Dubai Blue Sky

Being a desert climate, there is little rain all year round. I took a picture of the blue sky which show a cloudless sky. The blue is unedited and natural.

Dubai Architecture

Other than the skyscrapers, Dubai traditional looking buildings do have certain architectural identity such as the cantilever protruded feature , the curve opening with Islamic details and the circular roof. These traditional design looks good on modern buildings and is unique to this region. I also notice that many buildings have limited opening/windows due to the possibility of sand storm. This impedes natural ventilation but nowadays they are cooled by air-conditioning.

Tokyo Asakusa

The photos above were unedited other than adding copyright note. They were taken in the evening in Asakusa where there were fewer people and a cooler weather. As I did not bring along my travelling bag, the photos were taken with my iPhone 7.  I was pretty impressed with the camera of iPhone. Just look at how brilliant the red colour of the shrine was and how sharp the photos were. Beautiful! While there were many negative comments comparing iPhone and other Android phones in technical specifications, to me it is the output that matters. Despite a simple single lens camera, it was able to produce result comparable, if not better, than my Sony APS-C (A6000) camera even at dim night conditions. The price of iPhone is of course a premium over Android phones, but the overall user satisfaction is still guaranteed with a iPhone. That is after more than 2 years owning the iPhone 7.

I have been to Asakusa many years ago, but this is the first time I have been there at night with not so many people and the weather was cooling. The experience was magnificent.

Tokyo - Nikon Museum

Nikon FM2 first version

Camera Prototype

Camera Prototype

The information explains the 2 photographs above.

Nikon Museum located at Shinagawa is a must visit place if you love photography. It gives a history of all the SLR and other important cameras that the firm had manufactured from the beginning of 20th century. Nikon is indeed a great manufacturer of camera. Nothing can beat looking at these beautifully crafted cameras.

Having owned Nikon FM2 SLR camera, it is fantastic to see the camera being displayed as part of the many cameras on its historical shelf. The challenge I faced nowadays is weight, the camera body and lens weigh considerably when sufficient weather protection is included especially for high ends camera. The weight makes it difficult to carry for tour. Hence, nowadays, my default camera is the Sony A6000 which is light weight and easy to carry.

Nonetheless, do enjoy the beautiful cameras from the museum. The museum can be reached via Shinagawa station east exit and walking overhead connection (they called it skyway connection) from the station to Tower C of Intercity Tower. It is free-of-charge entry. Explanation is written in English and Japanese.

When I was visiting Asakusa, I saw a senior lady with a SLR film camera. While I didn't see the brand of the camera, it was really a great sight.

Nikon FM2 1984

The Nikon FM2 is shown in the museum. Notice that in the 1980s, the standard lens is a 50mm. It is beautiful and even more beautiful when it is held in hand. For my camera, I have a 28mm f1:2.8 as the standard lens. The body has a "Made in Japan" engraved below. Link to my blog for FM2 is shown below:-

https://e21s.blogspot.com/2014/06/nikon-fm2-n.html

Sony A6000

Sony A6000 in silver body with 16 to 50mm lens with optical steady shot

I bought the Sony A6000 recently as a lightweight portable camera. The Canon 70D is just too heavy for casual photography. Sony has compact size camera and I was contemplating to get one. However, in consideration of the sensor size and image quality. Decided to go for a bigger sensor but yet portable camera.

In the race before my purchase was the Olympus OMD-E10 and Canon M3. All 3, including the Sony A6000 are mirrorless camera.  I didn't choose the Canon M3 because of the size of the standard lens and it does not come with an electronic view finder.

The Olympus OMD-E10 (mark I) was very attractive in terms of price as it was about $150 cheaper and the shape of the camera was very classical. It also stands out for its 3 axis image stabilization mechanism.

The Sony A6000 won because of its APS-C sensor which is a bigger sensor than the Olympus. It also won because its standard lens has a wider angle which is important for my style of photography. At its widest angle, it is 16mm which multiply by a crop factor of 1.5 gives a 24mm lens in the full frame standard. The Olympus only managed a 28mm at its minimum. This 2 factors gives the Sony a marginal edge.

After using the Sony A6000 for a few days, I notice a few operation issue, (I) the position of the video button is a awkward position (2) the manual is not comprehensive enough. (3) The auto ISO function seems very eager to increase the ISO level. (4) the battery is easily exhausted. Sony gave an additional battery (5) Image file size is large for a APS-C camera. Some outdoor photos can have a file size of more than 10 MB.

Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Ais Lens

Nikon FM2n with Nikkor 43-86mm Lens

Under Exposed Photo (Unedited) - Haze in Singapore

This lens has such a strange focal length. There are 2 versions of it. The earlier version has the printed lens data within the inner rim of the filter mount, while the other version is printed on the outer rim.

According to Kenrockwell.com, the earlier version of the lens is one of Nikon worst lens ever produced.

Fortunately, my version is the later version. However, I am not sure the reason but the photso taken were under-exposed. See above for example. The speed of the shutter for this photo was set at 1/4000 which was one of the fastest in the 80s. I must however qualify that the film was kept in the camera for some time (more than half a year) and this could affect the quality of the film. Secondly, I was using FM2n exposure meter to gauge the lighting level. When I had earlier used the camera exposure meter on the 28mm lens, the exposure was perfectly alright.

The lens exterior is quite beautifully designed with coloured lines on its body indicating the range of focus for various zoom length and f number. Zoom is done by sliding the zoom ring inwards and outwards of the camera body. Focus is done by rotating the same ring.

Aquarium & Fishes Part 2

2 lab cichlids with bright yellow scales

Zebra cichlid with a blue cobalt cichlid in the background

Moon & Jupiter

 

Moon & Jupiter

Moon and Jupiter observed on 12 Dec 14. Location of Jupiter was confirmed with Google Sky App. It is in the North East direction

Jupiter is just a speck of light. Without camera and view without optical assistance, Jupiter looks like a star.

Photos were taken using high ISO of 6400 and unedited. Lens used was Canon 70-200mm f4.

Tiger Leaping Gorge - Star Glaze

Focal Length = 13mm
Aperture = f7.1
Exposure Time = 30 sec
ISO Speed = ISO 8000
No Tripod, Camera placed on formwork facing sky, Cloudy evening
Location = Half Way Guest House, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yun Nan China
Altitude about 2250 m above mean sea level

Nikon FM2 N

Nikon FM2

With 28mm 1:2.8 AI Lens

I have recently also bought a Nikon FM2N in addition to Canon AE-1 Program. This is bought through Ebay and it is a chrome body. The price of FM2N is about 6 times the price of Canon AE-1 Program. Of course, there are cheaper Nikon around but the FM2N seems to have demand that supported the price. The price was supported due to the famously durability of the FM2N as compared to others of the same period. It could still function without a battery (similar to my Yashica FX3) Nikon produced the FM2 from 1982 to 2001. The earlier version was produced the same time AE-1 Program was produced. From 1984, the N version was produced with a higher flash sync speed. There is also a T version which is for its titanium shutter screen.

The FM2 was famous for its high shutter speed which is the fastest in the 80s at 1/4000. I remember an advertisement showing the incredible fast speed of photography that it was able to capture a speeding bullet and for the bullet motion to be freezed as it passed through its target. I think Nikon FM series cameras (especially the chrome version) are beautiful because of its uniquely black top housing the prism. We can see that the new Nikon Df is designed with the FM series in mind. It is the Nikon Df that makes me attracted to the Nikon FM series. For less than 10% of the price of a new Nikon Df body, about USD$2400, I get a full frame SLR that has similar design and still have plenty of spare change even with 35mm films and processing costs considered. Of course, the Df will depreciate over time as it is highly electronic and digital based. While FM2 is fully mechanical/analog that has depreciated and will probably hold its value. Hopefully, it will be an collectible item.

I spent some time trying to understand the compatibility of various lens mount in different period of time, from Ai, Ai-S, AF-S, AF-D, VR to G. I have the impression that Ai lens can still be mounted on the latest DSLR camera although certain functions may be impaired. However, Canon makes distinction between FD and EOS mount, although a photographer can purchase a FD-EOS adaptor to mount older lens.

If I could recall correctly, as a teenager, Nikon cameras did not capture my attention. Probably because it was expensive and more professional. As a poor student, I could only afford Yashica and even Canon was considered expensive. I never had a Nikon until recently when I bought a Nikon Coolpix S2600 which is a cheap compact camera. In these days, Canon and Nikon mainly do not manufacture their cameras/lens in Japan, most were made in China/Thailand/Malaysia. In the 80s, the camera and lens from these 2 companies were made in Japan.

