Spring 2015 Issue is here!

New Pentax full frame camera announced

Ricoh Imaging has announced that there will be a new full frame Pentax DSLR.

Very little detail has been announced so far but the camera is due to see it launch at Japan’s CP+ trade show.

Ricoh has said that the camera will be ready for sale by the end of 2015.  It will feature Pentax’s K mount lens system making it compatible with a wide range of lenses both old and new.  The camera will also feature a crop feature allowing the lenses that are designed for the APS-C sensor to work on the camera too.

The design of the exterior is yet to be finalised but Ricoh have issued one image of the camera.

There will also be some new full frame compatable lenses including 70-200mm f2.8 and 150-450mm f4.5-5.6.

The CP+ trade show runs from 12^th February until the 15^th February 2015.

Is it really a stupid question?

Breakwater and Ball - Digital Monochrome, Lee Johnson

On the Amateur Photographer website they have posted a new poll.  This week it is about monochrome photography and asks 'Would you be prepared to convert one of your cameras to black & white?'  Is this a silly question?

After doing my research I still believe that it could well be.  I've read several articles about how much better the monochrome image from a converted digital camera is from a colour image that has been converted.

First, I have to admit that I do love monochrome photography.  There is just something about it and in my head I know it doesn't make sense, after all I do not see objects, people or landscapes in black and white.  I see them in colour.  I am of an age that I remember watching TV in black and white.  Would I go back to those days?  Nope, not really.  I seriously think it's more of a nostalgia thing.

The Leica M Monochrom

Of course there is an exception to this.  That is when I shoot film.  I love processing my own film and although I'm told that C-41 is as easy as black and white, I'm still a bit reluctant to try it and of course I shoot colour film nearly as much as I shoot black and white film.

One of the options in the poll is 'No, I'm saving up for a Leica M Monochrom instead'.  This option does sort of make sense to me.  Why not have a camera that is dedicated to shoot just monochrome images?  Ok, if I were going to spend that much money on a camera and lenses I would probably be looking to invest in a Pentax 645z or a quality large format film camera and not a Leica but at first the sentiment was there.

Heptonstall - Shot on Ilford FP4+ and scanned, Lee Johnson

However, as I began thinking more and more about it I came to the conclusion that it is a bit of a silly question.  My DSLR, compacts and even my mobile phone cameras all have the option to shoot in black and white.  I also have the option to convert an image from colour to monochrome in Lightroom or Photoshop.  Same with film.  I could shoot a colour neg and either process in black and white chemistry or scan it and convert in Photoshop.

Perhaps a converted digital camera may shoot a monochrome image better than some of these options (I still think a negative and a nicely made print is more beautiful than any digital image) but for me, the quality I get using the techniques and equipment I have at my disposal are more than adequate for my needs.

If you are feeling brave you can convert a digital camera to a monochrome digital yourself.  Petapixel have an article here.

The Film Photography Project - An Introduction

The Film Photography Project began about five years as a bi-weekly internet radio show, The Film Photography Podcast.

A staff of volunteers headed up by Michael Rasso produce a bi-weekly show (what show) aimed at informing, engaging and inspiring film photographers around the world.

Since its inception the FPP has gained a lot of interest and has built a community of photographers that are interested in film photography and offers opportunities to share their creative output, experiences and passion for film photography.

The FPP also does something else that is quite remarkable.  Listeners send in equipment they either come across or no longer require and the FPP re-distributes camera, lenses and other sundries to anyone with a genuine interest in film photography and wishes to have a go.  Recently, the FPP donated 15 film cameras and 150 rolls of film to a project in Africa.  In addition to this they have also supported projects in high schools with the gift of cameras and film.

Michael and the team also organise Walking Workshops that like-minded people can book to attend and head out with the team to take photographs.  Many of these are in the US where FPP is based but they have been known to venture over here!  The hope is that one day they would like to return (maybe to the North, this time lady and gents!).

Over recent years the FPP has grown to include its own store that sells film cameras and supplies at very reasonable rates and excellent service.

One thing is guaranteed, the enthusiasm for shooting film (and Tim Tams) shines through each and every show.

The fortnightly podcast can be downloaded from iTunes or the FPP website.

Photographs from the team and its listeners can be found in its flickr group.

The new show is out today and is well worth a listen.  Well done FPP keep up the good work!!!

Pinhole Resources

Yesterday we saw the announcement of World Pinhole Photography Day 2015 and we thought it would be a good idea to end the week with some resources to help you get involved.  Have a go at pinhole photography.  Its seriously fund and addictive.  Above all it's cheap and easy to do!

How to build a pinhole camera 

Kodak - How to build a pinhole
Instructables - How to make a pinhole camera

A Pinhole Gallery

Pinhole Gallery
WPPD Gallery

Buying Pinholes

Holga Pinhole Lens - Other mounts are available
Pop-up Pinhole Company
Lomography

Pixel do not endorse products or recieve payment from any third party company.  We're here to give you ideas and share a bit of camera love!


And to end this post a couple of little films

That's it for our first week back. We hope you have enjoyed popping in to see us.  Have a lovely weekend whatever you are doing.

World Pinhole Photography Day

Be part of something big,
(through something very small).

The fifteenth Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD)  will be celebrated all over the world on Sunday April 26th, 2015.

Everyone in the world is invited to take a picture with a pinhole camera, upload it to http://www.pinholeday.org and become part of the Internet's premier pinhole photography gallery.

Pinhole cameras have no lens at all and pinhole photos are taken simply through a small hole. It is very fun, educational and creative to use these kinds of cameras that can even be self-made with various boxes or cans. Any container that can be made light-tight is enough: from tea boxes to tomato cans, from shoe boxes to wooden ones.

An increasing number of people are showing interest in the exciting practice of pinhole photography.  In 2001, 291 pinhole photographers from 24 countries took part in the WPPD and the web exhibition. Last year they were 3,517 participants from 70 countries.

You don’t even need to be working in the medium of film.  You can also use pinhole ‘lenses’ attached to digital SLR’s.  The choice is yours!

WPPD stems from the enthusiastic work by dozens of volunteers scattered worldwide.   More information and the full program (constantly updated) can be found at www.pinholeday.org