Articles
Here are articles on topics and issues that I have found are regularly raised by new and experienced photographers, amateurs and professionals alike. So, these articles are intended to provide deeper discussion and some useful information to those needing answers to their questions. Topics include:
1. photography formats;
2. product developments;
3. camera equipment reviews;
4. equipment selection issues;
5. topical subjects in photography today.
We live in challenging times and photography at both amateur and professional levels is not immune to these challenges. Some of the issues facing photographers today include restrictions on public photography; comparative equipment and media performance etc.. Other topics are simply about optimal ways to use and select equipment - new and old.
I also include thoughts on various technical topics and welcome you to contribute your own thoughts by using the "Contact" section.
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Photos and text copyright of f8Vision and SimonPG
Hasselblad - Where It All Began - The Remarkable 1600F
About 100 years ago Victor Hasselblad was born to his Swedish parents. Little did they know that just a few decades later this child would initiate the beginnings of one of the most significant photographic tools in the history of the industry - that the word Hasselblad would become synonymous with the best quality possible in professional quality.
Victor Hasselblad would go on to develop the first totally modular SLR medium format camera - the 1600F. And from that beginning the company that bears his name would go on to be one of the most recognisable brands in the world.
Like all things Hasselblad 6x6, the 1600F MF SLR camera’s legacy is both a statement about the best possible quality imaging of its day due both to its superlative Carl Zeiss optics and the enduring industrial design and mechanical engineering of the Swedish camera.
This article looks at the 1600F as a valuable photographic tool today, despite its age of 56 years!
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Why Medium Format?
In this digital era where photographic equipment has become something of a "disposable consumer electronic device" many keen amateur photographers have begun to explore medium format photography and ask: "Why medium format?" And then when its benefits are explained, often another question arises: "What impact has medium format photography had on your photographic pursuits and skills?".
There is no question that the manufacturers of medium format equipment have suffered financially since digital photography began to mature a few years ago. A number of factors have caused that. But, what is important is the slow revival of medium format photography in both media - film as well as digital.
While the medium format photography market is mostly driven by professional photographers, keen amateurs have become increasingly interested in it. While digital imaging in medium format is prohibitively expensive for all but the most wealthy amateurs, recently film media has seen some revived interest from amateurs as well as professional medium format photographers.
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Leica, the Steinway of photography?
Clearly Steinway & Sons reputation is that of the maker of the world's finest pianos just as Leica's reputation is that of the finest manufacturer of 35mm rangefinder cameras and lenses. But superlative quality of fine instruments is not all that these wonderful companies have in common!
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Eight Items Permanently in My Kit - Good "Fook"!
There is an old saying that the one thing a photographer fails to have with him will be the most urgently needed item when out on a "shoot". But, while we can't take all our lenses and camera accessories on a shoot, we can ensure we have all the backup items that might be needed.
So, in line with good Feng Shui, I keep in mind how the number 8 is said to represent good "fook", or "luck" to many Chinese - here are the 8 items that permanently live in my kit for when I go off to do some serious photography.
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Don't Discard The Elderly - Like most things in life, the Canon LTM 50mm f1.2 has much to offer!
While the photographic world has recently become consumed by a veracious thirst the the "latest and greatest" we see once new and useful products thrown aside on the presumption that the newer will make us better photographers.
But while digi-cams come and go, the greatest waste has been in how wonderful film cameras and lenses have hit the trash bin. The digi "revolution" offers us all some wonderful bargains and even surprises.
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The "Standard" is Not Always The "Normal" - The overlooked 50mm lens
Many years ago, especially before the "standard" zoom lens became popular (and was of a competent optical standard by around the late 1980s), nearly every 35mm SLR camera sold was bundled with a "standard" lens - a 50mm f2 or faster (f1.8, f1.4) or sometimes slower (f2.8) just depending upon what camera you bought. It was hardly an option either, since the cameras often came packaged with these lenses ex-factory – hence the term “standard”. This focal length was also said to be "normal" because it was said to approximate one's eyesight and the diagonal of a 135 format frame.
So, from there the terms "standard" lens or "normal" lens seems to have become interchangeable and ultimately commoditised the focal length – making it nothing special. All of this has meant we neglect a wonderful optical achievement and creative tool.
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Why Film Today?
So often the simplest discussion about photography issues declines into a "digital V film" debate. Often digital devotees decry anything to do with film as old hat and seem to say that unless you are a convert you cannot be a capable photographer. Then again, many film devotees become defensive and resort to slagging of at the apparent (even if now well addressed) weaknesses in digital imaging. The answer is simply that each has its benefits and accordingly each media has its weaknesses. So, why am I yet to buy a digital camera of any sort?
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New Lows in Attacks on Photography
Despite ridiculous lows in alarmist behaviour, not all people with a camera in a public place are terrorists or paedophiles. Community leaders need to ensure that over-reactive behaviour does not kill a valuable record of social history.
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Classic 120 Roll Film Cameras - Enduring technology
120 roll film has been around a very very long time and despite huge developments in digital technology, it's likely to remain around for many decades to come.... at least. If it’s going to happen at all, full-frame MF digital sensors have not yet appeared on the market.In any case the relative cost of digital MF seem likely to be prohibitively expensive for amateur photographers for many years yet. Testament to 120 roll film’s longevity, there are the many outstanding old 120 roll film cameras such as the "folder" cameras from the 1930s to the 1960s - still in regular use today by enthusiasts. These wonderful cameras only lost popularity and died off as 135 format and more sophisticated SLR 120 film cameras took hold.
But, by most measures today there are many old 120 roll film folder cameras capable of giving any photographer a great deal of pleasure - simple to use, very convenient to carry and capable of very high quality images.
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Leica's Newest Opportunity - Its greatest risk?
About one year ago the great German camera company Leica announced its development and planned release of a premium quality digital rangefinder camera - a digital M7? Maybe. Whatever Leica calls its most significant new product in many decades, will not just be an opportunity to make its business profitable; it will also be the company's greatest risk. But, that risk is not as obvious as one may think.
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