Well I am back from my 2 week photo trip up to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as well as other parts of Michigan. I would be a liar if I said the trip was an overwhelming success as far as new images go. It was definitely productive as far as stock images go, I’d say of the total 720 Raw files I came home with about 200+ images that will make it to into stock. Unfortunately I had wanted to capture more classic images that would be sold not as stock, but rather as images for reproduction for use in offices, hospitals, hotels etc. I’ve been successful at generating these type of images in the past for use in the above mentioned locales but this trip just lacked the juice for that.
“Big Red”. on Lake Michigan
Tonight I am leaving for four weeks to Colorado. I have many stops that I plan on making both as a photographer, and a general tourist with my spouse who will accompany me. I am certainly hoping this trip is more “image rich” than Michigan – not that there was anything wrong with Michigan – its just that I didn’t feel I was at the right places at the right
Above is an image of “Big Red”. This one was definitely one of my “targets” for this trip and I am very, very happy with these results. I photographed this with my GFX50R, and the 100-200 F5.6 lens on a tripod, using the Provia film simulation. Since arriving home I uploaded the 720 images into Lightroom on my iMac and off my MacBook Air, but I have not yet had a chance to even open and examine any images yet as I’ve been so busy preparing, planning, and packing for this extended Colorado adventure. Ok, back to packing as we are headed out in about six hours!
Hey folks. It’s been some time since I’ve written. Life gets in the way and, well we all know how it goes. I do have some news – I got a new camera bag. This one weights about 6,000 pounds! I’ve gave notice at my office a week or so ago that I was going to retire. My retirement will become effective on June 18th this year! I’m scared, and nervous but also super excited; I’m so looking forward to road trips. I’m so excited to hit the road — though with this pandemic and various rules my Canada trip is out, and I really want to avoid people.
This minivan wasn’t my first choice – I was looking a Toyota Venza or Highlander Hybrid for the AWD and ground clearance like my Subaru Outback LL Bean edition but this van was a cash deal – excellent price, and I knew the owners and the van has been dealer services (I have all the records) since it had four miles. So I know what I’m getting into. I’ve been working slowly on a daily basis to prepare it for my personal travel needs. I’ve added my power outlets – multiple ones – and the cables, camera charging cables, drone charging unit that allows to batteries to charge while I drive. I’ll also be adding a Coleman stove, lights, and coolers to be able to camp anywhere for at least an overnighter while out shooting. The van came equipped with eight passenger seating but I’ve removed the rear seats to allow for sleeping and baggage area.
We are headed out for a short week trip in a few days which will be a good test for what works and what doesn’t. In July we’ll be off on a longer, more extended trip out to Ohio and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula since Canada doesn’t seem to want us Americans just yet – and I can’t say I blame them – any of us are just plain buttheads.
Here are a couple of photos of my new camera bag. You can follow me and Bertha on IG @big_berthas_travel_log and you can follow me @thelazyphotographer.nj
I hope to see you on Instagram. Until we meet again, take care and be safe!
I decided to use a different bag than the one I had selected below. This one was another one I picked up for like $30.00 US from either B&H or Adorama on one of their many e-mail blasts I get from them during the year. This one as you can see from the images is a bit longer, same width, but it has some nice features such as top ingress and egress — in other words I don’t have to open the flap to get camera or lenses out. That’s a very nice feature in crowded areas. It also has a very, very deep pocket on the flap – shown with the orange zipper, where I can put my passports, travel documents, phone, etc. I love that feature! Inside I placed one of my three inserts; even though I do have larger and deeper inserts, the one I decided on here is, thinner so as not to make the bag sit as wide, and semi-flexible so I can bend it at will without damage. This bag still fits under the airplane seat which was my goal for this trip, together with keeping it light and simple. Since I’ve also decided to pack my 35 1.4 you can see everything fits much better. Up against my body the bag holds my 10.5″ iPad, and three Mavic Pro batteries. I also have a pocket inside the flap, one under the flap, one in the back. The pockets and flaps are everywhere! The only downside of this bag is I do not like the cammo look inside. That is the only reason I don’t use this particular bag. Once I arrive, the bag will shed the drone batteries, and pick up my filter pouch which is going in my checked bag. I doubt I will leave the hotel with all four lenses each day – it really will depend on what I intend on shooting so the bag will be smaller and lighter than it is now – even though I think it’s just perfect as it is.
