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Monday, May 29, 2023

SMC-Pentax-DA 1:3.5~5.6 18-55mm AL, Vintage Lens Test, A Morning Bloom

SMC-Pentax-DA 1:3.5~5.6 18-55mm AL, Vintage Lens Test, A Morning Bloom 01
SMC-Pentax-DA 1:3.5~5.6 18-55mm AL, Vintage Lens Test, A Morning Bloom 02
SMC-Pentax-DA 1:3.5~5.6 18-55mm AL, Vintage Lens Test, A Morning Bloom 03
SMC-Pentax-DA 1:3.5~5.6 18-55mm AL, Vintage Lens Test, A Morning Bloom 04
SMC-Pentax-DA 1:3.5~5.6 18-55mm AL, Vintage Lens Test, A Morning Bloom 05
Image making with an SMC-Pentax-DA 1:3.5~56 18-55mm AL on a 10MP CCD Pentax K-M Digital, in the garden.
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Testing out my latest GAS pickup, a 10MP CCD sensor Pentax K-m, or the K2000 in the US, for the claim that CCD sensors, the standard for digital cameras from the mid-90s to early 2010s, are known for their high-quality, accurate colors, and low noise film-like images. The verdict? Well, you be the judge here.

The Pentax K-m was launched as a compact entry-level model with a 10MP CCD sensor by Pentax in 2008. The camera has a non-weather sealed lightweight body built on a lightweight and high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis, an AF system with five sensors, a very comprehensive and user-friendly set of menu functions and features, and shares the same viewfinder and LCD screen with the 10MP CCD sensor K200D and the 14.6 CMOS sensor K20D.

Pentax K-m, SMC-Pentax-DA 1:3.5~56 18-55mm AL

The camera was also designed to be adaptable to the plastic mount Pentax DA-L-series lightweight kit lenses, the first to be fitted with the KAF2 Mount, an adaptation of the standard Pentak K-mount system for adding auto-focus features to lenses on cameras with APS-C sensors. However, The K-m is powered by 4x AA batteries (Lithium, Ni-MH Rechargeable, or Alkaline), which puts it at a slight weight disadvantage compared to other cameras using lithium battery packs.



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Monday, May 22, 2023

Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor, Night Scene Zoom-In

Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor, Night Scene Zoom-In 01
Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor, Night Scene Zoom-In 02
Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor, Night Scene Zoom-In 03
Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor, Night Scene Zoom-In 04
Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor, Night Scene Zoom-In 05
Zooming in on a night scene in Program Auto mode with the 14MP CCD Olympus VR-330.
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Another session with the Olympus VR-330, one of a pair of super compact VR-series cameras launched by Olympus in 2011. The VR-330 is fitted, among others, with a 14MP CCD sensor, a 24-300mm equivalent zoom lens, dual image stabilization, 720p HD movie capture, a 3-inch LCD screen, 1cm super macro mode, Olympus Magic Filters, auto-focus tracking, and Intelligent Auto Mode. The camera is also particularly light and small, making it one of the handiest options within the super compact digital camera category.

The camera is designed to be a simple point-and-shoot. All you have to do is switch it on, zoom in to the desired image frame, and press the shutter. The Menu System, selectable from the LCD display, lists Program Auto, iAuto (Intelligent Auto), Scene, Magic, Panorama, and 3D as selectable or intelligent options, each with their own selection of subset variables and available as pew-sets. The iAuto (Intelligent Auto) mode, for example, switches itself to the iAuto Macro or Super Mode depending on the subject distance.

Olympus VR-330

For the Night Scene Zoom In images here, I tried the camera both with the Night Scene and Program Auto mode settings and took two identical sets of images. The selection, however, goes to the selection captured with the Program Auto setting, where the images, though more subdued, are more likely to the scene itself. Images shot with the Night Scene mode are slightly overblown and washed out.

Looking forward to more images next, on the CCD sensor of course!



