Ducati Monster Forum

January 1st. 2024

The new year starts with a motorcycle. Always …

This is a sort of “normal” snap shot (for me, anyway).
Should have moved the orange rubber cone before taking photos.
(I tend to overlook those small things when taking photos quickly.)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53436804041_ee08ff2165_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pq2A8B)DSCF1943 (https://flic.kr/p/2pq2A8B) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

This one, I spent more time, to get the “look” I wanted, which is “Dark, sinister” look, something that looks like a still shot from a movie.
That darkness & cold looking light are intentional. (Shot with “Cinestill 800T film sim).

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53437126594_a841b8825a_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pq4f1S)DSCF1944 (https://flic.kr/p/2pq4f1S) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr



I came back home, late at night.
Got out from the car, went to check the mail box.
When I turned around, I saw this “smiling face”.
(Two “eyes” are the suction cup mount of Valentine One. The white part is just condensation on the wind screen. I didn’t realize this while I was driving home.)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417604321_8b0f67f339_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pokbHX)DSCF1894 (https://flic.kr/p/2pokbHX) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr



Sometimes, I take still photos for Youtube thumbnails.
Sometimes, as “test shot” of certain “look” I’m trying to create.

Inspiration

“Sabotage” (2014) Last gunfight scene

“The good The bad and The ugly” (1966) Angel Eyes “When I’m paid, I always follow my job through.” scene

“Sicario”(2015) “La hora de conocer a Dios / Time to meet God” scene



(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53421719788_ce734d0fa4_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2poGh7h)_DSF0005 copy (https://flic.kr/p/2poGh7h) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352374062_65a44533b4_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2phyS3j)_DSF0025 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2phyS3j) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53435925202_3153d864ee_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ppX5Td)Jan.1st (https://flic.kr/p/2ppX5Td) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Very nice shots.   [thumbsup]

I've been eyeing the X100V for if my Ricoh GR ever konks out.  Good to see it lives up to the hype.

Super cool photos!

Thanks for the nice comments!

Shot this morning...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471652662_8df695a7ba_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pt7cpU)DSCF1995 (https://flic.kr/p/2pt7cpU) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53472699058_25ea267af5_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ptcytd)DSCF2001 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2ptcytd) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Looks strange. The snow is missing.

I took some photos when I was leaving the parking lot after I got off of work tonight.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53473371554_68eb3e4179_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ptg1nY)DSCF2015_1 (https://flic.kr/p/2ptg1nY) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Shot with Tiffen Black Pro Mist ¼ filter, with CineStill 800T film sim.
(I also tweaked the image with Peter McKinnon’s LUT. So, it’s a little bit cheating.
One is diffusion filter, which I use every once in a while, not all the time. Another is PM LUT pack set. Again, I do that sometimes, but not all the time.)

All three photos I posted here today, are basically the same theme, “Shoot Emotions, rather than the Subjects”.
And the “emotion” would be, … “isolation, solitude, darkness, cold, something that could be in Michael Mann film, “Thief”, “Heat”, “Collateral”… there’s something I really like about the night scenes in his films.

Ha.  Try spending Christmas in Hawai'i.  Garlands and ornaments in every hotel and on every palm tree while Mele Kalikimaka plays on repeat and you drink your pineapple juice at breakfast staring at a garden of orchids.  A true seasonal brain melt for us northerners.




Nice shots as always, S21FOLGORE. [thumbsup]

 :o :o :o :o [bow_down]

For the reference,

"Collateral", "Yo, homie. Is that my brief case?" scene.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FrfeKLvakAEk4Dx?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

"Heat"
(https://www.originalprop.com/blog/dylsoagh/2009/11/HEAT-Blu-Ray-Disc-Screencapture-Pacino-DeNiro-03.jpg)

"Thief"
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DjUZMlMW0AAElnJ.jpg:large)

Godox TT350F

So, I picked up this Godox TT350F about a week ago, for about $56, from B&H used department.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53490107807_778aa8b7ee_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2puJMu4)_DSF0001 (https://flic.kr/p/2puJMu4) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

I haven’t used flash for SO LONG, I forgot pretty much everything about flash photography.

