Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Catching up

Salton Sea California
Sony A7r II FE 24-70
 
Crescent City California
Sony A7r II 90mm
 
Near Crater Lake Oregon
Phase One XF, IQ180 and Schneider LS 40-80
 
It’s been about 120-days since we last posted and many things have happened.
We’ve done a lot of traveling since our last post using some new equipment.
 
Sunset at the Salton Sea
Phase One XF, IQ180 and Schneider LS 35
 
Near Crescent City California
Sony A7r II 90
 
Carmel California Sunset
Sony A7r II 70-200
 
Lets catch up on a couple items:
The KPS T5 geared ballhead we wrote about January 7th remains a hit having used it at the Salton Sea, San Francisco, Carmel by the Sea, California Redwoods, Death Valley, Valley of the Gods Utah, Monument Valley to mention just a few of the locations we’ve traveled to since our last post. Our travel schedule reminds us of the Johnny Cash song “I’ve Been Everywhere”.

San Francisco California
Phase One XF, IQ180 Schneider LS 40-80
 
Sunrise
Phase One XF, IQ180 Schneider 40-80
 
Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco California
Sony A7r II 24-70
 
While we’ve kept Face Book, Instagram and Twitter accounts up-to-date we’ve been lax in posting here. We hope to fix that with this post.
 
Dante's View Death Valley California
Phase One XF, IQ180 Schneider LS 75-150
 
Bombay Beach Salton Sea California
Phase One XF, IQ180 Schneider LS 35
 
Don has changed or better yet simplified his filter systems during this time.  Previously Don had to pack 2-complete systems for his medium format lens since neither Cokin nor Lee offered a system that would fit all his lenses.  The Lee SW150 fit his Mamiya 28mm however they hadn’t yet offered a 105mm ring for the Schneider 35LS or 40-80LS so he had to rely on the Cokin X-Pro system.  While both systems are equally good it was a problem packing 2-complete systems.  But no more since Lee began offering adaptor rings in 105mm.  Don is now using the Lee SW150 filter system on all his lenses ranging from 28mm to 240mm with great success.
 
 Windmill
Sony A7r II 24-70mm
 
Windmill
Sony A7r II 16-35
 

Valley of the Gods
Sony A7r II 16-35
 
Valley of the Gods
Sony A7r II Mitakon 50 f/0.95

We’re including a lot of images here and will explain where each was taken as we go along.
We’ve just returned from Bluff Utah where we were shooting late night dark skies while scouting locations for a possible workshop next year.
 
Goosenecks State Park Mexican Hat Utah
Sony A7r II Voigtlander 12mm
Near Show Low Arizona
Sony A7r II 24-70
Monument Valley Utah
Sony A7r II 16-35
 
Monument Valley Utah
Sony A7r II Voigtlander 12mm

Don has picked up a Sony A7r II to add to his ever growing camera bag as well as a new Mitakon 85mm f/1.2 to add to his 50mm f/0.95.  Sandy will shortly be upgrading her 16-35 f/4 to the newer f/2.8 as well as replacing her older 24-70 f/4 for the new f/2.8 GM lens.
 
Seven Sailors Valley of the Gods Utah
Sony Ar7 II 24-70
 
Seven Sailors Valley of the Gods
Sony A7r II 24-70
 
Valley of the Gods
Sony A7r II 16-35
 
17-Room Ruin Bluff Utah
Sony A7r II 24-70
 
As you can see by the images we’ve been busy traveling seeing beautiful areas, visiting friends along the way and making new friends.  As always, thank you for allowing us to share our adventures.

 

Sandy & Don