Monthly Archives: March 2019

Shot with a 24mm lens.

 

As we prepare to review the new Fujifilm XF 16mm f 2.8 WR lens let me share a little  of my history with lenses, please.  My professional career started in the early 1970’s at the Harlan Daily Enterprise, in Harlan, Kentucky.  Back then, correction, way back then, most photo photojurnalists carried a Domke camera bag that could accomodate two camera bodies and 4 or 5 lenses.  In that era the vast majority, (over 85%), of all pro newspaper shooters used Nikon cameras and lenses.  In fact, Nikon’s tag line back then was, “the professionals choice” and they had to prove that figure to use that line.

 

Remember that photojournalists wanted to use lenses that did not distort very much the way things appeared to the human eye and therefore they tended to use less extrememe lenses.  Most newspaper guys and gals carried the following lenses in their bags; a 24mm f 2.8, a 35mm f 1.4, a 85mm f 1,8 and a 180mm f 2.8.  Later the 80-200 f 4.5 introduced the zoom telelphoto to these folks!  Many also carried a 50mm f 1.4 as well for use in low light situations.  The point was that the 20mm or 18mm were both a little wide for the perspective they were seeking.

 

In the wide angle area photographers gravitated to either the 28mm/20mm set or the 24mm/35mm set.  The vast majority chose the 35mm and the 24mm.  The 24mm became the “standard” wide lens with just enough distorition for affect, but with out looking too out of place.  The 35mm was kind of the normal lens for people and slightly wider than the 50mm normal lens.

 

 

I’ve had a long history with the the 24mm lens and I’m very comfortable using it, so I am anxious to try out the new 16mm f 2.8 from Fuji (because the Fujifilm cameras have an APS-C sensor the 16mm is the equivilent of a 24mm.)

 

Stay tuned!  It’s on the way!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

I have a Tenba pouch that holds my 3 favorite compact Fujifilm lenses; the 23mm f 2, 35mm f 2 and the 50mm f 2.  They will soon have a new sibling!!  The new 16m f 2.8!! i already have the 16mm f 1.4, arguably the best lens from Fujifilm!  Why own both, good question and I will get to that!  Fujifilm, if you are listening we need one more, a 70mm f 2.8 (that would be a 105mm f 2.8!!!!!)  That would give us Fujicrons covering from 24mm to 105mm!

 

 

I expect delivery of my lens around the middle of next week and will do a full review and comparison!!  For now to answer the question; the 16mm f 2.8 will be very compact and a great travel lens, the 16mm f 1.4 is pretty hefty, but a spectacular performer!  We will all know more soon!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

In Octrober of 2011 I got my first Fujifilm camera, the X10.  I  had shoulder surgery and was  having a really difficult time recovering.  I was an NPS rep for Nikon, approaching retirement in a year and half.  I was at Photo Plus in New York working the booth for Nikon and was looking all around the show for something small and light I could use until I recovered.  Nikon had the Nikon One system, but honestly, though it sold well, I just was not enthusiastic about it.  I went to the Fujifilm booth and saw the newly released X10!  It was perfect, very small, very solidly built, it felt like a Leica and had manaul controls and a very sharp and fast zoom lens that coverd a very respectable range.  I was sold and ordered one from B&H while at the show. I never intended to fall in love with it,  just have something small to use until I could get back to my full frame Nikon cameras.  The deal was done, and I never went back!

 

The X-E1 and X Pro 1 followed that with the first three interchangeable lenses the 60mm Macro, the 35mm f 1.4 and later the 18-55.  Then the 55-200 and well, the rest is history.  I’ve owned virtually every lens and body from the beginning!!!  X100, X-T1, XE-2, X-T2, XH-1, X-T3 and on and on!  I’ve owned and shot every lens in the XF line except the 18mm f 2.

 

Why Fujifilm?  Here are some of my favorite images through this 8 years!

 

 

Thousands and thousands of images and great memories, captured, because I had a camera with me, a camera that I love and will carry every day, everywhere!!

 

Enough said!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

What is the perfect location to shoot color, graphics and Americana?  Old Car City in White, Ga (45 minutes North of Atlanta)!  36 acres with over 4,000 rustng cars and trucks, most from the 60’s back!   This is a perfect place to craft images of color and design in an easy to access location!  I and k5 students will explore this great location and make a trip down to Duluth, Ga to the Southeast Train Museum, another killer shooting location.

 

Each day we will do morning and afternoon shooting with image reviews and discussions in the mid-day classroom hours.  If you like rust, this is your place!  Her are some examples of the subject matter we will be working on!

 

 

From the Southeast Train  Museum:

 

 

So much to shoot and a perfect place to hone your skills!

 

Join us for this Master Class  –  March 27th – 31st. 2019

 Email me at:  billfortney@earthlink.net

or      billfortneyphoto@gmail.com

 for all the details!

 

Limited to 5 students  –  1 spot still open!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim