Acquired – Zeiss 45mm F2.8 Pandcake

So, with the help of Camera Traders I have been using various “classic” lens on my Canon EOS Rebel T3. I have been using lens originally designed for a Contax / Yashica system with an adapter for the Canon EOS system. The results have been very favourable. From the ability to pick up a 24mm lens for $100 (Tamron 24mm F2.8 see here for samples) it allows you to experiment with different fixed focal lens, rather than using clinical auto focus, and stabilized lenses. Don’t get me wrong, I still have some Canon auto focus lens sitting in the camera bag, but over the last few week they have been doing a lot more sitting than shooting. When I am doing product shots at work (online store) my cameras on a tripod, its tethered shooting to my laptop. I no question reach for my 28-80mm Canon AF. But when it comes to product shots for Facebook, or Fashion du Jour photos I will always reach out for some classic glass, the imperfections become perfection. And I must say, I have been blown away by the newest addition to my arsenal. A Carl Zeiss 45mm F2.8 – F22 Tessar T* Pancake. Its superior optics contained inside a 2cm casing. With the extra length the adapter adds it is just 25mm long. It adds so little weight, wile taking such sharp photos within a large aperture range. If there is a downside, it would be the minimal focal length is 60cm. That said, you have marked focus lengths from 60cm – 10m – ∞ –  with prime being at 3.5M F8. Well, thats enough writing for now, im out to do some shooting. Some samples of the Zeiss 45mm below – for other samples of various lens check out some of the links above. Also many thanks to Matt Savage – Adventures on Film for the help and advice along the way.

Well Designed – Braun – Dieter Rams

Dieter Rams – Lead Braun designer from 1961 – 1995. Here we shall look at Mr. Rams ten principles of design and a few of my favourite Braun products.  Thank you Mr. Rams

Is innovative – The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.

Makes a product useful – A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.

Is aesthetic – The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products are used every day and have an effect on people and their well-being. Only well-executed objects can be beautiful.

Makes a product understandable – It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product clearly express its function by making use of the user’s intuition. At best, it is self-explanatory.

Is unobtrusive – Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.

Is honest – It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.

Is long-lasting – It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.

Is thorough down to the last detail – Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.

Is environmentally friendly – Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimizes physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.

Is as little design as possible – Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.

Well Designed – Cecelia Ravine Bike Park

Where was this when I was fifteen. The fine people at the City of Victoria have worked with Alpine Bike Parks, to create a beautiful little bike park here in Victoria BC. Right off the Galloping Goose multi-use trail, its easy to get to and will provide some fun for riders of all skill levels. I cannot wait to get over there myself, and grab some pictures of the action. Maybe even borrow a bike, and give it a shot myself. Local videographer Brian Park has shot a wonderful little film that I have posted below, that just adds to the hype behind this project. Cecelia Ravine Bike Parks opens October 21, 2011.

Alpine Bike Parks: Cecelia Ravine park from Brian Park on Vimeo.

Well Designed – Phillips Beer

So I very rarely drink, and truth be told I have never had a Phillips brew. But, I can attest from several friends, and from serving Phillips at Fort Street Cafe, that there are well crafted. That said, were here to look into the aesthetics behind Phillips Beer. Just looking at the labels you can see that they follow a total art principle . Compound that with a visit to their website (here). It is obvious that they really love what they do, and they make sure that everything they do its to perfection. Even their brewery has the “Phillips” looks to it. Even their delivery trucks currently have graphics that make it appear as if kegs are rolling out the back. There is nothing like a local company that is doing it better than any of there counter parts nationally, and internationally. If you  read to this point you deserve a Phillips!

 

 

John A. Di Castri – Trend House

Back in June I did a post about John A. Di Castri’s Trend House. (post here)  since then the house has been listed. offering us pictures of the interior and exterior of the house that is almost unchanged from the original. and it sold for just under $600 000 I should also mention that it’s only 845 square feet

Well Designed – Frank O. Gehry

I am a huge Frank O. Gehry fan I especially

love his models. His reno on the Art Gallery of

Ontario is old news, but I found

some pictures of the model used for the project.

Well Designed – Richmond Speed Skating Oval

Well Designed / Super Down With – The Bauhaus

Well Designed – Habitat 04

So… I had all these rad expo 67 picture I was going to post

and wouldn’t you know it Kevin aka 84/ beat me to it with a

great post on expo. he may have most,

but not all the cards up his sleeve.

in 2004 Brian Jungen a contemporary Canadian artist. did a

collaboration with the SPCA to make shelters for stray cats in

Montreal. his concept was to take the design of the Habitat

building pictured above and apply it to the cat world

pictured below.

Well Designed – Safari

I Remember a day when

your browser options on

your mac were Internet Explore or Netscape.

I have been using Safari since it was released

on OS X. and it has only improved. the newest

update is gold. i love the top pages feature

and still runs nice and fast

Gary Knox Bennett – Call Me Chair-maker

Book here

Super Down With – Paris Metro

Well Designed- The Churches of Frank Llyod Wright

Things I Am Down With – Libraries

More HERE

The Classics – John A Di Castri Trend House

In 1954 the B.C. Coast Woods Trade Extension Bureau sponsored the construction of 10 houses across Canada to promote softwood lumber for housing construction. Although John A Di Castri’s house was the smallest of the ten it used the materials to the limit.  using large windows and open wood frame construction John A Di Castri helped modernism work into the framework of Victoria

More Di Castri work HERE

Super Down With – Canadian Currency

Lets just take a step back here and face the facts: Canadian currency

is fun to spend and to look at.  The newest series, “Canadian Journey”, released in 2001, takes us on a voyage that honors Canadiana. Our journey begins with the five being hockey, the ten remembering those who have served in our national military, the twenty honoring the Haida Gwaii, the fifty, the story of women’s suffrage, as well as, a quotation from the UN universal declaration of Human Rights, and finally, the one hundred dollar bill, dedicated to the exploration of Canada, complete with a Samuel de Champlain map from 1632 to a satellite map of Canada created by Radarstat-1. Canadian bills are a great design that fulfill their function of a legal tender within a simple and colourful form.

Thank You Bank of Canada

Heckler & Koch Spring / Summer 2009

The Clips – Chinese New Year

“Let’s play cops and robbers, and watch Heckler & Koch turn cops to martyrs”

Ok. so. I dislike guns. that said, I love great design and   Heckler & Koch hit the centre of the target with their current line. from hand guns, to sub machine guns, even that fully automatic weapon for when your going terrorist hunting. They got it all.

Heckler & Koch

Products for life – Bic 4 Colour Pen

A staple in my life has been

and will continue to be. the Bic 4 colour pen.

not only is it made in france. but it is also where

form and function intersect. and a little know extra

that the sphere on the top works perfectly to take

the safety off your Bic lighter.