Oh… See the black roller suitcase? That my friends is my winter project as I’m converting it into a foam lined, sealed, camera, lens and drone carryon, or check in bag! I’m so excited about that project that I’ll attack when I have some time. Right now as the title says I’m off to the Caymans. I am still reviewing and will be editing over 1800 images from my time in Iceland back in April; and I have another 400 or so images of miscellaneous shoots and small day-trips to review. I also have over 2,000 images I need to title and keyword for stock use. So this winter will be very busy for me. But, I digress…Here are the bag images. Let me know what you think.
Collection of Bags
Interior of the Manfrotto
Manfrotto bag
Top zipper so don’t have to use the flap, and the deep side pocket
After returning from Coastal Maine last week I am now planning, packing and preparing for a trip the the Cayman Islands. For this trip I’ve decided to lighten the load; both in-transit, and while on the ground. Instead of taking my super reliable, 10+ year old, $40.00 backpack which has been everywhere with me I’m taking a small Lowepro Streamline 250 that I picked up on sale at Adorama for US $20 via one of their emailed fire-sales. This is the sole bag that will go on the plane with me under the seat. Together with my camera and lenses I’m also packing my three drone batteries in this bag as the Lithium batteries are not allowed in check-in luggage. The bag came with one divider, but I’ve added some dividers from other bags in order to pack my lenses securely.
LowePro Streamline 250
I own several camera bodies – well, I did. I fried my Fuji XT-2 in saltwater while in Myrtle Beach South Carolina a couple of weeks ago so now I’m down to my XT-1 and my XH-1. I’m only taking my XH-1 plus three or four lenses. I may or may not pack the 35mm F1.4 which is an amazing lens, and weighs just mere ounces. I haven’t yet decided.
This is the gear that’s in my Lowepro bag. The XH1 without the grip; The Zeiss 12mm 2.8 for those expansive vista’s I’m hoping to see and capture. The 16mm 1.4 which is the only water resistant lens I’m packing, my 18-55 which is my “don’t leave home without it lens”, and maybe, possibly I’ll throw the 35 1.4 in there since it weighs mere ounces. Also in the bag as I mentioned before will be my three drone batteries, plus my 10.5″ iPad (not shown in any images).
Gear going in the check-in baggage
This is what’s going in the check-in. Mostly miscellaneous cables, adapters, battery chargers, Drone and controller, camera lens filters. I’m only packing two spare memory cards plus the two I have in the camera out of fourteen or more that I own. Each set of cards can handle 1599 jpeg fine+raw images. If I’m pressed for space I can always switch to raw only. The reason I shoot jpeg fine in addition to the compressed raw is so that I can review the full size jpeg on the back of the camera if I need to, though I rarely chimp; if I only shoot in raw, I’ll only be able to see a small basic jpeg which doesn’t give you a true an clear final representation of the image. I have the XH1 setup so the cards are set to “backup” in camera; Once the cards are removed from the camera they will be separated so that none of them are in the same place at the same time. Since I’m not taking the XH1 battery grip to save space and weight I’m taking only two spare NP126S camera batteries in addition to the one in-camera. I’m packing a charger in the above mesh bag – it’s not shown here as I was actually charging batteries – but it’ll be in there. In the checked in bag will also be my camera and lens cleaning kit. The square, black pouch on the right contains the power brick and cables for the drone that allow me to charge three batteries at once. That accessory I must say is one of the best things I bought for the drone! Each battery charges in sequence, and the LCD display shows what the actual voltage to each battery is so you know if the batteries are failing or not. It also came with a car charger that I can plug into my cigarette lighter – since I won’t be renting a vehicle I won’t be packing.
