Submitter's name:	Mike Butler
Title:	Learning to be on the other side of the camera.
Gear used:	OM-1n + Tele-VOTAR 400/4.5 + T32 Flash + Tripod + Wall Mirror
Diaphragm:	F4.5?
Shutter speed:	1/60
Film used:	Kodak Elite chrome 100 ASA
Technical Information:	The slide was scanned reversed to have it right reading. I just had to use this lens for this exercise. I had just received it form the the eBay seller and I no idea how it would work. This thing has a 92mm front lens group with unknown number of elements. The rest of the lens is focusing mechanism and iris. If anyone has more information about this lens I'd love to hear from you.
Subject information:	I am not very comfortable in front of the camera. The one shot I managed to smile in is not a keeper. It will be interesting to put faces to the names of folks on this mailing list.
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Comments:

Comment left by: Olaf Greve (ogreve@web-wizards.com)

Wow, you shot this with a 400mm lens? Incredible... How far away were you from the mirror?

Comment left by: wiliam wagenaar (wiliam2@wish.net)

You don't seem to be too happy with your new buy. Good to see the man and the camera (well the lens mostly)

Comment left by: Scott C. Nelson (snelson@hcfa.gov)

Hey, this guy looks like a pro! Seriously, I could see this shot in a bio or brochure.

Comment left by: Siddiq (siddim01@student.ucr.edu)

NeatO! The flash discharge shows up very well, not at all blown out! You were about 50 feet from the mirror?

Comment left by: Mike Butler (abutler@flash.net)

This shot was taken about 12' from the mirror, the lens is marked down to 20' focus. I am still undecided about how much I like the lens. It was reasonably cheap for a f4.5, but it may be a bit soft. My expression has more to do with my level of comfort in front of a camera. As I mentioned in response to Joel Wilcox's photo, My daughter would have given me a reason to smile.

Comment left by: Ron Spolarich (caesar2@mediaone.net)

Mike with 'tude! This is really quite a shot. To capture the flash as you did is fascinating. I'm surprised it didn't blow the image! It does appear soft Mike but maybe you're right at the limit of minimum focus.

Comment left by: John A. Lind (jlind@netusa1.net)

A real contrast to the full-frame fisheyes at the other lens extremes. Not many would think to use a long telephoto. It has a really serious, down-to-business feel and works. The softness of the image is not a real problem either; many portraits are softened. Great exposure and the background bokeh looks good. Whether it was your focus or the lens itself you will have to test. Ron has a good point that this might be pushing minimum focus distance. Looks like it has good flare control with the direct flash blast; what flare there is from the flash looks like it is more the mirror than the lens.

Comment left by: Ken Norton (image66@attglobal.net)

Is that "Peace symbol" Bogan's old or new logo? I looked at my 'pods and they didn't have the peace symbol. Either that or you are a throwback to another bygone era. (Gee dad, you really dressed that dorky back then?)

Comment left by: Carlos Santisteban (cjss@supercable.es)

I'm amazed by the absence of flare in the mirror -- I tried to do something similar but got a horrible picture! Bokeh seems fine, too.

Comment left by: Valentin (valikkob@list.ru)

Good afternoon, Mr. Mike! My name is Valentin. I am from Moscow. I want to buy a camera lens Tele-VOTAR 400/4.5. To me he was in your collection. In your opinion, is worth it to him to have. To what better use of his photographs: black and white or color? What is it good for film or digital? Since HC. Valentin

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