A few more photos from the E-P3 and the 20/1.7

[pggunn]

I've had the E-P3 for almost two months now and the 20/1.7 is pretty much permanently attached. In that time I've gotten more familiar with the camera, can access settings pretty quickly now, and have gotten a bit more comfortable with using the LCD screen to compose shots, though I'd still like a VF, especially when shooting in bright sunlight.

On the other end of the spectrum, in low light the E-P3 and 20/1.7 work really well. Even at ISO 1600 the image quality is very good.

I'm considering the optical VF for the Olympus 17/2.8 - the FOV should be close enough, I hope. The only other thing I might wish for is the Panasonic 14/2.5 for when I want to go wider. The kit zoom just doesn't do it for me. I've gotten too used to primes with my OM1.

Here are a few of my favorite shots so far with the E-P3 and 20/1.7; PP with Aperture and Silver FX Pro:

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Fall_Fest21 by pggunn1, on Flickr[/IMG]
Fall_Fest10 by pggunn1, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Lucy's_Party_BW9 by pggunn1, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Lucy's_Party_BW19 by pggunn1, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Lucy's_Party_BW24 by pggunn1, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Lucy's_Party_BW23 by pggunn1, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[raid]

How important is Silver FX Pro for the digital work?
Your images look very nice.

 

[pggunn]

Thank you Raid.

Silver FX really does make a difference I think, though I don't spend a lot of time at it. I almost always use the Kodak TMAX 100 or the Tri-X 400 presets, depending on the type of image, then tweak the brightness and structure sliders, then contrast. Total time including basic levels adjustment, if needed, and sharpening in Aperture is probably about three minutes.

I'll post one of the images above in greyscale without Siver FX so you can get an idea of what Silver FX does for them. Give me a few minutes and I'll post a reply here.

 

[pggunn]

Raid,

The one below was the original shot converted to greyscale using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture, a one click operation. The version above (in original post) was done using the TMAX 100 preset in Silver FX. I'll be glad to answer any more questions if I can, but may have to wait until tomorrow - my wife is in poor health and needs help getting to bed.

I'll check back later.

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PB051451 by pggunn1, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[gb hill]

I knew I should of turned down that street.😀 Man these are some cool shots. Just shows we know how to party in North Cackalacky.😉 Seriously I think I still have your # & if I ever can get away to come to G'boro I'll give you a call. In the meantime check out the SE US Atlanta group here. We get together a few times a year in different locations.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=161

 

[pggunn]

More about Silver FX:

Silver FX does a great job with B&W conversion with its film presets. I love the film look, but appreciate the convenience and immediacy of digital. With Silver FX, the digital images end up looking very much like film, so it's the best of both worlds.

I love the tonal range and the deep dark blacks I get with the TMAX 100 preset. When using it, it's often necessary to increase the brightness a bit. I also push the structure up (to about 33 on the scale bar) as well to increase the "micro-contrast" and apparent sharpness. Once you get used to it, it only takes a few seconds to get the look you want.

For the low light stuff, I use the Tri-X 400 preset mostly, though there are other good ones too - some Fuji and Agfa and Ilford films. Silver FX emulates film grain pretty well and I love the look. There are also red, orange, yellow, green and blue filters available when you want them.

Some may ask why I don't just continue shooting film. Well, I haven't given it up completely, but I don't have a dark room, so can only develop two rolls at a time. It takes a long time to process several rolls, scan them, etc. Besides, I'm just doing this for fun and after a while, developing, scanning and spotting weren't so fun any more.

Yesterday I went to a Fall Festival and Chili Cook-Off. (My chili was dynamite, but I didn't win. Took first place in 2008 though.) I took a couple dozen shots while I was there, got home about 6:00 and posted the photos on Flickr before I went to bed. Our neighborhood newsletter editor downloaded the ones he liked today and they'll be in the next edition. If I'd shot film I'd probably still be scanning and/or spotting right now!

 

[pggunn]

Thanks GB Hill. You're a Greg too!

Yeah, give me a call if you get up this way. That'd be great. And thanks for the info on the SE group.