Just the long ones and maybe the NOCT. I haven't decided about the 200 and NOCT yet. Someone that gets this 200-400 will be amazed at how sharp it renders. Hate to give it up, however, I need some capital for something else i am dabbling in.
The story of the little engine that could... The Choshi Dentetsu
Quite fascinating, it's a private train line that's still operational when most of the big boys with federal funding have taken over. Serves about 6 small stations in a straight line all the way down to the lighthouse.
A few years back they were facing bankruptcy due to low ridership. And in desperation decided to raise funds by selling Japanese rice cracker biscuits. The local area is famous for soy sauce production, and they make a biscuit variant not found elsewhere - the biscuits are dipped into soy sauce and packed into the wrappers while still hot, instead of waiting for the biscuits to cool and the sauce to harden as a glaze. Nure-senbei or wet/moist cracker, just, well, tastes like a limp soggy biscuit... I'm not a fan
But they sold really quickly - I suspect nostalgia played a huge part - more than production could keep up. They were saved! The press and then the media picked up the story; now mostly, ahem, older tourists come by to take a ride on a train that's reminiscent of a bygone era. And it is a quaint ride, passing by tiny cottages and another local specialty - fields and fields of cabbages.
Hi Everyone,
Not been posting much as I'm waiting for Nikon to return my Df. I have been visiting often and using the like button. Nice to see everyone playing with their new Z camera setups.
I've been enjoying all the photos as well as the usual. Lately I've been fascinated by how all the older legacy lenses have been adapted to the new mirrorless systems. Quite fascinating actually to resurrect all that beautiful old glass.
This might be a bit off topic but Matt's Crazy Lens Adventures on Flickr has some really interesting conversions using the Z7 if anyone is interested.
NightOwl Cat wrote:
Rough getting old, remind me what I said ! I seem to be suffering from CRS.
Goodness, I don't remember either Laura. I just remember saying to myself "she nailed it on the description of Ohio winter skies" when I read it. I tried looking for it but have had no luck.
Hello all! I am just now emerging from the completion of my Master's degree. I officially finished all the actual work in mid-December, but it has taken a while to decompress from it. Now I have a few extra letters following my name to impress people with my authority and erudition, along with a salary increase that is barely sufficient to break even on the tuition and book costs by the time I retire! Oh well, it's a great feeling to have accomplished it (with a 4.3 GPA, I might add), and it adds a bit of strut to my stride!
I managed to get out with my camera a couple of times last weekend, so here are two shots from Saturday at nearby Cameron Lake. The first image shows a view from the roadside shore with the 28 f/2 Ai-s, while the second closes in, through the 105 f/1.8 Ai-s, on the steep mountain wall that rises from the opposite shore.
saph wrote:
The green dot is indeed not so useable for a fast moving bird. And I am impressed by your ability to manipulate the long throw while focusing and shooting. I have used the 500 F4 P and while its sharper than just about any other lens I have, I struggle with BIFs.
As part of my photo renaissance (golf is taking less time and it's time for more important things (?) ) I've been spending a lot of time trying to get decent BIF images using my AF Bigma. The lens is amazingly sharp but my technique is woeful. It seems all my interests are similar in that they require unending hours of practice
I've joined the local camera club and it's forced me to take a long, hard look at how I shoot. Sloppy technique, lack of attention to the basics e.g. combination of shutter speed, aperture and ISO, not to mention focus(!!). Still it is rejuvenating and there is sufficient incentive to meet judging criteria to satisfy my competitive instincts.
Hopefully by the time I recommence posting on this thread, the results will be reflected in my images.
GroWeb wrote:
Hello all! I am just now emerging from the completion of my Master's degree. I officially finished all the actual work in mid-December, but it has taken a while to decompress from it. Now I have a few extra letters following my name to impress people with my authority and erudition, along with a salary increase that is barely sufficient to break even on the tuition and book costs by the time I retire! Oh well, it's a great feeling to have accomplished it (with a 4.3 GPA, I might add), and it adds a bit of strut to my stride!
I managed to get out with my camera a couple of times last weekend, so here are two shots from Saturday at nearby Cameron Lake. The first image shows a view from the roadside shore with the 28 f/2 Ai-s, while the second closes in, through the 105 f/1.8 Ai-s, on the steep mountain wall that rises from the opposite shore.
Congratulations Glen. That must be a great feeling and relief to get your spare time back.
2019 has not fired up my photo mojo at all. It stalled a month ago. Zero pictures this year. This thread has been my only fix.
