Bags

I just adore cure airline type bags such as these

Zoom lenses for the Olympus cameras

This is actually really good a seven element, seven group Tamron type 17A 35-70mm co-called "standard" constant F3.5 zoom with a 1:2:8 reproduction ratio at the 70mm end complete with Olympus OM mount and even a Hoya 1A filter fitted.

Serial # 556389

It only weighs in at 330 grams which isn't bad while the viewfinder image is fairly bright making it handy for quick picture taking where changing lens isn't so easy.

Making quick changes to how you frame the image is something that's easy to achieve with a zoom lens without having to move around a lot.

It came in their original packaging with the OM40 having instructions and foam too.

For more years than I really care for  arguments have raged over the qualities of lenses that cover several focal lengths  over fixed focal length ones.

Olympus themselves had manufactured a good number during what might in hindsight  be called the "Golden Era" of the OM system  in the late 1970's and 1980's that met their exacting standards.

Just what is the argument against them?

I think the first is for serious landscape photography they are harder to use with filters, specifically those square ones like Cokin's that screw on the filter thread of a lens because most zoom lenses have front elements that rotate when you focus whereas on fixed length ones they do not.

The other is during that era many cheaper zoom lenses came on the market that weren't so well designed spoiling their image. 

It was said at the time you needed to spend two to three times as much for a zoom lens of a similar quality to two or more fixed length ones and many amateurs just were not prepared to spend that.

This said, a good one has real uses like being able to easily control the final image you take very precisely not least on transparency film and this example I own, the 75-150mm F4 is a good example as it provides a very high image quality, offers a wide range of telephoto lengths and yet weighs little more than single 200mm lens which is comfortable for hand hold usage. 

I find its coverage is a good match for what I want in the field saving me carrying the 90mm and 135 and rarely need the 200mm as it's top end of 150 is adequate while saving me from changing lenses frequently.

It also uses a 49mm filter thread just like the regular standard and wide angle lenses which makes working with polarizers and square filters more straightforward for not having to double up on attachment rings and screw in filters.


As the OM system in the early 1990's moved very much toward  advanced amateurs and professionals with the OM4Ti being the only 'new' body available, while only a  few fixed length lenses went from the lens range such as the 135mm, all the Zooms did until they introduced the 35-80 F2.8 in 1995 issued with the OM3Ti.

More Clannad

It was a good while ago since I bought and wrote a review of the Anime Clannad which has two parts, a series that really moved me.

Thinking of that I thought I'd share a couple of images of a collectors figure ofTomoyo Sakagami.

A 300mm telephoto for the Olympus cameras

I was thinking early on about getting a longish telephoto lens but it's taken now to find an affordable quality option for my OM10 and 40 bodies as most of the independent options from the late 1970's and 80's were rather so-so at best and you are normally talking of around £100 upward for Olympus's own.

Shopping around I found something that would work, the Tamron Adaptall 300mm F5.6 which was originally introduced  in 1976 and phased out in 1979 for the later Adaptall 2  close focusing version.
The early Adaptall lenses do take the later mounts and although this as bought came mounted for the old M42 screw fitting, changing to Olympus OM is quick and easy and for £36 was a bargain.

Technical notes



Lens construction: four group 4 elements
Minimum aperture: 22
Minimum focusing distance: 2.5m
Filter diameter: 58mm

Weight: 580g

Cute fashion

You might ask about fashion because it is a good while since I blogged around that which isn't entirely unconnected with the changes I have been going through recently and that I'm trying to deal with on this blog.

This is more like the kind of thing I like rather more than more obviously for older people  fashions liking pastels and pleated skirts a lot. I'm not much for anything below the knee when it comes to skirt lengths.

Typing anew

Here at That Boarding School Girl, I am slowly getting used to working with the Chromebook mentioned on the other blog which isn't what I use here normally but is very handy for quickly checking and posting on various sites.
It's also very quick for posting blogs on although it cannot by design run full blown programs only apps that run through the Chrome Browser.
Because much of my bigger side does things like copy cds to digital files, buys files from places like iTunes plus works with pictures from my digital camera I do have a bit of a need for my Windows Laptop although to be honest a good 95% of what I do can be done at least as well on that Chromebook.

Pastel recovery

After all that Brexit discourse, I honestly don't feel up to dealing with the cynicism, grandstanding and hate that seems to just invaded grown up spaces where even families are no longer talking to each other.
I'd rather people left that and focused more on what we are all in need of right now, not least those of us with learning disabilities, putting more into how we can make each other feel better, having better lives and be more caring.
I feel the need to love and be loved much more right now.