I’ve been practicing how to use flash, in a situation like this (for now).
The main subject is back lit. (There’s a big light source, which is windows, in the back ground. I want to capture both the main subject AND the background, WITHOUT making the picture looking like obviously shot with flash.)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53491309364_fc3b87116b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2puQWEy)DSCF2052 (https://flic.kr/p/2puQWEy) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

I placed Apture MC (output lowered to 7%) at 11 o’clock, put a white towel over “Welcom sign” (this is inside of the restaurant) and placed it at 9 o’clock, swiveled the head of TT350F at the towel so that I can bounce the light.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53491419780_b43b98ea40_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2puRvuh)DSCF2049 (https://flic.kr/p/2puRvuh) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53490107722_0918111867_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2puJMsA)DSCF2048 (https://flic.kr/p/2puJMsA) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Done very quickly, in a “improvised / guerrilla film making” style.
(When I shoot videos and photos, almost all the time I do it without permission … so I had to do it that way.)

04-05-2024 Friday
Part one
“Shige Suhi in Sonoma, CA”
(All photos shot on Fuji X100V, except two reference photos at the end)
Yesterday (April 5th Friday) evening, I went to my friend’s place in Sonoma.
When I’m working, I can never go out Friday night.
So, this was one of the really rare opportunities.
(Also, I didn’t inform him beforehand. I went there on kind of impulse.)
I got there shortly after 7pm, and the place was packed, really busy.
BUT, it wasn’t the same kind of “busy-ness” like Sushi to Dai for.
(Shige-san doesn’t do door-dash, Uber eat. That’s why kitchen & sushi bar stuff, servers, everyone was not overly stressed out.)
   
I waited until there was a space at Sushi bar.
Started with Age Dashi Tofu.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53636089018_c050fdded3_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHCYBu)Age-dashi (https://flic.kr/p/2pHCYBu) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Then, Chirashi (There’re no photos of Chirashi. Because I was kinda hungry. So I started eating right away, then, realized that I forgot to take photos.)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53635879021_fba409a82e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHBUbR)Nigiri_Tetsu (https://flic.kr/p/2pHBUbR) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Sort of “Nigiri Sampler”, all white meat fish. (Renko-dai, Sawarai, Hirame, & Striped Bass)

What I really, REALLY like about his place is the interior decoration.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53635878706_f02c1314f6_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHBU6q)Shop (https://flic.kr/p/2pHBU6q) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53634985287_7562853ce1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHxjvD)Wall_1 (https://flic.kr/p/2pHxjvD) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53636325900_c07474ccc2_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHEc2E)Wall_2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pHEc2E) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53634985322_7f86f78c33_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHxjwf)Wall_3 (https://flic.kr/p/2pHxjwf) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

A lot of movie posters and advertisement stuff from 1960s and early 1970s.
The way walls are decorated, the way inside of the dining area is lit, creates real retro feeling, even though you actually haven’t been in 60s and 70s in Japan.

(https://www.city.yamatotakada.nara.jp/material/images/group/7/s53_rc.jpg)

(https://odawaracho.cocolog-nifty.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2014/02/11/photo_3.png)

[Part 2 of 04-05-2024]
Now, these were taken before leaving home to Sonoma.

The last thing I purchased before losing job …

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid video head



(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53636679040_378107abb1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHG11h)_DSF0004 (https://flic.kr/p/2pHG11h) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr



This is normally out of my budget range. But, I found it on B&H used section, at a little bit over $400.
(The reason I wanted this one is because it allows me to move the camera diagonally (doing tilt AND pan AT THE SAME TIME.
Most (pretty much all) budget fluid heads can’t do that. You get that “staircase effect”.)



And, the first thing I purchased after losing job…

Vintage Canon FD 80-200mm f4 S.S.C.

