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Posts Tagged ‘Blade’

Leica’s ‘new’ Thambar-M 90mm F2.2 costs $325 per aperture blade

28 Oct

Hands-on with Leica’s new classic 90mm Thambar

Leica’s newest lens is actually one of its oldest. The Leica Thambar-M 90mm F2.2 is a (slightly) modernized recreation of a classic 1930s design, famed for decades thanks to its unique soft focus rendering for portraits. At $ 6500 it costs a pretty penny too, which for our own amusement we figured works out to $ 325 for each of its 20 aperture blades.

We’re at the Photo Plus Expo show in New York, where we just got our hands on Leica’s latest crazy diamond. Click through for a closer look.

Hands-on with Leica’s new classic 90mm Thambar

Cosmetically, the new Thambar is virtually identical to the original. The biggest difference is that now, it’s designed natively for the M-mount rather than the original screw-mount (and 6-bit coded). As such, it can be used on modern rangefinders (like the M10 pictured above) without adaptation.

Sorry about the weird color balance in this image by the way. I have no excuse.

Hands-on with Leica’s new classic 90mm Thambar

Yes, that is a 20-bladed aperture. The optical construction of the new lens is the same as the original – four elements in three groups – but in a concession to the needs of 20th Century photographers, the elements are now single-coated.

Hands-on with Leica’s new classic 90mm Thambar

There are two reasons the original Thambar is famed among Leica collectors. One is its scarcity, and the other is its unique rendering. ‘Soft-focus’ would be a bit of an oversimplification – its more of an ethereal glow. I can’t describe the appearance very well in words, but people who love it really love it. The effect can be varied by stopping down the aperture. There are some sample images at the end of this writeup.

Note the twin stepless aperture scales – that will be explained a minute.

Hands-on with Leica’s new classic 90mm Thambar

The white aperture ring refers to the effective aperture when the special ‘center-spot’ filter is attached. This filter allows photographers to modify the unique rendition of the Thambar.

Hands-on with Leica’s new classic 90mm Thambar

A dedicated screw-in hood can be reversed on the lens for storage. Without the hood or filter, the new Thambar weighs in at a respectable 500g (1.1lb) and is available now, for $ 6500.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Blade Rollers: 11 Retro-Style Knife Sharpener Vans

13 Aug

[ By Steve in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]

Charming and quaint hand-painted knife sharpener vans are one of the few remaining holdouts from the golden age of hand-delivered household services.

There’s never a dull moment when the knife-sharpener van comes around, rolling along at walking speed and ringing its distinctive mournful bell. Humorously likened by some to “ice cream trucks for serial killers”, knife sharpener and blade-grinding vans can trace their roots back to hand-pulled carts and cries of “bring out your dead… er, dull blades!”

Though many johnny-come-latelies to the age-old trade have employed professional sign writers to decorate their late-model grinding vans, a substantial number of old-school knife sharpeners continue to operate decades-old vans displaying amateur artwork of a similar vintage. NYC-based Del Re’s Grinding is typical of the genre.

According to The Trowel Tribune, owner/operator Dominic Del Re began his career as a mobile blade grander back in the eighties after leaving his job as a commodities trader on Wall Street. Guess he couldn’t bear the bull anymore.

Long Hard Grind

Step-vans and re-purposed bread trucks are often the mobile knife sharpener’s fave choice, as seen by the mobile shop used by Carlo’s Sharpening Service of Ottawa, Canada.

Carlo flaunts his Italo-Canadian pride along with examples of various bladed tools on the sides of his van, as snapped by Flickr member Andrew Codrington (acodring) in 2008 and Twitter member Laura Dudas in 2015. The van’s sun-faded sides pay homage to 7+ years (and uncounted miles) of slow-motion service.

Gotta Look Sharp

Most mobile blade sharpening services are Mom & Pop-type operations (though we’ve yet to see an actual “Mom” at the wheel – or even riding shotgun), with the owner’s name painted on the van’s sides. As such, one “G. Vecchiarelli” does the needful within his spiffy red “Grinding & Sharpening Service” Grumman step-van – possibly an ex-mailvan – in and around the Greater Toronto Area.

Dude better mind his letters, as the sun is beginning to peel them. Flickr member Jennie Robinson Faber snapped the second not-so-sharp photo in early September of 2009.

Bob’s Yer Uncle

Bob’s Grinding Service has been a frequent sight in and around New York City for many years now. His sharp-looking Grumman-Olson van sports spiffy professional lettering offset by the charming folk-art Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner characters gracing the van’s back bumper – Tweety-Pie’s painted on the hood. Kudos to Flickr member Nicholas Noyes (niznoz) who captured Bob’s van going away in February of 2008.

“This is the second time I’ve seen this truck” states Flickr member Casey Holford (chachlate), who was evidently unaware blade sharpener vans were a thing. “It apparently drives around and SHARPENS TOOLS for people, just like streetside service out of the truck. There’s a guy in there right now sharpening some tools. It’s crazy.” Crazy like a blade-sharpening fox, Casey.

Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
Blade Rollers 11 Retro Style Knife Sharpener Vans

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[ By Steve in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]

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Atomos releases HDR update to Inferno, Flame and Blade recorders

19 Nov

Atomos has announced a new OS update for its Inferno, Flame and Blade series of professional monitor/recorders, with a focus on improving HDR workflows. Atomos’ AtomHDR technology allows users with Log output from their camera to view up to 10.2 stops of dynamic range on the monitor while providing a preview of what graded footage will look like. Atom OS 7.12 adds support for Sony S-Log, FujiFilm Log and Canon C-Log 3 to the list of previously supported Log formats for Panasonic, JVC, Canon, Sony, Red and Arri cameras. The update is available directly from Atomos.

Additionally, Atomos is offering a limited time cash back and trade in program on some of its Flame and Blade products, with total savings of up to $ 500 on the Shogun Flame (normally $ 1695), up to $ 400 on the Ninja Flame (normally $ 1295), and up to $ 100 on the Ninja Blade (normally $ 495). Full details of the program can be found on the Atomos web site, and the promotion ends January 31, 2017.

Press release:

YouTube goes HDR, Atomos HDR upgrade & $ 500 off for content professionals

Melbourne, Australia – 17th November 2016: Timed with the recent announcement by YouTube for HDR delivery, Atomos announces a new OS update to further broaden HDR compatibility and offers a limited time discount to make the HDR upgrade easier this holiday season.

The HDR wave continues to gather pace with YouTube adding to other content delivery platforms such as Google Chromecast ultra, Sony PS4 Pro, Amazon, Netflix and Vudu in bringing HDR transmission and playback to the growing population of people with HDR compatible TV’s, the leading Christmas gift in 2016. Now the race is on for content developers to create HDR content and with that comes the challenge for creatives to move to a new HDR workflow, in particular to get exposure for HDR in the field accurate. Atomos announces new OS and new promotional pricing to make HDR upgrading easier this holiday season;

  • AtomHDR technology across the Inferno, Flame and Blade Series Pro Monitor/Recorders gives users with a Log output from their camera 10.2 stops of dynamic range, along with our patent pending HDR waveform & HDR slider to make setting exposure for HDR delivery precise, yet simple.
  • •New OS 7.12, which is a free download, broadens Log support to include Sony S-Log, FujiFilm Log and Canon C-Log 3 in addition to previous support for Panasonic, JVC, Canon, Sony, Red and Arri log curves.
  • A limited time cash back and trade-in program which gives up to $ 500 cash back on the AtomHDR range. This brings the price of our HDR, High bright monitor-recorders down to non-HDR, monitor only prices;
    • Shogun Flame MSRP $ 1695, down to $ 1395 w/cash back or $ 1195 w/cash back & Shogun trade-in
    • Ninja Flame MSRP $ 1295, down to $ 1095 w/cash back or $ 895 w/cash back & Shogun trade-in
    • Ninja Blade MSRP $ 495, down to $ 395 w/cash back or $ 320 w/cash back & Ninja2 trade-in
  • The flexibility of both SDR and HDR in the one unit. Expose correctly for HDR in the field but grade the recorded log footage for either HDR or SDR delivery. Those with an eye on HDR for the future but delivering SDR now, will benefit greatly with less noise in their footage by exposing their log footage away from the noisy end of the sensor.

“We are super pumped about YouTube and others move to HDR. They see what we see, HDR is the next big advancement for consumers around the world in imaging” said Jeromy Young, CEO and Co-founder of Atomos, “Now creative filmmakers and photographers alike need AtomHDR in the field to make sure they expose correctly and don’t screw up their shoot before finishing!”

The new pricing & functionality targets a move across to HDR, but the AtomHDR platform does not exclude SDR/Rec709 workflows. It in fact improves it! Exposing Log for HDR = cleaner SDR images ensuring you expose in the cleanest part of the sensor. The 1500 nit high-bright panel also improves SDR workflows making outdoor monitoring a breeze. The Atomos award winning AtomHDR monitors are best in class both now and the future.

For details on the cashback and trade in offers go to: https://www.atomos.com/offers/hdr-upgrade

Shogun Flame and Ninja Flame free OS update can be downloaded from https://www.atomos.com/firmware

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Blade of the Immortal – Dream Bomb

30 Oct

More details from Anotsu’s and Makie’s past are revealed. A fierce battle between Manji and Makie unfolds. Afterwards the latter leaves Anotsu and the Itt?-ry?.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Saya reminds us of the importance of “Passenger Safety” in this latest PSA. Anime Reloaded is a comedic spin on a classic anime title. Think MST3K meets Monty Python. We take Blood: The Last Vampire’s Saya and feature her in a series of hilarious Public Service Announcements. Featuring the voice talents of YouTube’s LisaNova and KassemG. Visit www.manga.com to see them all!

 
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Posted in Animation Videos