i Love C-Sonnar 50/1.5

[zwarte_kat]

Saying there is no shift can mislead people looking to buy this lens. It is there, it is inherent to the lens design. It's just that some people are more bothered by it than others. How much focus is acceptable is a subjective question.
You'll notice shift better on digital than on film, and mostly at close distances. Maybe some people focus on different parts of the subject. Many focus on the eyes, but others will focus on the outline of the head, which in this case might help adjust for the shift.

Personally (and see that I don't state a fact), I am fine with shooting normally at 2.0 and smaller, unless maybe at absolute minimum focus distance. At larger than 2.0, I move a bit forward, and haven't had a misfocus because of shift since the second roll with this lens. (My own mistakes are far more damaging to my images!) In the end, each person has to decide for him/herself if the shift is acceptable, or even visible at all. The answer cannot be gained from a forum IMHO.

M6, Neopan 400

2013-01-NEOOAN400-Sonnar111 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr


2013-01-NEOOAN400-Sonnar129 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr

 

[peter_n]

Love the last one zwarte_kat. Beautiful!

 

[zwarte_kat]

Cheers Peter!

I am still trying to get better at making the scans look good in Lightroom. What kind of adjustments do you you guys make after scanning a B&W 35mm negative shot with this lens?
I feel like I am sometimes overdoing it. Always pondering about the blacks and highlights, and contrast and clarity settings.

 

[zwarte_kat]

great work

great work

natale in famiglia by atelierdelvizio, on Flickr

Looked at your flickr, love your Sonnar Portraits! You have really mastered this lens and the processing of the images!

 

[lawrence]

At f2.5 or thereabouts.

 

[giulio stucchi]

@zwarte_kat thanks for the comment and to tell you the true there isn´t much of post-processing on my photos, they are all straight scans from an epson v600 (not the best for 35mm negative) and from time to time I add some contrast but nothing else.
I was quite happy with the combination fp4@400 + rodinal stand for the x.mas portraits.
Focus shift? Don´t bother me at all...I´m just an amateur that enjoys shooting with M film cameras and polaroids. cheers and love that 2 pics! Planning to shoot some neopan soon.

 

[zwarte_kat]

Cheers Guilio. I love Neopan, and it fits well with the sonnar , it's kind of gentle...

Haven't gotten around to self processing. Bought the bag and chemicals, but haven't don't since college, about 8 years ago! Maybe it's just to time consuming for me. How much time do you spent on one roll?

 

[zwarte_kat]

question

question

3 From the park. M6 plus Neopan 400. I try to be easier on the contrast and clarity now.

The 3rd picture I am supposed to give to someone. Do you guys think it's a little too dark? I am not sure, and my screen is old and crappy 🙁


2013-01-neopan400-Sonnar198 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr


2013-01-neopan400-Sonnar183 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr


2013-01-neopan400-Sonnar207 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr

 

[giulio stucchi]

great pics zwarte_kat, the 3rd one as well, go for it.
I start developing my own film last springtime as I was shooting 35mm more and more.
generally I spent about 45 min for 2 rolls (all the process) + some extra time for the scans.
of course stand dev. takes longer but there´s less to do 🙂

 

[zwarte_kat]

Cheers Giulio, much appreciated. I gave her the photo and she loved it!
Maybe I'll shoot a test roll today for developing.

 

[zwarte_kat]

2013-01-neopan400-Sonnar213 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr

 

[bobby_novatron]

Nice shots, zwarte -- the guitar one is especially good. I can see why she liked it!

 

[zwarte_kat]

Thanks Bobby! It was the perfect spot to shoot someone.

 

[dannyChou]

 

[dannyChou]

 

[dannyChou]

 

[zwarte_kat]

Very cool! But I think you need to flip the scan 🙂

 

[zwarte_kat]

2013-02-neopan400-Sonnar390 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr


2013-02-neopan400-Sonnar392 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr


2013-02-neopan400-Sonnar394 by Rudy Shots, on Flickr

 

[thompsonks]

Hi, Rudy/Kat –

I like the work you've posted here! And I noticed that a page or so earlier you asked for comments about your photo of the guitar player. I played with it a bit on my screen and I suggest you add a Curve:

––Make sure the blackest blacks are really black – they aren't there yet.

––Then raise the other dark tones, not the black itself, to get more detail in jacket and hair.

––Let the midtones, especially the guitar and face, come up a bit.

––And lower the highlights, or else burn in the sky where it fades out at the top.

Just my 2 cents – that's the way it looked best to me on my screen.

Kirk

 

[zwarte_kat]

Many thanks Kirk! I will try it out.

I wish there was a more specific advice category where people could post their work, and then upon advice from others, make changes and updates. Kind of being a student of the forum!