Hi everyone,

I’ve been testing the new DeepPRIME XD3 noise reduction in PureRAW v6. I think that this is a real game changer for high IS0 images. The quick test shots below were all taken at an absurdly high 25,600 ISO. I very rarely have the need to go anywhere near as high as that but the results were very impressive and yes, as if you couldn’t tell, I am a Blondie fan. 🙂 .The lens was my M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 prime lens @f/5.6.

100% crops, noise, what noise? 🙂

Kind regards

Leigh

Hi everyone,

I’ve been feeling totally uninspired of late but I thought I’d ignore the cold wind and take only my 45mm lens for a short walk in Bognor as part of my reacquaintance with using this lens. Below some shots, I wouldn’t take only this lens out with me again as it’s too tight for framing my shots as I like them and it doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre in tight spots I’m much happier with a lens between 17mm and 25mm (35mm and 50mm equivalent) which is where my Lumix 40mm equivalent f/1.7 lens fits in nicely as this suits my walk-about style much better and it’s how I see things. It is an excellent short telephoto portrait lens but I very rarely take shots of people or hanker for a longer lens which is why it’s been sitting on a shelf for ages. It was however fun trying to find subjects that I could more or less frame as I wanted with this lens and it was, as always, a joy to use

Kind regards

Leigh

Hi,

Some years ago I promptly gave up Adobe products when they went over to a licensing model. I object strongly to having to pay and pay again to keep using a piece of software, I’m happy to pay a one-off payment for upgraded features where I feel that they represent good value for money and are of benefit to me or a one-off upgrade to a new software version where it offers sufficient useful extra functionality but to have to pay for the same upgrade features over and over again annually is something that I strongly object to. For some some years I’ve used Sklyum products including every version of their Luminar software, their Aurora HDR software and many one-off paid add-ons eg. LUTs etc.. I note that they now do an annual “Season Pass” which one has to pay in order to retain some of their add-on extra features that one’s already paid out for when one’s “pass” expires. as well as some extra features that I have absolutely no use for. For this reason I shall no longer be spending any money on their products. These companies seem to think that one has unlimited funds and very deep pockets, they want to try being reliant on a UK state pension!. Skylum marketed heavily on their software being “Pay Once” and not a subscription but they, like the vast majority of their competitor have done are moving in that direction which I find personally totally unacceptable.

Kind regads

Leigh

Seen here on the left, fitted with a 37-58mm step up ring and metal lens hood so that I can use it with my various 58mm filters. I like screw on lens hoods so that I can easily rotate a CPL filter whilst still having a lens hood fitted which is the same arrangement as I’ve fitted to most of my most frequently used lenses..

This lens was the second micro four thirds lens that I bought years ago, I remember the day I bought it and the first time I used it later that same day, such was my excitement at using it. my first purchase being my 25mm f/1,8 M.Zuiko lens. It’s great value for money, incredibly light and very sharp and it’s an excellent portrait lens with nice creamy Bokeh wide open at f/1.8. I haven’t used it for a while now, I used to carry it everywhere and I thought I’d reacquaint myself with it and I’m certainly not disappointed. This is the gear that I’m thinking of taking with me on my travels this year along with its stable mate, my M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 lens and my Olympus PEN-F camera. A lightweight, minimalist, fun choice. I’ll probably pack my M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R zoom lens in my hold luggage so I have a longer lens for the times when I require one. This is another excellent, eminently affordable, lightweight lens that punches well above it’s weight and represent fabulous value for money.

I did a few quick test shots indoors as shown below as it’s another cold, wet, gloomy Spring day outside. My love of motorbikes comes from my father who for ten years used to race BSA and Norton Manx 500cc bikes in the late 50s and early 60s at various UK. circuits including Snetterton, Brands Hatch and Crystal Palace. For those with an interest in such things the Norton Manx bike is shown on the postcard in the first shot and again as the framed backdrop in the second shot.

All the best,

Leigh

Image attribution: https://www.vecteezy.com/

Unfortunately my wife’s started to feel unwell so, as that’s my main priority, I’ve decided not to go out tonight to this event. Maybe I’ll get another opportunity soon to do some night shots.

Hi everyone,

Tonight there’s the Bognor Regis Christmas lights switch on. I went last year, although it certainly isn’t Oxford Street it was pretty good with a stage with a live band, street entertainers as well as street traders and a good chance to get some night shots. Last year I took my M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 lens and K&F 1/4 black mist filter. This combination was too tight and the filter was a bit too much so this time I’m taking my Olympus PEN E-PL8, Lumix 14mm f/2.5, one can always crop if required and K&F Concept shimmer diffusion filter which gives a subtler more localised halation effect. As it looks like it’ll be raining this evening I fitted on of my cheap plastic rain covers with a slight modification. I don’t like draw strings when one’s walking about as they always either slip forward on a smooth lens hood and block the lens or slip back and expose the lens to the elements so to prevent this from happening I cut a rubber ring from one of my rubber lens caps which fits pretty tightly and grips nicely. This combination of camera and lens makes for a nice inconspicuous, lightweight walkabout street setup. I’ve chosen the 14mm over my Lumix 20mm f/1.7 as the later, despite being an optically excellent lens, is prone to hunting a bit too much for my liking in low light, fast moving situations. For a bag I’m taking one of my small “rubberised” shoulder bags which doesn’t scream “camera bag”. If it does rain I might get some nice shots of reflection on wet pavements etc..

Kind regards

Leigh