50 bucks …nice and clean…

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53635335427_024c008bed_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHz7Ax)_DSF0005 (https://flic.kr/p/2pHz7Ax) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr



As you can tell from the silver locking ring, this is an earlier version of FD (which I like better, than N-FD)

It’s got an integrated hood…


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53636441368_050cc10d6e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHEMmu)_DSF0006 (https://flic.kr/p/2pHEMmu) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr


… and it’s an internal zoom.  And the front element doesn’t rotate together with focus ring, like some of the vintage zoom.

Vintage Canon FD 80-200mm f4 lens Quick test
(Shot at 200mm)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53635628967_cf3c0c3675_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHABRz)Turkey_1 (https://flic.kr/p/2pHABRz) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53635628972_7bc0d8764a_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pHABRE)Turkey_2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pHABRE) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53641695126_5320e31c44_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pJ8H7w)Deer04-08-Ver.2 copy (https://flic.kr/p/2pJ8H7w) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53649602504_299f8d3589_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pJQeGC)Choco_04-11_V2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pJQeGC) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53649602709_bc52187449_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pJQeLa)Kuma_04-11_V2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pJQeLa) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53649602479_93eb12a996_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pJQeGc)Kuma_04-11-2_V2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pJQeGc) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

They are not mine.
My friend and the entire family had to go Riverside, for three nights / four days.
So I’ve been dog-sitting now.

The first picture. When I looked the dog through the view finder on my X-T4, the first mental image that came to my mind was 1990 film, “Jacob’s Ladder”.
(It may sound crazy, but that’s how my mind works.)

Reference photos
(https://a.ltrbxd.com/resized/sm/upload/lt/vr/xw/qk/jacobs-ladder-1200-1200-675-675-crop-000000-1200-1200-675-675-crop-000000.jpg?v=c89177286f)

(https://cdn.theasc.com/45_Jacobs-Ladder-Stairway.jpg)

Somehow, I’m a big fan of dark, grainy, moody look. (Oh, and haze, I really love that hazy look in certain movies.)

But this is not my place. So I had to do with what I had.

Turned off the living room lights (the room the dog is sitting).

Turned on the back room light (so that the dog is back lit.)

I placed Apture MC(about 20% power output, 3200K color temp), behind the wall, to light up the dog a little bit from the left side of the frame. (The light is on the table. I moved to the position where the light gets just behind the wall.)



The other dog, I couldn’t get him to pose, or place, something cinematic.

The middle picture, I tried to do “dark-bright-dark-bright” contrast look.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/08/b8/1c/08b81c645e8c1d9a3b636323b766f30b.jpg)

(https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/1*LHqs_DTVSvqhs2m2NQK8Pw.png)
(https://nofilmschool.com/media-library/batman-anatomy1-videosixteenbynine3000-v2.jpg?id=34053233&width=1245&height=700&quality=90&coordinates=2%2C0%2C0%2C0)

The last picture. I was trying to do some “frame within a frame” look.
But, it didn’t really workout.

Wanted to do something like this…
(https://blog.shotdeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/27-Good-Morning.png)

Shot this afternoon at the garage, after came back from the ride.
I needed to cool down the engine before putting the cover on, let the helmet liner, inside of the gloves and the boots dry. So I decided to take some photos with X100V while I’m waiting.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53659594639_c041f13405_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pKHs1P)Garage04-16_1_v2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pKHs1P) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53659234916_9aa996f4e8_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pKFB5G)Garage04-16_2_v2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pKFB5G) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

I shot these photos with 10 sec. self timer.
But, lately I (sort of) learned I can also use interval shutter, to take self portrait type photos (instead of using self timer).
So, next time I’m going to try that.

