Ok - we'll take a break from the spider (just for a little while) since it is that time of year again... Time for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Unfortunately, I don't think I came back with very good shots this year. I don't know if I am getting stale in what I shoot there and I need to switch things up, or if I was a little too relaxed about things, or if conditions just weren't ideal. One thing I did do differently this year is to take my Anscoflex II which I recently built a contraption for to take TTV photography. Here is one of the results:

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Anscoflex II, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/25 sec at f/8. ISO 100. Tripod and handheld. Raw conversion and cropped in Adobe Camera Raw.

Stay tuned for more posts from the PVGP as well as from our trip to The Wilds!

- Bill

I provided a teaser for this set of photos over a month ago, ad realized I have a couple more to share, so here's another...

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/15 sec at f/9. Canon Speedlight 580EX II flash in auto mode and wireless control. ISO 100. RAW processing in Adobe Camera Raw.

This particular shot is a bit dark, but I really feel that the TTV treatment works well with these vintage looking robots. I know this isn't perfect, but I think it stands as and example of the potential that a little subject like this carries.

- Bill

OK - a quick break from the dive photography today to share a TTV shot that I took a couple weekends ago. Anya and I were doing a short hike along the trails at McConnell's Mills State Park, and I took the opportunity to get a couple shots of her when we took a short break.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/8 sec at f/8. ISO 100. Tripod and handheld. Raw conversion and cropped in Photoshop CS5. McConnell's Mill State Park, Lawrence County, PA.

- Bill

Ok - got another TTV shot for you today. This was the first time I'd taken the TTV rig anywhere other than Phipps, so it was kind of fun. Trying to scramble up the rocky hillside to this waterfall while juggling my camera bag, my DSLR, tripod, TTV rig, and monopod on the other hand was not so much fun.

I really don't know why these photos have so much more grit and grain to them than previous examples. It possibly could be because of the difference in focal distances - most of the TTV done at Phipps is done within a couple feet of the subject, here I was working in the tens of feet.

I also found that focusing was much more difficult this time around. I had a razor thin range on the lens that would put the scene into focus, and even then it was just a touch away from focusing purely on the grit and grain on the Argus' viewfinder lens.

Regardless, here's another shot I brought back on Sunday...

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/5 sec at f/8. ISO 200. Monopod and handheld. Cropped in Photoshop CS5 Extended.

Why This Photo: I've shot this waterfall before and I thought that since I was at the park for a field workshop for my class, that I would give it the TTV treatment to change things up instead of coming back with the same shot again.

What Works: The curving path of waterfall is pleasing to me, while the slow shutter speed produces that nice soft fluffy water.

What Doesn't Work: The grit and grain is just too distracting this time around I think - perhaps I need to clean up the viewfinder a little. Additionally, that razor thing focus range means that this shot is a little soft. And the long shutter speed to draw out the detail in the rocks produces a completely white stream of water that is a bit overpowering.

Even with its flaws, I still really like the shot, and may be convinced to head back in the summer with a different TLR (perhaps the Anscoflex II) and try it again.

Drop me a comment and let me know what you think!

- Bill

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/16 sec at f/9.1. ISO 200. Monopod and handheld. Cropped in Photoshop CS5 Extended.

I'm busy with some other stuff tonight, so you'll have to provide your own critique. Thanks for stopping by.

- Bill

Ok - as promised, here's the Christmas TTV! Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your holiday, and here's hoping you and your's a safe, happy, and healthy Christmas and New Year!

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/10 sec at f/8. ISO 200. Monopod and handheld. Cropped in Photoshop Elements 8.0. Phipps Conservatory.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 10 sec at f/9.9. ISO 200. Monopod and tripod mounted. Cropped in Photoshop Elements 8.0.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/21 sec at f/9.9. ISO 200. Monopod and handheld. Cropped in Photoshop Elements 8.0. Phipps Conservatory.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Anscoflex II (without a TTV contraption), Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 8 sec at f/9.9. ISO 200. Monopod and tripod mounted. Cropped in Photoshop Elements 8.0.

That last shot was done with my new Anscoflex II that Anya found for me! I shot it without the assistance of a TTV contraption which was definitely a challenge, but I love the different look it gives!

Anyway, Merry Christmas!

- Bill

PS: Just because, here's a bonus camera drawing shot...

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 4 sec at f/22.6. ISO 200. No post production.

Well, I'm sure you were expecting a post about brand new equipment... I recently got a new lens, battery grip, and more memory cards, but we're not going to talk about any of that today.

Instead we'll talk about a Christmas present I didn't buy for myself. Let me preface that with a little explanation. Anya and I made a decision when we got married that we would do gifts every day from our anniversary (on 12/15) through to Christmas. So today was day two of our gifts, and Anya surprised me with this little beauty!

That's an Anscoflex II TLR camera that I will be able to use for more TTV Photography (see more: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). So it gets to go along with my other vintage cameras.

The Anscoflex started production in 1954, but I'm having a hard time finding more details about it, but I am looking forward to building a new contraption for it and getting some TTV shots with it. I like that it came with the case, and I really love the super large viewfinder and the sliding cover for it, but I can't stand the vinyl neck-strap, so that'll be coming off. After unwrapping it, I instantly started playing with the knobs and shutter, and fired off a couple frames before realizing that there was still film inside! So I might have taken a couple shots of our Christmas tree, but either way I'll have to go get the film developed (along with the roll from one of the other TLR's we've found).

This was a really wonderful gift, but I promise I'll try to get to the new equipment reviews soon.

- Bill

As promised - here's the second half of the Thanksgiving TTV fun. I know this might sound a bit trite, but I really am thankful for my photography as a hobby, and just as thankful for all of you who visit here regularly and give me a venue to share my photography and gather feedback to improve my skills.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/3 sec at f/12.9. ISO 200. Monopod and handheld. Cropped in Photoshop Elements 8.0. Phipps Conservatory.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

- Bill

I know this is a little early, but I figured I would do a couple days with of this. Enjoy, and have a great Thanksgiving (though you should stop back tomorrow for the second half of the Thanksgiving TTV treats).

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/6 sec at f/16. ISO 200. Monopod and handheld. Cropped in Photoshop Elements 8.0. Phipps Conservatory.

- Bill

Ok - just one more TTV shot and then I'll give it a break for a while (maybe).

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D TTV Argus Seventy-Five, Tokina AT-X M35 Pro DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1, 1/10 sec at f/8. ISO 200. Monopod and handheld. Cropped in Photoshop Elements 8.0. Phipps Conservatory.

I think I'll just leave this one open for critique. Enjoy.

- Bill