As is usual I am undertaking 'dry January'. Not that I drink much alcohol but maybe there is a correlation.
Where's the cork screw and my camera?
DeltaSigma wrote:
Congratulations Glen. That must be a great feeling and relief to get your spare time back.
2019 has not fired up my photo mojo at all. It stalled a month ago. Zero pictures this year. This thread has been my only fix.
As is usual I am undertaking 'dry January'. Not that I drink much alcohol but maybe there is a correlation.
Where's the cork screw and my camera?
Colin
Colin , I'm also having a "dry" January - I've made it a habit for at least 20 years and it started after I'd had enough to eat and drink over Christmas and New Year to last a lifetime (he said!) I find it very cleansing of body and mind (that really does sound pompous!).
I also cut out many carbs, sugar with coffee and usually drop between 4 and 6 kilos in the 5 weeks, most of which is probably fluid retention.
I'm not sure if you remember Flanders and Swann but living in the UK many years ago I fully identified with their "Song of the Weather" - Bloody January Again. It's never a surprise when all in the UK hibernate, what is a surprise is that they stop hibernating
Zichar wrote:
The story of the little engine that could... The Choshi Dentetsu
Quite fascinating, it's a private train line that's still operational when most of the big boys with federal funding have taken over. Serves about 6 small stations in a straight line all the way down to the lighthouse.
A few years back they were facing bankruptcy due to low ridership. And in desperation decided to raise funds by selling Japanese rice cracker biscuits. The local area is famous for soy sauce production, and they make a biscuit variant not found elsewhere - the biscuits are dipped into soy sauce and packed into the wrappers while still hot, instead of waiting for the biscuits to cool and the sauce to harden as a glaze. Nure-senbei or wet/moist cracker, just, well, tastes like a limp soggy biscuit... I'm not a fan
But they sold really quickly - I suspect nostalgia played a huge part - more than production could keep up. They were saved! The press and then the media picked up the story; now mostly, ahem, older tourists come by to take a ride on a train that's reminiscent of a bygone era. And it is a quaint ride, passing by tiny cottages and another local specialty - fields and fields of cabbages.
Oh my. Thank you for this story. My late uncle worked for Yamasa soy sauce company and lived in Choshi. I never took the train, as far as I can remember though. I am so glad to hear those small private lines are surviving. I am certain, famous one, like Enoden is still fine. Private train network in Tokyo is really integral part of the city scape in Japan. One little notstalgia.
Same here, I went back three months trying to find it! Prepping for the snow storm that will cover up the latest celestial event.... super whatever moon eclipse.
pbraymond wrote:
Goodness, I don't remember either Laura. I just remember saying to myself "she nailed it on the description of Ohio winter skies" when I read it. I tried looking for it but have had no luck.
GroWeb wrote:
Hello all! I am just now emerging from the completion of my Master's degree. I officially finished all the actual work in mid-December, but it has taken a while to decompress from it. Now I have a few extra letters following my name to impress people with my authority and erudition, along with a salary increase that is barely sufficient to break even on the tuition and book costs by the time I retire! Oh well, it's a great feeling to have accomplished it (with a 4.3 GPA, I might add), and it adds a bit of strut to my stride!
I managed to get out with my camera a couple of times last weekend, so here are two shots from Saturday at nearby Cameron Lake. The first image shows a view from the roadside shore with the 28 f/2 Ai-s, while the second closes in, through the 105 f/1.8 Ai-s, on the steep mountain wall that rises from the opposite shore.
I'm having a semi dry January, not through choice but lack of opportunity here in India
Sorted out my phone now so I can use it to connect my laptop to the net.
We're currently in Kochi, leaving tomorrow just down the road to Aleppey for the Kerala backwater canals. So far our route has been Chennai (Madras) > Mahabalipuram > Puducherry > Madurai > Munnar > Kochi.
Lots to catch up, you can check my flickr if you can't wait for them to get posted.
Here's some from Chennai
Our hotel was a little way from the centre so we got a local train, 2nd Class, much like the Tube in London / subway in NY, you have to wait for people to get off and then try and get on in the ensuing crush ! but there is a woman's carriage so my wife got to sit and chat with lovely Indian women in their colourful saris.
They generally don't have people on top of the trains now but as you can see, there are no doors and as long as you can hang on you can get on the train!
Chat while waiting for the train. Despite all the colour, I'm also really loving B&W, brings out the detail without the eye being distracted by the crazy colours I think.
! I seem to be suffering from CRS.
