The Digital OM :-)

[snaarman]

I went out and about (shopping trip) with a novel approach today: Make yourself a Digital OM kit: Take one E400 (last of the CMOS sensors, smallest lightest E camera etc etc). Fit a Katzeye split image screen. Add an OM 28mm f2.8 manual lens.

Stir and allow to simmer. You have a trip down memory lane. A SLR with a standard lens and nothing else added - but digital convenience. Looks like this:



Gets pictures like these:








Remember those days... Just one lens??? Quite a challenge, but rewarding in its way

Pete

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

Pete,
Nicely done, and I expect very satisfying having the "Old School" feel and process of picture production. I trust you had a small card that only gave you 36 shots

I thought about this when the KatsEye first came out, but I still enjoy the "dicipline" of film, so I stayed with my OM4Ti and have the slides scanned.

These pictures are nicely composed and I expect that an element of film style shooting crept back into the day.

Is the Split Screen as good as the OM or can it all get a bit dark when stopped down ?

[David M]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

My digital OM, an E-410 also with a f2.8 lens.



And some shots with it;

[snaarman]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

Er, yes, David M. I'm not certain I could get that particular f2.8 lens in my pocket... Excellent pictures though :-)

I managed to put an old 250Mb CF card in it, so yes, I only get 32 shots at SHQ

The Katzeye is a help, though I need to be quite careful, I don't think my eyesight is as sharp as it was. You do need to focus then stop down because the Katzeye goes off at about f4

Anyway here are two more: One from the shopping trip



And a detail from this afternoons walk: Part of the boiler stuff at the Crofton engine house, Wiltshire.



Pete

[Wreckdiver]

[snaarman]

Re: The Digital OM :-)



Pete

[gno]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

One from the shopping trip





Pete

This I really like Pete, very clever and all so sharp, care to explain how you did it.

Regards

Gavin

[Wreckdiver]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

Cheers Pete,

It's the 50mm and 28mm lenses that are of more interest to me. Although my 50mm f/2.0 will win hands down against the OM 50mm it will be interesting to compare the results.

Lovely DoF on that Allium. Think I'll give the cheapo adapter a try.

Thanks,

Steve

[Wreckdiver]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

On that Allium Pete, I guess the flash allowed you to fully open up the lens.

Steve

[snaarman]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

On that Allium Pete, I guess the flash allowed you to fully open up the lens.

Steve

I tried the allium the usual way, but I ended up at f2.8 and (?) 1/50th and the background was about the same brightness as the flower. It looks muddy and uninteresting.

Using some flash I was able to go to f8 and 1/100th - so the flower gets most of the light, it gets more dof, but I get the background darker.

Gavin..

Aha, its all smoke and mirrors :-)

Pete

[Wreckdiver]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

....... Using some flash I was able to go to f8 and 1/100th - so the flower gets most of the light, it gets more dof, but I get the background darker.

F/8.0, that's interesting, but then you would have to be very close. It would be interesting to see, keeping the same exposure for the background, opening right up the aperture and upping the shutter speed and see how background blurs. Mind you the focusing would likely become quite critical then and maybe the DoF too shallow.

Steve

[snaarman]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

One of the challenges that comes out of this "standard SLR+50mm lens" simulation is the restrictions of the old style standard lens. (Most of my attempts have leaned on DoF or lighting to give the image some interest).

I admit that I usually reach for the 11mm or the 150mm ends of my range of lenses to get impact into the picture. Take that away and you have to think a lot more carefully about composition. This ain't a good example, but its perhaps the most conventional shot from yesterday



I am quite drawn to a "back to basics" strand of photography - however you do have to think harder, and you end up walking a lot :-)

Pete

[Barr1e]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

Hi Pete -

Very interesting and a good learning curve down here @ barrieannie hq.

I see the lens can't get it sums right in the second image.

Regards. Barrie

[snaarman]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

Hi Pete -

Very interesting and a good learning curve down here @ barrieannie hq.

I see the lens can't get it sums right in the second image.

Regards. Barrie

Ha ha... I was waiting for someone to notice that bit of photoshop work

[David M]

Re: The Digital OM :-)

Ha ha... I was waiting for someone to notice that bit of photoshop work

I noticed it but it didn't register with me it was Photoshopped.

It's been one of those weekends!