Some high contrast B&W photos from today

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: yllus
Very neat. What camera, lens, settings, and how'd you manage the contrast?

Olympus E-300, used either the 14-45mm kit or a G.Zuiko 50mm f/1.4. I stopped the kit down to f/8 and the G.Zuiko to f/1.8 and shot aperture priority. Shot RAW, converted with UFRaw and PP with the GIMP. I'd set the Contrast to ~70, then play with the Channel Mixer until the B&W looks right, then sharpen. I usually use USM, but the sharpening introduces a touch of noise which looks good on B&W. It's a simple process, but very effective.

The trick with the channel mixer is don't always believe the RGB values have to add up to 100%. For some images, upwards of 125% or 130% give it a nice punch without blowing it out.

I want to get a better quality wide lens, but when the kit lens performs well it's hard to drop the $$.

Try using calculations to do your B&W. A LOT more flexible and easy to use.
It's in the edit menu.

Awesome pics BTW

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO
I thought you used the Pentax ist DL?

Nope.

I might get a K100D as a new toy though.