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I have eliminated the image slide show at the top of the Home page. It had not been changed for years and i thought it was time to do somethign different. I will now post a new image each week in this Image of the Week post. This first image is from my front yard area. After a rain storm I noticed that fresh branch and fallen from the very large Hemlock tree in the garden area. I shot this very saturated and wet area with the new Fujifilm X100V. You can see how unbelievably sharp the new 23mm f 2 lens is on this new camera! Look for a new image each week!
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This entry was posted on Thursday, May 28th, 2020 at 8:03 pm
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I promised Fujifilm that I would put together and exhaustive study on what I
would recommend for various kinds of photography assignments, activities or trips.
Why me? Well I have been a working pro for over fifty years, so first, personal experience! During that time I have been a newspaper photojournalist, magazine photojournalist, medical photographer, sports photographer, wedding photographer, portrait photographer, aviation photographer, nature photographer, close-up photographer, landscape photographer, photography presenter, writer, and pilot. I spent 43 years using Nikon gear, the last 11 years of my regular working life as the Nikon Professional Services Pro Tech Rep for Nikon in the southern U.S., Kentucky to Key West to New Orleans was my territory!
I spent a lot of those 11 years helping countless other pros pick the gear that would help them do their job and they were even more diverse than I have been!!!! In 2012 I switched to Fujifilm gear and later was named an X-Photographer. In addition to all of that I am a certified equipment hound, and have spent many a day reading sand studying about all kinds of gear.
What I will attempt to do is make a list of different kinds of photography and the 4 lens system I would recommend for that activity. In some cases I might suggest
a 5 lens system but will try to keep it to jut 4, less to carry less and confusion when reaching in the bag.
First this is what I own and can choose from when putting together these systems. I say that not to brag about what I own, just to let you know I know this gear well so my choices are based on experience, not just a vague opinion. I hope you find this helpful!
Bodies: Fujifilm X-T3, X-H1, X-Pro 3, and a X100V.
Lenses:
Rokinon 8mm Fisheye f 2.8
Fujifilm 10-24 f 4
Fujifilm 14mm f 2.8
Fujifilm 16mm f 1.4
Fujifilm 16mm f 2.8
Fujifilm 23mm f 1.4
Fujifilm 35mm f 2
Fujifilm 50mm f 2
Fujifilm 18-55 f 2.8/4
Fujifilm 16-80 f 4
Fujifilm 60mm Macro 2.5
Fujifilm 80mm Macro f 2.8
Fujifilm 90mm f 2
Nikon 200mm Micro Nikkor f 4 IF-ED
Fujifilm 50-140 f 2.8
Fujifilm 100-400 f 4.5/5.6
Fujifilm 1.4 X Tele-converter
Fujifilm 2 X Tele-converter
Nature Photography:
To cover the wide end I would select the 10-24. It covers 15mm to 36mm!
It’s very sharp and very convenient.
For the mid range the 16-80 f 4 The “do everything zoom ” 24mm to 120mm coverage.
For the long lens area the 100-400, (150-600 equivalent) is extremely sharp and covers a great range, plus has very effective image stabilization.
For doing close-up work the 80mm Macro f 2.8. Equiv. 120mm f 2.8 add a 1.4 converter and it is a 180mm f 4!!!!
Wedding Photography:
For the wide end I like the 16mm f 1.4
For groups and environmental portraits the 23mm f 1.4
For mid range the 16-80 f 4
For the portraits, either the 56mm f 1.2 or for more versatility the 50-140 f 2.8
Either would work, the 50-140 obviously covers more range!
The Wildlife Photographer’s bag:
The 16-80mm f 4 for mid to wide work.
The 80mm macro with 1.4 Tele-converter.
The 200 f 2 with 1.4 matched tele-converter for 300 f 2 and 450 f 2.8 equivalent focal lengths.
For long telephoto work the 100-400.
Close-up Photography:
For wide work the 16mm f 1.4 is my choice because of it’s incredible close focusing ability.
For mid range the 16-80 f 4 (focuses very close) is very sharp and has image stabilization.
The 80mm Macro f 2.8 lens is the prime tool here, add the 1.4 converter and automatic extension tubes and you can do almost any level of magnification.
