It is a Pentax ist DS2 which is basically a Pentax ist DS with bigger LCD and newer firmware.  It may sounds funny to buy a DSLR which was made four years ago, right   For M42, there is no coupling between the camera and the lens and therefore, I need to close the aperture manually for metering and taking foto.  All my PK lens are original K mount lens i.e. SMC Pentax-M or Ricoh XR.  Because Pentax ist DS2 is fitted with “crippled” KAF mount, the camera cannot tell what aperture the lens is set when metering.  The workaround method is to set the camera to full manual exposure mode and press the AE-lock button to stop down the lens and take a meter reading.  I call this a semi auto stop down metering.  The workaround is not needed for KA or KAF lens.  When these lens working in A mode, the aperture can be controlled from the camera.  There is no KA or KAF lens in my collection yet and hence I cannot confirm whether they really work or not.  I prefer the original K lens because they are much cheaper and solidly metal built.

In 愛上中古相機, I saw more people in Hong Kong are interested in the subject now.

I just got my photo taken with Agfa super solinette 35mm folder on 35mm ILFORD 400 developed. I was disappointed to find the first 17 shots were marked with few horizontal lines across the film.  They also appeared on the negative and hence it was unlikely due to the scanning.  I shall check the camera film compartment tonight but it is unlikely due to permanent metal crack there because it was at least the 3 rolls taken.  Other possibility is due to the ILFORD roll case.  Anyway, it reminded me again the tradition to check film compartment is clean and smooth before loading any roll to it.  I shall check the condition of the roll case in addition next time   The practice is especially important when messing around old gear.

Yesterday, I received a big surprise when I had lunch with my German friend.  It is a Voigtlander Bessamatic SLR with a 50mm f2.8 Color Skopar lens.  The camera was owned by my friend’s father.  I met him when he visited my friend in Hong Kong.  He mentioned the camera which he used before he goes to digital in recent year.  I was so delighted on the phone to my wife that she made joke on me that she cannot find a better present for my coming birthday.  They also come with the original leather case, filter and user manual.  The camera is different from my other collection item because I received it from someone I know who had been using it before.  I shall send him so family foto taken with this camera.

With the first Olympus Micro 4/3 digital camera on the way, I find my old Olympus Pen S half frame film rangefinder more interesting as many people treat Micro 4/3 to be the digital Pen.  I just finished a roll of Black and White film as a celebration of 50th anniversary of Pen series.  Olympus Pen S was the first mass produced model in the series.  I also posted some color photo I took in last year Christmas by the same camera.

Same conclusion as in 吉森信哉 san’s review, at last there is a good candiate to replace my best loved Fujifilm F31FD since I got it nearly 2 years ago.  Unlike DSLR or Prosumer DC, I used the portable DC more often in the daily life and hence its foto quality is more important to me.  I have been keeping my eyes on each F31FD successors, namely F40FD, F47FD, F50FD, F60FD, F100FD and they gave me disappointment to some extent.  The latest Canon G10, Panasonic LX3 and Nikon P6000 were also on my radar.  I need a DC with reasonable good foto quality and high ISO perforrmance and yet the DC should be small enough to carry on my wrist belt.  I bought Fujifilm F200EXR last week for HK2,500 (行貨 and not 水貨）in shampaign color with the original brown leather case.  My preliminary testing showed F200EXR is likely a good replacement of F31FD.  While there are currently enough merit reviews about F200EXR, I would like to point out some points which I still hope for improvement.  The general criticism to F series still holds true.  That is in fully auto mode, the machine still often aims at ISO800 which is not at its best foto quality.  Therefore, I need some human adjustment to set the machine if I want to take foto at its best quality.  Also, battery life is much shorter than F31FD.  However, the most noticable improvement over F31FD is the foto quality under high contrast light and night shot.  I shall find out more about its merit and drawback after staying with it for longer time.  I also found an useful page containing a collections of links to photos on both portrait and landscape taken with F200EXR with some user comments.

Kinderszenen is a photo album to capture the scene of my childhood by visiting the original places. I used old cameras made in the same period of time as if the photo were taken on those days. I choose the Olympus Pen S because it was my dream camera on those days. There was a photo service shop called 愛雪攝影器材沖印店 near my home along the King’s road in North Point. I was attracted by the small Olympus Pen in the show window whenever I passed the shop.