Vintage Lens Review - AUTO EXAKTAR 135 mm F 2.8 Pentax screw mount Prime lens

So far my experience with using my vintage 50mm Pentax lens is great. I simply love the Bokeh and the dreamy look this lens brings to images. Well there are people who cringe at the fact that this lens is not as razor sharp as the Lenses of today.

I agree... completely to these people. These vintage lenses were meant not for today's DSLRs but the SLR cameras that used 35mm film. For me though I love the look these lenses bring and that too at a fraction of the cost (I am not going to make Billboard sized prints anyway)

So now I wanted a portrait lens. Again I wanted something that will let in a lot of light and the F stop should be a low number. Now I Could have gone for the "Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 (with SoftFocus)" Lens. This baby would have set me back approximately 35000 INR. I am still not ready to put in that kind of cash.



On Ebay.in I was looking for a Vintage and manual alternative. I came across a Korean made, Built like a tank, full metal construction lens, which was up for bidding. I finally won it for 2650 INR. Steal deal I would say. The only thing is it does not have Auto Focus and is a fully manual lens. As usual needed an adapter, this time for a Pentax Screw mount (popularly known as an M42 mount) to EF (Canon mount)... I got this on Ebay for only 165 INR. This puts the total cost of Lens + adapter to 2815 INR (Still less than 10% of the Canon lens)

I have received the Lens and it is in very good condition. The aperture ring works perfect and is close to silent with soft clicks. The focus ring is also very smooth. The Glass is clean with no Fungus and major scratches.

First thing I did was put an 85mm UV Filter on. I am still awaiting the arrival of the adapter, so no shots till then. Overall I am very happy with what I have got I will definitely post some shots when I receive the adapter and am able to shoot some photos.

Again I emphasize.... you do not need the most expensive gear to get magical images.

As Always, Happy Shooting!!!

Keepin' it Real,
Dee Kay Dee ;)

Some shots using the Pentax A 50mm F2 Prime Lens

I love the dreamy look this full manual vintage lens brings.
These photos are all shot indoors with direct and diffused sunlight.
I have shot these in Aperture Priority mode keeping a constant ISO100 and F stop at 2.
And yes... they are all untouched (No lightroom / photoshop)

Happy Shooting!!!

Keepin' it Real,
Dee Kay Dee ;)

Vintage Lens Review - Pentax K Mount, SMC Pentax A 50mm F2 K Mount Prime Lens

It has been a long time I have posted on this blog, but I am still shooting with my Canon 1100D DSLR camera and am really happy with the image quality and now delve in the Manual mode more often then when I just got my camera.

The 18-55 mm Kit lens that I got with the camera is a great all rounder and has everything you need to start off with using a DSLR.... at 18mm you get pretty wide angle shots and i would term it as a pretty versatile lens.

But its been a few months and I heard a lot about the "Nifty Fifty" lens and many people saying it should be a part of every DSLR shooter's kit.  Well I did not feel INR 6800 is cheap for a 50mm lens and even though it is a pretty neat lens that Canon sells, I did'nt wanna put cash in for a lens at this point.

I went on the internet to search for cheaper alternates and came across manual lenses that can be used with my camera with the help of a Converter adapter. I decided to purchase  "SMC Pentax A 50mm F2 K Mount Prime Lens" from EBay.in which I got for only INR 1500. (obviously I ordered an adapter as well... the best stainless steel one for INR 499)

All I can say is that this lens does not disappoint. Being made in the 60s - 70s it is built like a tank with metal construction, unlike Canon which is fully plastic. The Lenses inside also have a pretty good quality. The only downer is that the Lens is fully manual which means you have to select the F Stop which ranges between 2 and 22 and the focus is also manual. This for me is not a negative as i love manual settings.

In bright daylight I shoot using the ISO 100 setting and at evening I use ISO 400 and get close to perfect pictures...

After buying this lens I would say that DSLR photography is not an expensive hobby.

If you have not got one of these lenses yet, give it a shot. It will keep you hooked for years (or decades to come)..

Happy Shooting!!!

