Country of Origin Debate over Lenses Not New

I've seen posts on various Pentax forums debating if there is a difference between the FA31mm, which is now made in Vietnam versus when they were made in Japan. As has been mentioned by several forum members, I can confirm that the same glass and components are being used and that our plant in Vietnam is "assembling" these lenses with the exact same specs as was used in Japan.

Partly to satisfy my own interest and also determine if there was potentially a noticeable difference in samples from the different countries of origin, I had our logistics manager procure for me three samples of the 31mm lens made in Japan, as well as three samples of the 31mm lens made in Vietnam. From a workmanship standpoint, I have found no discernible differences in the fit, finish or mechanics of these samples.

In my limited spare time over the past three to four months, I have put these lenses through a series of different tests shooting with both my K-7 and K-x. None of these tests were done in a lab, but I mixed up my shooting environments to include dim light, bright sun, abstract scenes, grand kids, etc. In fact, all my recent photos shot with the 31mm lens where randomly taken with the various samples.

To illustrate this post today, I've included two photos of the same flower vase shot with a Japanese 31mm and a Vietnamese 31mm. As it was raining and windy this morning when I took these photos, I wouldn't peep too deeply into these images. You're likely to see blur in the branches due to wind. However, if you sit back and just look at the overall color, contrast and saturation of these images, you'll find as I did that there's no real difference between the samples. And beside acuity, I've always regarded these attributes as the real test of any given lens.

I recognize that my post will not stem on-going discussions and debates about this lens, but I would hope this helps clarify the situation to some extent. I'd also like to point out to anyone that is relatively new to the arcane matters that surround high-quality optics, that these intense debates about the 31mm's country of origin are not new to our industry. For years, many Leica photographers have debated the merits of Leitz lenses made in Canada versus Germany. Although you can find many references to this debate, here's a link to one forum discussion Canada vs German Leitz Lenses .

So, in trying to summarize the reason for my post, I would not be overly concerned with the country of origin for any high-quality lens that you consider buying today. Based on my tests, I can't see or feel any difference between my FA31mm samples.

And to those that continue to promote widely that "made in Japan" FA 31mm's are better...you might just inadvertently end up setting higher prices for these samples on the "used", "LNIB" open market. Yes that did happen with used Leitz lenses for awhile, and I'd hate to see that happen with the 31mm since it'd be based more on myth than fact!

(As the photo above shows, I tested a range of FA31mm samples including an older "silver" version. Notice the middle lens is stamped "Made in Japan" on the lens shade ring, whereas the Vietnam made sample to the right simply has the serial number stamped in the exact same location. I compared workmanship of all components, including the lens cap. I am not sure if the photo clearly shows the comparable fit and finish of the lens caps, but I can tell you that I've already mixed up the "black" caps and really can't tell which cap goes with which lens...smile)

LIGHTENUPANDSHOOT at PMA

Last November, I posted a link to what I thought was a pretty funny video from a website called "lightenupandshoot". As a testament to how the internet really does make the world a much smaller place, Andy and Mikey showed up at our table at the Sneek Peek Press event at PMA. And of course I immediately recognized them.


They're great guys, really good photographers and actually live in Colombia (I thought their saying they were based there was part of the video spoof). They invited me to a photo shoot they were doing Monday near the show in Anaheim, but I couldn't get away as I was booked with meetings. I should have just lightened up and gone with them :)


From other conversations I had during the show, it appears that Andy and Mikey are starting to get some good buzz and awareness throughout our industry. In case you haven't heard of them before, or want to keep track of their activities, here's a link to their website:

LIGHTENUPANDSHOOT

Photocinenews

 Anyone who's business takes them to trade shows knows that networking is one of the great benefits of events like PMA, as it brings together a large group of people with like minds and a common interest. During a break in my meetings, I was fortunate to have a brief hallway conversation with a very nice chap named Michael Britt, who recently started a new blog named photocinenews.

To understand what Michael and his group are up to, I've borrowed some copy from his blog's "about" section and brief discourse that we had on the show floor at PMA:

PhotoCineNews is the first blog dedicated to the convergence of photography and video. As photographer’s retool their skill set to this emerging medium, PhotoCineNews is dedicated to delivering the latest news and innovations in this brilliant new genre. This leap forward for the photography industry brings it closer to the gates of Hollywood with the potential for influential short films. With that in mind we deliver news from the movie industry that affects the photocine filmmaker. Along with the PhotoCine Conference and Film Festival, PhotoCineNews is the definitive destination for the filmmaking photographer. Since last August, Michael said they have produced the first Video DSLR conference (The Collision Conference at the LA Film School), and have been actively building this photographer/cinematographer community through a collaborative blog as well as live events and online teaching.