I wanted to make them look like a screenshot of the movies.
(That’s why I intentionally placed myself in the shadow and out of focus.)
What I should have done (with the second photo) was, placing myself on the stairs, so that it looks like I’m just coming down from the upstairs with that crossbow in hands.
I think that would make more interesting “story”.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53675435935_28a3dd9d85_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pM7D5B)NA6 at TEXACO_v2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pM7D5B) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53675334499_106912be44_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pM77VH)Wild Turky_V2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pM77VH) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53674984131_2e800acfc5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pM5jLT)DSCF2327 (https://flic.kr/p/2pM5jLT) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53675203258_699903a513_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pM6rUW)DSCF2333 (https://flic.kr/p/2pM6rUW) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Both shot on X100V

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53688172291_3d90891561_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pNeV9X)Cows & S4R_V2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pNeV9X) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53688172346_0c92e99d59_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pNeVaU)Tin Dog (https://flic.kr/p/2pNeVaU) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53695014241_074da7dac9_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pNQZ2B)Kuma_v2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pNQZ2B) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Shot yesterday, with X100V.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53716110271_f32067825c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pQH79g)Vespa_1_v2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pQH79g) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53716321378_44d4b9d841_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pQJbU3)Vespa_2_v2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pQJbU3) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53716556820_6750c94354_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pQKoTo)DSCF2423 (https://flic.kr/p/2pQKoTo) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53716462299_90bdfdbcda_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pQJUMH)DSCF2427 (https://flic.kr/p/2pQJUMH) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(Should have turned around the tray, so that “Made in China” sticker wouldn’t be visible.
I’m always like this. I really need to check these details before start shooting.)


Made a short video at the same time
https://youtu.be/JIMWiYOus5M

A little story about the camera gear storage...

 I went to Seawood Photo in San Rafael today.

Wasn’t looking for anything particular, but I go there every once in a while, because that shop is a great place to buy used gear.
(Most of my vintage lenses were purchased there.)


I found two Pelican cases, 1510 and 1520.

$135 for 1510, $35 for 1520.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53728664836_294744b59f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pRPsbh)DSCF2498 (https://flic.kr/p/2pRPsbh) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

I bought them both. Took them back home.

I washed them,...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53728663911_e177f8972f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pRPrUk)Screen Shot 2024-05-17 at 8.15.36 PM (https://flic.kr/p/2pRPrUk) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53727749472_c05e701565_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pRJL59)Screen Shot 2024-05-17 at 8.16.47 PM (https://flic.kr/p/2pRJL59) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53729098615_0f156daf0a_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pRRF8e)Screen Shot 2024-05-17 at 8.15.18 PM (https://flic.kr/p/2pRRF8e) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

...towel dried them, then, applied 303. (That stuff works really well. A LOT better than Armorall.)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53728999264_724c20e829_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pRRaAh)Screen Shot 2024-05-17 at 8.19.45 PM (https://flic.kr/p/2pRRaAh) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53729000374_a6054a1e84_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pRRaVq)DSCF2500 (https://flic.kr/p/2pRRaVq) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53727750572_9b1ec56dbe_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pRJLp7)DSCF2506 (https://flic.kr/p/2pRJLp7) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

I’m going to use 1510 for camera gear, most probably.

1520, maybe knife storage? Maybe movie prop storage? (prop guns, holsters, police badges, etc.)

Overall, I’m pretty happy with the purchase.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53727750607_8cf2be9f1d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pRJLpH)DSCF2512 (https://flic.kr/p/2pRJLpH) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

So, the day I purchased this lens, while I was at the garage I did some still photo comparison test, too.

The lens:Legendary Canon FD80mm F1.2 “L”

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53770589860_85787e8f77_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwk2w)DSCF2536 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwk2w) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

https://youtu.be/h3davNPYKNc

[The video performance part is in my short film / fillmmaking thread.]

[Back story]
So, I’ve been trying NOT to buy things I don’t really need for my day to day life.
And, to be honest, I’ve been doing pretty good.
(After March 31st, I’ve spent a whole lot less than befor…)


“Create, rather than consume”, someone on Youtube said that.
I don’t remember who it was… (could be Peter McKinnon, but not sure…)


But this one, I couldn’t resist.
The last day of my “2-month time off”, I was drinking my first cup of coffee in the morning, while casually browsing through Craigslist ads.
And, I saw the title,

“Canon FD 80mm F1.2 L $695”

That particular ad was from Seawood photo in San Rafael, which is “kind of” my go to camera store. (Have been their customer for roughly 20 years or so…)

Five out of six FD lenses I own, I purchased from them, over the period of long time. (I’m not a vintage lens collector, I’m a vintage lens shooter, so normally don’t actively look for some particular lenses on eBay, etc.)
Dimly lit garage

[Note]
The camera is Fuji X-T4, all my FD lenses are used with Metabones Speed Booster. (So 80mm is an 80mm, not 80 x 1.5.)

