From Las Vegas I took a 15-hour trip/tour of the Grand Canyon - South Rim. It was fully worth it, but it was cold and windy. The temperature was ~ 40º F or less. The windchill factor might have been less than 32º F. There was snow on the ground. We got more than three hours to walk around the rim and take photos, which was more than ample amount of time. Here is my Grand Canyon photos link . I would recommend this trip to anyone that visits Las Vegas.
I visited the Grand Canyon several times, in years past. At 67 it is a very hard drive. Actually, you do not need more than three hours to see the canyon, unless you want to partake in the Rangers' activities and programs or go down to the canyon. Make no mistake abut it. The Grand Canyon is magnificent, spectacular, memorable, unforgettable, majestic, breathtaking , and many more adjectives I cannot come up with. However, after 3 hours it becomes a hole in the ground :) Well, sort of. Therefore and imho, 3 hours to see the canyon is more than enough.
To go down to the canyon and be next to the Colorado river you need more than 3 days, but t is fully worth it. You usually go down to the canyon by mule, which is an exciting, trepidating, and unforgettable experience to last a lifetime or two. I will never forget the mule going by the edge of the road and the abysm beyond the edge of the road.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Saturday, March 19, 2016
What Is Nikon Up To?
I was thinking about the rumored Mirror-Less (ML) that Nikon
is supposed to be introducing, by the end of this year. The following is sheer speculation by me that
I would like to share with you. There have been rumors that Fujifilm will introduce
a Medium-Format (MF) ML camera soon. However, Fujifilm seems to have discarded
the idea. On the other
hand, the rumors about Nikon coming out with a “Larger Sensor” ML camera are
getting stronger. What does Nikon mean
by “Larger Sensor”? I really do not
know. I can only speculate that they
coming out with a MF-ML camera, which is very smart, imho.
Sony has the market for the Full-Frame (FF) ML cameras and
Fuji the DX ML cameras. Nikon might go
after the MF-ML cameras market at a reasonable price, just like Sony with FF and Fuji
with DX.
MF-ML Camera (Generic Photo) |
Las Vegas
Paris Las Vegas Hotel |
I played the Video Poker Machines (Jacks or Better - Progressive) for 4 straight nights, a couple of hours each night. I started with $80 and finished, after hitting a straight flush, with $81.25. I can say that I won because after four nights, I broke even. However, I won't. What was the purpose of it all? What about all those hours spent at gambling instead of taking photographs? I did not risk much - $80 or 25¢ a hand to win very little or nothing. I broke even, because I hit a straight flush before quitting for good.
If I'm going to spent that much time gambling, I would like to play for the trip and a bit more, like $4,000. However, to win that type of money I have to risk ~ $1,000 and play $5 a hand, something I'm not willing to do. Rather than risk $1,000, I rather get a new lens or camera. In other words, in my list of priorities, real gambling is not a very high one.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Fujifilm X-T10 |
Fuji 16-50 |
PS: I did finally ordered the X-T10 (Silver) with the 16-50 (Silver) From B&H. The more I looked into the camera the more I liked it. It is very light ~ is 13.4 Oz and the Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II is ~ 6.5 Oz. I will use the T10 primarily with these lenses:
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
X-T1 VS X-T10
X-T1 and X-T10 |
X-T10 and X-T1 |
The controls of the T10 are much easier to operate. There are no locked wheels, the command dials turn much easier, and the buttons are not that recessed and slightly bigger. The only way to set the ISO is through Q menu that you can see through the EVF by turning the back command dial.
X-T10 and X-T1 |
The only reason for even looking at the T2, are the controls and the 2nd card slot. When I travel, I need the 2nd slot as a back up. I do not want lose 1,000 or more photos because the card went bad. You never know when you are going to visit the place again. That is why I took the D750 to Washington DC instead of the T1. Why do I struggle with the Fuji cameras? Two reasons: the cameras and the lenses, which are out of this world!
