Neon City

Voigtlander Color-Skopar 21mm f/4 @ f/8.0, originally uploaded by benny ng.

One nice thing about cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo and Taipei is that there are many pockets of bright lights at night which makes it fun for night photography.

Looking at what's happening at Orchard Road and Clarke Quay, I think Singapore is slowly moving towards that direction. But it's so darned crowed during the festive season to get any good pictures!

Voigtlander Color-Skopar 21mm f/4 @ f/8.0

Lazy Saturday evening....

Lazy Saturday evening...., originally uploaded by benny ng.

..with no spectacular sunset.

Sunsets in our part of the world is so short! And if there are thick clouds, you can forget about it.

I always enjoy sunrise and sunsets in temperate climates. Being in countries on a higher lattitude, the duration of these beautiful moments are also much longer than the 15 minutes we get over here. I will always remember trying to wait for the sunset in Scotland during July 1996 at the Loch Ness. We started at 6pm and left at 12.30am when we ran out of food and water. And it was still bright and the sun was far from reaching the horizon.

All's not lost, we do get a good 12 to 13 hours of daylight year round. Great for outdoor fun.

Cheers,

So we went to Changi again...

The roll from the Voigtlander Bessa R4A is finally developed. No spectacular sunset from the Changi trip. On well....

Anyway, here's a few shots from the lazy afternoon..







The overall feel of the camera is good, and the rangefinder coupled viewfinder at 21mm is certainly convenient. I think on a bright, sunny day, this combo will be great for a street shoot.

Anyway, ended up at Charlie's for Western Dinner. Yum Yum!



Cheers,

Leitz Summicron 50mm f/2 Dual Range!!

Leica M3 + Leitz Summicron 50mm f/2 Dual Range, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Recently acquired the famed Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0 Dual Range.

This is a really interesting lens and it's basically a Rigid Summicron (which is known for it's resolution) with close focusing capabilities! As we all know, macro photography and rangefinder cameras aren't exactly the best match.

The 'spectecles' are actually removable. Without it, the lens works just like a regular Summicron lens. Once you clip it on, it can go below the usual 1m minimum focusing distance, in this case, to about 48cm. Also interesting to note is that this setup allows parallax corrected viewing in the close focus range! The way the whole setup comes together is amazing and the quality of the construction is top notch.

However, do take note that to mount or remove the lens, you have to remove the 'specs' first. If you don't have any where to put it, it might just end up missing sometime later or be damaged when it falls out of your hands accidentally. There was some like of a carrying case for the lens and spec setup, but it's bulky. There's also a leather holder for the spec alone, but it's not easy to find.

Whilst the len was made for the M3, the close focusing function also works on most of the other Leica cameras (except some M6 with a different film chamber). It won't work on M mount cameras from other brands with the exception of the Konica Hexar. Of course the lens on its own works just fine on any M mount cameras.

Anyway, let's see how this lens performs!

Cheers,

Wide Angle Fun!!

Voigtlander Bessa R4A + Color-Skopar 21mm f/4, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Voigtlander Bessa R4A + Color-Skopar 21mm f/4

Decided to take some of the lesser used gear out for a spin. So the R4A with the 21mm wide angle lens was the pick of the day.

Originally, the bunch of us was going to shoot sunset in Changi, but it was quite a washout. Ended up goofing around the broadwalk and took a few snaps of each other. As usual.

Shots from this set should be up soon. Hope they'll turn up alright.

Cheers,

What in the world is a MOOK?

Epson R-D1 World, originally uploaded by benny ng.

I think this word only exist in Japan. It's a cross between Magazine and bOOK.

Similarly, the content is much more substantial than a magazine, but less 'heavy' compared to a full fledge reference book. And of course, like magazines, it's plastered with loads of pictures. In Japan, you can find MOOKs for just about anything. Watches, Luxury Brands, Cars, and of course cameras!

I think this must be the only publication on Epson R-D1.

Cheers,

Here comes the rain again...

Here comes the rain again..., originally uploaded by benny ng.

This was also taken in France when I was there in October. Played with the image a bit and changed it to monochrome for the dark gloomy effect.

I wonder if I'll like the place better in summer. Then again, I probably can't afford to be here in summer given the ridiculous prices they charge here. There are many other places I rather be anyway.

Cheers,

They just don't make them like they used to..

Vintage Leica M3 set, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Despite the fact that some of these gear are made more than 50 years ago, they will outlast some of the recently produced cameras.

There was once a time when manufacturers will present products that represent their best efforts, made with the finest materials and was built to last. Whilst some of these items may seem bulky and heavy by today's standards, it does not change the fact that corporations then used to have a philosophy to produce products that last. And this extends beyond Leica, and beyond cameras.

These days, product life cycles are so short. In most industries, lower cost to maximise profit is the corporate axiom. "Acceptable" has become the defecto standard instead of "best". Nothing needs to last forever, or even ten years, customers would have junk it for something else by then.

It's such a bloody shame.....

Cheers,

Jean Sarkozy + scooter

Jean Sarkozy + scooter, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Was walking back from the Palais and the weather was so crap. Anyway, took the camera out for a few snaps, but nothing interesting. I really dread coming to Cannes in October.

Actually, I dread coming to Cannes. Period.

Can't wait to leave tomorrow!

Jaguar E Type (XKE) @ Frankfurt

Jaguar E Type (XKE), originally uploaded by benny ng.

