Glacier National Park Montana

Cambo WRS/IQ160 Schneider 35mm lens (2-shot panorama)

 

Sandy & I returned to Glacier last week for the first time in over 6-years.  The last time we were in Glacier I was still shooting 35mm and hadn't begun to think about medium format.  If I think back I think this last trip was the catalyst to moving to medium format so I was happy and excited on this trip.

 

Phase One DF/IQ160 Schneider 55mm LS lens (single capture)

 

I came to Glacier in hopes to capture the vast beauty there using both the Cambo WRS and the Phase DF; both using the Phase One IQ160 digital back.  I also came there with the hopes of using a lighter weight tripod and head.  Thanks to Dave Gallagher, I also was fortunate to use a Schneider 55mm LS lens on the DF body thus giving me wide choices on both the WRS and DF bodies.

 

Cambo WRS/IQ160 Schneider 35mm lens (2-shot panorama)

 

My normal tripod is a Gitzo GT5540LS with an Arca Swiss Cube sitting on top.  This combination has proved to be extremely steady no matter the conditions; the drawback is the weight as it weighs just shy of 10 pounds.  Try carrying an extra 10 pounds on a steep trail.  I added what I had hoped to be a lighter alternative, using a Feisol CT-3442 with a new Arca Swiss D4 geared head all weighing slightly less than 5 pounds.  Will it work?  Short answer is yes it did.  I ended up using the Feisol/D4 combination the entire 4-shooting days in Glacier with great success.  I found the weight difference great and while the D4 works well it isn't the Cube; but in the end I like it.

 

Phase One DF/IQ160 Schneider 55mm LS lens (f/8 30 seconds)

 

We would have liked better conditions however what we got was periods of heavy smoke with little to no clouds with the air smelling of smoke.  We did get a break one day when the smoke cleared and we were greeted with clouds.

 

 

Stay tuned for more images from Glacier.

 

Don

FAT RAT Kustoms

Jacob, Virgil, Joshua and Gramma (rescue dog)

Canon 1DsIII 24-70

 

Canon 1DsIII 24-70

 

 Canon 1DsIII 24-70

Canon 1DsIII 24-70

 

We were in the Kalispell Montana area last week shooting in and around Glacier National Park.  Our last shooting was last Friday and while driving around the area we happened to see a lot with a couple of old vehicles sitting on it.  We're talking about metal.  We're also talking about the time before anyone had heard of fiberglass.

 

Canon 1DsIII 24-70 

Canon 1DsIII 24-70 

Canon 1DsIII 24-70

 

We stopped and ended up speaking with Virgil (the father) and his 2-sons Jacob and Joshua.  After asking if we could take a couple snapshots of the older cars we were given free access to the lot.  Don had the chance to peek inside the garage and came back with a couple images as well.

 

Canon 1DsIII 24-70 

 Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm

 Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm 

 

Virgil says their business is based on "old school hot rods" and "old tin & parts".  Fat Rat is a family business specializing in traditional hot rods.  We don't believe they have a website however you can contact them at 406.885.2831 or email at fatrat3o@yahoo.com.

 

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm  

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm  

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm  

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm  





Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm

 

Many thanks to the guys at Fat Rat in allowing us to disrupt their day so we could take photographs.

 

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm  



Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm

 

 

Sandy & Don

 

 

Jackson Hole WY Fall Colors

 Canon 1DsIII

 Canon 1DsIII

Canon 1DsIII

 

The colors for this year are just beginning to appear in the Jackson Hole area with most of the colors at or near ground level. 

 

 Canon 1DsIII

Canon 1DsIII

We arrived in Jackson in time to attend a Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce get together this past Thursday.  We spent Friday and Saturday driving around visiting areas we like from past visits.  Today we rest before heading to Kalispell MT Monday to shoot in and around Glacier National Park for a week.  We'll be back in Jackson early September where we hope to capture the fall colors in high bloom.

 

 Canon 1DsIII

 Canon 1DsIII

Canon 1DsIII

The images shown here were all captured yesterday morning and represent just the very early stages of fall. 

 

 Canon 1DsIII

Phase One DF/IQ160

 

We've had to be careful the past couple days as there is a heavy layer of smoke drifting east over the Tetons from the wildfires in California and Idaho.  We could just barely see the mountains Thursday and yesterday they were completely gone.  The sky today is better however there's still a heavy fire smell in the air.

 

 Phase One DF/IQ160

Phase One DF/IQ160

 

The images were captured using either a Canon 1DsIII and 24-70 lens or a Phase One DF body with a Phase One IQ160 digital back and a Phase One 80mm lens.

 

 Phase One DF/IQ160

Phase One DF/IQ160



We wanted to share these early images before heading to Montana.  Enjoy, and please remember your thoughts and comments are always welcomed.

 

Phase One DF/IQ160

 





Sandy & Don

 

Postscript:

I returned to using medium format fulltime late last year in large part to Dave Gallagher.  Also, thanks to Dave I made what I consider a huge leap in switching from the great Phase One P65+ digital back to a stunning IQ160 digital back.  While the resolution of the 2-backs are the same the advances made with the IQ series hits it out of the ballpark.  This is the first trip I've been able to take using the IQ160 and as we sat here writing this blog entry I didn't want to close without saying at least a little about the ease of use and overall appreciation of both the back and one of my closest friends Dave.  I've said it before and will continue to repeat - if you are looking for a competent photographic dealer who also is one of the most honest men I know look no further than Dave Gallagher and CaptureIntegration.

Don