On walkies, I noticed the clouds over Slide Mountain. I made the capture with the Fujifilm X-T5 and the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 macro lens at f/8. Later I noticed the fascinating blob of shadow low center. The capture is straight out of camera with Reggie’s HP5 film simulation.
The Girl and I got out of the house about noon yesterday. I worked/puttered much of the morning, never really wanting to make breakfast. Then I decided I needed biscuits and gravy. So I took care of her needs and we headed over to The Red Hut so I could have The Usual (biscuits & gravy and eggs).
We then headed out to Silver Saddle Ranch for a hike. The sky was partly cloudy and I liked the contrast of sky and clouds. I noticed some clouds crawling over the Sierra Ridge and how they hung on Slide Mountain. There was also a bit of snow from the last storm. So, I paused to make a couple of captures.
I like this one. The blob of shadow catches the eye.
The Girl is managing her energy, but just barely. Once she gets through the surgery, it will become more difficult for her as she feels better. It will be alright, though. We will manage.
Despite her faults, she is a good companion. I am grateful. Life is good.
A few evenings ago (it looks late, but it was not) I stopped at Aloha to reprovision my bar. I liked the look, so I made the capture. Fujifilm X100V and fixed 23mm f/2 at f/8 using Reggie’s Portra film simulation, straight from camera.
A few evenings ago I stopped at Aloha to reprovision my bar. I had a camera with me and made a capture. However, I have been busy and too focused to post much here. That is contrary to my intention of posting something here at least once each week.
I am mostly caught up with work and need to devote some attention to my other activities, including photographic work. So here we are, a post on the last day of 2024.
I suppose the title is also appropriate, a well wish at an ending and a beginning.
Weather is coming. Winter is here. Shot with Fuji X-E2 and Fujinon 35mm f/2 at f/8 using in-camera Classic Chrome film simulation.
Yesterday was too warm for the time of year. We just passed the Winter Solstice and the temperature has been in the mid to upper 50F’s. The wind was from the south at ground level, but I noticed a couple of wave clouds forming. Weather is coming. I pray for the holiday travelers who will be crossing the Sierra Crest today and tomorrow. There will probably be wind and maybe even enough snow to make travel treacherous for the inattentive.
The Girl and I walked our route at Silver Saddle Ranch. Even with a bum knee, she needs exercise to manage her energy and keep her muscle mass. A couple of times she wanted to zoomie, but I restrained that. She does not need to put that kind of stress on her knee, as much as watching her run would give me joy.
So, she is confined to her harness. It gives me a lot more control than the collar and permits me to assist her getting in and out of the rig.
As we walked, the Sun broke through a gap in the clouds for a few minutes, giving me this image of Mount McLellan. I expect it will have more snow over the next couple-three weeks. That will give some variety to my captures, I think. It will be fun.
I decided to keep the little Fujifilm X-E2. It is a tiny camera that has an EVF as well as the LCD screen on the back of the body. The screen does not pivot, but that is OK by me. The camera produces nice images and pairs very well with the little f/2 Fujinon prime lenses, to which the Fujinon 35mm f/2 belongs.
I made a small kit that fits into a Domke F6 bag. I was using that bag for the Sony A7iii, but found it to be a little too small. So I moved the Sony to a Domke F2 bag that can carry some of my vintage glass. I think both kits will work fine.
We headed home after our walk, she limping a bit. I know her knee hurts. I hate this for her and it makes my heart hurt. We will get it fixed soon and then start the recovery phase.
I am grateful for many things, but certainly for The Girl. Life is good.
This old gate out at Silver Saddle Ranch has captured my attention any number of times. I liked the light this particular day. Shot with Fuji X-E2 and a Voigtlander 27mm f/2 at f/8 using the in-camera Classic Chrome film simulation, SOOC.
Christmas approaches quickly. I suppose I am ready, but not in any specific sense.
While walking The Girl out at Silver Saddle Ranch Sunday afternoon, I noticed this old gate again. It has been a subject several times over the last couple of years.
On this outing, I particularly enjoyed the afternoon light falling on this gate. We are in the winter season so the sun angle is much lower than in the summer. I made the capture and The Girl and I moved on toward the last part of our hike.
In the end, it was a good day. It is a good day. I am grateful and life is good.
I made this test shot with the Sony A7iii and a new-to-me Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 manual focus lens, which is probably considered legacy glass.
A couple of days ago I carried the Sony A7iii and a new-to-me Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 manual focus lens. I seem to be using and writing about a lot of Nikon F-mount lenses of late. The Sony A7iii is getting a lot of work as well. My other cameras are languishing.
The access road to Silver Saddle Ranch, not far from the main gate. Shot with Sony A7iii and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 probably wide open, but may f/2. Post processing in PhotoLab7.
