CGrindahl wrote:
Having visited Assisi I'm curious about this church. I did a quick search and came across this site with has information that folks here might find interesting.
I was in Assisi during Christmas in 1986... a time in my life when photography was not on the radar. I'd let go of the Nikon gear I'd shot with the decade before. But it was an amazing trip documented by a friend who brought her camera. Snow fell on Christmas Eve after we'd left San Damiano where a yellow rose was still growing in the courtyard. Fond memories for sure. Thanks for these photos. ...Show more →
Curtis, thanks for the link.
I did bit of reading on Cortona and the surrounding area prior to arrival otherwise I may have missed San Francesco.
I have very fond memories of our European travels and always look forward to the next. November is one of my favorite times to visit Italy and while not Christmas, at least in Florence the beautiful decorations are all there to enjoy.
leighton w wrote:
Makes for a nice travel kit. Right now, I have a three lens travel kit...the 28mm f2.8 ais, 55mm f2.8 ais and of course the 50-135mm f3.5 ais. I've been kicking around the idea of adding the 25-50/4, but I haven't acted on it yet.
The smoke from Canada has been an issue here several times this Summer as well. I go out in it if I HAVE to do, but I don't spend a lot of time outside. Fortunately, we haven't seen any for at least a month. Stay well my friend.
Smoke was so bad here that I bought an air purifier for my small cottage and wore a mask whenever I was outside. I think most of us have had experience smelling smoke when a neighbor is using their fireplace and burning wood. When smoke began pouring in and skies turned reddish brown I didn't think too much about it, until news reports told about the damage breathing in that smoke can do. My eyes were smarting much of the time, though the purifier made a difference. It is difficult to accept this might be the new normal...
With regard to the 25-50 f/4 AI-s... it is definitely a sweet lens... great for walking about... though what. you're using is a fine kit. I guess I'm surprised you choose the micro lens rather than the f/1.2, but then I know you've had that in your kit for much longer. I guess getting closer to the subject could be useful on occasion, though the 28 is a master at that as well.
CGrindahl wrote:
Smoke was so bad here that I bought an air purifier for my small cottage and wore a mask whenever I was outside. I think most of us have had experience smelling smoke when a neighbor is using their fireplace and burning wood. When smoke began pouring in and skies turned reddish brown I didn't think too much about it, until news reports told about the damage breathing in that smoke can do. My eyes were smarting much of the time, though the purifier made a difference. It is difficult to accept this might be the new normal...
With regard to the 25-50 f/4 AI-s... it is definitely a sweet lens... great for walking about... though what. you're using is a fine kit. I guess I'm surprised you choose the micro lens rather than the f/1.2, but then I know you've had that in your kit for much longer. I guess getting closer to the subject could be useful on occasion, though the 28 is a master at that as well....Show more →
I know, it's blasphemy that I'd rather use the micro over the 50/1.2. But I struggle with the 1.2 on my camera. Not sure if it's the APSC sensor or what. I don't seem to have the same issue with the 55/2.8.
Antinori is an amazing place for photographic opportunities and will post others once I have finished processing them.
Serge
You actually can say that about most of Italy. It is certainly one of my favorite countries to visit. I spent a month there in 1975 carrying a Nikkormat and a few Soligor lenses. I was in Urbino when I realized I was more focused on taking photos than on actually being with what I was seeing. I put my camera away and began seriously journaling. I didn't use my camera again. I spent a few weeks in Florence, traveled to Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano. Looking back, I wish I'd been able to do both... to be with all the amazing scenes AND to have taken photos. What I did instead, was I bought post cards everywhere I visited. Alas, my large collection of books and postcards was tossed decades later. I don't think I would have been quite as casual about slides or photographs I'd taken. I still have slides from my 2 month trip to Greece in 1969.
The photography bug caught me again in 2004 and the rest is history. Keep the photos from Italy coming Serge. I'm enjoying them greatly.
CGrindahl wrote:
You actually can say that about most of Italy. It is certainly one of my favorite countries to visit. I spent a month there in 1975 carrying a Nikkormat and a few Soligor lenses. I was in Urbino when I realized I was more focused on taking photos than on actually being with what I was seeing. I put my camera away and began seriously journaling. I didn't use my camera again. I spent a few weeks in Florence, traveled to Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano. Looking back, I wish I'd been able to do both... to be with all the amazing scenes AND to have taken photos. What I did instead, was I bought post cards everywhere I visited. Alas, my large collection of books and postcards was tossed decades later. I don't think I would have been quite as casual about slides or photographs I'd taken. I still have slides from my 2 month trip to Greece in 1969.
The photography bug caught me again in 2004 and the rest is history. Keep the photos from Italy coming Serge. I'm enjoying them greatly....Show more →
Curtis, I am with you on Italy, it is my favorite country to photograph. I have posted quite a few photographs of Italian cities and towns on the forum over the past several years. I do spend much of our time there smelling the roses but cannot resist the amazing photographic opportunities the country has to offer.
I will do my best. I have a quite few photographs that need to be tweaked. I love photography but not so keen on the computer time that is required afterwards.
Speaking of Nikkormat, I recently added a pristine EL with a mint 5.8cm f/1.4 attached. The camera is a joy to operate and built like an anvil, far sturdier than the Fe that followed.
Lovely morning here in Boston. I went kayaking and brought my camera with the 35mm f2.0 attached. Well, what a surprise when I opened my camera bag, took the camera and ...........no card!!!!
Some flowers from yesterday.
Sticking with cars, but switching to infrared, here are a couple of shots from a car show in Coombs, home of the Goats-on-the-Roof restaurant, where actual living goats graze on the roof while humans graze inside. These were taken with the 24 f/2.8 NC on my converted X-T2 with permanently attached Lens Turbo II focal reducer.
milt wrote:
Lovely morning here in Boston. I went kayaking and brought my camera with the 35mm f2.0 attached. Well, what a surprise when I opened my camera bag, took the camera and ...........no card!!!!