This trip is a short, 5-day travel & stock photography trip with some down time thrown in. No pressure, no stress, just shoot, relax, eat, drink and repeat.
In a few days I’ll be in the hospital for surgery, then recovery for 3 weeks. I have a three week recovery period which will provide me ample opportunity to finish culling and editing the 5,300 images still remaining from my shoots between July and September of this year. After that, begins the submission process to the various stock agencies.
The last week of my recovery I am allowed to drive, and move around; weight restrictions are ten (10) pounds maximum, no heavy lifting. As a lark I decided to total up my Fuji gear camera, lenses and batteries — not all the other peripherals such as tripods, chargers, etc. This is gear that I can actually place in a sling bag and go shooting. Since I have that third week….
My wonderful spouse is insistent, no, adamant that I pack my gear carefully to keep it under the ten pound medical restriction including tripod and other peripherals.
With this in mind I decided to visit B&H and Fuji and get the weights for not only my gear, but the other Fujifilm lenses as well. I did not include Samyang, or Rokinon, well, frankly because I don’t use them. Not that there is anything wrong with them, I just prefer the Fuji.
I then created an Excel work where I listed not only my gear at the top half. This is what I own as far as camera and equipment. Across the top you’ll see Kit 1, 2, etc. — this is so I can modify my kit/gear bag for what I plan on carrying to determine the weight.
Regardless, even if I pack all my camera and lenses, the total is under 10 lbs which is quite honestly mind-boggling when you consider the truly amazing quality! Am I right?
If anyone wants to use this spreadsheet as a tool or just to have fun either grab it here, or comment me and I’ll email you a copy out.
Column A is self Explanatory.
Column B is the weight in Ounces. You can easily find the weight in grams if you wish and modify the worksheet to suit your particular situation
The rest of the columns I’ve labeled as “Travel Kit 1, 2, etc etc. You can lay out as much as you want, and play with the gear to come up with an ideal carry weight. I think I would also find this useful if I have to deal with travel weight restrictions.
I’m trying to keep my Kit around 5 pounds, as I also have to account for my tripod and filters. So, in my case, for my recovery period I’m going to stick with Kit #2, or #3 – around 5 pounds, and then of course there is the weight of the tripod, some filters, memory cards, etc. I’ve already accounted for 3 Fuji batteries which is what I’ll normally carry with me.
Anyway I thought it was an interesting exercise to see exactly what I carry. I hope you find it useful and fun to use! Please note when you click this link, the excel will download to your machine either into the “downloads” folder, or wherever you’ve told your system to place downloaded files.
We had a Catamaran for a half day out of Key West. There were eight of us on the boat; we headed out in search of sharks and, well we found them! or, I should say they found us! We were in about six feet of water, and about 4-5 miles out. And yes, only six feet of crystal, clear water. Just gorgeous views with glassy seas. Here are some images…
I’m back from several road trips to shoot stock and travel. I’ve been to Maryland, Ohio, The Florida Keys, New York, Maine, and Prince Edward island/Canada.
This was an amazing trip. Many, many wonderful people, and even more memories and images.
I thought I would share some stats with regards to the cameras, and lenses I used.
Here wo go:
First of all, my iPhone 7 Plus! I broke down and bought the 7+, in Red, with 256G of memory. The camera is amazing with the twin lenses; and I downloaded some apps including Camera+. I shoot in raw (DNG) format and the quality is totally amazing! I took a total of 1,771 iPhone images which is unbelievable for me as in all honesty I despised iPhone images.
On to the camera: Of course I took the X-T2 with me. That go’s without saying. This is a recap from the metadata found in LightRoom.
