Tag: Fujinon 35mm f/1.4

Busy Again

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At elevation, the late spring Lupine is blooming. These are a favorite wildflower and remind me of the bluebonnets in Texas. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-06-09 10:33:23, Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4, 1/1000sec, f/4, ISO-400, light DxO editing.

I find myself in another busy period. Fortunately, a number of projects rolled off the active list. Some of them went inactive and others are complete or at least nearly so. A slow-paying client finally paid their bill so I had a large influx of income, which replenished my bank account.

It turned hot here in Carson City — too hot for June and more like late August. I have new window fans and they are much better than those that they replaced. They are quiet enough and keep my place mostly cool enough. The shade sails are up, which mitigates the direct Sun on my apartment and reduces the heat load some. The portable swamp cooler keeps the living room under 80F most afternoons and I can tolerate that.

The forecast for today is a high of near 100F. This is unusual for Carson, but not unheard of. I might decide to take the truck out for a long run late this afternoon. I need to drive it at highway speed for a half-hour to clear the exhaust filter. Yes, I now have a diesel-powered Ford F-250. I decided that I do not want to pull my camper with the 4Runner any more. I want to keep the 4Runner in excellent mechanical condition (as it is) for use as a daily driver and for day trips for radio (or other) play. The truck will be used for camping trips or travel.

I plan to take The Girl up to Spooner today for our walk. There are wildflowers blooming at 7,500ft. The image of the Lupine was made in the eastern Sierra while hiking The Girl. We both enjoyed that walk and it is always cooler up there.

The hike will be after my dentist appointment. It seems that I have a tooth problem that needs attention. I do not allow dental problems to continue. Chalk that up to experience.

Field Day comes the end of next week. I have a few more things to do to prepare, but am looking forward to a few days camping with friends. I am not all that focused on making a lot of contacts, but want to have some radio fun and take a few days away from the desk. Camping with friends is always a good thing.

Although I am busy, I take time to be grateful and to pray. Life is good.

Postscript: An entry about Ki came up on today’s on-this-day. She was recovering from removal of a number of skin lesions nine-years ago (2017). The cancer finally got her and I still hate that. She was a great dog who came into my life at a time I needed her the most. And two-years ago (2024), Sera posed for me atop a old deadfall while we were hiking up at Spooner. She is a great dog and we have a good time together. Both of these companions make (or made) my life better. Canine companions are a gift from God.

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.

Carson Cottonwoods

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Color in the Carson River cottonwoods. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-01 10:55:33, 35mm, 1/125sec, f/8, ISO-125, SOOC.

I missed an opportunity last night. I walked The Girl late, about 1630h, and did not take a camera with me. We walked one of our favorite paths at Silver Saddle Ranch.

The weather turned dark yesterday afternoon and we had a little rain. When we arrived at the ranch there was no one else. I parked the rig and let her out off lead for a change. I monitored her carefully to intercept her tendency to increase her wanders as time passes without a demand from me to stay close in. She will push the boundary until I offer correction.

When I see her raise her nose to scent the air, I know that she has caught scent of a bobcat or a coyote. This results in an immediate demand to return and she goes on-lead. She has gotten into trouble before and I have no doubt she will again.

She went into scent-the-air mode late into our hike. So, she went back on-lead.

The overcast light sure made for some lovely colors along the Carson River. Then the late light really looked lovely on the valley floor and the homes on the high area. I kinda wished I had a camera.

When we returned to the rig my camera bag was in the back. I should have carried it.

Despite working hard all day, it was a good day. Life is good.

Piñon Hills and Carson River Valley

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Clouds and canopy along the Carson River on Silver Saddle Ranch. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-25 12:19:49, 35mm, 1/1600sec, f/8, ISO-250, in-camera Tri-X film simulation, SOOC.

For the last week or so, The Girl and I hiked the Silver Saddle Ranch open space. While not completely out of snake season, it is safe enough with her on-lead. Her lead work needs work anyway. (She is doing much better on-lead.)

