Kite flying

Kite flying in Bucks, June 5th 2016. Taken on Digital compact camera.

Mastersound gold compact discs

 This week we're moving away from photography and more towards music

These mastersound gold cd's came out during the mid 1990's and I bought several of them as they purported to from the original mastertapes and were a bit cheaper than those issued by so-called 'audiophile' labels such as MFSL and DCC.

They were a mixed bag - I couldn't get on with the issue of Boston S/T being screechy replacing that by a regular US version - and failed to see the sense and trying to make a audiophile issue of Bat Out of Hell, an album that has lots of mixing issues whatever you might think of it musically.

Miles Davis's Kind Of Blue benefited from a new stereo mixdown with the tapes run at the correct speed and a more richer sound than the 1986 Jazz Classics cd issue.

For me the 52nd Street and Infinity albums remain the preferred digital versions despite newer remasters emerging.

People still argue about Reo Speedwagon's Hi Infidelity album on cd and for me nothing beats a good original lp version.

The original Japan for Europe Issue I bought back in 1987 has it's strong points such as the smooth mid range but the lowest notes are reduced and the hi hats on Keep On Loving You are over emphasized.

The Mastersounds has a few drop outs on what was side one and may sound  bit more processed but to me sounds more balenced overall.

Audiophiles also argue about Tapestry, the classic 1971 Carol King album but for me it's all about the mids and this mastering focuses on her voice.

One that's beyond argument is this, the forth Toto album with it's massive hits, Rosanna, Africa and I Won't Hold You Back which was exceptionally well recorded and I still feel holds a sublime mix of songwriting, arranging and performance.

The rear design of whole series is very much like this with the heavy duty textured slip cover and gold embossed text which is just beautiful.

35mm F2.8 MD moderate Wide angle

There I was thinking I'd pretty much wrapped up this business of MC and MD coupled lenses for my X500 and XD7 as I came by another I couldn't just pass up.

This is the later post 1981 version of the MD 35mm F2.8 moderate wideangle with the plastic aperture control and the Minimum Aperture lock for the X700's program mode and potentially at least the Shutter Priority mode of the XD7.
Serial # 8005455
Perhaps unlike a good number of amateur photographers, I find this focal length is my wide angle go to one, packing in more of a scene, adding that distant perspective without  as many issues with converging verticals all in a light pin sharp form.
It lends itself to vacationing as the on the body general purpose one not that I don't have a use for the Tamron 28mm F2.5 for pure landscapes where it's greater distant perspective adds something.
The 50mm always lives in my bag or coat pocket for anything requiring a more neutral perspective or coupling to the Teleplus 2x Macro converter for upto 1:1 reproduction ration close ups.
Like a few pros I feel that 28mm isn't a good choice for group shots as it leads to people at the edges looking distorted proportionately.
The other change of this era was new designs of lenses lost the Rokkor branding and at least two zooms were made for Minolta under license by Cosina to fight off independent zoom options that were packaged by photo retailers instead of their own which didn't quite match the performance of their earlier versions

Equine adventures

This week I did go out to do a bit of film photography as normally for blogging I tend to rely on my trusty Canon digital compact camera and took these two horses on the Minolta X500 using the Minolta Tele Rokkor 300mm F5.6 MC lens with Fuji Superia 200 film.
I love horses and these two were nearby.

Summer Meadowland

Meadowland. Taken June 17 2015. Minolta X500, Tamron 28-70 lens on Fuji Superia 200.

Tamron 35-70 - small, fast and convenient

In view of the fact I don't have a 35mm lens for my XD7 and X500 cameras, I acquired a relatively fast zoom lens that covered the focal length

Coming out in the early 80's, the Tamron 17A 35 through 70mm has a constant aperture settings throughout its zoom range making metering manually very easy and having a F3.5 maximum aperture gives a clear bright image that aids focusing.
That was much appreciated looking  though the viewfinder of the X500 this morning.
It takes a serviceable 58mm sized filter which happens to be the same as the 103A 80-210 telezoom.
While no substitute for a genuine macro lens, its close focusing is a very useful 1:2:8 just about a third lifesize which is good for flowers or say pebbles on a beach.
It is relatively light weight too that helps for hand-held photography and is currently mounted to Minolta MD.
No 425236

Self portrait

Out enjoying a summer picnic, carefree.