Some thing unique about FM2N is that the lock position of the camera is when the film advance lever is in its close position. In order to press the shutter release, I have to pull the film advance lever out. This is different from Yashica or Canon cameras. Old cameras like the AE-1 Program does have a lock mechanism that is independent of the film advance lever. For my Yashica FX3, there is no lock mechanism. Secondly, FM2N has a camera back lock lever. To open the camera back, I have to push the lock and also pull the film rewind knob at the same time. This is something not found in Canon or Yashica cameras. I found this troublesome in the FM2N.

The camera does have the advantage of displaying the aperture setting within the viewfinder. This assist the photographer to know exactly the aperture of the lens while looking at the viewfinder. My impression is that Nikon attempts to be different in features as compared to the rest of the camera brands, some are interesting and good while others might not be.

Nonetheless, the FM2N is a very good looking camera, with the right proportion, sharp features and great colour combination on its body.

Polar Bear of Singapore Zoo

The polar bear (name Inuka) of the Singapore Zoo photograph taken by Yashica FX-3 with 50mm f2 lens on Fujifilm Superia 200 film (digitalised). When I was a Secondary school boy, some 30 years ago, I had taken a photograph of a polar bear rising from the pool of the Singapore zoo. Now 30 years later, I have taken the photograph of polar bear using the same camera and lens 30 years ago.

Inuka is the offspring of Sheba (died in 2012) who is the daughter of Nanook. I have taken the photograph of Nanook and Inuka. Polar bear has an average lifespan of 25 years old.

Nikon 28mm f2.8 AI and Canon 28mm f2.8 new FD

Canon 28mm f2.8 new FD

Nikon 28mm f2.8 AI

I bought the 2 lenses recently. 28mm lenses are of course used in landscape photography. While they are of similar optical angle, the cost differs significant even though both are likely to be more than 30 years old. The Nikon 28mm costs US$128 while the Canon 28mm costs US$21.50, a difference of more than 5 times. These are market prices.

Physically, the Nikon has very attractive and colourful aperture ring and distance information, The Canon on the other hand is a sombre green and white. Currently, lenses from both firms are white and gold on black plastic. The Nikon AI lens design is certainly unnique and a representation of an era long gone. The colours reminded me of Frank Muller Colour Dreams watch.

The Canon new FD lens has a feature not commonly found in lens. The aperture can't be adjusted manually by pushing the lever on the rear. This, I found out after reading from the internet. The aperture can be adjusted when the lens is mounted on a FD body. This is different from Nikon and Yashica lenses. With the feature, I can only test the lens aperture when I use it with a film. I am not sure whether this feature will affect the functioning of the lens when it is mounted on a DSLR with an adaptor.

Canon and Nikon lenses have a different usage preference. For Nikon the smaller f number for aperture is on the right side to the photographer, while for Canon, the smaller f number is on the left side. Likewise the focus ring is also turning against each other in relation to the distance. This may confuse photographer especially so when habit is formed.

Canon 50mm FD f1.4 S.S.C Lens

Canon 50mm FD f1.4 S.S.C with breech lock

Front of the Lens

I have received my Canon 50mm FD f1.4 S.S.C lens bought from Ebay.

First impression is the breech lock is different from all the lens I have owned. It is screwed via a turning ring. In order to screw on, the red dot on the ring must be reset to its zero position before it can be attached to the body mount of Canon AE-1 program. While turning the ring, the lens body does not move unlike modern lens design. I have to spend some time trying to mount the lens on the body.

Secondly, I am fortunate to get a rather clean body with not much scratches on the lens body and the glasses. So it looks pretty decent. The lens uses a 55mm lens filter.

I am currently trying to test it and the result will only make known after the film is developed. I noticed that on Canon AE-1 program and for that matter the A series of Canon camera, the original viewfinder focusing circle in the centre is a horizontal line instead of a slopping line (in Yashica FX-3). I find that the slopping focusing line is more easy to achieve focus. This is because the realistic world has many horizontal lines which coincide with the focusing line and hence does not differentiate easily.

The bokeh from its 1.4 aperture is nice looking through the viewfinder. Hopefully the developed photos stay the same. The lens is heavy because of its metalic component compared to plastic 50mm lens that is currently available. Hence the side grip on the body of AE-1 program is useful. The lens also has a automatic 'A' aperture which will work with the Program model to automatically select aperture and shutter speed.

The distance guide on the lens is coloured brightly for photographer to read. I realised that I have to estimate the distance of the subject and adjust the distance accordingly before even looking at the viewfinder. Something that modern camera and lens do have the convenience over vintage ones.