Tout 12mm/2.8 690
Fuji 16mm 1.4 1336
Fuji 18-55 2.8-4 1671
Fuji 23mm 1.4 732
Fuji 35mm 1.4 1134
Fuji 55-200 2234
Fuji 60mm 2.4 2523
So, 10,320 images with the Fuji series, and 1,771 with the iPhone 7+
Now, I have the job of culling, then editing the images. This’ll be fun!
As I go through Images I’ll post some here… I had a few up, but decided to take them down as I didn’t feel they did these various road trips any justice.
I’ve written about the fabulous Fuji 55-200 lens in the past but I have to say it is a truly spectacular piece of glass! FF field of view approximately 84mm to 300mm. Pretty sweet.
I got this lens before the 50-140 2.8 came out; and I considered my options — upgrade? sell the 55-200? what should I do? I’m here to say I’m glad I did nothing. The 50-140 2.8, though a phenomenal lens, is too expensive, too big, and too heavy for me. I switched from Nikon to Fuji to save weight, and my back so I’ll be darn if I’m lugging the 50-140 2.8 around. Heck, I remember lugging my fabulously sharp, and oh so heavy, 70-200 2.8 in the woods. No more.
Honestly I’ve tested both. I cannot tell the difference in sharpness. I read the stories and reviews about how phenomenal the lens is, and the writers are most likely correct. But for me the 55-200 just works. But that’s me. It’s small, lightweight, and has a marvelous range, plus it’s reasonably fast! Can’t ask for anything more than that.
What I will stress here is that if you are planning on purchasing one or the other, test them. Rent them. Use them out in the field. That would be the best way to determine if you can live with one or the other. I remember a year or so ago I purchased the Fuji 56mm 1.2 based on the positive reviews online. I shot three events back to back with it the same day and, after only the first event, wound up switching to my 35 1.4, and the 18-55 to finish the job! The 56 1.2, in a extremely well-light church and I mean well lit — sunny day, large skylights, bright light colored interior, and huge windows letting in the light down both sides, the damn thing refused to lock focus often enough that I switched it out and never looked back. It was returned for a full refund that Monday morning. Maybe it was a bad copy. Maybe it was I read too much into how great the lens was. I don’t know. But I’m to going back to it. Waaaaay too much money for a fixed focal length, that almost cost me some serious dough by not working as I expected it to.
Anyway, I’ll stop here singing the praises of the 55-200. You be the judge.
After eleven months my new photos queue in Lightroom is empty. I’ve filed away into their appropriate folders, edited whatever was needed, prepared those images going to stock sales, and submitted at least 70% of the ones I had selected to go out.
But the best part is: The Queue is EMPTY! Since September 2015 I’ve had images in that folder awaiting review, editing, keywording among other things. Now it’s all done.
However, tomorrow I leave for a few days of photography; this time it’s for myself more than work related stock and travel. I plan on experimenting with Panoramics, HDR, and long exposure among other things. We shall see what I return with. If I can post from the road, I will.
Tonight I’ll be selecting the gear I plan to take. Since this is a car trip, with the exception of when we go off into the woods for a hike, the gear should pretty much stay put in the back seat in my backpack so I think I’ll probably pack everything PLUS the kitchen sink. As always, I’ll have a couple of smaller messenger bags that are always with me for those times when i’m off on a walking adventure.
Little bit of humor here. Ok. Maybe not. I’ve said it before both here, and elsewhere these man bags such as the Billinghams, and the other fancy bags do have a place in the workplace, but not in the field. Quite frankly I never seen any of these hipsters who carry these fancy uncreased bags around cosmopolitan town even going out into the field in their tight-ass pants, and loafers. Oh. Sorry, ranting again. Give me a break guys. Buying a camera bag, a lousy camera bag for $300 dollars and up, to put it down in dirt and mud, and snow, or wet sand and saltwater? No. Not for me. And I doubt any of these fancy bag toters do either. Many just want to look cool as they slowly extricate their fancy cameras out of the well-oiled bags to take that selfie, or the foodie shot, then Oh so cool, slide the camera in for another week of storage. Give me a break.
