Category: photography

One Camera

ruminator

Sunday afternoon Tatiana Hopper posted a video essay on choosing one camera and sticking with it for a long enough period of time to really understand how to use it.

There is actually quite a lot about her thesis that I like. Maybe I can explain that a little.

A couple of years ago I bought a Fujifilm X100V. It was an upgrade to my earlier model, an X100S. The upgrade had better handling of film simulation recipes, which is something that I enjoy. That was my primary reason for that upgrade.

I then found that there is something liberating about carrying a rangefinder-type camera with a fixed lens. My X100V had the wonderful Fujinon 23mm f/2 lens that was quite capable of making excellent images even if limited to that single focal length. What this did is force me to see with that focal length in mind. The slightly wide angle perspective forced me to get closer to the subject. I neither worried about switching lenses nor carried extra lenses.

I am guilty of carrying too much gear. My camera bags are usually too heavy because I carry too many lenses. Therefore, as I planned a long roadtrip for October and November, I purposefully (or intentionally) decided to take the Fuji X-T5, the Fujinon 18-55mm kit lens, the Fujinon 70-300mm zoom, and the 35mm f/2 for a fast normal. I also took some extra SD cards, batteries, and a charger. All of that fit into the Fujifilm/Domke partner X-Series camera bag.

I actually used the 18-55mm f/2.8-5 kit zoom most of the time. I found I did not need the extra reach (this trip) and the kit lens was fast enough to do what I wanted done. I did use the 35mm f/2 a few times, but then switched to the 18-55mm.

I came home with a collection of interesting images. A few of them are actually good.

The simpler carry had the advantage of less confusion about what to use. I had a lens for normal shots that offered a decent, and usable, zoom range. I had one with reach. I had a normal lens if that was needed. It turns out that neither the reach nor the normal lens were needed. That kit served me surprisingly well. It carried easy.

I recently watched a couple more videos about being an intentional photographer. I actually already am. I eschew the spray and pray approach with my digital cameras, just as I did with my film cameras (and still do). I will share at least one of those videos in another essay leave it said that I carried a Nikon FM2n last week with a normal lens affixed to it and a roll of Ilford XP2 in the body (black and white C41 process film). I paused on our walkies to make an image now and again, just one or two frames.

I learned that my FM2n needs a service, so it will be sent to my technician this week. In the meantime, the Nikon F2 will be carried, this time with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens and a roll of Kodak Gold 200. Once that roll is finished, I will send both in for processing and scanning.

There is much to be said for slowing down and being more intentional about photography. The truth is that there is much to be gained by slowing down and being more intentional about everything. But, that is a topic for another essay.

I am grateful, especially this time of year. You are missed, Old Girl. Life is good.

Why No Radio?

ruminator
While walking The Girl on a circuit around the campground, I noticed this frame and captured it. Captured with X-T5, 2025-11-09 10:23:36, 55mm, 1/220sec, f/8, ISO-500, in-camera Velvia film simulation, SOOC.

I paused to overnight at the Lake Texoma campground near Mead, OK on my way from Missouri to Texas. My youngest and his wife live near there, so a family meal was in order. We arrived late and I had to back into my camp in the dark, of course. But I learned that my handlight (EDC) worked well as an improved back-up light and permitted the alignment of the rig in the spot.

It did not take long to set up camp. Then I got The Girl out for a walk in the dark. She was on high alert for critters, of course. But, we found none.

That handled, we settled in for the night and I fed us. Then we slept.

I woke early, of course, made coffee, then walked over to the central facility to do my morning regimen, including a shower. When I returned, The Girl was ready to start her day, so we got out and walked the perimeter of the campground. A few others were stirring, some breaking camp; others enjoying the fall morning.

As we walked, I found a frame I liked. So I paused to make a capture. I rather like this one, if the colors are a little accentuated by the film stock selection.

We broke camp and then met Young Son and spouse for a meal before heading on to Lubbock and friends there.

The answer to the question posed is simple. I do not have the personal bandwidth necessary for radio operations at the moment. Work and personal obligations are sufficient that they use up my available resources. But, this will change and I will have an opportunity to go operate in the field. I will be ready for some POTA and SOTA activations and will enjoy those exercises.

Despite being busy, I remain grateful. Life is good.

Blobs

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I found these characters on a shelf in a coffee house. Captured with X-T5, 2025-11-01 12:50:10, 50.5mm, 1/75sec, f/8, ISO-8000, Tri-X film simulation in-camera, SOOC.

It is the custom of my Older Son and DiL to stop at coffee roasters along their travels, sample the coffee, and purchase one or more bags to take home. On this particular day (I do not recall which day it was nor where we were), we stopped into a small coffee house in a strip mall, maybe in Indiana. The place was busy enough with locals, but not packed. I thought the ambiance was interesting and wandered about while waiting for my joe.

These three blobs caught my attention (hat tip to Wife, who often said “caught my eye” while winking furiously), so I paused for a few frames. I like this one the best.

The coffee was good. Mission accomplished, we loaded back up into the 4Runner and headed towards home.

It was a good day. I am grateful for much, but especially my children. Life is good.

Color and Shadow

ruminator
While in Pennsylvania with my kids, we stopped at a local coffee shop. I stepped into the plaza area behind it and was blessed with this image. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-29 12:33:36, 35mm, 1/500sec, f/8, ISO-250, SOOC.

There is so much I could write about from my long roadtrip in October and November. But, for the moment, work demands my energy. So, there will be bits and pieces from my travels as I post a few more images from the trip.

We visited a nice coffee house in York, Pennsylvania. Older Son and his wife like to buy coffee from such places as they travel. It is a neat intention and I might steal it.

As we waited for our coffee to be made, I stepped into the plaza area that is shared between a number of establishments behind the coffee house. There was a wonderful mural painted on one wall. The Sun was shining on it beautifully. I made a few captures using the X-T5. I like this enough to post it.

The coffee was good. The fellowship with my children was better. It was a good day and one I am grateful for.

Life is good.

Beautiful Girl

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I love the way the light falls on The Girl. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-29 09:06:34, 55mm, 1/80sec, f/4, ISO-320, SOOC.

We were messing around the AirBnB early one morning and I noticed the light falling on my sleeping Girl. She was tired enough after our hike to want a nap. She gave me a wonderful candid portrait.

Life is good (and so is my dog).

Monuments

ruminator
I made several images in this old cemetery. This is one that I like. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-26 12:38:59, 27mm, 1/550sec, f/5.6, ISO-250, in-camera Tri X Film Simulation.

Somewhere on the way back to Missouri from Pennsylvania, DiL wanted to stop and walk and old cemetery. She found several and then picked one. It was good to be out of the rig for awhile and the places always provide some interesting images. I came away with a few.

It was a good stop. Life is good.

Row Houses

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While walking The Girl, I noticed this row of houses .Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-25 07:15:09, 18mm, 1/750sec, f/8, ISO-250, in-camera Tri X Film Simulation,

While in Philly for the wedding, I walked The Girl around the block a few times. The row houses are a fascinating architectural thing that I do not routinely see. Therefore, I needed an image for the memory. So, I made one.

While I do not want to live there, the visit was worth the effort. Life is good.

Towers Beach

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While visiting Towers Beach, my son crossed in front of the reflection of the Sun. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-26 04:22:46, 18mm, 1/38sec, f/8, ISO-125, SOOC.

I went to my grandson’s wedding in Philadelphia. I had all of my children and some of their spouses with me. It was a good time and I am very grateful.

Daughter suggested we go to a Delaware beach. So, we did.

I came away with a good memory and a few good frames. Life is good.

This Old Rock

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This old steel pipe with a rock on top is a favorite subject. There has to be a story behind this. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-04 13:45:35, 35mm, 1/3000sec, f/2.8, ISO-250, in-camera Tri-X film simulation, SOOC.

We have hiked past this pipe and perched stone countless times. Sometimes, when the light is right, I stop and make an image.

This is one of those images.

Kestral

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An American Kestral, hunting the sagebrush near the Carson River. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-03 11:54:18, 300mm, 1/450sec, f/8, ISO-640, SOOC.

Last week The Girl and I were on daily walkies out at Silver Saddle Ranch when I saw a flutter in the sagebrush maybe 10 meters from us. That caught my attention so I watched as we advanced along the upper trail that we walk a lot.

A few more meters down the trail, I noticed a bird perched atop a sagebrush. It was an American Kestral! I know that at least one inhabits the area we often walk, but it does not show itself frequently.

Anxiously, I removed the normal lens from my X-T5 and affixed the 70-300mm zoom. I raised the camera to my face to frame the shot and the small raptor flitted away.

Disappointed, The Girl and I (she was not disappointed, I was) moved forward. However, I kept my own sharp eye open for a reappearance of the tiny raptor.

Again, a few more meters down the trail, I spotted it perched on another sagebrush. I kept another bush between us to break up my outline, found a bare spot that framed the bird, and made a few captures. I could have used the longer 100-400mm zoom in my inventory, but it is very heavy and does not get carried without intent. The 70-300mm is much lighter and more compact, so it is easier to slog around with as a maybe lens.

In any event, it will do. I got a capture of the bird.

The Girl and I continued along our hike, she sniffing and marking, looking for the odd lizard to chase. I kept her on-lead, partly for practice and partly for safety. Snakes are still active, but probably not for much longer. The days are cooling and nights are cooler. They will hibernate before long.

That will give The Girl a little more freedom, but I will remain watchful and keep her close. I will make some exception to strictly on-leash once the risk of rattlesnakes abates for the winter. But, she still has a propensity to chase coyotes. I do not need any more of that and neither does she.

Despite a few sand burrs (she is a sand burr magnet), we had a good hike. It was a good day. Life is good.