Category : Pilgrim’s Chronicles

 

 

 

July 1st will mark my two year anniversary of retirement from Nikon.  A lot has taken place in the last two years.  For forty three years, plus, I was a died-in-the-wool,  out-and-out Nikon lover. Surprisingly I still am, I think Nikon has a long and great history of producing thoroughly pro cameras and lenses. To make cameras that can take constant abuse they must be robust, and robust means substantial, and substantial means heavy!  Over the years they have been lightened some, but not a lot.  Over those same years I’ve gotten less able to manage carrying them.  It’s not Nikon’s fault and I guess it’s not really my fault either, we all age, and with that comes the necessity of change.

 

For me change meant a lighter, smaller, camera system.  I was really concerned because in all honesty my attitude a little over two years ago was that only Nikon, Canon and Leica made the quality of gear that I demanded.  Nikon was too heavy, Canon was to, and Leica was just not my style, and way out of my financial range, plus just not as technologically as advanced as the competition.

 

Enter the Fuji X-System.  Now it seems almost unbelievable to me that Fuji developed a system that was “exactly” what I had hoped Nikon would make.  I wrote a white paper before I retired suggesting what I believed Nikon should make.  Here is a short version of that white paper’s specifications.

 

 

The White Paper on a Suggestion for a future camera system  

* submitted to Nikon in (2012)

 

 

1.  Compact Mirror Less camera body. Full frame or APS-C sensor.

 

2.  Capable of low noise at very high ISO.  Very usable to ISO 3200.

 

3.  100% viewfinder with high enough resolution to approximately match the view of our  DSLRs.

 

4. Solid construction with lower weight but substantial build of metal in key body frame sections.

 

5.  A return to the original knobs for controls of the Nikon F. Shutter Speed Knob, Aperture Ring, Exposure Compensation Dial, ISO dial.

 

6.  A complete set of very high quality, solidly constructed (mostly metal), superior lenses.

 

7.  This lens line must have all the major focal length covered in very high quality zooms and single focal length lenses,  Just like our DSLR line, we need a full set of f 1.4 lenses in at least 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 105mm.

 

8.  Our system needs to be priced somewhere around 30% below our current pro system pricing.

 

 

Well two years later Nikon  has not attempted to fulfill this suggestion.  Neither has Canon. Interestingly Fuji did, and it is one of the fastest growing camera system in the serious photo world today.  Countless highly respected photographers have tried it, adopted it, and swear by it.

 

Two years, two great and interesting years!

 

Just the facts.

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

By-the-way:  I just received a Fuji X-T10 yesterday, I am starting a test which I will publish soon. My first impression is this is one incredible camera.  Pretty much a miniature version of the XT-1!

 

Epilogue

 

So what does all this mean?  I can only tell you what it means to me.  This throw back experience has been the best time of my life.  The chance to go back and relive my youth as a super enthusiastic young photographer.  Free to go back to how I worked at the beginning, when I learned all the techniques I’ve used for 45 years .  Now, with an original design camera, I’m shooting the best work of my life and enjoying it like it was the days of my youth.  This is the most fun I’ve had in over four decades!

 

Ah, the joys of a trip back in time…….

 

 

Join me for the fun………………………..

 

 

 

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is pushing to stop prayer before football games at an American University and the administration is actually looking into their complaint.  I’ve got an idea.  This is America.  Thousands of men and women have died for the preservation of our freedoms, and the freedom “from religion” is one of them.  If that is what you folks believe practice it, I have no problem with that, but leave me the h— alone.  I truly do not understand why the folks out there that do not believe in any higher power can’t simply “not believe”!  I do not try to force my faith down anyone’s throat, I do share with those that ask me.  I share publicly what I believe and leave it in the hands of others to decide what to do with what I’ve shared.  Accept it or not, it’s your decision, but I will not start an organization to force  you to change your mind!

 

People of faith, that I know, are simply wanting  to live and let live!!  Atheists and non believers seem to be on an all out crusade to get under the skin of believers.  Well congratulations it worked, temporarley!  Here is my offer, I forgive you, I understand your lost and under the influence of the enemy.  I pray you find faith and live happily every after.  In the meantime, would you please leave us alone and go on your merry way!  I promise to do the same……

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

The Image?  The Palouse, where I’m headed next to be with the great Jack Graham and full load of wonderful attnedees.  Jack’s second detached retina surgery is in the morning and I know he would appreciate your prayers, for those few American that still do!

 

Fuji X-T1 and the Nikon 300mm f 4.5 IF-ED manual focus lens with an adapter.

 

Sorry about that, I just get so upset when this kind of stuff happens, it seems so strange to me that people reject the greatest love that was ever offered to them, truly sad, truly sad.  I would love to tell any of you guys that are members a truly great story about love and redemption, really would!

 

 

 

It’s time for a list; things I love, and things I don’t love so much!

 

Things I love:

 

1.  My wife!  Every time I go out and teach or speak I mention how much I’m still madly in love with my wife, even after 45 years of marriage!  I once had Sherelene with me when I made that pronouncemnt , once again,  I lady came up to us and asked, “How could you still be in love after 45 years of marriage?!”  My wife quipped, “well he’s only been home 15 of the 45 years!”  While that is almost the truth, I think the absence has actually made us grow closer.  I love to travel, shoot and teach, but I love coming home even more.  Sherlene has made the last 45 years countless great homecomings!!!  In a very large way, God has used Sherelene to set me free to experience the life I’ve been so blessed to live. My family fits in here too!  I have a wonderful family; three great children, (now adults), and their spouses, and 6 wonderful grandchildren, I’m truly blessed,  and a great brother too!!!  I took my granddaughter Cassidy to the workshop at Grandfather Mountain, and she shot some great images!, one is below, we had a great time!