For any Pentaxians currently experimenting with video using either the K-7 or K-x, I thought you might want to check out Michael's blog and add it to your bookmarks.
  
PHOTOCINENEWS

The Making of Uncle Jack

Writer/Director Jamin Winans discusses how Uncle Jack was made using the K-7 and provides insight into the craft of filmmaking through an exclusive behind the scenes look.




You can view the video here on my blog, or if you have problems viewing from within my blog, go to our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL86qxCasoI

If you haven't seen Uncle Jack or The Rider, two videos we recently commissioned to demonstrate the many possibilities of shooting HD video on a PENTAX K-7, you can scroll down to an earlier post where I've embedded the videos, as well as provided links to YouTube.

PMA 2010

As I'm starting another marathon show day, this post will have to be brief. However, I wanted to provide a quick update on our activities at PMA. We arrived Saturday and participated with Samy's in the PhotoExpo selling show which was open to the public. Saturday afternoon we attended the Sneak Peek Press Event where we had the opportunity to talk with members of the press who attend Sneak Peek to learn what's new from all the manufacturers. As the photos below show, Sneak Peek was really well attended. The actual show opened Sunday, and we're packed with meetings for three days with both press and our accounts.

Photoshop is 20 Years Old

In recognition of Photoshop being twenty years old, Adobe TV has released a video entitled StartUp Memories. Considering how Photoshop has changed the way we think about photography, the video provides some really interesting insights about how it came to be.

Two Short Films Shot Exclusively with K-7

PENTAX Imaging Company (US) recently commissioned two Colorado production companies to create an entertaining short film to demonstrate the many possibilities of shooting HD video on a PENTAX K-7 digital SLR with a lens assortment that offers cinematographic perspective to anyone.

THE RIDER
The All Terrain Studios filmmaking team of Dave Rosner and Melissa Rosner produced THE RIDER in the Colorado high country at Loveland Ski Area and the nearby mountain village of Georgetown. Starring RIDE Snowboard sponsored athlete Erik Ludwig, the film shares a typical day in the life of a snow bum who lives for his daily terrain park fix. The film captures majestic vistas of the Rocky Mountain Continental Divide and offers an inside look into winter sport lifestyles. THE RIDER was primarily filmed with the smc PENTAX DA 15mm F4 ED AL LIMITED, the smc PENTAX DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM and the smc PENTAX DA Star 300mm F4 ED(IF) SDM lenses.

The Rider doesn't need much. A little food, a sleeping bag, his Ride snowboard, and, of course, snow. A short film about a day in the life of a snowboard bum, shot entirely with the PENTAX K-7 and assorted PENTAX lenses.



UNCLE JACK
Filmmaker Jamin Winans and Futuristic Films takes viewers on a wild ride in UNCLE JACK. Behind this nocturnal odyssey of a desperate fugitive is the sweet tale of an uncle comforting his beloved niece with a cellular bedtime story. A mad clown, a crazed woman, magic pills, gunshots and more add up for a fast-paced, riotous adventure. Shot in downtown Denver entirely at night, the film keeps you rooting for a troubled character with a big heart. UNCLE JACK was filmed with the smc PENTAX DA Star 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM, the smc PENTAX DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Fish-Eye and the smc PENTAX DA Star 60-250mm F4 ED (IF) SDM lenses.

Get ready for a wild ride with UNCLE JACK in this nocturnal odyssey of a desperate fugitive. A mad clown, magic pills, a bedtime story and more add up for a fast-paced, riotous adventure. Cheer for a troubled character with a big heart in this short film shot in Denver, Colorado entirely at night with the PENTAX K-7.




Stay tuned to www.youtube.com/pentaxian1 for future “behind the scenes interviews” with the filmmakers.

Spontaneous Sleep Over with Grand Kids

I'm sure some of you can relate to the story behind these photos. We went to a birthday party late Saturday afternoon, and during the celebration one of our grand kids asked my wife if he could sleep over with us. I told my wife no problem as we have them over quite frequently. Fast forward to my surprise when we're driving home with four grand kids in tow. I protest only in jest, as we love having them over, and as usual on Sunday morning we had breakfast and took them for a long walk along our beach and then returned to the house where they always rinse off in the spa.

Photo Notes: As I had taken my K-x and DA 16-45mm with me to get some snapshots of the birthday party, I decided to continue shooting with this combination for our Sunday activities at the beach and back home in the spa.

