The contrast of the twilight sky and lighted sign attracted my attention. Shot with Sony A7Sii and a Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm f/2.4 Flektogon. Straight out of camera.
Campcraft Outdoors makes some very interesting waxed canvas camping gear.
I have been thinking a lot about my EDC kit. This YouTube Video is an example of a well thought out kit that clearly serves the needs of its developer.
I will need hearing aids some time soon. I will spare the details. One consideration is that I love music and will want to listen to it and have some enjoyment from my decent systems. This thread offers some insight.
Nightingale Camp, shot with Sony A7iii and Carl Zeiss DDR 135mm f/3.5 at f/8, SOOC.
I see that I never finished my story. Saturday morning I rose about sunup, or a little after. There was a large hill to the east that made it seem like daylight was later than it was. I made a coffee and sat down at my table. I turned on the little C.C. Crane radio and listened to the NOAA Weather Radio station that is on Virginia Peak. The Saturday weather looked OK, but the winds were to pick up Sunday with more early winter incoming.
I noticed my buddy sitting in the morning sun, so I took The Girl and my coffee over to sit and visit.
I spent a good part of my day Saturday and Sunday morning visiting with my friends. The Girl and I got out for a walk and I made a few images. I worked a DX station in CW Mode with 15w from the little KX3. I chased a few POTA and SOTA activators doing their thing.
And I read. I finished A Cold Dish Sunday evening and returned to Abaddon’s Gate (part of The Expanse cycle). I listened to weather radio. I saw my friends off to their home Sunday afternoon.
The Sunday afternoon winds buffeted the camper a bit. But it was not bad with the stabilizers down. It showered off and on all of Sunday night into Monday morning. There was enough wind to blow a bit of rain into the camper, but not much. It was also enough the wet the silt at the ground surface just enough to make me drag mud into my camper when I broke camp Monday morning.
Nonetheless, it was a good weekend and a good chance to camp a little. I did not miss the Internet and enjoyed reading my book, hiking with The Girl, and making a few images.
The drive home Monday was relatively uneventful until I discovered that my trailer brakelights were not working. The brakes worked fine; just the lights did not. Nothing I did rectified the problem.
So, I have some work to do on the camper before I take it out again.
Nonetheless, it was a good weekend. I am grateful. Life is good.
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.
After supper with Jimmy, I drove downtown for a short photo walk. The Fox looked good in the evening light, so I made a couple of captures. Sony A7Sii, CZJ 35mm f/2.4 Flektogon at f/4. SOOC
I think quite a lot of the Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm f/2.4 Flektogon lens. It is a good walk around lens and I had it affixed to the Sony A7Sii when I walked downtown Carson City after supper with my friend Jimmy.
I was hoping to catch the lights lit at Cactus Jack’s or The Nugget casinos, but no joy. Still, the capture of The Fox is good enough.
This is a test image captured with the Sony A7Sii and a Soligor 35mm f/2.8 lens at f/8. Post processing comprised only a denoise pass with PhotoLab.
Some time ago, like maybe a decade, I actively collect lenses for the Konica AR mount. They were mostly Hexanon (Konica) lenses, but a few third-party lenses made it into the mix.
I carried an old Soligor 35mm f/2.8 adapted to my Sony A7Sii a couple of times this week on walkies. Then I made a few captures with it at my worktable.
Aside: I also carried a Vivitar 35mm f/1.9 for a day or two. I have more thoughts on the latter for later publication. In fact, I will write a 35mm shoot-out for those 35mm lenses in my inventory. I learned a few things by shooting some test shots with them. This entry is a mini-review of the Soligor.
My impression of the Soligor is not particularly favorable. It is reasonably sharp, but nothing outstanding. However, it has poor flare resistance. This is evident in the image above even though the lens is stopped down to f/8 for that capture. It is bad. It is worse wide open at f/2.8.
So, although the lens was probably an alternative to the much more expensive Hexanon issue (at the time), I think it is not a good alternative.
The capture at the bottom of this entry is from the Vivitar 35mm f/1.9 at f/8 with the same camera and same post processing. The difference between the two images is striking.
This was fun. I remain grateful and life is good.
This is a test capture made with my Sony A7Sii and a Vivitar 35mm f/1.9 at f/8. Post processing comprised a denoise pass with PhotoLab.
Test shot of berries on some landscape shrubbery. Shot with the Sony A7Sii and a Fujinon 55mm f/3.5 Macro lens at f/8.
On Monday I carried the Sony A7Sii with an old Fujinon 55mm f/3.5 Macro affixed to the camera. It was a test run with a lens my buddy Jimmy loaned me. I made a few captures on walkies and shared one of a yellow jacket and rose a couple of days ago.
On our circuit through Carson City to the Station 51 park and back, we came across a shrub (“Bring me a shrubbery!”) covered in orange berries. I doubt they are edible or the birds would have carried them off. But, the color made for an interesting capture with a macro lens.
The Girl sniffed around a bit as I worked the subject. It was a quiet day on the Nevada DOT grounds. The overcast made the orange really pop.
The subject worked, The Girl and I made our way home to get on with our day — she a long drink from her bowl and a nap… me with a dry shirt and a push on some paying work.
It was a good day. Time spent with The Girl is time well spent. Life is good.
Testing the Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.7 Planar. Shot with Sony A7Sii at f/4 (probably). No post.
I carried a Carl Zeiss (aus Jena?) 50mm f/1.7 Planar affixed to the Sony A7Sii while on walkies the other day. I was curious about how the lens would render a few subjects.
