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MM experiment


dkCambridgeshire

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Tomorrows apparatus for some experimental classic cars' interiors photography. In 1974 the Minolta 16mm Fisheye Rokkor was modified by Leica to produce the Leitz 16mm Fisheye-Elmarit R. The Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition edited by E Puts describes the lens: " … although once popular as it generated eye catching images, it is close to obsolete now." … a rather dogmatic statement which is repeated in the 8th Edition.

 

I enjoy using fisheye lenses and they have their uses - especially in cramped interiors - but I've not tried a fisheye on an M previously. According to the DOF scale everything should be in focus from 45cm to 1.5m at f8 … sufficient to capture the interior of e.g. a Daimler limousine or a classic Bentley. An accessory spirit level will be more important than a viewfinder.

 

Minolta MD/MC to Leica M adaptors are readily available and Minolta fisheye lenses can be sourced very ££reasonably e.g. there is one listed in the UK by a well known classic camera dealer for just £125.

 

Best wishes

 

dunk

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It is really the same lens. i get excellent result from my Elmarit. I am not quite happy with the rasults in B&W. I think a fisheye calles for colour. Show us your results. I would be happy to stand corrected :)

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As an aid to composition with the 16mm fisheye lens a HOLGA fisheye viewfinder costs approx £10 in UK and $12 in USA

 

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dunk

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It is really the same lens. i get excellent result from my Elmarit. I am not quite happy with the rasults in B&W. I think a fisheye calles for colour. Show us your results. I would be happy to stand corrected :)

 

Results show impossible dynamic range - if car interiors are OK or almost OK then exterior detail visible through car windows is very overexposed - but might be able to rescue a few. And I should not blame my exposure meter (I used a handheld Sekonic L-318 for incident light readings) but results suggest interiors are underexposed- but again the dynamic range inside the cars is too great . Needs studio lights or multiple flash to do a decent job.

 

However, I will be using the fisheye lens on the MM again - but for less demanding exposures.

 

Best wishes

 

dunk

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Actually I just bought a PhotoJoJo fisheye lens for my iPhone. Works perfectly, is great fun and costs only 20$...:D

 

That's 'new technology' … these are a few of the 70s 16mm Rokkor lens' results:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/technology-industry/336702-bourne-classic-car-show-22-june.html

 

More experiments this week.

 

dunk

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Results show impossible dynamic range - if car interiors are OK or almost OK then exterior detail visible through car windows is very overexposed

 

Bounce flash, or a small flashbulb without reflector.

.

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Bounce flash, or a small flashbulb without reflector.

.

 

Maybe but would need more than one to effectively illuminate the whole of the interior evenly - and I was at a car show - not taking pics in a studio. Car owners at classic car shows are not always cooperative and I do not like to push my luck by asking if I can set up supplementary lighting. Using flash to cover a fisheye lens' angles would have required hidden flash in the front of the car and hidden flash in the rear of the car - and experimentation to get the correct balance. On a less bright day results would have been better.

 

dunk

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Also consider the 15mm CV

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