We were there in late October and the crowds were awful. Walking through town one day we could see seven tour groups from where we were standing. That being said, we really enjoyed walking the town at night and listening to the different performers.
Patrick, I can totally relate. At least in late November one gets to experience some of the Christmas decorations which are beautiful in Florence.
It is a stunning city of art and architecture so it is understandable why it is such a popular destination.
For today, I have a few more views of the north shore of Lake Superior in early May, 2017, all from the Fuji X-E2 and anonymous MFNG (the exif again says 24mm for all of them, but I don't quite believe it).
My wife's current flower arrangement that seemed dying to be photographed. Window light on the right + two SB-700 Speedlights, one on camera, one to the left.
SiMuMe wrote:
My wife's current flower arrangement that seemed dying to be photographed. Window light on the right + two SB-700 Speedlights, one on camera, one to the left.
James Markus wrote:
Oh, that used black body FM film SLR showed up today - way better condition than I expected. The shutter sounds perfect. Film advance lever has a beautiful gear sound. It is much tighter (less wear) than my old silver FM from the late 1980s. There is brassing on the edges - like it was carried a bit, but only used occasionally. The lens is smooth as silk, and most of my ai and ais lenses work fine. I had forgotten what such a small, beautiful, mechanical machine felt like in my hands. Really a joy. The Lens is gorgeous with an excellent tamped feel.
James, congratulations on the new toys. It is always a big relied when the condition is better than expected.
My best purchase of 2023 was the Nikkormat EL with the 5.8cm f/1.4. I was blown away when I opened the package.These are stunning cameras built like an anvil.
The h.c 50/2 is a great little lens with superior contrast and color saturation compared to its predecessor.
James Markus wrote:
Oh, that used black body FM film SLR showed up today - way better condition than I expected. The shutter sounds perfect. Film advance lever has a beautiful gear sound. It is much tighter (less wear) than my old silver FM from the late 1980s. There is brassing on the edges - like it was carried a bit, but only used occasionally. The lens is smooth as silk, and most of my ai and ais lenses work fine. I had forgotten what such a small, beautiful, mechanical machine felt like in my hands. Really a joy. The Lens is gorgeous with an excellent tamped feel.
That's some beautiful brassing. Not sure where I read this perhaps less than two weeks ago, but there's at least one new camera that was sold factory-brassed, and I am guessing for a premium.
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GroWeb wrote:
Looks like you landed a very nice, new-to-you source of photographic joy, Jim! Brassing that reveals actual brass has become strictly an old-school sign of character.
And, while we're on the subject of old-school, here are a few photos from a restored/preserved fur trading post near Thunder Bay, Ontario, called Fort William. I shot these in 2017 with a Fuji X-E2 and what I believe was the 24 f/2.8 Ai-s. (Like my other photos from past years, these have not previously been processed or posted.)
Thanks for sharing on Fort William Glen. Something I'll want to look up for sure. I really like the second shot.
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DeltaSigma wrote:
Poor man's Plena - 135mm f/2 at MFD and wide open of course!
Crocuses trying to open in the lawn but too much rain and not enough sunshine.
Grabbed this shot during a break in the clouds.
Serge, I was just reading this week about all the new rules that Italy is implementing for tourists. Truly loved to death. I think I read about anti-loitering, staying too long for selfies, no stopping on bridges, even for pedestrians.
I use a phone app to ID some birds, and I usually get surprised by the drab sparrow-like variety. A few days ago it was an immature White-crowned Sparrow which is rare - according to Merlin. I have seen the mature ones, but not captured them with the camera. 600mm f5.6 ais and the tc-16a
pbraymond wrote:
That second shot appeals to me, but I'm not sure why. Perhaps the shapes, and the texture of that primary focus branch. nice capture and PP.
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What a great story Jim! Do you still go back?
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Great to hear on the recovery Rafael. I forgot that you took part in 1000smiles, a wonderful cause, with thousands of families you've managed to touch in some way by now I'm sure.
Have been getting addresses for Nikki's mom tour. Was going to start the tour this weekend but did some careless lifting and threw my back out. Nothing serious and back on my feet already - so the Nikki tour starts next weekend, in the meantime will update listings and figure out the itinerary.
I do very little for 1000 Smiles, don't give me too much credit, but it is an admirable endeavor.