Now, here in the photo is a true working bag. This bag cost me $29.95. It’s canvas. Cloth. Period. Inside is a 3 velcro pocket Jill-E insert for $10.00. See all that gear? That’s what I packed yesterday for a short day hike into a bamboo forest. It has SIX (6) pockets just on the OUTSIDE!
I’ve included some images here so you can see what can be accomplished with minimal gear. Oh, BTW, all of these images, and many more are already for sale on Shutterstock as of 5:00am Sunday morning. Yeah. I’m fast and the X-T1 files, couples with the amazing lenses don’t require a lot of post.
So, if you want to look like a coffee-shop dwelling Brooklyn broke hipster who shoots food, and selfies, go ahead and get yourself a Billingham, or “billingmuch” as I call them, if you want to make yourself useful get yourself a real bag. Try the think tank series. Either that, or get the hell out of my way as I make my images.
Thank you. Rant over. I’ve now taken cover and am ready for the rebuttals as to how great these expensive bags are other than for image enhancement, like botox…
23mm, Velvia F8.0
12mm 2.8 Zeiss touit @ F9.0
Zeiss 12mm F2.8 @ F5.6
35mm 1.4 @ F2.5
18-55 Zoom @ F8.0
16mm F1.4 @ F11
Gear in Cheap Amazon Canvas Bag. Taken with Nikon D800e
Even the Sirui Tripod and ball head fits inside the canvas bag. Sling the bag over my body and off I go
Everything goes IN the bag. Including the Small Sirui Travel Tripod. This was while I was cleaning gear to put it all away
Perpetrators: US Government, Florida State Troopers, Local hire Security Guards, German filming crew, Mini-Cooper Ad agency and Advertising Director, Florida Helicopters Inc.
Local Miami news (as the 7-mile bridge was closed to traffic in BOTH directions while filming the new 2017 Mini-Cooper ad was in progress)
and ME (the star of the movie)
The gentleman who followed me for almost two hours. And he was a super nice guy. He just let me shoot, and we had interesting conversations– unlike the other guards.
The Setting:
I’m down in the Florida Keys shooting stock and travel; I’m staying 24 miles south of the 7-mile bridge at a local resort. As part of my “shot” list I wanted to capture the old bridge and the new bridge with the surrounding area at sunrise as I had scouted it the day before on my way south. Even that early in the morning it’s a 35-40 minute drive not due to the traffic, but the Big Pine Key, which is the protected Key Deer area has a 25-35mph speed limit from sundown to sunrise and it is strictly enforced. Trust me. It is.
Since I had to drive north through Big Pine Key and Deer Key I’m up at 3am. I already have my gear for the day (all Fuji of course) packed and ready to go. Shower, dress, make sure I didn’t forget anything and head out the door before 5am as the “nautical” sunrise was a 6:24am and the actual sunrise was at 7:15am. I grabbed an expresso at a local Cuban restaurant and a pastel de guayaba and headed north.
The Situation:
On the north end of the “new” 7-mile bridge there is a small parking area; This is the area I had scouted out as it had access to the “old” 7-mile bridge. I wanted to walk out onto the old bridge and do some photography there. The sky now has been turning a deep blue, and as I approached my turn into the old bridge parking area notice some activity in the parking area. Now, I’m not the only tourist or photographer who wants to photograph from this location but funny thing is most of the vehicles were leaving, not coming in. That was strange. I also saw a bunch of black SUV’s butI didn’t pay any attention to them as I was focused on the sky and what I had planned to shoot. Near the end of the parking lot there is short walk to the ramp onto the old seven mile bridge; I see several men and woman with a janitorial cart full of brooms, mops and assorted cleaning supplies. Honestly I thought they were there to clean the facilities, but the other part of my brain was thinking: There are no facilities here. Anyway, I pull in to the parking lot and it’s eerily deserted — very unusual as it’s a gorgeous place to stop and admire the view and to photograph. There was some activity going on near the ramp to the old bridge but I paid no mind. Anyway I go into the trunk of my car and pick up my bag and my tripod and before I close the trunk I’m literally jumped by a rent-a-cop security guard who tells me I need to leave now. I was taken aback! What is going on here? Why are all these SUVs here? When I simply asked why I was told it was a private event and I was trespassing.
