Lost & Found

I hadn't seen the RAW files of these in sometime, it appears that in a previous move a CF went "missing" and didn't end up with all the others. Files for whatever reason never were archived. Found the card when I unpacked last week. I processed a few of my favourites.



Alexandra Bridge connecting Ottawa-Gatineau. I liked to effect, so I waited for a red car. Pentax ☆istD, SMC Pentax-DA 14mm f:2.8, 1/100 sec f:16



Fall Sumac. I reworked an older image of mine, back when I made the transition to digital. Frond was getting a spear of backlight through a small gap in the forest canopy, natures spotlight at work.

Pentax ☆istD, SMC Pentax-M 50mm f:4 manual focus Macro Lens, 1/125 sec f:11.



Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis), Ottawa River shore. Odd as this one appears to have a very pale, almost white eye, rather than the normal yellow eye. Not sure if this a trick created by the light.

From the live Butterfly show.



Butterfly tongue, Pentax ☆istD, old legacy manual focus SMC Pentax-M 50mm f:4 macro lens.



Emerald Swallowtail, Pentax ☆istD, old legacy manual focus SMC Pentax-M 50mm f:4 macro lens.

Darrell Larose
Ottawa, Canada.

Canada Day 2014: Fire Works

I decided to shoot the Canada Fire Works for the first time in 25 years or so. Consulting Google maps I decided the the east tip of Victoria Island in the Ottawa River (West of Parliament Hill) had an excellent field of view. This is around 1.1 Km from Major's Hill where they were being launched from.

Pentax *istD, SMC Pentax-DA 14mm f:2.8. ISO 200, 12 seconds @ f:8. Was just a bit wide for there.

 

Twilight view looking east; showing the Alexandria Bridge in the center, Musée des beaux-arts du Canada light in red, Notre-Dame Basilica twin steeples, and to the right of the bright lights Parliament Hill. The leading edge of the heavy 15 minute rain storm is entering the scene.  The downpour was heavy, but my Pentax is weather sealed, and I took the extra step of covering the tripod mounted camera with a water proof bag. The rain stopped on time for the first launch.  Here are some of my favourites, more will be added when I process all the files.

Pentax *istD, SMC Pentax-DA 14mm f:2.8. ISO 200, 6 seconds @ f:8. Shutter dragged.

 

I decided the SMC Pentax-DA 14mm f:2.8 was just a little too wide for that position, so I switched to the only other lens I was carrying my ATX Tokina 60~120mm f:2.8, and the rest of the show I shot at the 60mm end. Next time I will simply use my SMC Pentax FA 50mm f:1.4 as it would be the perfect lens for that point of view.

 

Pentax *istD ATX Tokina 60~120mm f:2.8 (at 60mm). ISO 200, 6 seconds @ f:11.

Pentax *istD ATX Tokina 60~120mm f:2.8. ISO 200, 6 seconds @ f:11.

 

 Pentax *istD ATX Tokina 60~120mm f:2.8 (@60mm). ISO 200, 6 seconds @ f:11.

More Canada Day fireworks from last night, quick RAW conversion. With time exposures of fireworks you have to wing it, and hope the entire burst is in the frame. This one was one of the bigger bursts and I was already at the short end of my lens. My guess  a 35mm length would have been perfect here.  

 

Darrell Larose
Ottawa, Canada
2 July 2014

Sky cauldron

Percolating storm clouds moving over Ottawa West 3 June 2014.

















Darrell Larose
Ottawa,  Canada

Mud Lake (Ottawa, Canada) 30 May 2014

 

Spent a 3-4 hours yesterday at Mud Lake yesterday, lost a 77mm Pentax lenscap, first lens cap I have ever lost. I have a spare at home! No herons for me, a quick glance at a male Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) when his crest flashed in the shaft of sunlight, but he was out of reach before I got my 300mm lens aimed at him. I had a male Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) on a dead tree at eye level on top of the ridge north of the lake, but he was spooked with a family with noisy children coming from the other direction.

 

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At least the Canada Geese goslings posed.  

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The pair of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) happily paddled around within frame filling range of the 300mm.  Here is the hen,

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 Drake, 

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 Drake feeding.



 

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Lot's of Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) on logs, including a yearling near the foot bridge.



One floating log was shared with a dozen Midlands and two large Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina), who looked rather out of place on that log.

 

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 Mallard Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were plentiful...

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 Mallard Reflection...

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 He paddled in closer.

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 Also met two fellow camera club members (Photographis amateur Ottawanus).

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 Mud Lake at sunset, as seen from the balcony.



 

 

 

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 Darrell Larose

Ottawa, Canada

April 8, 2014: Camera Club of Ottawa Slide Competition.

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Darrell Larose
Nepean, Canada

Ricoh announces medium-format Pentax 645Z

Press Release:

Achieve Photographic Distinction with the Medium-Format PENTAX 645Z

 





Ricoh Imaging’s new PENTAX 645Z medium-format DSLR features a 51.4 megapixel CMOS sensor, Full HD video and a responsive shooting experience with three frames-per-second

DENVER, CO, April 9, 2014 – It is not often that a camera can be referred to as a game-changer. One that can provide photographers with the tools that not only enrich their craft but are capable of producing images so distinct they are easily set apart from the competition. Today, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation is pleased to announce the game-changing PENTAX 645Z medium-format DSLR, thus altering the landscape of professional photography.





