mayu2024 Discusses | Capturing the Essence of Nature with a Beloved Camera and Old Lens | SUPER-TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8 | Knowledge #248
Cover photo by mayu2024
Photographers who love their craft share stories about their cameras and the narratives they create. Each "beloved camera" reflects the owner's life perspective and values. In this series, we feature mayu2024, a devoted user of the SONY α7C.
Old lenses have been gaining attention recently. Their unique rendering offers a nostalgic and soft atmosphere that modern high-resolution cameras often cannot replicate. This time, we explore the new world of expression that opened up through a chance reunion with such a lens.
Photo by mayu2024
SONY α7C Basic Information
This model is popular as a compact full-frame mirrorless camera. It features a 24.2MP full-frame sensor while remaining lightweight and portable. Despite its everyday carry size, it offers the bokeh and tonal richness unique to full-frame cameras.
SUPER-TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8 Basic Information
The SUPER-TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8 is an old lens produced by PENTAX in the 1960s. It is loved for its unique soft rendering, bokeh, and the solid feel of its metal body. It uses an M42 mount, making it usable with modern mirrorless cameras via an adapter.
Photo by mayu2024
A Chance Reunion
Initially, I intended to write about my beloved SONY α7C and TTartisan 100mm. However, I suddenly thought, "Why not try an old lens again?" So, I attached the SUPER-TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8, which I had previously used on an APS-C camera.
Photo by mayu2024
That day, I was engrossed in photographing white-eyes and cherry blossoms. When the white-eyes flew away, I decided to try shooting the backlit cherry blossoms with the old lens. Suddenly, I noticed the white-eyes had returned.
An Experience Beyond Imagination
"What kind of rendering will it produce?" With both anticipation and anxiety, I started shooting in manual focus. After taking about 1,000 shots and transferring the JPEGs to my smartphone, I was pleasantly surprised.
Photo by mayu2024
Of course, it can't match the detail of a bazooka lens's super-telephoto. But there was a "painting-like" world within the photos. The inability to capture every detail of the white-eyes' feathers enhanced the feeling of "nature's beauty."
Lessons from the Old Lens
Since that day, I've been captivated by the joy of shooting from a slightly distant perspective with this 50mm focal length. The soft, nostalgic blur seemed to capture even the fluttering of cherry blossom petals and the air's shimmer.
Photo by mayu2024
It was fortunate that I already had an M42 adapter for E-mount. Using the adapter I had for TTartisan, I could use the lens I previously used on the PENTAX K-3 II in full-frame, discovering completely new charms.
Capturing Nature's Beauty
The unique rendering of this lens, reminiscent of film photography, is far from perfect. Yet, that's what makes it endearing. It has a mysterious power to turn even failures into art.
Now, I enjoy days of chasing white-eyes, cherry blossoms, and the seasonal air with this old lens. I believe I will continue to capture "nature's beauty" with this combination.
INFORMATION
cizucu Certified Creator & Writer
🍀 Loves cameras. Often photographs flowers (plants, nature), nightscapes, and bokeh. Whatever is in front of me becomes the subject 🍀
cizucu: mayu2024
Instagram: @mayu.20240410