Saw this at the Frankfurt airport whilst in transit. Part of some rental car advertising campaign by SIXT. Actually, there are other cars on display as well. Seems like it's quite popular to use airports for automobile presentations in Europe, or at least Germany.

Anyway, this is a classic and I just love the lines on it. We don't see too many of these in my part of the world.

Taken with the M mount Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Aspherical lens.

Cheers,

Formula 1 is in town!

WZ4R9089E, originally uploaded by benny ng.

What a drag!

The traffic is messed up, the prices go up, the noise level goes up. For the man on the street, it's an inconvenience.

Why do we even borther with this... I wish they will take it somewhere else instead of holding it right in the middle of town. Perhaps somewhere like Changi or Sentosa will be ideal.

Cheers,

p.s. this is not taken with a rangefinder. Even though we are so close to the track rangefinders are not the best options for walkabout and grandstand seats.

Untitled

Untitled, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Horsing around at John's house and shot this with the Nikkor-P.C. 10.5cm f/2.5 LTM lens.

I like the meaningless simpilicity of this shot.

Cheers,

Month of the Hungry Ghost....

The seventh month of the Lunar calander is also the month of the hungry ghost. The temples are a riot of color and buzzing with activities to honor the departed.


Burning slowly, originally uploaded by benny ng.


Soul Food, originally uploaded by benny ng.


Looking up, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Went out with the boys to the 'Tua Pek Kong' temple in Loyang. It was so darn far away. And super crowded too. I think next time, I'll pick a smaller temple to explore.

Cheers,

Are you taking my picture?

Are you taking my picture?, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Tried some scale focusing shots without bring up the camera to the eye. Tough man!

Estimated the distance, set the camera on the table and fired away. Missed slightly and had to crop and level the horizon on this image. Oh well..

Composition is usually hit and miss if you don't look through the viewfinder. But, your subject won't realise that the camera is loaded and will think that you are just messing around with your gear. 25mm is about the longest you can do that effectively and still get something usable in the frame. Wider options like 21mm, 18mm, 15mm and 12mm will be even better given their huge depth of field, but your subjects might be too small or distorted if placed at the edge. Besides, on the really wide angles, vignetting can be an issue and careful composition needs to be considered, either to emphasize or hide it.

Cheers,

Fujifilm GA645Zi + GA645Wi

Fujifilm GA645Zi + GA645Wi, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Two recently acquired compact medium format rangefinder cameras. For a medium format camera, these are extremely small form factor options. They even come with Auto Focus and flash! From various user reports, the GA645 series seems to be a winner, but being obsolete electronic cameras, their service life may be severely limited.

The GA645Wi is a wide angle version of the GA645i. It has a 45mm f/4 lens unlike the GA645i, which has a 60mm f/4 lens. The earlier version of these two cameras are without the i designation at the end of the model number. Basically, the difference between the newer models are the introduction of Auto DX funtion on Fuji films and a second shutter release.

The GA645Zi on the other hand, is a totally different camera. It has a 4 step zoom from 55 to 90mm! Aperture rating at f/4.5-6.9. And it even has a 'lens cap on' warning feature! Cool!

Anyway, I was intending to take it along for the African trip, but in the end, thought it was better to leave unfamiliar gear back home. Still, took the GA645Zi along and came back with some blurred shots. Oh well...

Here's some interesting reads on these cameras.

Fuji GA645wi review on American Peyote

Dan Stella's review on Fuji GA645 series

Cheers,

The fascination with Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4

Lots have been said about this lens from Leica. Many aspire to own one for the sharp image and creamy bokeh that it produces.


This image is shot with the earliest version, commonly known as Version 1. This is also available in screw mount, albeit in very limited numbers.


This image is shot with the third version, also commonly known as the "pre-ASPH" version.

Both images taken with Epson R-D1 digital rangefinder camera.

However, are there no lenses that matches up in performance? Actually, if you look around there are plenty of options available, and often at much cheaper price points too. Here are some common alternatives:

Modern
Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5 LTM

Vintage
Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM

To be honest, how many can differentiate the prints from any of these lenses or those from the various Summilux?

However, in terms of construction and handling, there is of course no doubt that Leica lenses are superbly finished and feels worthy of it's price when held in your hand. The rest don't even come close.

Cheers,

Stock Billed Kingfisher

Stock Billed Kingfisher, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Stock-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)

Lucky shot of this Kingfisher at the Zoo. Just thought I'll share this as well.

Cheers,

Lion-tailed Macaque

Lion-tailed Macaque, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Ok. Doing slightly better on this trip, but the keep rate is still very low. Shooting with long telephoto lenses seems so difficult when you've shot with little rangefinder systems. But rangefinders don't have reach....

Oh well. Another few chances to practice before the trip. Let's see if I get better.

Cheers,

Black or Chrome

P1010019E, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Before I used Rangefinders, colors of gear were usually never an issue. For some strange reason, there is a tendency to try to match the RF gear with the appropriate finishing. So there's the usual chrome, then there's black chrome, and then there's even painted finish like black, olive or other exotic colors.

I've decided to be vain and trade out this beautiful black chrome Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 pre-ASPH for a chrome version. Basically, they are the same lens that produces the same images.

Shallow. I know. Shallow. But it's so pretty!.... Shallow...

Cheers,

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee Portrait, originally uploaded by benny ng.

With the upcoming trip to Africa, decided to take out my SLR gear to refresh my skills with these gear.

Boy! Do I need a refresher. Anyway, one of the few decent pictures from the session at the zoo.

Hope I get up to speed before I leave for the African Safari.