Developed on the multi-award-winning legacy of the PENTAX 645D and the historic PENTAX 645 film cameras, the PENTAX 645Z improves upon one of the most lauded cameras in the company’s 95 year history. Featuring an amazing 51.4 megapixels on a high-performance CMOS image sensor, the PENTAX 645Z assures super-high-resolution images with a stunningly realistic sense of depth combined with vivid colors and rich shadow detail. The resulting images feature a uniquely distinct look and an unmistakable brilliance that clearly differentiate professional photographers to their clients. The thoughtful inclusion of a CMOS image sensor enables live view on a tiltable LCD panel while also making the 645Z the first and only camera in the medium-format category to offer video recording capabilities, resulting in footage that captures amazingly lifelike reproductions with tangible depth and incredible dynamic range.



"Our diverse lineup of DSLRs enables us to offer professional tools like the 645Z at a price point within reach of many photographers," said Jim Malcolm, Executive Vice President, Ricoh Imaging. "Today’s photographers are looking to differentiate their craft and the 645Z offers the perfect option as an exceptional medium-format camera that does not sacrifice in quality or specification, with affordability."



The new PENTAX 645Z has also received several significant enhancements including an improved and highly responsive shooting experience that can capture an incredible three frames per second—a significant benefit when compared to other medium-format cameras featuring CMOS sensors and an equivalent resolution—with a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 of a second. The 645Z is equipped with an amazing top ISO of 204,800 for images with exceptional quality, even in situations with very low light or pushing for higher shutter speeds in all lighting conditions, providing the photographer with totally new creative options far beyond the scope of existing medium-format photography. Additionally, the 645Z is compatible with the recently introduced FLU Card, providing remote operation of the 645Z including the ability to release the shutter, view a live-view, and browse and download the images recorded on the card using a wireless connection to a smartphone, tablet, computer or any web browser enabled device.

Widening the 645Z’s already diverse applications for shooting is an articulated LCD with a 3.2-inch LCD monitor with approximately 1,037,000 dots, ensuring even the most agile photographer captures waist-level, high and low-angle images with precision and ease. Finally, the PENTAX 645Z features an incredibly sturdy and dependable body with a magnesium alloy frame and a diecast aluminum chassis, complemented by 76 weather-seals for a cold-resistant, weather-resistant and dustproof shooting experience.

In conjunction with the launch of the PENTAX 645Z, Ricoh Imaging is also excited to announce the availability of 13FA 645 lenses to support an even wider variety of optics providing the perfect system that spans numerous shooting scenarios.

Pricing and Availability
The PENTAX 645Z will be available for purchase in June 2014 for a category-low retail price of  USD$8,499.95 for the body only.





The newly available FA 645 lenses are available now for the following prices (USD):

SMC-FA 645 75MM F2.8	$839.00
SMC-FA 645 45MM F2.8	$1,319.00
SMCP-FA 645 150mm f/2.8(IF)	$1,679.00
SMCP-FA 645 300MM f/5.6 ED(IF)	$5,759.00
SMC-FA 645 400MM F5.6 EDIF	$3,479.00
SMC-FA 645 ZOOM 45-85 F4.5	$2,879.00
SMCP-FA 645 120mm f/4 MACRO	$1,679.00
SMCP-FA 645 200MM f/4 (IF)	$1,319.00
SMCP-FA 645 80-160/4.5	$2,519.00
SMCP-FA 645 33-55 f/4.5 AL	$3,239.00
SMCP-FA 645 ZOOM 150-300MM F/5.6 ED	$3,239.00
SMCP-FA 645 35mm f/3.5	$1,919.00
SMCP-FA 645 55-110 f/5.6	$2,039.00

Pentax 645Z specifications

Price (USD)
MSRP	$8499.95 / £6799.99 (body only), £7699.99 (with 55mm lens)
Body type
Body type	Large SLR"
Body material	Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution	8256 x 6192
Other resolutions	6912 x 5184, 5376 x4032, 1920 x 1080
Image ratio w:h	4:3
Effective pixels	51 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	53 megapixels
Sensor size	Medium format (44 x 33 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	PRIME III
Color space	sRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
ISO	AUto, ISO 100-204800
White balance presets	10
Custom white balance	Yes (3 slots)
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW + TIFF
JPEG quality levels	Superfine, fine, normal
File format	JPEG (Exif 2.3) RAW (PEF/DNG) TIFF
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi-area Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	No
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	27
Lens mount	Pentax 645AF2
Focal length multiplier	0.8×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	No
Screen size	3.2″
Screen dots	1,037,000
Touch screen	No
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage	98%
Viewfinder magnification	0.62×
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Exposure modes	Program Sensitivity Priority Shutter Priority Aperture Priority Shutter and Aperture Priority Manual Bulb
Built-in flash	No
External flash	Yes
Flash modes	Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync+Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, contrast-control-sync, high-speed sync, wireless sync
Flash X sync speed	1/125 sec
Drive modes	Single-shot, continuous high, continuous low, self-timer, remote, multi-exposure, interval shooting, interval composite
Continuous drive	3 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±5 (2, 3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
Videography features
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p,24p)
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone	Mono
Speaker	Stereo
Storage
Storage types	Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Connectivity
USB	USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (mini-HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	No
Remote control	Yes
Physical
Environmentally sealed	Yes (Weather and dust sealed, freezeproof to -010C/+14F)
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	D-LI90 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	650
Weight (inc. batteries)	1550 g (3.42 lb / 54.67 oz)
Dimensions	156 x 117 x 123 mm (6.14 x 4.61 x 4.84″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	Optional
GPS notes	via O-GPS1

Pseudo HDR with Topaz Detail plugin

I recently added several Topaz Photoshop plugins to my computer. I've added Detail, De-Noise, Clarify and Clarity. This small sample are a few where I tweaked the images to a pseudo-HDR effect.


Last Autumn form the balcony, a scene that as of March 21, 2014 is still snow laden.


Lot's of chrome.


Downtown reflections.


Carshow fun 1.


Carshow fun 2.


Antonov An-12 Cub.


Airbus A320-211.

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Darrell Larose
Ottawa, Canada.