Canon EOS 5D2 and Carl Zeiss lenses @ Neidong Forest Park 內洞森林遊樂區

2013,6,23

Personally, I think the greatest contribution of digital SLRs to the photography world is the revival of traditional manual lenses. In the digital age, it allows enthusiasts of old photography to experience the tactile sensation of old lenses again, while introducing the charm of these lenses to new photography enthusiasts. Before Sony mirrorless cameras entered the market, the Canon EOS 5D/5D2 was always the preferred choice for adapting traditional SLR lenses. I have personally adapted Contax/Yashica, Nikon, and M42 series lenses. The biggest challenge when adapting traditional manual lenses to digital SLRs is focusing. Apart from using a full matte focusing screen for naked-eye focusing, there are generally two options: (1) replacing the traditional split-image focusing screen to fully restore the traditional focusing method, and (2) adding a focusing chip to the lens adapter ring to restore autofocus (AF) focus confirmation functionality. These aids somewhat increase the convenience of manual focusing, but the precision ultimately depends on individual skill.


個人覺得Digital SLR對攝影界最大的貢獻，就是讓傳統手動鏡頭可以復活，在數位時代讓老攝影同好回溫老鏡手感，讓新攝影同好體驗老鏡魅力。在Sony無反相機上市前，Canon EOS 5D/5D2一直是轉接傳統單眼相機鏡頭的首選，我自己就轉接過Contax/Yashica、Nikon和M42系列鏡頭。傳統手動鏡頭轉接Digital SLR後，最大的挑戰是對焦，除了全磨砂裸眼對焦屏裸眼對焦外，一般還有兩種選擇 (1) 更換傳統裂像對焦頻，全部回復到傳統對焦方式，(2) 鏡頭轉接環加裝對焦晶片，回復AF對焦點確認功能，這些輔助多少增加了手動對焦便利性，精確度就看個人功力了。




Left to right: Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T*,
Makro-Planar 2.8/60 T* C, Distagon 2.8/28 T*

Canon 5D Mark II and Samyang 500/6.3 Mirror @ Dragon Boat Competition 龍舟比賽

In the era of single-lens reflex film cameras, Tamron's reflex lens 500mm f8 was sufficient to rival the quality of original manufacturer lenses, becoming the preferred choice among third-party lenses. In the digital single-lens reflex era, the three major third-party lens manufacturers no longer produce such lenses. The more common option on the market should be Samyang Optical's reflex lens (as well as other rebranded versions such as Vivitar, Rokinon, etc.). The reflex lens I have on hand has a specification of 500mm f6.3, with an aperture half a stop wider than f8. This means that under the same lighting conditions, the shutter speed can be increased by half a stop, for example, changing from 1/90 second to 1/125 second. Another advantage is that when manually focusing with a single-lens reflex camera, the optical viewfinder will also be half a stop brighter, making focusing a bit easier.

在單眼底片相機時代，騰龍(TAMRON)的反射式鏡頭500mm f8已足以媲美原廠鏡頭的成相品質成為副廠鏡頭中的首選。在數位單眼時代，三大鏡頭副廠都不再推出此類鏡頭，市面上較普遍的應該算是Samyang光學的反射鏡了(還有其他貼牌如Vivitar, Rokinon等)。手邊的這顆反射鏡規格是500mm f6.3，光圈較f8大上半格，也就是相同光線條件下，快門速度可快上半格，例如1/90秒變成1/125秒，另一個好處是使用單眼相機手動對焦時光學觀景窗也會明亮半格，讓對焦容易一些。


Reflex lens Samyang 500/6.3, 反射鏡頭 Samyang 500/6.3

The first outdoor shooting test happened to be on the Sunday before the Dragon Boat Festival. The dragon boat heats were in full swing at the Dajia Riverside Park in Taipei. I was sitting on the grandstand near the finish line, holding a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Samyang 500mm f6.3, which was a relatively lightweight combination for a super telephoto lens. Since it can only be manually focused, when shooting moving objects, I had to first decide on the focusing point and then make minor adjustments when the object approached. Fortunately, there were many dragon boats, which made manual focusing manageable. Perhaps because the heats were conserving their strength or aiming for participation rather than victory, there weren't many actively competitive teams. After watching for about an hour, I finished testing the lens and went back home.

