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 p.38 #7 · Leica & Alt Monochrom(e) Images | |
So our boss has a game we’re preparing for in September. It’s something we do every year, everyone’s welcome, participation isn’t mandatory, and the number of participants depends on interest in the game. Aspects of the game vary. Last year, for example, we had one camera and one prime, outside of 24-105mm, no faster than f/2, and we were encouraged to use pre-existing equipment. You got substantially dinged for using the same focal length as anyone else, and dinged again for the same lens. The goal, as always, was to post three photos a day for the month, and, in that case, it had to be one landscape, one mid-distance, one at or near MFD, all with the same lens.
This time around is a variation on a game we’ve played before. All participants start with 300 points, an eBay gift card for $300, and one of their own cameras. With that budget, we’re to procure no more than three lenses to cover 16-200mm (or the 135 format equivalent). Adaptation is fine (encouraged, in fact, by the budget) and adapters don’t count against the budget, but will need to be weighed with your total kit (there’s bonus points for the lightest kit, which I doubt I’ll win). You lose a point for every focal length not covered. You lose a point for every millimeter any zoom used goes over 3x. You can also get points for going under budget. Under $250 is 25, under $200 75, under $150 is 150, and under $100 is 300. And you can get an additional 200 points for having the overall least expensive lenses.
My camera choice is the mono/full spectrum modded rII and the lenses I’ve settled on so far are the Tamron A05 17-35/2.8-4 ($112) and Minolta AF 28-85/3.5-4.5 ($25). So I’m down two points, one for missing 16, and one for going a millimeter over 3x. For the tele portion, I figured I’d stick with Minolta. When I traded for the Tamron, the owner threw in the 100-200/4.5. I’d never used it and, while it would cost me 15 points, it’s a really small, light lens. So I thought I’d give it a try…
 RedWing by Bradley Clemens, on Flickr
 RedsWings by Bradley Clemens, on Flickr
The first shot is FF, just had the side trimmed for the 7:5 aspect ratio. The second shot’s immediately after, but cropped approximately 50%. That’s 200mm wide open pretty close to MFD, which is a very limiting 1.9m. I have named the lens Restraining Order for that reason. Anyway, nothing great, but it could be okay for portraits.
Things are a bit better at 100mm wide open (again, near MFD)…
 NOTRESPASSING by Bradley Clemens, on Flickr
But the lens is at its best between 135 and 180mm…
 GnatsinFlight by Bradley Clemens, on Flickr
 ExposedNerves by Bradley Clemens, on Flickr
Not bad for a free lens. I will use it, because it is really small and light and I find 135-180 very useful. However, for the contest, I’ve settled on the Minolta 70-210/4. I have an excellent MD copy I use on the X-570, and I tried it out on the rII. It was very good. Unfortunately, I paid $22.50 for it, and it’ll put me at $159.50. I’m so close to the under $150, I decided to pick up an AF version for $12. If the optics are as good, that’ll be the one.
A couple from the MD, both at 210mm, first at f/5.6, second at f/8 and cropped a bit.
 SpringStorm by Bradley Clemens, on Flickr
 MyHikeCompanion by Bradley Clemens, on Flickr
The little guy in the last shot shadowed me for about half a mile on an after work hike, chatting at me the entire time like he was catching me up on his day.
If you were going to join the game, what would your lenses be?
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