Mike Bubbins Studio shoot Fuji 16-55mm XF

This Monday evening saw a studio shoot with stand-up Comedian Mike Bubbins.

I used the Fuji X-T1 and the excellent 16-55mm F2.8 XF lens with a soft-box on a 250w studio head.

The 16-55mm is a great lens and works very well when in a confined studio space, it's also pin sharp all the way through from f2.8 on.

Craig Campbell Comedian Portrait

Craig Campbell is a Canadian Comedian who has lived here in the UK for around 15 years, he's one of the best on the circuit so make sure to catch a show if you can.

I took this portrait of him while on a visit to his home in Dorset - I brought down the green levels in Photoshop to slightly desaturate the background and bring Craig out of the picture.

The photo was lit with direct on camera flash to give a highlight to the eyes and a bit of grain was added in camera RAW.

i don't tend to use Lightroom all that much as I find it easier to do what I need in Photoshop's Camera RAW.

Converting the Helios 44M-4 to fully manual aperture

so for all of the vintage lens users out there here is the quickest tutorial your ever going to read to convert the sublime Helios 44M-4 to work as a fully manual aperture lens with your adapter (In my case the M42 to Fuji X.) In four steps.

1. Get a screwdriver that fits, most PC, watch repair, jewelry and hobby kits will have a suitable flat head screwdriver. Flip the lens over and take out the four silver screws.

2. This is the pin that is stopping the lens working in manual aperture mode

So when you have the screws out and have removed the back of the lens housing this will drop out.

3. The aim of the mod is to have the pin permanently depressed as it would have been in it’s original camera.

The easiest way to do this is to cut a length from a q-tip/cotton bud or Biro shaft – no need to measure it, it’s really not that exact of a science. Just cut enough so it’s roughly the same length as the amount of pin that was sticking out of the back of the lens.

4. Slip it over the pin and replace it back into the rear lens housing, screw it back down and hey presto! A Manual aperture lens. Told you it was easy.