首次外拍測試剛好是端午節前一個週日，台北大佳河濱公園的龍舟預賽正在如火如荼的進行中，我坐在終點站附近的看台上手持著Canon EOS 5D Mark II Ma 和 Samyang 500mm f6.3 還算是個超望遠鏡頭輕便組合，因為只能手動對焦，拍攝移動中的物體時須先決定好對焦點，等物體接近時再微調拍攝，還好龍舟比起汽車相對滿很多，手動對焦還能應付。也許是預賽保留實力或是志在參加不在得名，積極衝刺的隊伍不多，約莫看了1個多小時，測試完鏡頭後就打道回府了。


This team was very diligent; they were still putting in a lot of effort when returning to the starting point. They should have a chance to make it to the finals. 這隊伍很盡責，返回起點時還是很賣力，應該有機會入決賽


The dragon boat in the background faintly reveals the famous "donut" bokeh of the reflex lens.
背景的龍舟隱約出現反射鏡有名的甜甜圈

For exciting photos, please refer to the dragon boat competition album.

精彩相片請參閱龍舟比賽相簿。

Contax T2 @ Banqiao 435 板橋

The Banqiao 435 is a newly emerging cultural and artistic spot in New Taipei City. However, what attracts most families with children is a large area of fine white gravel sandbox, which is the main attraction for children coming here to play. After spending quite some effort finding a parking spot, as soon as I entered the park, I saw a mother holding an umbrella, enjoying watching her two siblings happily playing in the sand, shielding them from the sun. Watching these children shovel sand into the toy truck's bucket and then pour it out, repeating the same action tirelessly, they seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. After playing for a while, the children were finally willing to wash their hands and feet and move to the shaded playground area with slides. Next time, it would be better to come earlier or after 3 p.m. for a more relaxed experience.

Photos please refer to the Banqiao 435 album.


板橋435是新北市的一個新興的藝文景點，不過最吸引一般育兒家庭的是一大片細白石子的沙坑，這才是小朋友們來這裡玩的目的。費了好一番工夫停好車，一進園區就看到媽媽撐著傘幫兩個玩沙玩得不亦樂乎的姐弟倆遮陽，看這孩子們把沙鏟入玩具卡車的車斗，再把沙倒出來，反覆做同樣的事，樂此不疲。玩了好一會，孩子們才願意清洗手腳，轉往有樹蔭的溜滑梯遊樂區移動，下次應該早一點或是下午3點後再過來比較輕鬆。

相片請連結 板橋435相簿 。


Hall - Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall 禮堂 - 中正紀念堂


After enjoying playing in the small white sand area, gently return home as it was.
開心玩完小白沙 輕輕放回原來家


Today's outdoor shooting with the CONTAX T2 was my go-to camera before entering the digital camera era. Besides taking snapshots in Taiwan, I have also been to Japan, Thailand, New Zealand, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other places, experiencing many battles. Perhaps because I used too much film, the rewind motor had to be repaired once. Since 2003, it has been stored in a dehumidifying box most of the time. These days, I wanted to take it out for some fresh air, but I found that sometimes when turning off the camera, the lens couldn't retract completely. Fortunately, the camera's shooting function is normal, so I still took a roll of Kodak T-MAX 400 outside. However, after developing the film, I found several frames with light leaks, precisely where the lens's outer support retracts. I suspect it might be due to aging light shielding foam or rubber, which not only caused light leaks but also jammed the lens retraction mechanism. I hope there's still a camera technician who can repair this camera.


今天外拍 CONTAX T2是我進入數位相機時代前的隨身機，除了在台灣隨拍，也到過日本、泰國、紐西蘭、義大利、荷蘭、丹麥等地，經歷過不少戰役。大概是底片拍太多了，過片馬達曾經送修過。2003年後就一直常住防潮箱，這幾天想拿出來透透氣，卻發現有時候關機時鏡頭竟然無法全部縮入，還好拍照的功能正常，所以還是外拍了一捲Kodak T-MAX 400。不過拿回沖洗後的底片後，有好幾張底片漏光，漏光的位置剛好是鏡頭縮入後的鏡身外援，猜測可能是遮光海綿或橡膠老化，不但漏光還卡住鏡頭縮入時的軌道。希望還有相機師傅能修這台相機。


Contax T2, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/38 T*




Contax T2 by Kyocera