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Monday, May 15, 2023

Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor, In iAuto Micro Mode

Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor,  In iAuto Micro Mode 01
Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor,  In iAuto Micro Mode 02
Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor,  In iAuto Micro Mode 03
Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor,  In iAuto Micro Mode 04
Olympus VR-330, The CCD Sensor,  In iAuto Micro Mode 05
Image making with a 14MP CCD Olympus VR-330 in iAuto Macro Mode.
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I am accentuating my interest in vintage digital cameras with CCD sensors with the addition of a compact superzoom from Olympus to the collection. The camera, an Olympus VR-330, is one of a pair of VR cameras launched by Olympus in 2011, and it comes fitted with a 14MP CCD sensor. Features include a 24-300mm equivalent zoom lens, dual image stabilization, 720p HD movie capture, 3-inch LCD screen, 1cm super macro mode, Olympus Magic Filters, auto-focus tracking, and Intelligent Auto Mode.

The VR-330 is also fitted with a 3D mode that merges two consecutively shot images, where the second image is taken from a slightly different perspective. The data is processed in-camera to an.MPO file, the universal industry 3D format for easy display on 3D televisions or laptops. The VR-320, on the other hand, does not have the 3D mode feature. Both are available at very low prices on the auctions and for CCD sensor enthusiasts, this could be a very strong bet.

Olympus VR-330
Olympus VR-330

Testing the point-and-shoot was straight and simple. The Menu System of the VR-330, selectable from the LCD display, lists Program Auto, iAuto (Intelligent Auto), Scene, Magic, Panorama, and 3D as selectable or intelligent options, each with their own selection of subset variables. For example, the iAuto (Intelligent Auto) mode switches itself to the iAuto Macro Mode for the close-up shots posted here. 

A very intelligent start, and with the impressive set of images captured by the CCD sensor, it looks like the camera is in for the long run.



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Monday, May 8, 2023

JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Take II

JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Take II 01
JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Take II 02
JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Take II 03
JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Take II 04
JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Take II 05
Image making with A JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Take II on the Olympus E-P5.
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An extension to my previous images with the JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, a manual focus prime telephoto lens from the 80s. While many comments and reviews mentioned that the lens was made in Korea, mine comes with a 'Lens Made in Japan' stamp, and no mention of it having multi-coated (MC) optics. So I am assuming here that the lens is an earlier version made before its production was moved to Korea.

The (MD Mount) lens is a solid glass and metal construction, has a 55mm filter ring, and comes with a built-in lens hood. Nice and handy in the hand, it is a bit of bulk though, and tips my kitchen scale at 390 grams The lens was mounted on my E-P5 with a common variety lens adapter that comes with a tripod support.

Olympus E-P5, JCPenny 135mm 1:2.8
Olympus E-P5, JCPenny 135mm 1:2.8


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Monday, May 1, 2023

JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Mild and Mellow

JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Mild and Mellow 01
JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Mild and Mellow 02
JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Mild and Mellow 03
JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Mild and Mellow 04
JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Vintage Lens Test, Mild and Mellow 05
Image making with a JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8, Take I on the E-P5, impressive images.
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The JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8 manual focus prime telephoto lens that I tested is probably an early version manufactured in Japan (as it carries the 'Made in Japan' mark) before production was moved to Korea and the elements multi-coated (as seen on a few other images of similar items posted on the Net).

Looking up the heritage of the lens was also quite impossible. Aside from a very scant mention that 'Pentax had a deal with JCPenny and some other department store chains some years ago...', there are no clear indications as to which manufacture the lens originates from either.

Olympus E-P5, JCPenny 135mm 1:2.8
Olympus E-P5, JCPenny Auto Lens 135mm 1:2.8

The test unit is an MD-mount, very well done, in all metal-and-glass, with superb mechanics and very smooth focal action, and as far as I can see, is still in top-mint condition. I had the lens mounted on the E-P5 for these shots, wide open, handheld. Impressive images.



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