Some of the rabbitbrush has waned, but my allergies are still in full force. That is making some things a bit difficult because my eyes are subject to the allergies and watery eyes make for poorer vision.

I am working through my first mug as I write this and will want another shortly. It is much cooler here in western Nevada this morning — in the low 30ºs F. That will make The Girl frisky when we hike today. I worked all morning yesterday, so it was afternoon before we hiked. Today I think I would like to get out a bit earlier, although there is still work to do.

I had supper with my buddy Jimmy yesterday evening. It was a good visit and the food at Betsy’s Big Kitchen is decent. All in all, it was a good day.

I am grateful. Life is good.

Virginia Range

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The Virginia Range from one of my favorite hikes on Silver Saddle Ranch. Captured with X-T5, 2025-10-01 11:13:13, 35mm, 1/600sec, f/8, ISO-250, in-camera Tri-X film simulation, SOOC.

A few days ago The Girl and I used a cool morning to hike Silver Saddle Ranch. With less Sun and cooler temperatures, I figured the risk of a nope rope encounter might be reduced. In any event, I kept her on-leash for our hike, with a brief exception for her to play in the water a bit.

It was a good hike and gave the opportunity for a few images, of which a couple were actually decent enough to share. The Fujifilm X-T5 is turning out to be a great camera. As much as I liked my X-T1, the most recent body is substantially improved. I mean this not just in pixel count (which is crazy high at 40MP), but in refinement of the shooting experience.

It was a good day. Life is good.

Cut

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I hike past this old stump almost every day during the summer. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-26 12:48:19, 35mm, 1/300sec, f/2.8, ISO-250, in-camera Tri-X film simulation, SOOC.

We are still hiking up near Spooner Summit, on an old fire road cut by the Forest Service whenever the last fire happened on the site. (It must be several years ago, based on what I see.) We walk past this old stump nearly every day.

That will end soon enough as Fall moves into Winter. Once I am convinced the Nope Ropes have gone dormant for the season, The Girl and I will transition to hiking Silver Saddle Ranch a good part of the time. The snows will making hiking the old fire road much more difficult and the trail access is often block by a snow bank from the plows.

I have been thinking that I would like to hike Dead Truck Canyon this Winter, maybe several times. The climb will do me good and The Girl will enjoy new places to explore. I think the likelihood of a coyote encounter will be reduced (but not eliminated) because of bulk of prey is in the valley and not on the hills. At least, those are my current thoughts.

There is definitely less cover as we climb, so I should be better able to scout ahead.

An additional benefit is that the elevation provides some nice views of the surrounding valleys. Plus the Carson Range will be in plain view as well.

I am thinking that Fall/Winter hiking will be good this season. I am grateful and life is good.

The Tardis

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This old phone booth lives in the entryway of Slotworld here in Carson City. I walked past it several times before I decided I needed an image. IYKYK. Captured with X-T5, 2025-09-20 17:46:10, 35mm, 1/52sec, f/8, ISO-800, Reggie’s Portra in-camera film simulation.

Well, this might not be The Tardis, but it is a close-enough facsimile thereof for me. I happened to pass through the entryway at the right time with decent light. So, I decided to make the capture.

It was a good evening with a good friend. The food was good as was the fellowship.

Life is good.

Last Couple Weeks

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While sheltering from the wind and rain of a pop-up thundershower, I noticed the rain on the front glass of the rig. So, I made the capture. Captured with X-T5, 2025-08-23 14:41:13, 35mm, 1/170sec, f/2.8, ISO-125, post in PhotoLab with HP5+ conversion.

I am quite busy right now with work and taking care of The Girl and myself. I did manage to get out for a couple of weekends, first to Weber Reservoir with friends. There was no radio play, but lots of conversation, a shared meal, and a pop-up thunderstorm that provided plenty of excitement. Hence, I offer the abstract above.