Yashica FX3

Yashica FX3 body

I have sent my Yashica FX3 to repair. During the discussion with the expert, it reinforces the theory that mechanical equipment, whether it is a watch or a camera, the full mechanical one has a better value than the electrical ones. The FX3 has a mechanical shutter and it will function whether the battery is installed. There are small batteries used for light metering. The Canon AE-1 Program has a curtain shutter and only works with a battery installed.

I bought the FX3 in 1983 for a cost of between SGD$300 to SGD$350 (reminded by the expert). Now the repair cost is SGD$250 due to problem with the shutter (mirror goes up but does not come down) and a fungus growth lens which needs cleaning.

The camera and lens have nostalgic value as they were the first SLR I bought and started my long relationship with photography. The totally manual camera means that it is good to learn photography skills and technique. Even the focus is manually done. 35mm SLR is the predecessor of the full frame digital camera. Considering that a full frame digital camera now cost between $4000 and $5000, it is considered cheap to repair a SLR camera for full frame photography. Somehow, SLR camera traditionally was sold with prime lens instead of zoom lens. Zoom is done by the photographer legs to some limit.

Being the traditional 35mm film, the result of your shoot is only made known after the negatives are processed. There is no corretive action. The film can be digitised and correction made in Photoshop. There is no memory of the shutter speed or aperture setting unless it is purposely recorded.

I remembered I won a school competition (3rd prize) using the camera. The photo was of a polar bear surfacing from underneath water.

Canon AE-1 Program

Canon AE-1 Programe

I have recently bid and bought a Canon AE-1 Program. The camera is delivered today.

It is in good condition and the shutter fires. The exterior is better than expected for a camera that is easily 30 years old.

When I was a secondary school boy, I had a Yashica FX-3, it was fully mechanical and could function without batteries even though batteries could be added for light metering purpose. My classmate had a Canon AE-1 Program, it was one of technologically advanced camera given its program feature which allowed automatic selection of aperture and possibly speed of shutter. It was then the envy of the photograhic society. Somehow it had affected my subsequent purchase of Canon EOS camera.

On first feel, it is heaviler than my Yashica. It has a silver aluminium top as compared to black finishes of my Yashica. The sound of the shutter is very different from my Yashica. I feel that the Yashica has a more mechanical sound which gives confidence to the photographer. The aluminium finishes has the classic look which current retro looking digital camera such as the olympus OMD EM10 tries to emulate. AE-1 Program has a electronically controlled self timer for delay firing of shutter. Yashica FX-3 uses a dial pointer which to me has more classic look.  In my opinion, the Nikon FM series 35mm camera has a more classic external finishes than the Canon AE-1 Program. Canon AE-1 Program has a winder provision which the Yashica FX-3 doesn't.

For a price of 16 pound body only(from UK, excluding shipping cost), it has certainly well depreciated considering the cost of digital camera nowadays. Hopefully, the shutter speed is accurate. I will know when I test it with a 35mm film.

Quote of the Month

"What drives me is an awareness of the essential loneliness of man - we are alone when we're born, we're alone when we die."

~ Bruce Davidson, photographer

Canon EOS 70D

Canon EOS 70D with 10 to 22mm EFS lens

Bought the Canon EOS 70D with 18 to 55 mm lens today at the price of S$1496.

Initial feel is that it is an interesting camera because of its available high ISO of 12800. My EOS 450D only produces 1600 max. With such a high ISO in the 70D, the photo can be taken at slower speed and smaller aperture. However, my initial feel is that compared ISO of 100 for both cameras, the EOS 70D seems to take a slightly longer exposure time.

EOS 450D is a simple to use camera and it served its function well. I had this camera for more than 5 years. Well depreciated. But there are servere limitations such a low 1600 ISO and no movie camera. I would still continue to utilise it with perhaps the EFS 18 to 55mm lens with image stabiliser.

The EFS 18 to 55mm lens has 2 advantages: (1) a stm which has no vibration or sound and (2) image stablisation.

White Bellied Sea Eagle

A pair of white bellied sea eagle perching on a tree.

The tree is located on an island South of Singapore. Photo taken in March 2013.

Kuantan ~ Astronomy

Canon 14mm / f4.5 / ISO 1600 / 30 sec exposure

I was finally able to get a clear sky at night on Swiss Garden Resort & Spa. I did not however, bring a tripod for the trip and had to make good with whatever was available. Fortunately, I was able to find a mini football goal post and used that as my temporary support for camera. Camera noise was substantial due to the high ISO.

Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque Part II B&W