Some flowers from yesterday.
leighton w wrote:
I know, it's blasphemy that I'd rather use the micro over the 50/1.2. But I struggle with the 1.2 on my camera. Not sure if it's the APSC sensor or what. I don't seem to have the same issue with the 55/2.8.
Do you have a speed booster? I use one on my Fuji’s and coupled with focus peaking, I do well with my 55/1.2.
Hey all! Been a while. I still shoot occasionally and still have my Nikon kit. I’m debating downsizing though as I have a few lenses that I haven’t used in 6-7 years.
My health has been pretty bad lately, I was on medical leave for a few months. My meds stopped working and my body flipped out. I couldn’t really walk for a month and a half. It was bad. On an entirely new med regimen and it’s finally starting to work. I’ve lost 25 pounds since July and even though it hurts, I’m moving around more.
kwoodard wrote:
Do you have a speed booster? I use one on my Fuji’s and coupled with focus peaking, I do well with my 55/1.2.
Hey all! Been a while. I still shoot occasionally and still have my Nikon kit. I’m debating downsizing though as I have a few lenses that I haven’t used in 6-7 years.
My health has been pretty bad lately, I was on medical leave for a few months. My meds stopped working and my body flipped out. I couldn’t really walk for a month and a half. It was bad. On an entirely new med regimen and it’s finally starting to work. I’ve lost 25 pounds since July and even though it hurts, I’m moving around more. ...Show more →
Hi Kevin, been a while. Yes, I do use it with the speed booster. I'll have to investigate it some more.
Glad to hear your new meds are working. Hang in there!
leighton w wrote:
I know, it's blasphemy that I'd rather use the micro over the 50/1.2. But I struggle with the 1.2 on my camera. Not sure if it's the APSC sensor or what. I don't seem to have the same issue with the 55/2.8.
Leighton, I too prefer the 55 f3.5 Ai'd micro to the faster 50mm primes. I find it quite versatile. Sometimes the slower aperture can be limiting but usually not. I have thought about trying the 2.8 version you have though.
Scott
I just want to remind Scott and Leighton that this thread is NEVER about owning fewer lenses... it is about encouraging people to try ones they haven't used before. Just imagine... the two of you have refined your kits through trial and error. We want everyone to have that opportunity...
I took one of my two remaining 55 f/1.2 S.C. AI lenses to the farmers' market this morning and the images look fine both in the camera and in Affinity Photo. For some reason Nikon NX Studio renders them completely washed out. I've never had that happen before so I don't know whether the software has been infected with a virus or whether its going on strike for higher pay. Yes... it is free even if a bit buggy. I use it as a replacement for Lightroom. Affinity Photo doesn't have a file management feature so I can't quickly review the images captured. I promise there will be photos but it will likely take some work to get there...
milt wrote:
Lovely morning here in Boston. I went kayaking and brought my camera with the 35mm f2.0 attached. Well, what a surprise when I opened my camera bag, took the camera and ...........no card!!!! ...
My guess is most of us have experienced that at one time or another. It certainly has happened for me. Invariably it happens I discover the matter when I'm far from home. I also have forgotten to change the non-cpu register after changing lenses and end up with incorrect EXIF data and often images with compromised exposure. I guess we're here to learn something...
CGrindahl wrote:
My guess is most of us have experienced that at one time or another. It certainly has happened for me. Invariably it happens I discover the matter when I'm far from home. I also have forgotten to change the non-cpu register after changing lenses and end up with incorrect EXIF data and often images with compromised exposure. I guess we're here to learn something...
Curtis, I have done that also, not changing the non-cpu register a couple of times. I usually have an extra card in my camera bag, but I changed it. It is part of life. We are learning from our mistakes (hope so!)
CGrindahl wrote:
Quick double take here... Ken talking with Ken... I thought we were dealing with multiple personalities AGAIN...
I'm curious Florida based Ken... are you still traveling in a Corvette? I've been very impressed with their newer models with the mid-engine. I don't know how much space there is for luggage in these cars. That might prove an impediment when traveling for extended holidays.
With regard to the 35-200 I remembered the fact George sent me his copy of the lens when I was considering adding it to my kit. My memory was tickled when I looked at old photos that had EXIF information that made no sense to me given my kit. Then I came across the conversation George and I had about his offer. I don't know if I ever expressed my appreciation for that gesture on the thread... but I will now. Yes, it is a fine performer and would make a great addition to a travel kit... IF one wants to bring a zoom lens. When traveling by car I generally bring more lenses. When I travel via plane with a very small bag it tends to be primes. Of course, unlike adventurous souls like you I haven't done ANY traveling for the last four years. It is shocking to realize my last trip to Europe was 11 years ago... when Rinie and I traveled to Turkey.
Happy traveling my friend. And if you're driving a new Corvette, share a photo so I can drool... ...Show more →
Curtis, Ken from Florida using an iPhone in Michigans Upper Peninsula and driving a Tahoe. But parked in my garage in Florida is a 2023 Corvette Z51 convertible in mist metallic red with a camel interior. The roads in the UP are better driven in the Tahoe. Perhaps 20 or more miles so far on gravel which is a lot better than dirt and grass of which we did some today. Oh! The potholes too! I’ll pm you a picture of the Vette because all I have is an iPhone shot with me.
It is a good investment because of its intro during the scamdemic, (2020), supply chain issues that produced a scarcity of cars and a whole bunch of buyers. It’s got 7k miles on it and it’s worth what I paid plus some. It’ll make our trip to Scottsdale this October where I’ll meet Jay for lunch.
