Monday 26 February 2018

Fuji Superia 400 XTRA - Minolta XD-7


So, in my wrap up for 2017, I mentioned that I got a bargain on a Minolta XD-7.  It just needed a little clean and replacement of the light seals.  After considering all the options for the light seals, I settled on a product from my local Bunnings hardware store.  I purchased a roll of window sealer; soft foam with a self adhesive backing.  I cut it to size (because it was too wide and thick to begin with) an put it into the runners around the top and bottom of the door.  I didn't put any along the side of the hinge.  There was not a runner there and I didn't want the seal to put pressure onto the hinge which may have damaged it.  However, it looks as if that is exactly what I am going to have to do because as you will see, I have a horizontal light leak along the sides of some negatives.  Funny, but not all have been affected by this light leak.  Still, I will add the extra seal and hopefully will have another fully working Minolta in my kit!

I alternated between 3 lenses.  One (Minolta MD 28-70mm zoom f3.5-4.8 with macro feature) I had used before and so I was comfortable with that as the lens to ensure that everything on the camera appeared to be working correctly.  I then used the two lenses that came with the camera - a Hanimex MC f3.5-4.5 28-80mm zoom with Macro and a Makinon MC f4.5 80-200mm zoom.

I was a little unsure about the Hanimex lens; for some reason I had always considered Hanimex a cheap brand.  This lens though, appears solid and well made.  It also has a macro function which I am yet to play with.  I was surprised with this lens because it gave me some nice photos although I have noticed that some are focused sharp in the middle and a little out on the edges.  The photo of the street and the buildings does not have this edge blurring though so, perhaps it is when the lens is wide open at 28mm that this takes place.  I think a little more experimentation is required.

The other lens that came with the camera was a Makinon MC f4.5 80-200mm zoom.  I used this mostly for distance photos for when the local yacht club was having some races out of Newcastle.  It appears to have performed ok, a bit soft in the focus but, I will have to give it a more thorough working out in different situations before I can make a decision on it's 'usefulness'.

This roll of film gifted to me by my friend Amber.  It was an expired film (guesstimate about 10 years) and I was not sure of how it had been stored.  Rule of thumb for expired film; underexpose by 1 stop for every 10 years of expiration.  So, this roll was shot at 200 ISO.  The exposure on these photos turned out good. That is one thing about film, it has excellent latitude for exposure and is a little more forgiving for any mistakes!

These photos were developed and scanned at my lab Pro Am Colour Laboratories here in Newcastle.  The only adjustment I make is a slight contrast slide in Lightroom.

The photos on this Blog Post and corresponding Google+ page are
©Life with Jordy Photography, All Rights Reserved
and may not be used without permission.


This is the kit I picked up for AUD$50.  As you can see it also came with a Flash, Film Winder, 2 X attachment and a very nice Minolta strap.

Taken with the Minolta MD using Macro. It was a really windy day so I am happy that it is in focus!

Taken with the Minolta MD using Macro. It was a really windy day so I am
happy that it is in focus!

Taken with the Minolta MD.  The light leak hasn't
really affected the outcome of this photo too much.

This using the Hanimex.  Turned out better than my expectations!  This was
taken wide out at 28mm.  The edges are a little blurred though.

Not all exposures were affected by the light leak!  The colour in this looks great!
These Sunrise photos take with the Hanimex lens.




This one from the Hanimex as well.

From the Hanimex and no light leak!  There doesn't 
appear to any edge blur in this.  

From the Hanimex lens.

This and the next two from the Makinon Lens.  Not sure about this lens; a zoom into the details appears to have a soft focus.  I mean, that can be good considering
the type of outcome you may be looking for.




Thursday 15 February 2018

From the Archives - Lockheed Super Constellation


The other day I was exploring an old back up hard drive and I came across some RAW files from my first ever digital camera; a Panasonic DMC FZ30.

This was a great camera to learn on.  I could operate it in full manual, choose aperture or shutter priority or, if I felt lazy, just put it on auto.  This had what they called in those days, a 'Super Zoom' lens, that being a Leica 35-420 (35mm equivalent) zoom f2.8-3.7.  The lens was an internal zoom and focus, in other words it was non-extending.

I was happy to find these RAW files because since they were taken, I have learned so much about photo editing that I think I can do a much better job then what I did back then!

This is an awesome looking aircraft.  I love the sleek lines and shape and the three tail fins.  You can read about the history of this particular aircraft on the HARS (Historical Aircraft Restoration Society)
website here.  QANTAS flew Super Constellations on its 'Kangaroo Route' between Australia and Britain and also on other international routes.

I had always wanted to check out this beauty and I finally got the opportunity when it flew into the Temora Aviation Museum back in 2009.  These are the photos from that day.

Click on the photo to view larger.

The photos on this Blog Post and corresponding Google+ page are 
copyright ©Life with Jordy Photography, All Rights Reserved
and may not be used without permission.




The aircraft flying in formation are a Lockheed Hudson and an English Electric Canberra.  RAAF 2SQN flew both these
types of aircraft, the Hudson during WW2 and the Canberra during the Vietnam War.





The sharp end!







Catching up.

 Well it has been a couple of months since I posted a Blog article.   I don't have any Project or roll of film in particular to share wi...