CGrindahl wrote:
Happy to hear that Reagan. I'd have thought your immune system would long ago have been pickled... I figured rum would do that to a guy.
Vodka, Rum and Bourbon in that order
Now I am stuck with NO Buzz Beer
Actually, Chuong has been one of our more generous members, sending quality lenses to friends on the thread at reasonable prices. All I've known from Rafael is the he BUYS lenses. I had no idea you sell or trade them. This should be interesting...
I've been enjoying thinking about our MFNG Pandemic Photo Challenge options, and noodling what sorts of subjects I might use for some of them, and I foresee that there'll be some stories to accompany my contributions.
For example, the first photo below---shot Nikon-on-Nikon with my sexy silver 45mm f/2.8 Ai-p on the D800E---fits challenge #2 (something broken) and has a story to go with it. Early in my first week of being laid off, in keeping with the principle that "it never rains, but it pours," my wife's computer overheated and died (in the photo, you can see that I removed the harddrive and the DVD-R drive for other uses). My wife's job---located in far away Toronto---depends on her possession of a working, web-connected desktop computer (her laptop doesn't go well with her arthritis for long periods of work), and she is currently the sole breadwinner in our tiny family. Fortunately, her IT guy (working from his own home in far away Toronto) was able to diagnose the problem, and pronounce the CPU dead. I spent the rest of the day finding a new computer, along with the necessary new monitor that had the right cable to attach to the new computer (the cable stores are closed due to COVID-19), and social-distance-buying it from Best Buy (order it online, wait for an e-mail saying it's ready for pick-up, pick it up at storefront without entering store). The upside of this experience---in keeping with the principle of cosmic duality---is that I now have the luxury of a second monitor on my own desktop computer, as shown in the second photo below (same lens-camera combo).
CGrindahl wrote:
Funny Dean... I saw a post from Peter B on the thread you started years ago for MFNG shooters playing with AF lenses and wondered what was up with you... and YOU ARRIVE on the thread! Love it.
I imagine with the world of business practically shutting down, it likely put a pause on your business... sad, no doubt, but then it gave you a bit of time to put a few of those lenses to work. I'm really happy you didn't thin the herd. For those who weren't around when you were posting regularly, it is important to note that Dean had very high standards when it came to kit building. You definitely inspired me to spend a few extra dollars to buy lenses in as close to pristine condition as possible.
Hope you hang out with us a bit and to the extent possible share a few photos from Hong Kong. I imagine physical distancing is not easy in a place so crowded. And, of course, I'm reading about the heavy handedness of the Chinese during this pandemic. Hong Kong seems to be facing some dangerous times politically. Stay safe and be well Dean. ...Show more →
Hey Curtis.
Funny how things like that happen.
It’s nice to see you are doing well and this thread is motoring along. It really is one of the legend threads of all time in the photo world. Well done! I have checked in from time to time.
Haven’t been shooting much at all lately but had this urge to use the MF Nikons on the weekend for some reason. Haven’t gotten rid of any of them but some are stranded in Sweden at my mate’s house. I don’t think I could ever sell any of them as I do other equipment as there’s an emotional connection there as they really got me interested in photography. They are a bit magical for sure.
Yep ... business defiantly sucks but what can you do. That’s life and out of anyone’s control. Makes you stop and think though about what’s really important and what you want to do with your life when the world suddenly stops. Physical distancing is near impossible here but we’ve done well so far. We are naturally afraid of our northern neighbour so took many precautions early when the outbreak started The border is still shut. HK is indeed a political mess. Very sad.
GroWeb wrote:
I've been enjoying thinking about our MFNG Pandemic Photo Challenge options, and noodling what sorts of subjects I might use for some of them, and I foresee that there'll be some stories to accompany my contributions.
For example, the first photo below---shot Nikon-on-Nikon with my sexy silver 45mm f/2.8 Ai-p on the D800E---fits challenge #2 (something broken) and has a story to go with it. Early in my first week of being laid off, in keeping with the principle that "it never rains, but it pours," my wife's computer overheated and died (in the photo, you can see that I removed the harddrive and the DVD-R drive for other uses). My wife's job---located in far away Toronto---depends on her possession of a working, web-connected desktop computer (her laptop doesn't go well with her arthritis for long periods of work), and she is currently the sole breadwinner in our tiny family. Fortunately, her IT guy (working from his own home in far away Toronto) was able to diagnose the problem, and pronounce the CPU dead. I spent the rest of the day finding a new computer, along with the necessary new monitor that had the right cable to attach to the new computer (the cable stores are closed due to COVID-19), and social-distance-buying it from Best Buy (order it online, wait for an e-mail saying it's ready for pick-up, pick it up at storefront without entering store). The upside of this experience---in keeping with the principle of cosmic duality---is that I now have the luxury of a second monitor on my own desktop computer, as shown in the second photo below (same lens-camera combo).
Yes, that is indeed a Loupedeck, Colin. I am not entirely up to speed with it yet. I bought it a couple of years ago, but almost immediately gravitated to my laptop for everything, including photo processing. (The Loupedeck would have worked with my laptop, but space is too limited on my living room table.) Only since I was laid off work have I returned to processing photos on my desktop with the Loupedeck. I am gradually becoming more adept on it with practice, and it is definitely an improvement over using my mouse on the sliders in Lightroom. One limitation of it for me is that it doesn't work within the NIK Plugins, which I use on all of my images. At this point I can't say for sure whether it was truly worth the investment, but I don't regret having bought it. By the way, I believe George is using a Loupedeck; maybe he'll chime in about it too.
GroWeb wrote:
Yes, that is indeed a Loupedeck, Colin. I am not entirely up to speed with it yet. I bought it a couple of years ago, but almost immediately gravitated to my laptop for everything, including photo processing. (The Loupedeck would have worked with my laptop, but space is too limited on my living room table.) Only since I was laid off work have I returned to processing photos on my desktop with the Loupedeck. I am gradually becoming more adept on it with practice, and it is definitely an improvement over using my mouse on the sliders in Lightroom. One limitation of it for me is that it doesn't work within the NIK Plugins, which I use on all of my images. At this point I can't say for sure whether it was truly worth the investment, but I don't regret having bought it. By the way, I believe George is using a Loupedeck; maybe he'll chime in about it too....Show more →
I do have one and use it when my MacBook Pro is being used as a "desktop" hooked up to my large monitor. The biggest feature for me is using it in Lightroom Classic with the image in full screen mode with no tool overlays (just the image) and then using the Loopdeck + for developing. I also use it with Final Cut Pro.
I concur what Glen said, if you rely on plug-ins a lot your value of this device may be limited.
In an effort to stay creatively active a friend of mine sent me an action preset for photoshop and (if this doesn't qualify to share on this forum I'll remove it) but this before and after was created with a D200 and the 105mm F/1.8 and pp in Cs6 using aforementioned action. I'm loving the really cool effects this simplistic little action can create from photos of ordinary everyday things.
The border is still shut. HK is indeed a political mess. Very sad. 