And the winner is...? David...The little camera that could! |
Monday, March 7, 2016
My New Fujifilm Camera
Fujifilm X-T10 |
I am very much aware that the main reason for the $300 discount at Amazon is because Fuji might be coming out with an upgrade. That does not concern me, because I'm not upgrading it. I am open to upgrading the X-T1, though. In addition, the successor, probably the X-T20, will be more expensive. The X-Pro 2, for example, came with a steep price increase.
I will keep both the X-T1 and X-T10. I will take the X-T1 to be modified by removing the locking mechanisms from the ISO and Shutter Speed dials. Regardless if it can be done, I will use the X-T10 as my carry-with-me camera to be left in the trunk of the car. I was using the X-T1 for that purpose, but I hated to do so for fear of losing it, damaging it, or just being stolen; the X-T1 is a very expensive camera. I will also use the X-T10 as my travel camera and the reason for rushing the purchase due to my upcoming trip to Las Vegas, by the end of the week.
Fujinon XC 16-50 |
The "XC" 16-50 is not designated as the "XF" 16-50. It is rated as a "Compact and Casual" lens (the "C" in XC) and not a "Fine" lens (the "F" in XF.) The "Fine" is the top or professional grade lens. The "Compact and Casual" lens is a grade bellow. The "X" stands for Fuji X-Mount lens.
The 16-50 f/3.5-5.6 lens is not as good than the 18-55 f/2.8-f/4, but I like it better. It is much lighter and the 2mm wider is very important to me. The drawback is almost one full stop slower and not a pro grade or not that well built.
I was not even planning to get the X-T10, especially after my very recent purchase of the Nikon D5500 (IR.) I somehow looked into the X-T10 and liked what I saw. Furthermore, the special discount at Amazon, made it, as I said, a no-brainer.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Las Vegas Trip
Paris Las Vegas |
I'm taking my new Fuji X-T10 with the 10-24, 18-135, 16 1.4, 56 1.2 and a fifth lens. It is going to be between the 55-200 or the 90 f/2. I plan a 15-hour tour of the Grand Canyon - South Rim and the reason for taking the 55-200 over t he 90 f/2. I've been to the Grand Canyon several times, many years ago. At this time, I do not think I can drive there anymore and it is very difficult to fly there - I do not know how. Therefore, it might be my last chance to visit it.
I have tickets for the Cirque du Soleil show and the reason for taking my 56 1.2. I wish they let me take pictures in the show.
Grand Canyon |
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
My New IR Camera
Nikon D5500 (IR) |
This was not a spur of the moment decision. It has been in the works for some years. About 5 years ago, I almost purchased the Nikon SLR F100. What kept me from it was the cost of the film and the development of it. It came ~ $12.00 for 36 exposures - too expensive. When Fuji announced the X-T1 (IR), it rekindled my interest in B&W and/or IR photography. About four months ago, I was ready to pull the trigger on the X-T1 (IR,) until I found out that I needed to shoot with a cutoff visible-light filter. That took care of that. Three months ago, I purchased the one year subscription to DigiLloyd's IR photography site. It is there where I found out about MaxMax, which Lloyd Chambers strongly recommended. Until then, I did not know who to go for IR cameras. I also purchased a couple of books, which I'm reading.
I was going to purchase a used camera and send it in for the conversion. I wanted the D700. However, it is a used camera at ~ $800 + the $450 for the conversion. The D5500 (IR,) brand new, came to $1,235. It was not worth it to buy a camera - new or used- to convert it. It is cheaper to do it with a used camera, if you have one ready for conversion. If you don't, then it is another matter. In addition, I can visit my old places around Los Angeles and take new photos, but this time with an IR camera. It is like starting again. :)
Nikon 18-55 VR II |
I have a lot of lenses that I will try to see what works best for the D5500 (IR.) At least with the 18-55 I have a lens that will work from the start and it is a very usable focal length; the equivalent to 27-85mm in 35 mm format. That might be the only lens that I will ever need for IR photography. The others are like icing on the cake like the Nikon 28 1.8, the Sigma 50 2.8 Macro, the Nikon AI-s 70-210, and many more that I have for the Nikon D750.
My Beloved D700
Nikon D700 |
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