Category : Pilgrim’s Chronicles

Over the last year I’ve shared with you about how I’m trying to decide what I’m going to be shooing with when Nikon takes back all their toys!!  Like all thought processes this has been a  moving target as new circumstances have come to bare on the decision making.  I’m getting closer to knowing how to tackle the problem of what cameras and lenses to select.

 

Here are the factors that I’m curenty dealing with:

 

1.  What gear will give me the best possible image quality.

 

This one is pretty easy.  Today the better cameras, pro and semi pro, from everyone are extremely capable!  While the D800 certainly produces files much richer with detail than a D7000, in practical, everyday use, it’s hard to see the difference, the differences between the D800 and D600 are very small indeed.  I’m leaning toward the D600 and D7000 and a two body DSLR system.  I still own a mint condition D700, which I love and works fantastic with  all that old manual glass, so I’m sure I’ll keep that around too!  With a full frame camera and DX camera I can stretch the utility of my longer glass!  For example my ancient but “sweet” Nikkor 400 f 3.5 with the D7000 attached is a 600mm f 3.5, pretty cool!  I have absolutely no complaints about the quality of both of these bodies!  Is a D800 in my future, not sure, budget and needs will dictate that one, but for now the D600 has proven to be about all I could ever ask for!  Except for that bracketing function, sure wish it had 5, 7, and 9 stops brackets!  Firmware could fix that, hope someone is listening in Japan…..

 

2.  How much weight am I willing, and able,  to carry?

 

This one is tougher!  If I use my gear out of the back of my FJ, I can take all the gear I want, but if walking around for an extended period of time is part of the plan, I want  (o.k., need!), to use lighter gear!  I’ve been checking out the use of smaller mirror-less cameras like the Nikon 1 Series the V2 and J2 and the Fuji X10 and it’s bigger  brother an sister.  A number of other folks make mirror-less cameras too,  but I’m not thrilled about the build quality except for Nikons and  Fuji’s.  I’m convinced that with the right amount of care, these cameras can rival the big beefy DSLRs on image quality! For saving your back and making photography more fun again, (for old guys like me), they may just be the ticket!

 

3.  What fits my budget?

 

No one has unlimited funds, well no one I know, so cost is going to have to factor in my decisions. I already own my prime Nikon glass; 16-35, 24-120, 70-300 and a 105 Micro.  I also have a bag full of older manual lenses that I really like to use when I can slow down and take my time!  A mirror-less body and a few lenses will not break the bank and sure will be a welcome relief for travel and general walk around work.  I think I’m getting close on this front.

 

 

4.  What kind of subject matter do I expect to be shooting and what gear is necessary to make those images?

 

Travel, fine art, Americana, and smattering of nature will be about my only kind of shooting in retirement!  No more sports, no more serious wildlife!  High speed cameras, and very long glass, are pretty much off the table for me now.  I’m entering a time in my life that I hope to shoot things that interest me, not editors!!  The nice thing about this kind of work is it is far less “gear dependent.”  I will still do close-up work, but once again, that is a less demanding specialty!  I’ve long believed that with a wide angle zoom, medium zoom, and short telephoto zoom, plus some way to shoot in close, you can do 99% of this kind of subject matter!  

 

Caveat:  None of us knows what is coming next, and that could alter the plan, but I think I’m getting close to solving this riddle!

 

Now, I just want to go out and make some images!!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

I had a great weekend and I wanted share with you what  made it great!  People!  I was asked by my good friend David Warren of Life Touch in Nashville to do an all day seminar for some of his friends and associates.  I’m always glad to see and work with David and so since it was my anniversary weekend I took Sherelene along so she could do some shopping and resting while I worked for yet another Saturday.  Now that wasn’t a complaint, I love seeing my friends in Nashville and I really enjoyed my time with the wonderful folks that came tot the workshop!  I also had a few minutes with Nick Coury at Dury’s camera store and we had a good time visiting.

 

Most of all Sherelene and I had a great Anniversary/Valentines weekend and it was just good to have some time away with her.  As I survey the weekend I’m struck by one central theme, how blessed I’ve been to lead such a life.  I love photography and have a real passion for sharing it, and of course I’m dedicated to my Lord and am even more passionate about sharing His love!  Life’s greatest joy comes when you share what you have been so freely given!

 

What ever God has blessed you with, share it, find others that need what you  have an abundance of, and then make it a free gift to them,  just as God has given His gifts to you!

 

blessings,

 

the pilgrim

Today’s In Touch Devotional was a powerful message to all believers, Here it is in it’s entirety;

 

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

 

 

When we are called into a new life with Christ, we will encounter obstacles. One of the biggest barriers is the culture in which we live. We may not ever recognize the danger we are in until we fall. Let’s look honestly at our world.

 

First, it’s a secular culture, which means it has little interest in religious matters or the Bible. It teaches us to trust in ourselves and in the things we can see rather than in our unseen triune God.

 

Our world is also materialistic. Its primary focus is on accumulating possessions and gaining wealth, not on caring about others and giving sacrificially. Tragically, many of the things our culture values stand in opposition to the way Jesus calls us to live. When Scripture contradicts what our society believes, it’s not uncommon for people to belittle our lifestyle as narrow-minded and extreme.

 

In many ways, our society is spiritually rebellious, in that it defies both the laws of God and the laws of man; obedience is considered optional. A large percentage of the population rejects God’s viewpoint on intimacy and marriage in order to please self—as a result, immorality is prevalent. But they have been deceived into thinking that they can violate God’s laws without any consequences.

 

Unless we’re careful, we can fall prey to the world’s traps. The key to avoiding its snares is God’s Word. When we study Scripture, the Holy Spirit will identify lies we are believing and show how we can apply God’s truth to set us free. Are you immersed in the culture or in God’s truth?

 

It is vital that we remember who we are, and who we belong to.

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

Forty three years ago, today, I made the second best promise of my life, to love Sherelene for the rest of my life.  The best promise was to accept and honor Christ, and Sherelene would agree with those rankings.  God has so richly blessed us with a wonderful family, our health, and a fantastic life together.

 

I met my bride when my father was in the hospital recovering from cataract surgery.  This pretty student nurse came by and I asked her if she would get my father a cup of ice water.  She responded she would check his chart and see if he was allowed to have some.  I assured her it would be fine!  She later told me I was the cockiest guy she had ever met. We went out shortly after that and we both only kept one other pre agreed to date after that, with those obligations taken care of, we never dated anyone else, ever again….

 

Our relationship of forty three years has had it share of challenges, highs, and lows, but through it all we’ve stuck together, supported, and prayed for one another, and our love has grown stronger and better.  Sherelene once remarked that she raised four children, our three, and me!  I’m afraid it is true, and she did a great job with our three children, she’s still working on me, the perpetual child!. Once I grow up, I hope to grow old with  her!

 

Thnak you sweetheart for honoring me with your love, and allowing me to be a part of your life! Happy Anniversary!

 

the pilgrim