I was at my local camera store today taking some shots with the 24-70/2.8GM. Nice lens for sure but I had no intention of buying it today. However, looking at some of the older lenses I found a Canon FD 200/2.8 S.S.C. For around $125 and a 30-Day return policy, I figure I had nothing to lose. Below are some of the first shots with this lens at various apertures including wide open. All were handheld. The lens is not too heavy and has a very long focus throw. I'll need to try more in nicer weather . . . it was dark and gray today. This could be a good budget telephoto.
Took some portraits of my daughter, who is going as Morticia Addams for Halloween. We decided to recreate Morticia's clipping of roses off their stems. A7II with FE 55/1.8 and EF100/2.
Just returned from a wonderful trip to Arizona. I recently moved with my family to the states from northern Europe, and we all enjoy exploring the very different landscapes. The first image is from a single exposure whereas the second is a manual blend of three different ones.
Has the Department prepared a report on why it's necessary to have both the Loxia and the ZM that they could forward to my Central Office for the Allocation of Resources Away from the Mortgage?
I'm awaiting a final determination from the Department on the Loxia + ZM matter but I would have thought that your Central Office might be more interested in a report on why it's necessary to have the Loxia, the ZM, and the Batis.
genji wrote:
I'm awaiting a final determination from the Department on the Loxia + ZM matter but I would have thought that your Central Office might be more interested in a report on why it's necessary to have the Loxia, the ZM, and the Batis.
The CO has received instructions from Control that the Batis is required for actual useful lightweight portable on the go portrait work with eye AF. So the only questions within its remit are whether the ZM is sufficient for bushwalking-landscape use, or whether the Lox would be good for daywalks where every gram doesn't count.
If it wasn't for the weight difference I would have preordered the Loxia. I was actually hoping for an f4 Loxia that would basically have been an upgraded ZM for bushwalking purposes. And when it came it at heavier than Batis I got the ZM - which I'm very happy with. But it might be amazing. And it's not *that* much heavier. Though my bushwalking weight spreadsheet would not be happy with an extra 200g. That's a full glass of water, or a while meal, or an extra merino top. Every gram matters on long multiday walks. So, as you say, the question is Batis and either a) ZM or b) Lox or c) both. I do think c) is an indulgence that might get a stern memo from she who also pays the mortgage...
I'm less concerned with the fact that you can't TAP the Lox than I thought. I'm finding that I'm not using the ZM on TAP - the kind of use I have for it doesn't really require AF. And when I don't need AF, I don't use it - it's reassuring to know that focus is spot on using magnification. I'm using TAP more with fast legacy glass for people pictures in environments where wide apertures would be hard to MF at all accurately at speed. There TAP gives a good enough keeper rate.
Looking at Big Meadows soon after sunrise
Tripod mounted Sony A7r camera and Leica M 90mm f2.5 Summarit lens
ISO 100, f11, 1/30 second.
Exposure corrected by +0.12 Stops; processed in LR6
October 19, 2015
At Big Meadows, Shenandoah NP, Virginia
I posted a similar image previously but this is a different and focus stacked image that I discovered and processed recently. This image of an anhinga under dappled morning sunlight was captured along the Sarapiqui river in Costa Rica.