Focused on Ducati logo on the tank, standing far back

Fuji X100V (35mm equivalent, f2)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53770589940_aa091e72a5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwk3U)DSCF2525 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwk3U) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr



Canon FD35mm f2 concave+Speed Booster

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53770379663_253997112d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVvfxr)35mm_F2_2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVvfxr) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr



Canon FD50mm f1.4+Speed Booster

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53769265232_e07204121d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVpxg7)50mm_F1.4_1 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVpxg7) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Focused on me
(In all the photos, the distance between myself and the S4R is the same)

Canon FD35mm f2 concave + Speed Booster
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53770596100_9a908827f7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwmT7)35mm_X2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwmT7) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Canon FD50mm f1.4 + Speed Booster
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53770595455_c19a670d43_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwmFZ)50mm_F1.4_4 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwmFZ) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53769264467_c9b59880fe_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVpx2V)50mm_F1.4_5 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVpx2V) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr


Canon FD80mm F1.2 + Speed Booster
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53770503724_edf1c806a9_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVvTqq)80mm_1 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVvTqq) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53770595440_59ba5b170b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwmFJ)80mm_2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pVwmFJ) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Yeah, so there's a reason why I film myself mostly with 50mm.
I just don't like the way I look with wide angle lenses.

The funny story about this "focal length that I prefer (to film myself)".
Today, I was at my new work (the brand new restaurant that's just about going to open.
The owner hired the professional photographer, to shoot both foods AND people (including myself).
While I was being photographed, we were talking about casually, and when I mentioned about my lens choices for Youtube video creating, he said "let me switch to 85mm lens".
Only my photos were shot with 85mm. (All the others, including the owner, were shot with 50mm).

Great photos and a good read.  [popcorn]

Will circle back on this thread.

Hi, Thanks.

The score, today

Again, I went to "Seawood photo" in San Rafael.
I went there just for two items.Ended up getting a lot more.(They are all used gears. Some of them are pretty old, dating back to the1970s.)

ThinkTank Retrospective 7M
(This one is for hauling X100V with filters and flash, and maybe with audio recorder.)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53788747122_c78a58c211_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pX8oxL)Retrospective 7M (https://flic.kr/p/2pX8oxL) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

...and,...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53788747197_8a24050d69_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pX8oz4)What's inside (https://flic.kr/p/2pX8oz4) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr
[size=16
pt]
MINOLTA binoculars[/size]
(I use binoculars in a very peculiar way. When I'm filming myself, quite often, I'm too far away from the camera(monitor) to see the details, because I HATE filming myself with a wide angle lens(so typically I use 50mm or longer focal length). I use binoculars to check composition, framing, etc, etc, on the monitor. I've been using cheap binoculars from Amazon. This one is much nicer.)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53788747117_4b7bcb241f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pX8oxF)Minolta Binoculars (https://flic.kr/p/2pX8oxF) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Canon FD24mmf2
This one is pretty hard to find.Especially in this condition AT this price.(24mmf2 is quite rare. 24mmf2.8 is a lot more common. 28mmf2.8 is a lot easier to find and is pretty cheap. And, 24mmf1.4 Aspherical is a unicorn.)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53788747592_b0bf2af8f9_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pX8oFS)FD24mmf2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pX8oFS) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53789902568_43c482ee0c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pXej2f)24mm face (https://flic.kr/p/2pXej2f) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr


