Behind Burrator this morning with OM4Ti, Sticks and Stones.

[EdBray]

Further to my thread on my using the Pentax LX and being very pleasantly surprised of the quality of the Pentax SMC lenses and the very cheap Ultrafine Plus film I am using (see here), I thought I would take the OM4Ti out this morning with some Zuiko lenses (50mm, 35mm, 24mm) and a Tamron 17mm. I loaded the camera with 19 frames of the Ultrafine Plus and headed out with no real though as to where I was going. A half an hour later I had ended up on Dartmoor at the far end of Burrator Reservoir.

I spent about 1.5 hours looking for and taking my shots, had a mini panic when I discovered that I had lost my VariMagniFinder but when I got back to where I had been using it fortunately I found it again.

Arrived home to where the chemicals had been sitting in the Jobo TPE getting to temperature whilst I was out and I developed the film in Ilford LC29 this time for 8.5 minutes which is a minute longer than I did with the previous film (as I thought the negs were a bit thin), this resulted in negs a bit more like I would have normally expected from a similar type film such as FP4.

I was out looking for Contrasts particularly between light and dark, as I have always had a hankering to shoot something like Ansel Adams' Aspens image. Not even come close yet though!

Now the rub, I much prefer the images from the LX and SMC lenses, so I am now in even more of a quandry. More testing to do before I make a firm decision on which system to keep.

Today's images:

Light and Dark (17mm Tamron, f5.6, 1/60th sec ISO100 Ultrafine Plus Film)

Etheral fern, looked a lot better in real life than it does here, really needed to have more time to have got the exposure perfect but I quite like the effect although it shows the Tamron 17mm's propensity for flare when used into the sun. (17mm Tamron @ f8 1/60th sec, same film)

My favourite of the Day: Sticks & Stone (giant's style)

Alright, a little bit of poetic license as the stone is a huge Granite Block and the sticks are full sized pine trunks. (35mm Zuiko, f11 @ 1/125th sec, same film)

 

[AJQS]

Now the rub, I much prefer the images from the LX and SMC lenses, so I am now in even more of a quandry.

I did warn you!

Just realised your location - and am now masisvely regretting not arranging to meet up when I was down in Cornwall last month, would have been a good chance to swap notes!

 

[EdBray]

I did warn you!

I cannot deny that

I have always thought well of Zuiko lenses, but it is hard to deny the results, I think I am going to have to set up a tripod and make some tests of both outfits on the same type film and both processed in the same tank at the same time.

Actually, I may even use the same film, as I can use half a roll with the LX and SMC lenses and then rewind the roll into the cassette and put it into the OM4Ti and then use the Zuiko lenses. That will take out all the variables except for the changing light, so I will use my Sekonic Spotmeter to decide the exposure taken from the same spot for every shot. and the last shot with each camera I will check the meter reading obtained against the spotmeter reading.

 

[excalibur2]

Nothing wrong with the old Pentax lenses (auto and super Takumer) some maybe not as sharp as later SMC ones and I've notice I seem to get more "pop" on average compared to some of my other lenses...

shot taken about 40 years ago with 55mm f1.8 auto Tak:-

 

[Knikki]

Well Ed if your not happy with the OM gear then you can always donate it to a worthy place up North where I will happily look after it and use it for you

 

[EdBray]

Well Ed if your not happy with the OM gear then you can always donate it to a worthy place up North where I will happily look after it and use it for you

Have you got any OM kit?

 

[Knikki]

Yeah I have an older OM4 a Zuiko 35mm f2, Zuiko 135mm f2.8, 75-150 zoom and other bits and bobs.

Really should see about selling lots of other 35mm gear and start adding to the system.

 

[PeterA]

I would also be interested in making a home for some of your Oly equipment as I own and use the OM4ti with several different lenses

 

[EdBray]

I've taken a selection of shots this morning with both the LX and the OM4Ti, on the same film. I will process it in a short while and then make a decision on what to keep and what to move on.

One thing I will say though is that I did notice that I enjoyed the feel of the LX in my hand more than the OM4Ti.