Opening Day

Today was opening day for the navigation season on the New York State Canals. I wasn't sure if I was going to go over to Waterford for the first lock through on the flight of locks as it was lightly raining. 

These days, the canal system exists mainly to provide free leisure activity to wealthy yacht owners. Luckily, I ended up catching an early tugboat exiting the flight of locks at the Mohawk River end before the leisure craft got that far along. The Seaway Jennifer was headed to the Oswego Canal.

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 62mm, f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/2.8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 42mm, f/2.8, 1/2000 sec., ISO 100

Tomorrow is the Waterford Canalfest which this year will be hosting the Seneca Chief from the Buffalo Maritime Center. I may get more shots tomorrow but here are some from this morning.

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

Perfect Weather

I enjoyed a hike around Saratoga Battlefield this morning not having to think about what lens I wanted to use. Time will tell whether the choice of the RF 28-70mm f/2.8 over the 24-105mm f/4L is a good one or not. But, as much as I love fast prime lenses, I think I'm done harboring any illusions that they are an option for me.

Today was one of those perfect days with coolish temperatures, blue sky with some clouds, little wind and no biting insects. Here are some scenes from this morning's hike.

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 32mm, f/8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 35mm, f/8, 1/125 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/180 sec., ISO 200

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

Can't Stop Changing

I got tired of carrying around the 85mm lens and not using it. I can carry a flash and batteries for about the same weight. So, I'm selling it. Life is now simpler with only the 28-70mm and 28mm pancake lenses. 

Both lenses have f/2.8 maximum apertures. I won't be able to rely on very wide, very close or very blurry to make photos interesting. It will be a healthy exercise to be limited in this way. We'll see how long it lasts.

I stopped at Falls View Park in Cohoes this morning and walked the stairway and path down to the river level - and back up. This park is only accessible from May to October.

These first two shots, from the same spot, show my current focal length limits, 28mm and 70mm.

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 51mm, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 58mm, f/6.7, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100