Developing with Diafine is quite simple. I was concerned that shooting at box speed would produce poor results. At the same time I started thinking of how will I scan the images? Did quite a bit of research on the web and called a few places offering scanning $ervices.

I decided that a scanner is absolutely necessary and will pay for its self within x amount of film rolls and I could control the quality of the scans while learning. Quality v.price is always a struggle and I decided Epson V700 Color Scanner. I received it and went to work ASAP.

After receiving the Leica Summicron 50mm f2 I sent the Zeiss bank and once again was ready to try out the lens with color film. I went to Hollywood and Highland with my son on Friday and took a fresh roll of color film with me. We took the metro there. I had Walgreens develop my Fujicolor Pro 400H film. I took me a few iteration at scanning and editing in Photoshop, but I am improving.

Click for a larger version.

I dont know why he wanted to take a photo next to this store

The camera and lens perform flawlessly, its the operator who can use the practice. Still excited about shooting film, developing, black and white and photography in general. Here is a photo from the Wax Museum:

Moving on to my next roll of film, reading photography books, looking for the next photo.

Stop by and visit my Photoblog.

I had a chance to take a few ‘creative’ photos between rides and try out some night shots as well as getting some bokeh. To get bokeh with this camera I set the lens to macro setting and focus on a object that is right in front of the lens. A few samples:

This camera performs great in macro mode.

Even during bright day with sun up above makes interesting people bokeh.

I took this when leaving the park on a tram back to the parking lot as a departing shot.

I wanted to take some long exposure photos and apparently I am not the only one, quite a few people with tripods and DSLR cameras. These were taken on manual mode.

Seems like everyone tries to take a picture from this location and its not easy. Too many people are walking by.

Longer exposure.

The Tea Cups shot. Everyone takes one here at night.

The park at night which looks much better in life. Great place!

It was a sunny day with a few clouds.

Once in a while I will take some photos in the wide mode of 16:9. The camera struggled a bit as she was standing in the shade and scene mode metered on the sky. She did not have a chance to say “Hurry up!” I just pointed and shot in iA mode.

Have to keep in that wide lenses have quite a bit of distortion in the corners. Even the LX3 suffers from corner distortion.

Hope you like the update and let me know if you have comments. I am off to get some distilled water. Planning on developing my first roll of Tri-X.

I shopped around for prices including the ol Ebay, but there is no place better then keh.com for used gear. Fair prices and great selection on used photography gear.

Ended getting a TTL version of the M6 as I will use the hot shoe for portraits and off camera lighting. I am aiming at improving my photography and film is one of the best ways. Sure, I will not be able to look at the back of the camera at an LCD screen to see what I just photographed. I am impressed with the ‘feel’ of the camera. Heavy, black and all manual!

I rented a lens from LensRentals.com and it was shipped quick. For 2 weeks I will shot with the Zeiss 50mm 1.5 Sonnar. For me 50mm focal length is just right. Patiently waiting until my Leica 50 F2 SUMMICRON-M arrives, also used.

I got some film 2 days ago from a local shop in Pasadena. I had my Panasonic LX3 with me shot a couple of pics at the City Hall.  See bottom of page for the pics or on Flickr. I wanted to try several brands and speeds and the most raved about black and white – Tri-X 400. Looking forward to shoot many pics with this film.

Dang, thats a lot of film

I realized that this film cant be developed at a local Wallgreens and quickly searched the web for film developing labs, techniques and mail order. I found groups which talk about film processing, pushing ISO and the best way is to do it at home. Kind of like making a cup of coffee they say. OK I am gamed. Signed up at an international Leica user forum (best places to learn) Leica User forum and started searching, reading posts and asking questions. Found a nearby supply house and film processing place: freestylephoto.biz and put the order through. Initially, I watched a few how to videos on youtube.com to figure out exactly what is needed. What got me excited was the Figital Revolution post on Tri-x and how to process.

Here is the list:

• Kodak Rapid Fixer to Make 1 Gallon

• Kodak Photo Flo 200 16 oz.

• Heico Perma Wash 1 Quart

• Paterson Universal Film Developing Tank with 1 Reel

• Paterson Developing Tank Reel

• Arista Changing Bag 27 in. x 30 in.

• Printfile Archival Negative Preservers 35mm 7 strips of 5 negatives – 100 pack (357B)

• Acufine Diafine Film Developer to make 1 gal.

Now the waiting begins on getting all the chemicals/supplies….. I will go out and shoot some film and will update in a few days.

I always check product ranking and reviews on Amazon. I decided to give the Flip UltraHD Camcorder a try as the price is right of under $200, 120 minutes of 720p HD video and the compact size.

Talk about a easy to use interface with just one single button for start/stop. Software that is included is also simple to use. I was shooting video in 5 minutes.