For the Labor Day weekend, I was invited with friends to active Bald Mountain, just north from Topaz Lake. We decided to make a part of it and took the vehicles up to the summit. There we grilled burgers, had a great time of fellowship, and I played some radio.

I did violate the First Rule, thinking I had brought the Yaesu FT-897D and instead finding the Elecraft KX3 in the black Apache case I picked up. That meant I was limited to 15w of output power, which is stingy for phone operations.

It turned out OK because I was the only operator who activated. The 15w output is plenty for code operations, especially at altitude.

Although the vista is wonderful, the air quality is not. Shot from Bald Mountain during my SOTA activation. Captured with X-T5, 2025-08-31 13:19:02, 35mm, 1/400sec, f/8, ISO-125, SOOC.

I did manage to get out Labor Day Monday for a POTA activation, which is already documented previous. That provided some needed recreation, some additional Morse Code practice, and a enjoyable Eastern Sierra outing with The Girl.

I like the combination of bright cloud and dark sky, shot on walkies up near Spooner Summit. Captured with X100VI, 2025-09-04 11:18:32, 23mm, 1/7500sec, f/8, ISO-4000, in-camera Acros-Red film simulation.
The Girl and I are hiking the Eastern Sierra again, after the bear-scare kept me in-town for a few days. I really thought I lost her when I saw her broad ass disappear over the rise downhill from me.

Fortunately, she responded to my calls after she ran out of gas on the chase. She returned completely gassed, but unharmed. I, however, was worthless for the remainder of the day.

On our way up the trail from the staging area, I noticed this cloud peeking through the pines. I thought it might make a nice image in black and white with a red filter. So, I set the camera to simulate Fujifilm Acros with a red filter and made the capture. I rather like the output.

We finished our hike without incident, although I maintain a watchful attitude and work at staying present while hiking that trail now. The first bear I saw on the hike was last year, but at quite a distance. This time, the bear bombed the hill not ten feet in front of me. I was unable to react before The Girl clicked on and bolted in hot pursuit.

I have also seen a coyote a number of times (although not the last couple of summers), but always in the distance. She had a coyote encounter that left her with lacerations (she has earned the “F*()%#ed-up Face” appellation as a result) and the final rupture of the port-aft CCL. The latter required surgery for repair.

The Girl is a beacon for trouble, it seems.

Work kept me busy the remainder of the week. What this weekend will be is yet to be determined.

Life is busy at the moment. I am grateful for God’s gifts in general, and for the work in particular. Life is good.

The Comstock Casino has earned a few visits because of Juan’s Mexican Restaurant housed therein. The tacos and salsa are top-shelf. Captured with X-T5, 2025-08-28 17:44:53, 35mm, 1/480sec, f/8, ISO-125, Fujifilm Classic Chrome in-camera film simulation, SOOC.

Tri-X Film Simulation

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Granite found along the trail, Toiyabe National Forest. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 at f/4. In camera conversion to Tri-X 400 film simulation.

I made this capture a year and change ago. We were hiking, probably up near Spooner summit. I came across this bit of granite and decided that the play of light and shadow was interesting. So, I made the capture.

I know that I was playing with some of the film simulations one can readily program into Fuji cameras. I think that the color capture was not what I was looking for.

So, a black and white film simulation it is.

It was a good day. Today is a good day. Life is good.

Remainders: 13 September 2024

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While walking my downtown route last weekend, I noticed a walker in front of the Capitol Building. Capture with Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 at f/8. Post in PhotoLab to Tri-X Film Simulation.

Although I have been around the Internet since my last remainders post, apparently I did not capture a lot of the sites and include them here. Hmmm…

  • Hugin is an open source panorama stitcher for landscape photographers.
  • Howard Merklinger is an author of a book on focusing in general and a second on focusing the view camera. They are quite technical, but very good.
  • JS8Spotter is turning out to be a useful utility for JS8Call.