Nikon D800 Released: Much more affordable

Yesterday Nikon announced the D800 & D800E (Enhanced).  In my opinion this is in response the the extravagantly priced Nikon D4. These bodies will start at $3000.00 USD and offer the coveted HDMI out like the D4.

According to the press release:

"Filmmakers have the choice of various resolutions and frame rates, including Full HD 1080 at 30/24p and HD 720 at 60/30p. By utilizing the B-Frame data compression method, users can record H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format video with unmatched integrity for up to 29:59 minutes per clip (normal quality). This format produces higher quality video data without increasing file size for a more efficient workflow. The optimized CMOS sensor reads image data at astoundingly fast rates, which results in less instances of rolling shutter distortion. The sensor also enables incredible low-light video capability with minimal noise, letting filmmakers capture footage where previously impossible or expensive and complex lighting would otherwise be necessary. Users are also able to have full manual control of exposure, and can also adjust the camera’s power aperture setting in live view for an accurate representation of the depth of field in a scene.""


Joy Ride from Sandro on Vimeo.

Ryan McGinley

 RYAN McGINLEY
I have seen his work years ago but never knew who he was. I was first introduced to his work when picking up a free VICE magazine in San Francisco. I saw a bunch of nude kids on a tree, and when I mean tree, this tree was HUGE. It was strange that a free publication would put nudity on the cover of a free magazine.

 - is it nudity or a bunch of young people frolicking in their birthday suits?-
 When looking at McGinley' work, it may appear as a bunch of young people running around naked and hanging out. It is indeed that but only on the surface. If we deconstruct the body of work, it feels like moments shared between people, places, and adventures. Nudity has never been a negative thing to me, but serves as a clue to what the photographer wants the viewer to understand. After looking through the body of work, the fact that they are nude escapes the equation because the viewer is forced to view these young people naked. This removes the initial shock and the viewer can actually understand what is happening in the photographs. When you remove the clothes you are left with what is truly human, the subject is exposed, it can depict a vulnerability or strength depending on how the photographer constructed the work. 
 

-Strange Pairings; a black eye and a bird on the shoulder -
McGinley has some interesting pairing going on inside of his body of work, specifically this studio shot. There is a lot of symbolism in this piece that I found moving and beautiful. Even though abuse is tragic, there is a sense of beauty in the black eye, her pose, expression in the face and the juxtaposition of the bird and its gaze into the young woman. Again beauty is in the eye of the beholder, to each his own. 

You can check out more of Ryan McGinley's work here!

Hasselblad Vs Rolleifelx 2.8

Greetings everyone,

It has been a while! I have been a busy dude doing a lot of things and planning the right steps to achieve specific goals in 2012.  For those that follow my blog, you understand that my work horse (Hasselblad) got stolen.  I decided that I wanted something that was more hand held friendly so I purchased a Rolleiflex 2.8c date around 1955-1960.

The Physical:
I like the little camera.  It is compact, light and quiet.  It feels nicer around the neck when wearing it for a full day of shooting compared to the Hasselblad. Waist level view finder is ok, I am used to it due to how the Hassey was made. This version of the Rolleiflex does no give the opportunity to use a prism view finder so the level that you shoot is different. When I was taking shot of people that were way taller than me, I had to stand on apple boxes or a chair to shoot portraits just to be eye-level.  This is a draw back in my opinion if your subjects are like 6' or taller, but great for some one sitting down or for a full length shot.

Loading the film is pretty easy, but the draw back is there arent any multiple backs.  This really didnt matter to me because on my Hassey, I had only one back. Something I used to use alot was a Polaroid back for my Hasselblad to test my shots. THIS was extremely helpful because when you test on a polaroid, that is what you will 9 out of 10 times will get on the neg.
Since I do not have a Polaroid back to test my shots, I have to rely on my light meter which is fine.  I am confident enough to set my apature correctly with meter readings.  Worst case senario, I test digitally. I find that testing digitally does not render the same in the analog format, but that is my personal opinion and my understanding.




Exposure:

The exposure setting on the Rolleiflex was different.  On an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) setting the aperture  was done on the lens itself. The F-Stop and Shutter speed  on the Rolleiflex is on the body right under the view lens ( top lens) and just above the taking lens (bottom) lens. You can see the aperture change due to the setting window right on top of the taking lens.

The shutter speed on the Rolleiflex is limited, and is not that accurate. There is a 1/50th of s second setting but not a 1/60th so the image may be a little under or over exposed depending on your setting.  So for those that scan, its wise to under expose your negs rather than to over expose, especially for slide film.  With the latitude of film, this should not be an issue.

What is pretty cool is that the Rolleiflex has leaf shutters so it can sync at all speeds. I have 80mm Xenotar.  I have read reviews that the Xenotar and Zeiss Plannar lenses are pretty much indistinguishable up to 20x20 images. But even then, its only really a trained eye can tell the difference. Again, a huge advantage of shooting film is the ability to enlarge to great sizes and still retaining sharp, high quality images. Plus negatives are beautiful.  The physical aspect of the shot is something that can not be rendered digitally.  This makes me want to shoot high speed B&W film and print wall size images.



The Photograph:

This photography was taken with the Rolleiflex and 400ISO Fuji Film.  This was sharpened in Photoshop and color corrected.  I enjoy the quality of light and how it is rendered on the image.  I used a tripod and set the focal length but I was a 2.8 because of the available light. Being this wide, if some one breathes its easy to fall out of focus.

There is a minmum focal length of 3.5' I am having issues with sharpness on the images i create. I have a feeling the view lens needs to be adjusted to the taking lens.. either that, I NEED new glasses =)

Then again it could be just me, but the depth of field  is amazing. SUPER Shallow, fits my style of photography very much. This next shot I used the timer.  Yes people a 1950s camera has a timer and there is not a battery included or needed. I placed the camera on the edge of a table focused and held still because I used available light. I wish it was sharper, its sharp enough.  Remember, nothing will be as sharp as digital, and digital will never have the same feeling as an analog camera. Its like electronics vs chemistry.


Conclusion:
I think my Rolleiflex needs to CLA'ed (clean lubed adjusted) but that will cost me maybe 200 bucks depending on whats wrong with the camera. So far the sync works, shutter speeds work ok, and the lens looks good, but there is an issue with focus that I have yet to determine.  I wonder if its user error. We will see.

I like my Rolleiflex, the feel of it in your hands, the style of the photograph belongs to the Rolleiflex. At the end of the day the Rolleiflex and the Hasselblad are two different camreas.. but I do miss my Hassey.  After all, it was the first camera I started with.