Keepin' it Real,
Dee Kay Dee ;)

Review on the 2 Free SDHC cards I received with my Canon 1100D

Sandisk Ultra 4GB (Class 6) SDHC

This card was included in the box of the Canon 1100D. This card is quite quick and there are close to no wait times for burst mode as well as when shooting HD (720p) video using the camera. It retails for just about INR400 (as per the price on the packaging)... This card will always remain in my Cam Bag...

Sandisk 32GB (Class 4) SDHC

I know... I know.... the ramble of people saying that a Class 4 card is not good enough, specially for a DSLR... I got this card free as a special offer... it was not included inside the box, but received it separately... So I decided to use it and check to see if it was any good... To be honest, I was surprised... this card works flawlessly.... The only drawback I have is when you have continuous burst mode shots.... it tends to take about a second more to save... I am not a professional who needs to shoot and save photos at the speed of light... so I can live with that... I am an enthusiast who clicks photos on the weekend... or maybe during a trip so I am cool with this lag.... all in all it is a good option... If you need to buy this card it is available for about INR1299.00 (From Flipkart.com as on 09Mar2013)... Not a bad deal really...

Happy Shooting!!!

Keepin' it Real,
Dee Kay Dee ;)

Some Shots... Close ups

Here are some close-ups of Flowers and plants using the Cannon 1100D... These are outside my window. (All these photos are taken with the 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the camera )

Some Shots...

Here are some pictures taken by my new Canon 1100D... Yes fish keeping is my Hobby as well. (Forgive the misty water... need to do a water change)

  

My Movie Cam

I forgot to include the camera I use for Video purposes. I currently own a Sony Handycam SX21e. I bought it about 6 months ago for a price of INR 9800 from a Sony store. It has been great for shooting video and has a high zoom.

I need to mention this is a budget Handycam and can shoot only in 480p. Let me say this is all that I need as of now. This is really good, but anything around 50x zoom (this baby can go to 67x) consider using a tripod as the shake will mess the video. This camera is great for outdoor filming and does decent indoors as well. if you really need to shoot indoors make sure there is sufficient light, because the on-board light only drains battery and is not much help unless you are shooting around 2 feet away from the subject.

My First Post !!!

I have been an avid fan of taking pictures from a long time. I have used many cameras from Film cameras to Digital camera options. Most of these being point and shoots. I was impressed with the options that Digital cameras ushered in as I could click any number of photos and would not have to bother much about the cost of developing film and getting prints.

I own a Canon Powershot 590IS from 2008 and was quite happy with the results it gave as it was a point and shooter like the rest, but it had image stabilization and it gave you the option of manual mode, which quite frankly did not give you options of a DSLR, but it gave me some flexibility to use the camera without flash and using ISO1600, and changing contrast etc.

I felt the need of having a better camera, but in my mind I still felt that I did not want DSLR as it would be very complicated to use. So I started researching on this using the internet and honed on to 2 Brands Nikon and Canon. I looked at the bottom of the spectrum as my intention was not a high cost and something that would give me everything I need to learn the use of a DSLR and getting fairly good results along the way.

It came down to the Nikon D3100 which shamed the second option Canon 1100D in terms of specs.
I still went for the Canon 1100D and let me tell you why (and no.. no... its not what you are thinking I have no brand loyalty). Nikon D3100 was very nice... seemed in a much higher league than the amount of money I would put down for it, but it is a little difficult to figure the awkwardly placed buttons and switches (this is my opinion). The interface layout is also nothing to talk about as it is as awkward as the button placement. One would get used to it after some use, but not me... I wanted a camera I can figure out instantly. So it was the Canon 1100D Silver Grey. I got this shipped from Flipkart.com and got it for a great deal (Indian Rupees 23,181) on 1st March 2013. Flipkart did mess up and did not sent the free 32GB SDHC card which was supposed to come with it (but they promised to send it within 10 days) so lets see..

Getting back to the topic.. let me say if you are using any point and shoot and are interested in photography you need a DSLR. Brand does not matter (Nikon, Canon) what matters like any other tool is whether it works for you and it does not put you off. Currently I am experimenting with Auto, and Manual modes. will keep posting pictures and my ramblings as and when time permits...

Until then I will keep shooting people and things... not with a gun but a Canon ;)

Happy Hunting!!! (for the perfect picture)