The 100-400 with a Canon 500D diopter can let you make close-ups but from great distances from the subject, like poisonous reptiles, a good time for working distance!!!!!
Americana Photography:
For the wide end I like the 16mm f 1.4
For mid range the 16-80 f 4 (focuses very close) is very sharp and has image stabilization.
For mid range the 16-80 f 4
For the portraits, either the 56mm f 1.2 or for more versatility the 50-140 f 2.8
Either would work, the 50-140 obviously covers more range!
Portrait, family & pet photography:
Wide, the very versatile 23mm f 1.4 is the ticket.
Once again the fastest zoom for mid-range work the 16-55 f 2.8 lens.
For portraits either the 56mm f 1.2 or the 90mm f 2 depending on the working distance you and your subjects are most comfortable with. For pets the 90mm give more working distance.
Finally the most versatile telephoto the 50-140 f 2.8.
The Classic Photojournalist bag:
The 16mm f 1.4 for wide work.
Sharp, Close focusing and well built, a key for this rough and tumble world of photojournalism.
The 23mm f 1.4 for people.
The 16-55 f 2.8 to cover the mid range.
For telephoto work the 50-140 f 2.8 is the ticket here.
The Sports Shooter: Football, Soccer, Baseball, Golf
· Note: While auto-focus and frame rate are great in the Fujifilm system the lack of more fast long glass is a slight issue here, but hard core sports is still possible!
Wide to Mid-range work falls to the 16-55 f 2.8.
The 50-140 f 2.8 is the starting point, workhorse sports shooters lens.
The full range long lens is the 100-400 (150-600 equivalent)
The speed long lens is the 200mm f 2 with the 1.4 converter giving a 300mm f 2
and 450mm f 2.8 equivalent.
Travel Photography (When weight and bulk is a key issue):
The wide angle zoom to cover it all is the 10-24 f 4 for less weight the 16mm f 2.8 is killer for this system.
The mid range zoom is he 18-55 f 2.8 – 4
For portraits the 50mm f 2 is compact, tack sharp and easy to carry!
To cover the long end it’s hard to beat the 55-200 f 3.5-4.8
So, there you have it, just my opinion, but I think a good working starting point for assembling gear kits for various kinds of photography, please feel free to chime in if you have suggested changes, please share them!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 at 5:35 pm
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While taking a group around the South of France many years ago with Bryan Peterson, one of our students climbed up on top of his rental car to get just the right angle on a field of Lavendar. I once did a workshop in the prairies of Illinois and Rod Planck pulled a 8 foot step ladder of the top of his Ford Expedition to do the same thing, alter his perspective.
Today’s tip to make a real difference in your images is try to avoid shooting from your standing height, either get higher or get lower, move in closer or move back but vary your altitude!!!!
How much to I beleive in doing this?
I got a hunderd feet in the air to do this shot, no, not a step ladder, a drone!! Changing perspective can really make a big difference in how your images will appear to the viewer!
One of my favorite imges shot by Wes in the America From 500 Feet project, coast of Maine near Acadia N.P., two small row boats.
Canyonlands N.P. from 8,000 fet AGL
Burned forest in winter, Yellowstone N.P.
Wetlands along the coast at low tide.
Try it, I think you will love it!
Bessings,
the pilgrim
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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 17th, 2020 at 2:25 pm
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Remember when we walked out into the woods along the still water of a lake to see a beautiful antique fishing boat resting on the glassy water with brilliant fall foliage on the far shore?
Or do you remember that morning we drove down the coastal highway in Maine and found a little stream shaded by the trees, only to discover brilliant fall leaves floating on the water just waiting to be photographed!?
Then there was that April when we all gathered on the road to Tremont and found the conditions and water level perfect to capture one of the most famous scenes in the Smokies!! Remmeber that?
I know you must remember standing on a hill in the Badlands waiting for just the right car to come around the curve! I remember us talking and laughing and just enjoying being is such a cool place!
So, clean your llenses, charge your batteries and get ready, it won’t be to long until we will be out there again and I hope you will be standng right next to me!
God bless!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
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This entry was posted on Saturday, May 16th, 2020 at 3:02 pm
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