A Solitary Lens

It's now been a week since I sent my two f/2.8 zoom lenses to MPB in exchange for a 24-105mm f/4 lens and some cash. The transaction is all processed and I'm just waiting for the f/4 zoom to ship. If it ships today, I should have it tomorrow. One of the perks of residing on the outskirts of the New York City sphere of influence is even free economy shipping gets here overnight

My 45mm f/1.2 lens, therefore, has been my only option over this time. And I've been enjoying it immensely. I did use the Minolta MD 200mm f/4 lens once and put it back into storage.

I continue to add files to the 45mm 4:3 project gallery which you can visit here.

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/1.2, 1/60 sec., ISO 100

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/2, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/2, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/1.4, 1/90 sec., ISO 800

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/1.4, 1/125 sec., ISO 800

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/2, 1/45 sec., ISO 800

From Summer to Fall

We're now in meteorological fall which is my favorite season of the year for photography. In addition to foliage colors it's also the season of events, including Tugboat Roundup and battle anniversaries at Saratoga National Historical Park. If I'm going to be making gear changes I want to make sure they're completed before these events get going. 

As soon as I picked up the RF 16-28mm lens to pair with the RF 28-70mm lens I had a nagging feeling that I wouldn't be happy for long. Two days ago, I sent the two non L f/2.8 STM zoom lenses to MPB in trade for an RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (my 4th copy) and some cash. 

Some reasons for the swap are:

• longer focal lengths than 70mm.

• having the 45mm f/1.2 diminishes the need for f/2.8 in an everyday lens.

• the 24-105mm L is optically corrected [so much so, that DxO only has a single corrections module for the lens rather than separate modules for RAW and JPG files out of the camera].

• my collection of five 77mm filters plus the 500D which brings the magnification of the lens to .5X.

• USM focusing motor.

• full weather sealing.

I should have the lens by the middle of next week, which is cutting it close for the Tugboat Roundup. Until then, I have the RF 45mm f/1.2 lens and my Minolta manual everything lenses.

Here is a collection of shots since the last post, over a week ago.

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/2, 1/60 sec., ISO 100

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/1.4, 1/60 sec., ISO 800

RF 16-28mm f/2.8 at 16mm, f/5.6, 1/350 sec., ISO 400

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/250 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 43mm, f/8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/1.4, 1/500 sec., ISO 400

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/2, 1/250 sec., ISO 400

RF 45mm f/1.2, f/8, 1/2000 sec., ISO 100

Moody Morning

I skipped this morning's sunrise. There weren't enough clouds to make it worthwhile at 5:30 AM. I headed out, about an hour later, to the end of Flight Lock Road where the flight of locks meets the Mohawk River.

A gravel road, closed to vehicles, runs between the Mohawk and lock E6. I walked to lock E6 and back. Here are some of he scenes along the way, starting with the Mohawk River and ending at lock E6.

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 41mm, f/2.8, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 37mm, f/8, 1/90 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 41mm, f/16, 1/180 sec., ISO 400

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 42mm, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 59mm, f/8, 1/3000 sec., ISO 100