The Planar formula is quite old, being developed by a Zeiss designer before 1900. However, it is an excellent design as the image above demonstrates. My instance is quite sharp, the colors are rendered well, and the out of focus areas very smooth.
I need to find a subject with specular reflections in the background or some lights to see how those will render. I like the lens.
Walkies were good. The weather is cooler, as evidenced by the overcast. Life is good.
I found this on walkies this morning, a yellow jacket working a rose. Shot with Sony A7Sii and a Fujinon 55mm f/3.5 macro at f/8. Post in PhotoLab to make some minor adjustments.
After working part of the morning, The Girl and I got out for walkies here in Carson City. I had stuff to do and a meeting at 1300h, so I did not want to drive up to Spooner for a hike. So, we walked in town.
The weather broke this weekend and it was about 50ºF outdoors. (And it was cool in the house as well.) I wore a cover and took just the Sony A7Sii fitted with a legacy Fujinon 55mm f/3.5 macro lens. It is a new to me lens, but Fujinon glass has always been good. So, I had high expectations.
The light was mediocre, but we did get a little sunlight mixed in with the overcast. The Girl really wanted to chase the plethora of ground squirrels near the rose hedge at the old flume. But I was afraid to let her go as there are sometimes other dogs and poorly mannered handlers.
When we got close to the hedge, I could tell it was clear (of dogs and poor handlers), so I let her sniff about for the dreaded bushytail.
I made a few images of the roses, mostly to test the lens until I saw a yellow jacket working one of the flowers.
“There it is!” I thought. I made a couple captures and the one above is the best.
The remainder of the walk was good and uneventful. My 1300h meeting was cancelled. I worked a bit until mid-afternoon, then The Girl and I took a nap.
She is doing much better. In fact, I think she is back to 100%. This is good. It makes me happy.
It was a good day. I am grateful. Life is good. Really, it is.
The Brewery is another local restaurant that is pretty darned good. Shot with Sony A7Sii and a Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.7 Planar at f/8. Post in PhotoLab with a Ilford FP4+ film simulation.
After a pretty full day yesterday, I ended up at Garibaldi’s Italian Restaurant front door, waiting for them to open. While I waited, I got out the Sony A7Sii, which was fitted with a Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.7 Planar lens, and made a few images.
Of the group, I like this one quite a lot. I was facing into the Sun and the clarity of the shot is a testimony to the quality of the lens. There are a few small Sunstars visible.
The Girl is recovering nicely. After spending the morning in the Nevada Emergency Operations Center radio room, we came home, I got a bite to eat, and then we walked a few miles in town. It was warm, but not too hot.
A treat was our encounter with Timber and Lisa. The Girl recognized them and rushed over to engage. She loves her peeps! I had a nice, but short, visit and they were back off to work and we back on our walk.
I did what I said I would do. I even got a bit of work done given there was nothing to do in the radio room. It was a good day. I am grateful.
The Girl sleeping on her mat on our sofa. She is healing. Shot with the Sony A7Sii and a Canon 55mm f/1.2 SSC FD at f/2, post processing to a Tri-X 400 Film Simulation.
The ongoing story of The Girl’s second encounter with Jacob-No-Shoulders continues. After a turn for the worse last weekend, which likely caused me the loss of several years of life expectancy, she is being treated with an antihistamine and steroid. The cause was a reaction to the antivenin administered to counter the effects of the rattlesnake bite she got ten-days ago now.
That was after a few days home from hospital from the initial treatment. She was improving until she was not. That prompted two more visits to the clinic to identify and treat the problem.
Yesterday was the third day after her retreatment for the symptoms that developed. From what I can determine, the serum sickness that resulted from her body’s reaction to the antivenin is not life threatening. However, the symptoms were dramatic and concerning (for me). I feared that I was losing my Girl and was unprepared for that.
Yesterday morning she seemed a little more interactive, giving me a bit more energetic wag when I greeted her after rising. I carried on with my morning routine, making my coffee, going through my morning ablutions, and giving her the prescribed medications and her food.
I left to take the 4Runner to the Toyota House for service around 1000h. She was sleeping on her mat under my worktable. I got the rig checked-in and then walked home, looking for an image on the way. After attending to some work, a call came from the dealership that my rig was ready to be picked up.
I gathered up my things to walk back and retrieve the rig. As I was about to step out the door, she walked into the living room and asked to along. She did not know where I was going, but she wanted to be part of the going.
So, I picked up her leash, affixed it to her collar, and out the door we went. Although not particularly energetic, she was more her normal self — sniffing at most every blade of grass, marking territory, and finally eliminating (which I policed up).
The Sun was a little warm on us, so she panted a bit. But it was only a mile to the shop and I had water in the rig if she needed it.
After clearing my bill, we found the rig and loaded up. After sitting in the Sun for however long, it was hot inside… the kind of hot that emanates from the rig’s body. It needed fuel anyway, so we headed to the Shell station to refuel and run it through the wash bay.
The wash really cooled off the rig and also The Girl (although the air conditioner helped). We headed back to the house and indoors so I could finish my day.
She was tired (of course) and retired to her mat. However, my heart was lifted because she is more herself now. She is not yet 100 percent, but she is on the mend. I am encouraged and grateful. I gave a little thanks to God for looking after us.
Life is good.
NB: Yes, it is 11 September. I remember. I will not forget. I will not forgive.
