Cameras & Photography

[jtx]

For my daily runaround camera, I am making use of a Ricoh GR Digital IV.



It is very compact and discreet, with a 28 mm equivalent f1.9 prime lens, making it highly suitable for street photography, but also offering a very well thought through interface that makes it fine for general photography. It also offers a macro mode that permits shooting down to 1 cm.

Here are a few shots I've gotten with this camera in the last couple of months.

Succulent Close-up


Beijing Street Vendor


Seoul Time Lapse


Holiday Decor

[Coda]

Warning, family picture. I'm the guy in the top right scratching the dog's head. The wife in the lower left with her brothers, sister in law, and nieces/nephew.
Ten second shutter delay got me in the pic. I did a lot of photoshop to remove the ugly.

[Coda]

Kenmore Square, Boston MA

[Coda]

New Hampshire in the fall.

[Coda]

Thanks Scott. I have as much fun processing the pictures as I do taking them.

This was taken on Dec 24th in the afternoon. Wife and I went to the Beat Hotel in Cambridge. This is a new club run by the folks at the Beehive. The band is Phil Grenadier and his crew. Yes, his brother is Larry.

[Ron Thorne]

Here are two photos taken by Patti, my wife, on our recent trip to Hawaii. She took these on her morning walks on Kauai, and I really love them. She has a very good eye for composition, in my estimation.

[ValerieB]

love, love the pictures from Coda, Ron and Patti. really fabulous!

Coda, the picture of Kenmore Square gave me a good giggle. spent a lot of my life in that Square. during high school, I worked at the Boston Penny Savings Bank, which is long gone. the Kenmore Hotel was the "hang," especially in the coffee shop stalking the ball- players. and then, of course, at Fenway Park for every game my friends and I could attend, sometimes going for batting practice, sitting through a double-header, and then watching for the ballplayers after the game!! demented teenagers!! fun memories though.

[Coda]

Maybe you remember this place? It's near Brighton Center just past the Police Station. I've been stuck inside working all week long and was forced out for a walk today just around 5pm.

[ValerieB]

I went to Brighton High School right down the street, but that was a very long time ago. wonderful picture!

[Coda]

This was taken during a snow storm that was supposed to be rain. We ended up here when we decided to stay close to home.


These two were today's lunch spot. Deluxe Station Diner in Newton MA.


I turned up the local contrast and saturation:

[Ron Thorne]

Now that we're in California again, visiting our sons and families, I'm anxious to try out a couple of "new" old lenses I got for Christmas. For camera enthusiasts, I got a Hexanon 55mm f3.5 macro and a Hexanon 35-70mm f3.5 lens. Both lenses were designed and made in Japan in the 70s for use on 35mm SLRs, and are considered world-class. Both are in near mint condition.

Hopefully, I'll have some examples to share soon.

[Ron Thorne]

Here are a couple of photos taken yesterday with my "new" lenses.




Japanese Magnolia



Blue in Green

[bluenoter]

Here are a couple of photos taken yesterday with my "new" lenses. . . .

Blue in Green

Catchy title, though it makes me feel kind of blue. Fascinating photo, too; do you happen to know what kind of succulent that is? Wear your new old camera lenses in good health!

[Ron Thorne]

Fascinating photo, too; do you happen to know what kind of succulent that is?

Yes, Senecio Mandraliscae, one of my very favorite succulents. It's a native of South Africa and very drought tolerant. Darren (my son) planted a very small patch of them several years ago which have now spread to about 100 sq. ft. or so in their front yard as a very attractive, no-maintenance ground cover.

Both photographs were taken in Darren's front yard. I've taken hundreds of shots on their property over the years, but never tire of the possibilities. I'll have more to share soon. It was quite overcast today, not a great day for color photography.

Wear your new old camera lenses in good health!

Thanks!

[bluenoter]

Senecio Mandraliscae

Thanks. While I applaud your knowledge, I think I'll try to remember Blue Finger or Blue Chalk Sticks (that one seems like a stretch).

[A. Kingstone]

Lovely romantic shots Ron. You have quite an eye.

Thanks for sharing.

Alan

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks very much for your kind remarks, Alan.

[Ron Thorne]

Here's a snapshot of a primary reason for coming to California, to celebrate the 4th birthday of our granddaughter, Sophie. This was taken at a pizza party as she deftly plucks a slice of black olive for her 1st bite.

[Coda]

Wow, I love the skin tones from your camera. Low light and everything is sharp from edge to edge as well. Did you use flash for this shot? If you did, it added just the right amount of fill without creating any harsh edges. Just lovely.

I like the out of focus area on the magnolia too.

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks, Coda.

Yes, I used fill flash on the shot of Sophie. There was too much motion in that low light setting, otherwise. I'm really pleased with how natural everything, including skin tones, is captured.

[Ron Thorne]

I'm really having fun playing with my new 55mm macro (closeup) lens. It's amazing for its crispness and beautiful color rendition.

Here are a couple of very different shots taken moments apart in the same locale, my son's backyard.




Germander Sage



Tangerine

[BFrank]

Some nice images, Ron. You're obviously enjoying your new toy!

Here are a few nature shots I was able to grab with my Canon G15. Been very happy with the results, so far - especially for a 'compact' camera!

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks, Brooks.

Very nice shots. Looks as though you're enjoying your new camera, too.

[Ron Thorne]

This is one of my favorite shots from our recent trip to California. The light was fading fast, the sun almost gone, but even in the shadows, these Apricot blossoms called to me. The lighting on the branch behind the flowers made it much more dramatic and interesting ... to me, at least.




Apricot Blossoms

[Ron Thorne]

As many here know, I've been having fun with my "new" Olympus micro 4/3 camera for the past few months. I'm still learning tons about its features as well as the "old school" 35mm lenses I've purchased for it. They are all manual focus lenses, for those interested in such information, so require careful use for maximum image quality. These are not point-and-shoot scenarios, so when you "get it right", there's a real sense of satisfaction.

My Konica Hexanon 55mm macro lens is giving me great joy despite being demanding, especially when hand-held in low light situations such as the apricot blossom shot above. By the way, all of the shots I've posted are hand-held, including the next two. I didn't want to deal with a tripod in these instances.

I took the single apricot blossom shot on the morning following the dusk shot above, with the sun back-lighting the blossom beautifully. The Door's Sage image was taken under full sun, and I love the way you can see into its unfolding world.




Sun-Kissed



Door's Sage