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on Apr 23, 2022 23:50:18 GMT
Last Edit: Apr 24, 2022 14:28:04 GMT by lumiworx
After reading xkaes 'for the birds' post a while back, it occured to me that I have been searching for a far-reaching solution for similar uses. In my case the idea is to photograph our neighborhood's Peregrine Falcons, so that means a longer reach than what I'd use for just about any other purpose. The 300mm Tele-Tessar is great when it's pointed at seasonal bird species like Sparrows or Robins, but a Peregrine isn't the type to get up close and personal at your bird feeder. When two hunting mates showed up today riding the thermals and looking for lunch, I thought I'd better do some testing. Before I start digging into my wallet to get one of the usual lenses that I'm not likely able to afford, I thought I'd investigate some alternatives to get within reaching distance. I'll also try to do it with a practical remedy offered by cropped sensored cameras and attach everything to my Fuji X-E3 for it's built-in magnification. There's another tool to help boost the distance, so I've pulled out some helpers via a full set of Mutar I/II/II convertors, plus another from Yashica to attach to a Yashica Reflex 500mm f/8 Mirror lens. I have one from YUS, but I can't imagine it would offer any advantage over the others, so it will stay packed away. I know this might seem like a bizarre way to get there, but if I'm trying out the possibilities with what I already have - and get a winning combination - I'll certainly prefer that to spending extra cash when I don't need to. So while I go through processing the test shots I made today, I'll at least post a bit on one combo setup to give an idea of where it's all heading. However, there's one combo that I won't be trying, and that's the 500 with the Mutar II. That's the one that has a protruding front element, and while it might look like it could have enough clearance, I'll pass on trusting my eyes to be exact enough to not make a mistake. Here's the first setup, with the XE-3, a FotoDiox Pro C/Y lens adapter, the Mutar I (2x), and the Reflex 500mm, atop a Manfrotto 190XProB tripod with a meaty Benro BH2 ball head for stability.  More to come once I've gotten the series of test shots ready after conversion from RAW files. |
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on Apr 24, 2022 12:50:32 GMT
Posted: Apr 24, 2022 12:50:32 GMT
That's GREAT. Out here we say "Do whatever it takes to cross the creek"
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Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Apr 24, 2022 16:30:31 GMT
Last Edit: Apr 24, 2022 16:42:51 GMT by lumiworx
The test shots are now converted and have had some basic processing done in batch mode for noise reduction, CA, distortion, and some light sharpening and 'dehazing' to get rid of the telephoto mushiness. Every shot is of a static street sign, so using a 10 second timer delay like I used for the tests will allow for focus clarity in testing, but I doubt I'll be able to expect a complaint Peregrine Falcon to pose on cue for timed shots! As the end-use of these setups are intended for digital and not film, I'm assuming that the most practical settings will need to be 3200 ISO to get a high enough shutter speed for the various focal lengths that will result from the lens/2x combinations on moving targets. I may have to push the ISO another full stop - or two - to get usable in-focus shots. Here's the details on the entire series, using each of the teleconverters, as well as a few shots at what I presume will be a reasonable ISO and f-stop for actual bird shooting practicality - with critical focusing by eye through the viewfinder. The subjects are approximately 150 feet away, and for these tests, all speeds are auto adjusted by the Fuji X-E3 in aperture priority mode. 1st setup.... Mutar I
... ISO 400 @ 1/38
... ISO 800 @ 1/75
... ISO 1600 @ 1/160
... ISO 3200 @ 1/320
... ISO 6400 @ 1/640 | 2nd setup - w/ Yashica 2x, HK
... ISO 6400 @ 1/600
... ISO 3200 @ 1/300
... ISO 1600 @ 1/150
... ISO 800 @ 1/70
... ISO 400 @ 1/34
| 3rd setup - w/ Mutar Iii 1.4x
... ISO 400 @ 1/70
... ISO 800 @ 1/140
... ISO 1600 @ 1/280
... ISO 3200 @ 1/600
... ISO 6400 @ 1/1100