I realized the range of photos, from flash, low light to bright outdoors of a family event with the DA 16-45mm lens might give some of you an indication of how this lens can perform. As I have not shot with this lens in a few years, the recent fishing trip photos and this series of family photos give you a good range of subject matter to evaluate and draw your own conclusions.

All images were shot in RAW and processed into jpegs for posting on blogger using Adobe Camera Raw 5.5 and PhotoShop CS4. Click on any of the thumbnails to see larger image. The small FG200 Flash was used for the indoor party shots.

Prints from a "Toy Camera" Image

Last October, I posted a few photos that I shot with my K-7 and DA 15mm lens using one of the camera's digital effects, namely "monochrome" plus the "toy camera" filter. For your reference, here's a link to that post Toy Camera Filter.

Having shot and printed from Tri-x negatives for many years, I was intrigued with how simple it was to create these effects in-camera. However, being a serious printmaker, I wondered how the images would look when put on paper. This past week, I had time one evening to print the files and have to admit I found the results to be really good. Mind you, the "toy camera" effect produces a small jpeg file (the photo of my wife on our beach is only 4.6mb) and the prints off my Epson 4800 on 13 x19" Velvet Fine Art paper exhibit graininess which would probably drive a measurebator nuts.

The thumbnail above shows a few of the prints I made and mounted on a wall in my office. You can click on the thumbnail to see a larger image, but it's still hard to appreciate the overall look and feel of these prints. However, when most people came by to view them there first question is what PhotoShop filters did I use?

If you currently shoot with a K-7 or K-x, and haven't tried any of the digital effects possible in-camera, my suggestion is that one day you do some experiments with these filters. Not only are they easy to use, you might find the results to be surprisingly good and force you to think about your photography in a new light. And, at the very least, these filters are a nice reminder that photography in most cases is supposed to be fun, and the capability is sitting there in your camera right now just waiting to be tapped into.

PhotoCard App for iPhone

With the thousands of app's available for the iPhone, it's getting harder to find really useful utilities, and by that I mean ones that you end up using on a regular basis. I recently came across a relatively new "photo" app that's simple, well designed and fun to use.

I have been fooling around with PhotoCard for just over a week, and have to say it's very easy to produce and send "e-cards" by simply clicking on any of your contacts email address stored in your iPhone. If you wish you can add stickers and even embed voicenotes.

However, I really think PhotoCard's "Raison d'être" is how easy it makes sending actual printed cards via postal mail. PhotoCard solves what has been for me a nagging problem - how do I share photos with distant relatives and friends that do not have an email address or are uncomfortable dealing with the internet. Provided you have your friend's address in their contact database, you simply click on that and PhotoCard knows that this card has to be mailed.

Although the resolution and quality of images taken with the iPhone are not going to reproduce very well when printed, you can save your higher resolution photos taken with a K-x, K7 etc. to the iPhone's "Photos" library. PhotoCard let's me decide whether I want to take a photo with my iPhone or select an image already saved in my library.


















Here's a recent photo I took with the K-x that I used to mail a printed PhotoCard to a postal address. Note the simple user interface bar at the bottom of the frame.

I have already sent several printed cards to friends of the family. However, I wanted to see for myself how the printed cards looked, so I sent several different samples to my home address. Below are photos of the front and back on one of these cards that I just received in the mail. The cards are printed on a HP Indigo printer using a glossy, heavy stock and measure 8.25 x 5.5".

From reading Bill Atkinson's FAQ's, I understand the cards are sent through the US Postal Service by First Class oversize mail, and based on my initial tests, they arrive 2-3 business days after I place the order on my iPhone.

The first print-and-mail card that you send is free-of-charge. Subsequent cards cost 2 credits for printing and mailing to USA addresses, and 3 credits for printing and mailing to International addresses. A credit costs between seventy-five cents and one dollar, depending on how many you purchase at once. I found it very easy to buy these credits using either PayPal or my credit card.

Note: After sending myself the above card using a photo of my granddaughter, I realized I could have rotated the image to fill the entire card. You can click on either of the above thumbnails if you want to see a larger photo of the card.

Overall, my first impressions of PhotoCard are very good. The interface is clean and simple, which makes sense considering Bill's background. And for me, the ease with which I can send high-quality printed photocards to friends and family from anywhere, anytime more than justifies the nominal cost of less than $2 (same price as my cup of Starbucks coffee) to print and mail these high-quality, personalized cards.

In fact, I can't wait to go on vacation and send photocards to family members directly from my beach chair as I view the sunset on the Kona coast of Hawaii...that is if my lovely wife will allow me to have my iPhone with me (smile).