Top 3 features I liked right out of the box:

1. One touch recording. Huge red button in the back.
2. 2 inch anti-glare LCD screen is fantastic
3. Very quick from powering on to recording time.

Top 3 things that bugged me about it:

1. Flip out USB plug. Kind of an after thought and cumbersome to plug in. I have my PC on the floor and plugging in the USB cord means having to leave the Flip on its back. I kept thinking its going to fall or worse scratch the screen or lens.
2. No cover for the lens. I must be crazy because I am always imagining that I will scratch the lens. Manufactures, please put covers on all photo/video equipment with a lens.
3. I carried my point and shoot Panasonic LX3 (my review) and Flip….. Flip Ultra is just a bit too bulky and with a photo camera….. Cant see me carrying both.

I would buy the Flip UltraHD again. It shoots great video and it is very simple to use, easy to download and create movies at home. As anyone who shoots video understands that its tough to shoot 120 minutes even when on vacation 2 hours is more then enough. Also, it performs well in low light conditions.

Photo taken with my old Nikon D60 at the San Diego flower fields……

Purchased the book about a month ago. I put it on my shelf which is kind of a book reading queue and now it is my current read. Main reason for getting this book? Review after review and I also want to increase my creativity through photography. Reading books, tutorials, looking at other peoples photos, Flickr (see my older post on Can Flickr Make you a Better Photographer). I understand from watching my kids that learning by example or emulation is very natural for us humans and works.

My current photography book top 5 list is:

1. Understanding Exposure – I have read this 5 times now and will read again (I will write a review of this book soon).
2. Understanding Shutter Speed – same author as above and the same for this book a must read and re-read.
3. Photography and the Art of Seeing – a workshop based book, a must have for any level photographer!
4. Ansel Adams in Color – amazing….. got to have it book.
5. Hot Shoe Diaries – Flash photography at its best…..

Suggestions are always welcomed. I would like to know what everyone else is reading……

# 2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

#17 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

#26 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS7

My Panasonic LX3 is not in the list (see my review here) but its still my favorite small camera and the price is dropping. Until I get the Leica. Have a look at my LX3 stream:

Any lists you like to follow?

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Visit my PhotoBlog.

Finished setting up my photography site. Would like to know opinions and suggestions.

photography.sergeys.us

Based on my own experience and after asking a few friends they were not familiar with the term or its meaning. The nearest I’ve hear someone say that they liked the subject separation from the environment via ‘blur’. I do enjoy photographs which contain both type of bokeh the “Hollywood” and the “Cream Cheese”.

Just wanted to put that out there and I am really curious if that is the case.

Here is a link to Flickr bokeh search from all users: Bokeh

Examples. Yes, learn by examples is the best way hands down. I have looked at thousands of photos from other photographers and continue to do so on daily basis. I learned about framing, cropping, tones, contrast, subject and composition. Top 5 Flickr users I respect most and  follow are:

• isayx3 – Has influenced me the most. Great photographer, designer and nice guy.
• Hazman Zie – great photography skills, images and a great contact.
• Tony_V -Excellent perspective, motion shots and metro.
• Dr. Cullen – Fantastic photo stream, amazing dof and a genuine person
• California CPA – Learned quite a bit form his photos, amazing stream.
• jwlphotography – takes the best portraits of kids. blog

Applications. Flickr has quite a community based development and many applications for everyone. Highly recommend checking the Flickr apps. There are many other application around the that provide tools and a way to access and browse photos from self or other users.

• flickriver - the best way to browse Flickr. Have to try it for yourself.
• bighugelabs - many toys/utilities for photos and a great site. I use it most for view large and on black. Here is an example.

EXIF. Most photographers make the EXIF data available in the photo under properties link. This tells the most technical information about the photograph for example the camera, focal length of the lens, aperture, and shooting modes. This section is the go to section fro understanding “how” the photo was taken. I also use a program called PhotoME for viewing my personal photographs. I have learned a great deal from this section.

Contacts. This is perhaps one of the unique items about Flickr. This allows to befriend another photographer and a great way to tell them you enjoy their work as well as be notified when they post anything new.  One can always ask the photographer a question and they will be happy to reply.

Groups. I participate in many groups in which other photographers share a similar interests such as favorite lenses, cameras, areas to shoot etc… All groups have photo pools as well as forums in which questions can be asked or answered. Great way to meet and interact with others. If you cant find a group, start your own!

Comments. This area is offers a way for others to tell what they like in a photo. I know that I am a “comment whore” the more I get the better I feel. Others are the same and its a way to make new friends, ask questions and have others reciprocate. Notes can be also used and placed on photos.

Locations. A new locations for taking photographs can be easily found by searching tags and groups. Simple as that.

There must hundreds of other ways I did not think about.