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Critical focus test... 1st: w/ Mutar 1.4x ... ISO 3200 @ 1/480 2nd: w/ Yashica 2x HK ... ISO 3200 @ 1/240 3rd: w/ Mutar I 2x ... ISO 3200 @ 1/240 4th: w/o converter ... ISO 3200 @ 1/1100 There was one surprise, of sorts, when using the Yashica 2x instead of the Zeiss Mutar I. When viewing the results, I don't think I can distinguish which one is used unless I refer to my notes and match up the frame numbers. I won't assume that the same can be said under any/every situation, but at least it looks that way in this informal test, to my eyes. Aside from the buble-bokeh, I think they're acceptable for static stuff considering the mutiplying f-stop factor and the lessening of crispness and speed due to the nature of any/all teleconverters. Below is a single test shot using the first combination, and the rest of them can be viewed in the testbed gallery, here: testbed.lumiworx.com/#16507572640264 The first shot in the gallery shows the effect of not using any delay timer, so it's fairly obvious that shake and shutter speed can be an issue with any of these setups. EDIT: After posting the gallery pics and this post, I did a shot count in the gallery, and there's some shots missing. Apparently Fuji's PC AutoSave isn't doing it's job, and some files weren't transferred at all. Argh!. I'll have to make some adjustments to fix that, but hopefully what is in the gallery now can suffice to get a sense of what I tested. Please do use the detail pane when you view them to see the details on ISO and aperture. Click on the "i" in the upper toolbar to turn on/off the detail pane. I haven't modified any of the saved filenames to keep them in their original shooting order, but at some point I'll probably rename them to match their shot setup. Using the Yashica 2x teleconverter, at 400 ISO - 1/34...  |
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Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on May 8, 2022 19:24:14 GMT
Posted: May 8, 2022 19:24:14 GMT
Hi Randy,
That is some very interesting work there! somehow, I completely missed this valuable contribution when it was posted; my apologies.
Which of the 3 C/Y Yashica tele-converters are you using?
One minor observation: I see you are using a Zeiss Mutar I; as a general rule, it is best to use the Mutar II with the longer focal length telephotos. I've used the Mutar II with the ML 500 f8 and obtained some fine results; I experienced some vignetting at close focus with the Mutar I. Oddly, this was less obvious with the Reflex 500 f8 - it must be something to do with the different optical formulae.
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on May 8, 2022 23:10:36 GMT
Posted: May 8, 2022 23:10:36 GMT
Hi Randy, That is some very interesting work there! somehow, I completely missed this valuable contribution when it was posted; my apologies. Which of the 3 C/Y Yashica tele-converters are you using? One minor observation: I see you are using a Zeiss Mutar I; as a general rule, it is best to use the Mutar II with the longer focal length telephotos. I've used the Mutar II with the ML 500 f8 and obtained some fine results; I experienced some vignetting at close focus with the Mutar I. Oddly, this was less obvious with the Reflex 500 f8 - it must be something to do with the different optical formulae. I've been sidetracked with a project for a friend and haven't been able to revisit this as quickly as I'd hoped, but the basic answer to not trying the Mutar II was just simple trepidation on my part about clearances of the elements between the front ones on the convertor, and the rear ones on the 500mm. I eyeballed it a bit and thought I'd better wait until I pulled out my calipers to get an accurate measurement instead of hoping that I wouldn't destroy something by guessing. :) It seems it may be a few more days until I can jump back in with better details and more testing. The Yashica 2x I used is the one made in Hong Kong, and I presume there was only one version produced there. I've been surprised at how Zeiss-like it seems to be optically but it's certainly a step above the YUS 2x (green lettering) in every respect. I'm aware there are other Yashica models and perhaps a few more of those branded with YUS, but those are all that I have currently to test with. As it stands now, the Mutar III (1.4x) is the best overall for it's clarity, sharpness, and contrast, but it doesn't have the reach offered by a 2x. In terms of vignetting with any of these combos, I'm afraid my setup offers nothing to hint what or if that's an issue. The crop sensor on the Fuji means the outer edges of the frame are well inside the image circle on the optics themselves. I have a feeling if these were perched on a full-frame sensor, there would be at least some vignetting no matter what combinations were used. |
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