Sunday is the first day of the week. Perhaps it should be called Sonday or maybe Son-day in honor of the Savior who rose on the third day. I have thought that for a long time and it bubbled up from my memory as I began to write.
Last week was too busy. This week might be the same. This is not a complaint, but an observation and simply part of the consultant’s life. Deadlines occur and I do my best to make them.
But, that kind of busy-ness leaves little time and energy for reflection, photography, or radio. I do set aside a few minutes in the morning to write in my paper journal, plan the day, and pray a little before the day goes out of control.
The holidays and the end of the year are soon upon us. I hope to take some time this year to reflect on and process the year behind and think about the year ahead. That did not happen last year because I was traveling to see my loved ones and dealing with a broken camper. I should not have a broken camper to deal with this year and I pray nothing else happens.
Aside: I heard my neighbors last night about 0230h. It sounded like they were tearing up the house, but probably they were just moving things around. There was nothing to indicate a domestic problem. But then I heard the sound of a woman screaming and it sounded outside. At first I thought it might be a television, but then Sera started barking. That got me up to investigate, but I heard nothing more and could not get a direction.
There were a couple of days last week when I did not even carry a camera. I needed to get The Girl (and myself) out for some exercise. I needed to just get it done. I could not afford the time to dawdle along at my usual pace. So I left my camera at home and thought that if something interesting was presented I could always just use my phone.
But one day I carried the Sony A7iii and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 that is in my inventory. I saw the frame above and decided to make a capture. I thought that the sign was the interest, so I placed myself such that I could isolate the sign from the background and then made the capture. I kept the aperture open so as to place the background out of focus.
Then I noticed that the dog-waste dispenser and waste bin were both in the focus plane. I like that.
The image is not portfolio grade, but tells an interesting story. At least, it does for me.
Now I think I need to get on with my day. The Girl will want a walk, even if she is limping a bit. I think she over did it Saturday.
This rough capture was made with the Sony A7iii and the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 at f/8. I did post-process the image on my iPhone 13 Pro Max using SnapSeed to produce a grainy film effect.
Monday on walkies the wind was blowing and it felt rather cold, although the temperature was mild and the Sun was shining. The combination of wind and colder nights means that most of the fall color is gone. The old cottonwoods have given up their summer and fall colors and taken on their winter look.
The Girl and I had a good hike out at Silver Saddle Ranch, even if the wind was blowing in my face part of the trip. She darted about hunting for lizards (now hibernating) or rodents (there are a few) with her intent, happy face. At least the threat of snakes is mitigated.
It was a good day. I came away with an acceptable frame. Life is good.
The new-to-me Sony A7iii arrived today. So I made a quick test shot with it and the Canon 55mm f/1.2 SSC. This is straight out of camera.
The new-to-me Sony A7iii arrived today. There’s plenty of battery to take with me camping, so I will. But I paused for a quick grab shot and The Girl was looking at me. The message is: “What are you doing? I want to go walk!” (Laughing out loud…)
She is bossy.
I am heading out to camp for the weekend. I need to make a quick grocery run and then finish loading the camper. It will be a good weekend.
Gina’s at The Nugget. Shot with Sony A7Sii and a Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm f/2.4 Flektogon, probably at f/8, SOOC.
David Fleet did a nice video on Gear Acquisition Syndrome and YouTube gear reviews. His words resonated a bit with me because I tend to be a gearhead.
There is nothing inherently wrong with an admiration of cameras and lenses — they are fascinating and wonderful machines after all. But, if one intends to use the tools to make images, then fascination with the equipment can become a trap as it becomes the focus and not the use of the equipment.
Thus, GAS also applies to any endeavor, be it amateur or professional, that relies on (expensive) equipment to accomplish said endeavor. (Ahem) Radio (ahem) can also be in this category.
I went through a bout of photographic GAS last year and the beginning of this year. I bought several cameras and a few new lenses. (Plus a few vintage lenses, perhaps this will be a topic for another weblog entry.) I used each of them enough to form an opinion on whether or not each would become a part of my regular kit.
The three most significant cameras purchased over the last year are: A Fujifilm X-T5, Fujifilm X100V, and a Sony A7Sii1. The X-T5 replaced my old X-T1, which was my entry into the Fujifilm ecosystem. I have plenty of lenses for this camera. They can do everything that I might want to do, perhaps with the exception of a tilt-shift lens for architectural photography. However, I do not do much architectural photography and I have a vintage Nikkor 35mm tilt-shift that could be pressed into service.
If I want to carry an interchangeable lens camera, then the X-T5 is my go to. I can choose a couple of lenses that will handle my intended subject, toss the camera, lenses, and support2 into a bag, and off I go. I have adapters for the Fuji if I want to shoot vintage glass.
But, sometimes, I do not want the complications associated with an interchangeable lens camera system. I want to take a camera, a purpose-built machine for making photographs (not a cellphone). But I want simplicity. So, I have a Fujifilm X100V. Even with the lens hood and a small grip attached, this is a small camera. I can carry a small bag with the camera, support, and a water bottle and have a capable system. I often carry this bag under a backpack when I hike with The Girl.
I like the simplicity of a fixed-lens camera. I do not have to make a decision about what lens to use. I raise the camera to my eye (or use the screen), frame the shot, and make the capture. There is something liberating about making images with a fixed-lens camera and I use mine a lot.
Plus, the Fujifilm in-body film simulations are quite good. There are also hundreds of programmable film simulations available for Ritche Roesch’s Fuji X Weekly website (and smartphone app). My favorites are currently Reggie’s Portra 400 simulation, the Tri-X simulation, and the Kodachrome 64 simulation.
I generally shoot raw (perhaps plus an in-camera Fuji film simulation JPEG) or JPEG only with one of the programmed film simulations above. The raw files are readily post-processed using either the in-camera film simulations (to JPEG) or using PhotoLab7. But, I find that I often just shoot the in-camera or programmed film simulations on the fly and then use those straight out of camera. There is probably another entry about this process.
I bought a Sony A7S (Mark I) as a test to see how it worked and whether I liked the results with my vintage 35mm (full-frame) glass. I found that it worked, but desired the in-body image stabilization, so I bought an A7Sii. This is a solid camera. But after shooting with one for more than a year, I decided I want a little more resolution, I do not shoot video (a specialty of the A7S), and want a bit more power in the processor. So, a Sony A7iii is on its way.
Now, all of this is quite a bout of GAS. Last week I considered my investment in all of these cameras and decided it is time to let many of them go. I decided I want to redirect my energy from seeking the best camera and lenses into making more images and working on the art part of photography. After all, a major part of my return to my cameras is the search for practices that feed my soul.
Furthermore, I am plagued by the engineer’s curse of always seeking to optimize the system. I agree with Fleet that any modern camera, or every modern camera, and the associated lenses are capable of making excellent images. It really is up to what system works best for each photographer’s approach and preferences. For me, it is the Fujifilm for digital photography. I need to leave behind my impulse to find the best because what I have is plenty good enough to accomplish my goals.
Where is this leading me? Well, I began the process of liquidating my excess gear. I made images of the A7S and its vertical grip this weekend and will list them for sale this week. The A7Sii will follow shortly, maybe next weekend. I sold/traded the X-T1 to a buddy who already loves the camera. I have three more Fujifilm bodies that will be photographed and sold soon.
There are others as well. And there are a few film cameras to follow as I have time to make the images and post them.
Something else Fleet said also resonated with me. That is the proliferation of YouTube channels that receive pre-release equipment, prepare their reviews, and then post simultaneously on release day. For example, Fujifilm just released the new X-M5, their smallest camera in the X-Trans line. I noticed a bunch of YT videos appeared in my feed on the same day.
I am not in the market for the X-M5. I looked at the X-M1 as a possible carry camera, but the lack of a finder turned me away. A finder is a requirement for my way of photography. Many times the ambient light is simply too bright for me to properly frame the shot with only the rear screen. This is one of my gripes about using a smartphone for photography.
But, Fleet mentioned these YT channels and how this is just part of the marketing strategy and the general push of commercial consumerism. I really just do not care to play. And Fleet decided to stop doing equipment reviews and focus his content on photography and not stuff.
That said, I will upgrade my X100V to the X100VI. I want the in-body stabilization and upgraded processor that the X100VI has. I will then be set for my digital camera setup for awhile, probably years. It took me nearly 10-years to upgrade from my X-T1 to the X-T5. So, it will be several years before I am again motivated to upgrade my main cameras.
Now, if I can only curb my appetite for vintage glass. There are already many posts of shots using vintage glass (as above). There will be more, for sure. Plus, I recently shot a bunch of comparison shots from my collection of 35mm focal length lenses. I was curious about their performance, particularly a tiny little Soligor 35mm f/2.8. When the Sony A7iii arrives, I will re-shoot this series and then write it up.
But, I need to leave the fascination with the latest, greatest, and search for the best digital gear behind and focus on the creative aspects of photography. These are much more difficult than buying equipment. Perhaps that is why so many people chase the gear instead of investing the energy in developing the craft.
It is certainly food for thought.
I am grateful for the tools I have. Life is good.
1There are a handful of others and a few more vintage film camera bodies, but again, those are probably the topic for another weblog entry.
2Support here means a spare battery (or batteries), a spare memory card or two, and a bottle of water and snack if I am hiking with Sera.