Just for those that don’t know me I’m very casual, easy going, professional and relaxed. However, don’t screw with me or my rights — that is where I draw the line in the sand. I’ve been up since 3am, I have one shot at shooting this area before I head further south and I’m not leaving.
So very politely I told the security guard that I was on public property, and that I did not have to leave. That did not go over well — he went off to talk to another guard, I’m assuming the head security guard. Now, I have my X-T1 over my neck, my camera bag over my shoulder and I start out from the parking area to the entrance to the old bridge; I got about ten feet before I had the head security guy cut me off and tell me I must immediately put my camera away and leave. Well, that was not going to happen so i sidestepped around him as I didn’t want to get into an argument at 6am. He followed me. I informed him that I was on public property and I was here to photograph and I would leave when I was ready. These folks were out of control barking orders and demands at me to leave — which is why I saw all the other photogs and tourists leaving the area! I understood now.
Anyway this guy followed me out onto the bridge and kept hurrying me up as I think he finally realized I was not leaving. I spent about an hour photographing the old bridge, trees, sunrise etc. The entire time this guy was with me. Off in the distance, on the old bridge I saw an entire film crew and a hovering helicopter. I asked the guard (he might as well make himself useful) what was being filmed. He told me it was a TV commercial for a new 2017 Mini-Cooper convertible ( in a horrific and hideous mint blue/green BTW) and they were paying for the helicopter by the hour.
Once I was finished shooting I started to walk off the bridge, through the parking lot back to my car. As soon as I stepped off the bridge I was approached by yet another security guard and was once again told, very loudly, that I must put my camera away. Umm. No, that wasn’t going to happen. As soon as I said that, The four SUV’s that were off to my right just ahead of me in the lot, must have been radioed as they started up the four massive SUV’s and literally surrounded the Mini-cooper convertible like a wagon train protecting itself against an attack in an old western.
I could have been a dick and stopped to photograph the car but again, I’m a reasonable, calm person so I kept walking to my car– besides, I got what I came for so I figured I’d less these guys do their job. I didn’t realize that by this time the Florida State Police had arrived to close the North and South bound lanes of the new 7-mile bridge as the television commercial was for the Mini to drive the across the bridge and to film from the old bridge, and the helicopter. Anyway when I said I was not going to put my camera away the guard ran away and brought back the FSP trooper. I must say he was extremely courteous, and when I asked him if this was still public property he actually acknowledged that it was so, and I was not obligated in any way to put my camera away or leave for that matter, nor could he force me to do so. Finally! Someone who knew the laws and citizens rights. As I was headed back to my car he walked with me as his cruiser was parked next to me and we chatted about this and that for a few minutes. Once I was in my car he pulled out in his cruiser and blocked all traffic southbound on the new bridge, and another officer at the south end of the bridge blocked all northbound traffic so they could film the Mini driving all by it’s lonesome self across the clean, new 7-mile bridge with the beautiful couple smiling pretty.
By the way when I left the parking area and turned southbound back across the 7-mile bridge I was the only vehicle except for a black Tahoe SUV that followed me all the way to the other end then turned around when I had reached the south side of the bridge. I wondered what he would have done had I actually stopped ON the bridge to snap a few images…
The Solution:
Moral of the story: Know your rights. Be polite and courteous to everyone. There is no need to be nasty or rude but don’t give in if you are in the right. I was lucky in that the Florida State Police, at least the officer who approached me knew MY rights, and the situation didn’t escalate any further. Had it been a know-nothing bully officer, I was prepared, and ready to talk or be ready to be taken in as I was in the right.
My biggest fear if that had happened was telling my wife I was arrested 😃
Adventures with the Fuji X System 