Category: Portraits

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Almost Walking

This past week has been crazy busy.  I’m currently lecturing at an AO Basics Course (teaching residents how to use implants).  On Sunday, I realized that I had to give a lecture that had not been given before, thus I worked night and day and got it done (gave the lecture about 2 hours ago).

Here is a recent picture of my baby girl.  She has successfully mastered standing with support and you can see from the picture she can easily do it with one hand.  In the past week we find her standing more and more without any support.  I don’t think she has realized that she can successfully do this.  When she does, I’m sure she will be walking all over the place.

ISO 800 1/60 f/.95 50mm noctilux

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Sony NEX-7 – Our Future @ 9 months

I recently posted pics of our baby girl on our couch at nine months.  The picture posted was taken with my Leica M9 and Noctilux.  I also took a few pictures with my Sony NEX-7 and Zeiss 24mm.  Because, Aperture does’t process NEX-7 RAW files currently, I’m using Capture One Express and finally got around to processing them.

I have to say the images in my opinion are comparable to my Leica M9.  The sharpness is dead on and the colors are great.  I even noticed that the Leica M9 output causes some red tones in her skin that is not seen on the NEX-7 (I’ve heard others comment about these red tones but I never really noticed other than when shooting at high ISO’s).  Let me know your thoughts?

P.S. If you want to see the full size images let me know and I can email them to you.  Last, even though I speak very highly of the Sony NEX-7, I still love shooting with my Leica.  There is something I find fascinating shooting with an all manual camera (I suppose I like the challenge).

 ISO 100 1/200 f/1.8 24mm zeiss

 ISO 100 1/200 f/1.8 24mm zeiss

ISO 160 1/1000 f/.95 50mm

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Our Future @ 9 months

Here is this months picture of our baby girl.  I know I keep saying it but it’s getting more and more difficult to keep her on the couch for the shot.

Our Future @ 9 months               ISO 160 1/1000 f/.95 50mm

Our Future @ 9 months 2               ISO 160 1/1000 f/.95 50mm

Our Future (birth)            ISO 160 1/360 f/2 35mm

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Leica 90mm macro-elmar user report

About 10 weeks ago, I got an email from Dale Photo telling me that a Leica 90mm macro-elmar with the adapter was available and I was next on the list to have the opportunity to purchase it.  I had the 90mm summarit which I think is very nice and under appreciated.  I opted in buying the macro-elmar because I wanted a telephoto (for a Leica it’s considered telephoto) lens that could be used for portrait and also close-up (even though it’s called “macro” I don’t consider it one) photography.  It’s also collapsable, making it easier to fit in your bag.

I don’t consider my self an expert and I’m definitely not a “specs” guy.  If you do a google search, you will probably only find 1 or 2 reviews of this lens.  It’s hard to find any real world pictures though (flickr has a few).

In the few weeks having the lens I’m extremely impressed.  I don’t consider it a true “macro” because you can’t get any closer than 0.5 meters (0.7 meters without the adapter).  The amount of detail and sharpness at such close proximity to your subject is simply amazing.  My only wish is that it had a lower aperture (lowest f-stop is 4) so that I could shoot at higher shutter speeds and not need a flash or tripod.

P.S.  All images are un-cropped.  If you are interested in seeing the full-size image let me know.  Also, eventually I’ll shoot a few with it attached to my Sony NEX-7.  I’m pretty sure these images will also be amazing (the 35mm equivalent will be 144mm).

ISO 2000 1/90 90mm without adapter

ISO 200 1/30 f/4 with adapter

ISO 2500 1/90 f/4 90mm without macro adapter

ISO 160 1/180 f/8 90mm with macro adapter and flash

ISO 160 1/180 f/8 90mm with macro adapter and flash

ISO 160 1/180 f/8 90mm with macro adapter and flash

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Sony NEX-7 & Zeiss 24mm f1.8 shots

I posted my first picture using my new Sony NEX-7 on Saturday.  I used my Leica 50mm summilux (80mm equivalent) lens and I had a few people inquire about pictures with the Zeiss 24mm f1.8 lens (38mm equivalent).  Today’s post includes pictures using the 24mm lens.

So far I’m extremely impressed with the quality of the camera and lens.  My previous camera experience includes “point and shoot”, Canon dSLR’s (including the 5D Mark II), and my Leica M9-P.  I’ve grown accustomed to shooting with manual focus and forgot how nice it is sometimes to just let the camera do it.  Most of the reviews out there will tell you the Sony NEX-7 autofocus is slower than other cameras in its class but acceptable.  I don’t have any other experience shooting with other micro 4/3 cameras but so far I have absolutely no complaints about the speed.  I think the speed is 100% acceptable and most would not be disappointed.

I use Apple’s Aperture for my camera raw processing and library and currently they don’t support the NEX-7 raw files.  I’m trialling Phase One’s Capture One software since it does support it (I actually like the software but unsure if I want to use it in my workflow).

The pictures today are jpegs converted from raw files in Capture One.  Little, to no editing was performed.

ISO 100 1/250 f/1.8 Zeiss 24mm

ISO 100 1/320 f1.4 Zeiss 24mm

ISO 1600 1/50 f/1.8 Zeiss 24mm

 

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Sony NEX-7

August I pre-ordered the much anticipated Sony NEX-7.  I’ve been wanting a good back-up camera for my Leica M9 and thought this would be the camera to have.  Wednesday, I got my wish.  B&H Photo surprised me (I didn’t get the typical shipping notice in my email) with my NEX-7.  I’ve been shooting with it constantly the past few days and so far I’m amazed how “light” and “snappy” it is.

This is my first shot posted using the NEX-7.  I have the Sony 24mm Zeiss lens but I also have the Novoflex M-mount to Sony E-mount adapter.  This was taken with my Leica 50mm summilux.

ISO1000 1/60 f/1.4 50mm summilx (80mm equivalent)

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Carrying the little one!

I’m sure some get tired of seeing me post pics of my baby girl all the time.  First, she’s very photogenic and second, she consumes almost 100% of my time right now outside of work.  Last, it’s my blog therefore I guess I can post whatever I want. LOL.

My family has been in Louisville for the past few days and while my wife works, my baby girl and I  have been walking the streets.  I should say, I’ve been walking the streets with her attached to my waist.

This second picture was taken at Maker’s Mark.  It’s a local restaurant that makes its on Bourbon.  I’m not a whiskey drinker but their food was fantastic (it’s seasoned with bourbon).

ISO 1000 1/45 f1.4 50mm summilux

ISO 320 1/30 f.14 50mm summilux

 

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Standing

Our baby girl is not only crawling now but standing.  In our family room we have large windows and we often times catch her climbing up to look outside.  These pics were taken after our last snow fall.  I think she was really interested in all the white stuff on the ground and window.

ISO 160 1/125 f1.4 50mm summilux

 

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