What are the chances that the following three events would synergize and provide me with a better understanding of light and shadows, more wonderment at how much I have to learn (especially from my daughters!), and provide me with a better appreciation of the fact that marketing terms such as "new and improved" are meaningless where the matter of Pentax manual lenses are concerned?
Well, I guess that it isn't to much of a stretch for these events to refine my capacity to understand matters of humbleness, vision and perception...or perhaps, I am just re-learning what I have forgotten. Whatever is the case I am beginning to understand that while my art is very personal it also provides me with the ability to share experiences and inspire others to think and capture moments in time that would never have been seen (by others besides the photographer) if the shutter was not pressed.
Nevertheless, the following recently occurred:
1. I discovered that old Pentax manual-focus lenses work perfectly on modern Pentax digital cameras, including my K10d;
2. My 14 year old daughter Riley has been bitten by the photography bug and she demonstrates an innate perspective, unique creativity and in my humble opinion, she has "the eye";
3. I read an article in Smithsonian magazine (January 2009) titled "Van Gogh's Night Vision" which was superbly written by Paul Trachtman.
Discovering that excellent Pentax SMC optics, some of which are more than 30 years old, function perfectly on a state-of-the-art digital single lens reflex camera has been a boon to me because I have been super reluctant to purchase new motor-driven lenses because I only expose images with total manual control, including setting the exposure (shutter speed and aperture) and focus. For less than the price of one (or two) modern zoom lens I have purchased excellent examples of the following glass:
*SMC Pentax 28mm F3.5
*SMC Pentax-A 35mm F2.8
*SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4
*SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.7
*SMC Pentax-M 50mm F4 Macro
*SMC Pentax 55mm F1.8
*SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5
*SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4
*MC Cosmicar Zoom 35-70mm F4 (Pentax A)
*SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm F3.5
The SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 has become a fixture on the Pentax K10D
Crystal Crags State Park (K10D with M50/1.4)
San Francisco as seen from Mt. Tamalpais (K10D with M50/1.4)
Well, I guess that it isn't to much of a stretch for these events to refine my capacity to understand matters of humbleness, vision and perception...or perhaps, I am just re-learning what I have forgotten. Whatever is the case I am beginning to understand that while my art is very personal it also provides me with the ability to share experiences and inspire others to think and capture moments in time that would never have been seen (by others besides the photographer) if the shutter was not pressed.
Nevertheless, the following recently occurred:
1. I discovered that old Pentax manual-focus lenses work perfectly on modern Pentax digital cameras, including my K10d;
2. My 14 year old daughter Riley has been bitten by the photography bug and she demonstrates an innate perspective, unique creativity and in my humble opinion, she has "the eye";
3. I read an article in Smithsonian magazine (January 2009) titled "Van Gogh's Night Vision" which was superbly written by Paul Trachtman
Discovering that excellent Pentax SMC optics, some of which are more than 30 years old, function perfectly on a state-of-the-art digital single lens reflex camera has been a boon to me because I have been super reluctant to purchase new motor-driven lenses because I only expose images with total manual control, including setting the exposure (shutter speed and aperture) and focus. For less than the price of one (or two) modern zoom lens I have purchased excellent examples of the following glass:
*SMC Pentax 28mm F3.5
*SMC Pentax-A 35mm F2.8
*SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4
*SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.7
*SMC Pentax-M 50mm F4 Macro
*SMC Pentax 55mm F1.8
*SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5
*SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4
*MC Cosmicar Zoom 35-70mm F4 (Pentax A)
*SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm F3.5
The SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 has become a fixture on the Pentax K10D
Crystal Crags State Park (K10D with M50/1.4)
San Francisco as seen from Mt. Tamalpais (K10D with M50/1.4)
On Mt. Shasta (K10D with M50/1.4)
Outside In - Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco (K10D with M50/1.4)The SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5 is also a fine lens!
A Falling Out (K10D with M135/3.5)
Rock Fishing, Slide Ranch - Marin County (K10D with M135/3.5)
San Francisco Asian Art Museum (K10D with M135/3.5)
North Blithedale Ridge - Mill Valley, CA (K10D with M135/3.5)
Sausalito Houseboat Courtyard (K10D with M135/3.5)A couple from my newly purchased SMC Pentax 28mm F3.5
North Blithedale Ridge - Mill Valley, CA (K10D with K28/3.5)
Confusion - Black on Black (K10D with K28/3.5)I love the idea of integrating modern technology with relatively old lens technology and creating images. Pentax should be highly commended for designing this capability into their modern hardware; it is one of the many reasons that I will remain a loyal Pentax consumer.
So how does the joy and exuberance I experience of watching my daughter become a photographer and new-found knowledge of Van Gogh's struggles help synergize and guide my learning? Perhaps that is best left for another time...