Canon FD135mmf2.8 U.S. NAVY
The box is a little bit beaten up.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53790103765_067a61a131_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pXfkQa)FD135mmf2.8 box (https://flic.kr/p/2pXfkQa) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

HOWEVER, the lens itself is brand new !
AND, look at the locking ring!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53789688126_d04721e95c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pXddgY)FD135mmf2.8 US NAVY (https://flic.kr/p/2pXddgY) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr
(Apparently, DLA purchased some photography equipment from Canon, back in the 70s. There's 13-digit DLA NSNs on the box.)
Back in the days of films (when I was a teenager), once I shot everything with 135mm, because that was all I had. So, 135mm focal length has a special place in my mind.


Manfrotto 501HDV video head with 055XB legs.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53789688911_90c72f7a95_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pXddvv)055XB (https://flic.kr/p/2pXddvv) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53789688711_6d27e84021_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pXdds4)501HDV (https://flic.kr/p/2pXdds4) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

The leveling head was not included. I added it after coming back home.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53789901488_f9031d4621_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pXeiGC)Leveling Base (https://flic.kr/p/2pXeiGC) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

I was looking for a secondary tripod, for (so called) run-and-gun filming, AKA guerilla filming.
I had been checking B&H used section, but I'm really glad I found what works for me locally, for a lot less price.
(501HDV is pretty old, over 10 years old. So, you don't find that much info on YT, etc. But, this is actually a pretty nice video head. If I were just reading the spec online, I would have disregarded this head simply because of the spec.
(For example, this is NOT a true fluid head. There's no fluid in the head. The drag is controlled by friction. BUT, Manfrotto used some sort of teflon coating on the sliding parts, the movement of this head is quite smooth, to be honest, better than some of the newer "budget" fluid heads I've handled. )

Testing the "new(to me)" tripod (055XB + 501HDV)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53790534245_8822a5bc40_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pXhxNe)Goat3v2_Cr (https://flic.kr/p/2pXhxNe) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr



(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53790329898_0b42216ffd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pXgv41)Sheepdogv2 (https://flic.kr/p/2pXgv41) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

The lens was 85mmf1.2 L.

So far, I like the legs AND the video head.
(This tripod was actually owned by one of the guys who works at Seawood photos.
He bought them as used, many years ago, for medium format camera.)

I went to Lincoln Elementary school, in Petaluma, CA, to “test” (AKA; playing around with) Canon FD24mmf2.0 lens, which is new to me.

As usual, it is mounted on Metabones Speed booster.
It is interesting, because I didn’t like Sigma 16mmf1.4, at all. (Everyone on Youtube highly regarded that lens. Well, I guess I’m just different.)

Before
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53821219280_f21a1d9412_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pZZPoy)XH2C4348 (https://flic.kr/p/2pZZPoy) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

After
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53820774706_870a53619e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pZXxeu)CanonFD24mmf2.0_Asteroid City_school copy (https://flic.kr/p/2pZXxeu) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Before
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53819861992_fce985b8b8_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pZSRV3)XH2C4339 (https://flic.kr/p/2pZSRV3) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

After
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53820774726_93544aac72_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pZXxeQ)CanonFD24mmf2.0_Asteroid City copy (https://flic.kr/p/2pZXxeQ) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

Before
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53821116489_ddba034fa2_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pZZhQi)XH2C4344 (https://flic.kr/p/2pZZhQi) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

After
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53820774671_fd400db795_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pZXxdT)CanonFD24mmf2.0_Asteroid City_selfP copy (https://flic.kr/p/2pZXxdT) by T K (https://www.flickr.com/photos/186129755@N02/), on Flickr

They were shot with X-H2, not X-T4.
And I heavily edited, because I wanted to learn about Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City color grading.

As you can see, it didn’t really work with the last picture.
If I spend enough time, maybe I can make it work, maybe not.

I normally go for dark, high contrast image (as I’m more of a film noir, 1950s and 60s PI hard boiled PI story type of guy, not a bright, pastel colored image type of person), but it was quite interesting to learn Asteroid City’s colors(how it is done).