Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28, In Bloom

CCD Resurgence: More images with the excellent image capture capabilities of the 10.1MP CCD Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28.

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Continuing on with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28, a vintage superzoom digital bridge camera launched in 2008 with a 10.1MP CCD sensor and an 18x optical zoom lens. The DMC-FZ28 was the upgrade to the FZ18 which has an 8MP sensor and similar lens configuration. An interesting feature of the FZ28 is the Rec/Playback selector switch which sits next to the thumb rest area on the top right edge of the camera back.

The Record/Playback toggle enables images captured in either the EV (Electronic Viewfinder) or LCD mode to be displayed directly on the LCD screen, without the need to switch back to the LCD mode when you are shooting in EV. Pushing the slider back up to the Record mode will set you back to the option you were using. The option makes a lot of sense and is very convenient and handy to use.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

Over and above the FZ18, aside from the upgrade from an 8MP to a 10.1MP CCD sensor, the FZ28 can record video clips in HD, albeit at the low end of the HD range, Venus Engine IV image processor, a 230,000 dot 2.7-inch LCD display, and ISO 6,400 equivalent in High Sensitivity Auto mode. The 1/2.33-inch CCD image sensor is a bit larger than most other cameras in this class, with the wide-angle Leica lens with an 18x optical zoom remaining the same.

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Industar-69 28mm 1:2.8 + Olympus Attach. Lens F=130cm

The Vintage Enthusiast: Image making with an Industar 69 28mm 1:2.8 lens mounted with an Olympus Attachment Lens F=130cm.

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The Industar-69 28mm 1:2.8, the standard lens for Russian Chaika Half-frame cameras which I acquired earlier and was adjusted to fit the flange distance of an M39 LTM lens, has a new friend now, in the form of an Olympus Attachment Lens F=130m. The lens is a 22.5mm diameter unit that Olympus produced for attachment to the inner ring of the Pen EE half-frame camera lens.

An attachment lens is primarily used to enable macro photography without the need to use a specialized primary lens. They work on the principle of a magnifying glass, allowing a primary lens to be brought to focus closer to the subject, for close-ups or macro-orientated photography. While they do not affect exposure, close-up lenses do change both the maximum and minimum focus distances of a lens.

Olympus E-P5, Industar 69 28mm 1:2.8 with Olympus Attachment Lens F=130cm

While there are hardly any details or further info on the Olympus Attachment Lens F=130cm on the Net currently, I am happy enough with just using the lens and attachment among my small collection of garden plants, with a flower that is in bloom and a couple of other subjects.

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Industar-69 28mm 1:2.8, First Impression

The Vintage Enthusiast: Image making with an Industar 69 28mm 1:2.8, the Russian Chaika 35mm Half-Frame lens, on a 2x crop sensor mirrorless ILC.

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Wow, what a combo, a re-aligned Industar 69 28mm 1:2.8, a lens made for the Russian Chaika 35mm Half-Frame cameras, mounted on a 2x crop sensor mirrorless digital, an Olympus E-P5. Working on a crop factor of 1.4, which I believe is the correct lens-to-camera crop ratio, the lens will be equivalent to a perfectly normal 40mm prime lens on a full-frame camera.

The lens, a copy of the Zeiss Tessar, was produced from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s. Though initially built as fixed and non-removable, the lens was later constructed with a М39x1 thread mount, but, unlike other LTM lenses, the flange distance on the Industar 69 is shorter than the usual distance of 27.5mm. So, no infinity focus for you here.

Olympus E-P5, Industar 69 28mm 1:2.8

Adjusting the lens to the correct flange distance to achieve infinity focus, in most cases, is an easy fix. I did it by following the instructions found in a YouTube video. The two-minute non-destructive routine seems to work right for me, and I was off grabbing these first impression shots in no time. Not much to expect from the images either, nothing Wunderbar, unless otherwise, it is just a fun lens to trot around with.

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Olympus VR-350, Playing Catching Up

CCD Resurgence: Image making with a 16MP CCD Olympus VR-350, cute and capable ultra-compact travel zoom.

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Am playing catch up here, with submissions to my 'Re-Living The CCD Sensor' series, and for this week early images with the Olympus VR-350, a 16MP CCD sensor ultra-compact travel zoom fitted with an Olympus 10x optical zoom 4.2-42mm (24-240mm full frame equivalent) lens with 1:3~5.7 aperture opening. The camera is also fitted with a 3-inch 460,000-dot LCD screen. Designed to be simple and easy to use, it comes with a user interface that is well laid out and is quite intuitive even for the first-time user.

The camera is designed to be handy and practical, almost minimalist, looking cute and attractive in its anodized aluminum skin which is available in silver, black and purple. The front of the camera sports a flash strobe, focus assist lamp, and a tiny aperture for the microphone towards the bottom, and again, a minimalist finger grip.

Olympus VR-350

Aside from the Power On and Shutter Release buttons on the top plate of the camera, the functionalities of the camera are mainly centered on the backplane. The most dominant component is the large 3-inch display with touch settings for menu display and setup, with a dedicated movie recording button, 5-way D-pad, and buttons for Menu, help, and playback on its right.

The camera is fun and easy to use, easily available on auction sites at giveaway prices, and if you are an enthusiast of vintage cameras with CCD sensors, this might be just the right one for you.

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