Slight Kit Changes

I did decide to sell my two RF STM lenses to MPB and they are headed to FedEx this morning. I will get almost what I paid for them so having them was not a waste. I no longer need the 16mm lens as that is covered by the 14-35mm L lens. I've now owned four copies of the 50mm STM lens and hopefully the next time there's a big refurbished sale (like now) and I get the urge I will remember that I'm not really a fan. There are also rumors of a 50mm f/1.4 L lens coming sometime this year. 

I reorganized things some, anticipating that with warmer weather I'll be wearing a photo vest that can carry gear so I won't need a shoulder bag or backpack. I've put what was in the Think Tank Speed Freak plus a flash and more filters with battery grip attached to the EOS R6 in a Tamrac Stratus 15.

I was using the Canon strap but it doesn't slide to shooting position well. If I'm going to be carrying the camera with grip and lens the Peak Design traps are more suitable. I have the Slide Lite, Leash and Cuff which all attach to the red and black anchors. 

I won't carry the bag around but I can travel to locations knowing that everything I need is in this single bag. It weighs 13.2 pounds. Here is what it looks like.

Halfway Through Spring

We're slightly more than halfway between the beginning of meteorological spring and summer. I walked around Peebles Island this afternoon with the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens as I haven't used either of the STM prime lenses in quite a while. If I'm not going to use them I could pick up about $250 by trading them in to MPB. MPB's trade in price right now is about what I paid for the lenses.

Here are some scenes from this afternoon with the EOS R6 and RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens.

f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

f/2.8, 1/2000 sec., ISO 100

f/2.8, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

f/4, 1/2000 sec., ISO 100

f/4, 1/2000 sec., ISO 100

f/4, 1/1500 sec., ISO 100

Four Out Of Five

After hiking around the Wilkinson Trail at the Saratoga Battlefield on Tuesday, I visited most of the other sites that make up Saratoga National Historical Park yesterday. The other four sites are located north of the battlefield in, or very near, the Village of Schuylerville which was known as Saratoga at the time of the War for Independence. 

Currently, the Village of Schuylerville is a part of the Town of Saratoga in Saratoga County. The battlefield itself is in today's town of Stillwater, Saratoga County. The famous Saratoga Springs, home of this year's Belmont Stakes, is about eight miles northwest of the battlefield. Saratoga Springs was not established as a settlement of European peoples until after the War for Independence, being incorporated as a village in 1826 and as a city in 1915.

The only part of the National Park not included here is the surrender site which is located slightly south of the Village of Schuylerville and is not particularly picturesque. You can read more about the various parts of the park at https://www.nps.gov/sara/planyourvisit/index.htm.

Saratoga Battlefield, Stillwater, NY

Saratoga Battlefield, Stillwater, NY

Saratoga Battlefield, Stillwater, NY

Schuyler House, Schuylerville, NY

Saratoga Monument, Schuylerville, NY

Victory Woods, Schuylerville, NY

Spring Forest Scenics

I want back to the Saratoga Battlefield yesterday to enjoy sun and temperatures in the 70s before a stretch of predicted rain. I carried the same gear I used in Maine, a Think Tank Speed Freak shoulder bag with the R6, the 14-35mm and 24-105mm lenses and assorted accessories.

Even though I carry both lenses, I usually end up using mostly one of the lenses. There is a significant focal length overlap and to take the time to change lenses can be a pain. Yesterday it was the wider lens that saw all the use.

While it is wet in low spots and around the usual vernal ponds and pools, it generally is very dry with the pine cones brittle and crunchy. The rain will not be unwelcome.

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 14mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 17mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 14mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 24mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 24mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 14mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 18mm, f/8

My Take On The Solar Eclipse

I've never been interested in photographing the actual sun and moon during an eclipse. My interest is in photographing what the eclipse lighting does to the scenery. In this sense, partial eclipses are almost as good as a total eclipse.

Were I was, the event reached 97% totality. In the about 10 to 15 minutes before and after it reached that point the lighting was very nice. According to the National Weather Service, the time of maximum totality at Saratoga Springs was 3:26 PM. The battlefield is about 8 miles southeast so the time should be almost the same.

These are all without any filter although they are processed to bring the shadows up and the highlights down. My camera clock is set by my MacBook Pro which is set by the ghost of Steve Jobs so it is accurate.

3:04PM, f/8, 1/1000 sec., ISO 200

3:07PM, f/8, 1/1000 sec., ISO 200

3:15PM, f/8, 1/250 sec., ISO 200

3:28PM, f/5.6, 1/90 sec., ISO 400

3:34PM, f/5.6, 1/350 sec., ISO 400

3:34PM, f/8, 1/250 sec., ISO 400

3:36PM, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 400

The Final Set From Maine

Here are some shots from this morning before heading back from Maine. 

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 50mm, f/5.6

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 24mm, f/5.6

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 105mm, f/5.6

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 105mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 40mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 105mm, f/8

Post Storm Scenes

Now that the wind, rain and snow has subsided I'm able to get out for more than a minute at a time but the overcast sky leaves something to be desired. Here are some shots from this morning.

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 105mm, f/5.6, Cropped

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 24mm, f/5.6

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 105mm, f/5.6

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 50mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 77mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 27mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 24mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 24mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 85mm, f/8

Spring Storm Video

Instagram is not uploading any videos for me this week so I'm putting this one here. This is overlooking the Marginal Way from the Beachmere's South building. There's a cam almost above where I was standing you can see at https://beachmereinn.com/webcam/.

I'm unlikely to get any actual storm photos as visibility is horrible and places like Perkins Cove are closed until the water recedes.

A Nicer Start to the Trip

I wasn't expecting to see the sun at all this trip to Maine but yesterday afternoon saw some sun and the sun also made a brief appearance at sunrise before clouds took over. The forecast as of this morning is for 2-5" of snow, up to 55 mph wind gusts and a high tide tomorrow morning with a 3' storm surge and large battering waves.

Here some scenes from yesterday afternoon along the Marginal Way and in Perkins Cove and this morning's sunrise from Ogunquit Beach.

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 18mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 15mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 14-35mm f/4L at 14mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 24mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 105mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 63mm, f/8

EOS R6, RF 24-105mm f/4L at 24mm, f/8

Maine Trip Weather

The bad news is the weather for a midweek trip to Maine this week looks to be on the stormy side. The good news is the weather for a midweek trip to Maine this week looks to be on the stormy side.

While it looks like there won't be a single sunrise to be photographed I've never been there for a real storm with potential coastal flooding. Preparations for gear and clothing will have to take wet and windy into account. Neither Wednesday nor Thursday are travel days so maybe the timing will be just right.