 

 

Image by Cassidy Moore

 

2.  My Faith!  My daily walk with my Lord is all that keeps me going.  The schedule I keep and the things I’m doing are exhausting, especially as I get older, but the Lord holds me up and guides my path!  Some years ago when I gave my life completely to Him, He took me at my word, and has blessed me in more ways than I could ever share.

 

 

3.  My friends!  I got an email a while back from an angry reader who accused me of manufacturing the number of friends I have.  He suggested you can only have a very few close friends!  Well Westers Dictionary says a d friend is:

 

friend

noun1

a close friend: companion, soul mate, intimate, confidante, confidant, familiar, alter ego, second self, playmate, playfellow, classmate, schoolmate, workmate; ally, associate; sister, brother; best friend, kindred spirit, bosom buddy, bosom friend; informal pal, chum, sidekick, crony, main man, mate, buddy, bud, amigo, compadre, homeboy, homegirl, homie, dawg, gal pal, BF, BFF; informal, plural peeps; archaic compeer.

ANTONYMS  enemy

.2 the friends of the National Ballet: patron, backer, supporter, benefactor, benefactress, sponsor; well-wisher, defender, champion; informal angel.

 

I can’t tell you what a friend is for sure, for me there are very long term friends, people I’ve known for decades and their are newer friends that I may have  known less than 10 years.  I love them all and treasure them all.  I meet a lot of people that I get to spend only a few days with, like workshop guests, but many of these folks feel like friends to me.  I can’t say how many of them feel that way about me, but that doesn’t matter, the fact is there are many,and they have blessed my life!  I’ve also been questioned about saying I love you, to what some people would consider almost strangers.  If you are filled with God’s love, He enables you to love others, with His love!!!  That is not an ability we possess, but one we can exhibit through Him!

 

 

4.  The fun of photography gear!  I love buying and using cameras and lenses!  I’ve been shooting images for over 45 years and  I’ve always enjoyed the camera gear!  I think at one point I loved it too much, rather worshipped my gear, but I got over that, now they are just tools, but fun tools none the less!  I am especially fond of the Fuji prime lenses.  Fuji makes a number of spectacular prime lenses, all tack sharp and very well made of mostly metal.  It is a pleasure to use such good glass!

 

 

 

 

 

How about a few things I don’t love so much!

 

1.  People that do reviews so they can trash any certain brand. Out in the big photography world there are those that love their brand so much that they trash all the other companies.  You won’t find that happening here!  I respect everyone’s right to love the gear that works best for them,  As I tell my students, at workshops, “If you own any modern camera and are not getting spectacular images, it’s probably not the camera!”

I read a review recently by a fellow and he not only trashed the gear he was reviewing, he speckled profanity through out his article.  It’s a free county, but I don’t think you need to do that to get you point across!  I’m sure some people like it, but I’m not one of them!

 

 

2. I really don’t like to see reviews by people whose work makes you wonder if they know enough about photography to have a valid opinion!  If Art Wolfe, Jack Graham, or John Shaw have an opinion about a camera or lens, I want to know what they think, they are exceptional artists, but when I see an article and it is accompanied by, at least in my opinion, sub standard work, it makes me wonder how they can make a real point.  My advise to myself , and the rest of us, is to make some great images before you critique the manufacturers equipment!  I know the internet is filled with nit pickers, and that is just the way it is, but having some real knowledge and experience would be helpful before you start expounding, at least that’s my thought!

 

 

3.  People that are judgmental!  That may seem strange after my previous paragraph, but I don’t consider calling folks out on that kind of thing a judgment. What I’m talking about is people that look down on other for any reason.  If you think you are better than someone else because of your social status, wealth, or fame, then you’re making a terrible mistake.  Some of the finest people I’ve ver known were people that some people would have seen as “the lesser” in society.  We have much to learn from each other, and it needs to start with acknowledging that we’re all God’s children, and try to see others though His eyes!  Trust me, the rewards will amaze you, if you can let Him teach you how!

 

 

Well, I hope I haven’t offended to many folks, it was never my intention!

 

I want ot thank Don DeLong, Don Dennis, Lynn Rogers, Gerry Emmert and Tom Roper for joining us at Grandfather Mountain this past weekend you guys were great and a special thank you to my dear friends, Jim Begley, “Snake” Barrett, Jim and Sue Haverstock and Miles Smith for adding to the great fellowship we all enjoyed!  It was great to see Chris Klapheke for a day too!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry about that!  When my wife got an email asking when my services would be held, I knew some of you thought I’d died!!!!  Just been busy running  workshop with a great group of folks!  We’ve had greater conditions and enough rain and weather rot keep it interesting.  Because of that rain the waterfalls and streams have been great!

 

 

This has been a great group and we’ve really missed Jack, but we have trudged on!  This is our group!!!!

 

 

Once again sorry for not staying in better touch, will try my best to catch up this coming week!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim