Category : Pilgrim’s Chronicles

 

 

When I was an NPS rep for Nikon we were forbidden from telling people how to wet clean their sensor.  Liability.  If as a representative of any company you advise someone to try something with a risk of failure and they fail, they can say you said it was o.k.!  Now I know that keeping the sensor clean is a must and you can’t send it in every time you need it cleaned, so I got some very qualified people, who will go un-named to teach me the proper and safest way to clean a sensor with swabs.  Is there a risk of damaging the sensor? Yes.  Is it likely?   Only if you do it improperly.

 

So that brings us to a sticky problem I’ve had with the Fuji X-T1.  I love the cameras, it’s been just what I wanted and needed  Is it perfect?  No, but for me, it’s close. One little thing that has driven me mad is the four way pad on the back of the camera.  You use it for a lot of functions, most importantly moving the focusing spots around the frame.  Fuji tried to recess the pads so they would be more uh……, I honestly don’t know why!!!???  The result is fumbling to use them, especially with the camera held up to the eye, has been, for me, nearly impossible.  I once thought  that Fuji was going to offer a replacement set of pads, but that has not happened.

 

I read several months back on Fuji rumors about a materiel called Sugru.  It is a space age rubber compound that can be molded like Play-Doh in to many different shapes.  I was petrified at sticking a rubber compound on my four way pads, but I finally decided I had to try and fix the problem so day before yesterday I added a little nubbin of Sugru to one of my X-T1 bodies four way pads.  Illustrated below.

 

 

Their not pretty, but man does it work so much better.  I mean a world of difference in operation.  Now first I’m going to tell you how to do this if you are brave enough!  It really isn’t hard but I will suggest some serious precautions.  First you simply open the foil package so you can get access to the material.  I used a small instrument kind of like a tooth pick to rake off a very small amount.  You then take it between your thumb and forefinger and roll it into a small oblong shape kind of like a very small pill.  Compare the size of the material to the size of the thumb pad.  It needs to be big enough to cover most of the surface but not lap over the edges preventing the pad from going in when pressed.  You shape it to fit as you would like by gently using your finger tip to mold and shape it.  It does not set up fast so you have plenty of time to get it just right.  I used a tooth pick to go all around the edges to be sure it was not near the gap of the pad and the body.  After you have place the material and shaped it to all four pads, place the camera in a safe place to let in cure overnight.

 

Once it hardens it is very solid and make the tactile part of operating the thumb pads much easier.There is an old carpenters saying, ‘measure twice and cut once.  Start with a very small amount of material, if it’s not enough it’s a lot easier to add a little than to peel it all off and start again.

 

Here is a link for where to buy it.

 

 

The three pack of black is what I bought and it’s enough material to do a couple of dozen cameras!   It comers in other colors (red – yellow – blue – black and white) if that’s your style!  So there you have it, one solution.  If you want to make some easy money develop a self sticking rubber nubbin that you can simply peel and stick on,  you’d sell a bunch!

 

Merry Christmas,

 

the pilgrim

 

I’ve got a very special suggestions to kick off your Christmas week!  Some night over the weekend go to your computer and turn up the sound!  Gather your family around, hold hands and watch this!!! 

 

 

Over A Thousand People Came Together To Break a Record And Bring This Moving Christmas Hymn To Life

 

Here’s how:  Google Youtube.com, then search for The Piano Guys.  Select the video above.  Over A Thousand People……   At the end of this video you will get a thanks from one of the Piano Guys and to the right you will see another video called Share The Gift, Please watch it too.  You can send me a note and thank me for blessing you mightily this Christmas.  O.K. I just passed on a link that was went to me, but this is the true meaning of Christmas, what drive my life, and makes me who I am, a child of the Living God!!!!!

 

Merry Christmas again, and again!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

Hey guys, I’m honored to again be the Guest Blogger on Scott Kelby’s blog.  I really enjoy reaching out to the KelbyOne family, and it is always a great experience.  Jump over if you have time and checkout the entry!  http://scottkelby.com

 

 

I bought myself a Christmas gift, the new Fuji X100T in gorgeous Black!  I never owned the X100 but did have a X100s which I absolutely loved.  I read all of Zack Arias’ information on the T and I trust his word implicitly,  so it was easy to spring for the latest model!  The X100T is a perfect camera, everything you need, nothing more.  Every photographer needs an easy camera to carry all the time.  You really need to “always” be ready to capture those incredible, unplanned moments!  Photography for me is not a game, it’s a passion, and seeing and capturing that incredible light, or funny sign, or wonderful expression on a grandchild’s face, I have to be ready.  I now have the perfect tool for that!

 

 

 

 

Let me share my favorite Christmas Card, I got it from Jim and Sue Haverstock a few years ago.  You guys know just how much I love old rusted trucks, and Christmas, and this card sits on my desk to this day.  Every time I look at it I feel that warm, wonderful, Christmas feeling, I’m also reminded how much the Haverstocks mean to me.  Christmas is a time of remembering all the things we have to be so very, very thankful for, the birth of a Savior, a second chance at life after we’ve fouled it up hopelessly, and the friends that stand by us through thick and thin!  It seems Merry is not a big enough word!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

As in “on the good list”!  O.K.,  photographers are impossible to buy for, they buy what they need before you can find out how to surprise them.  I know that’s what my family says every Christmas,  I get a lot of gift cards!!!  So here is my ideas for gift giving to that special photographer on your list!  My family doesn’t read my blog so this isn’t self serving, that comes later!!!

 

If your photographer has been on the really, really good list How about as subscription to KelbyOne.  This is truly the best place to get incredible training in all things photographic, plus I have a bunch of courses there too.  A new one is coming from Nelson Ghost Town on Americana Photography!   https://kelbyone.com

 

 

 

I just bought myself a Christmas gift, Jay Maisel’s new book Light, Gesture & Color.  This is one must have book for every serious “good” photographer!  Jay Maisel is one of my personal photographic heroes and this book is very insightful!  I got mine at Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

Now this is totally self serving but if your “good” photographer is a beginner or just getting started please get them my eBook Series The Foundational Guides. These six books cover every important concept to give your photographer a great start on a life time of great shooting!  …and they are on sale for $24.95, normally $30.   www.billfortney.com  and go to the eBook Store.

 

 

 

 

Some of my favorite books are the Art Series by Tony Sweet. Tony has 6 books and all are wonderful, my favorite one is Fine Art Nature Photography, but for a really good photographer all would be a fantastic gift!  Tony is one of  my favorite “Artists” and his books are inspiring and insightful!    www.tonysweet.com

 

 

 

 

What gift list would complete without a couple of Scott Kelby’s great books!  I love all Scott’s books but a favorite set of mine is the Digital Photography Box Set. Four books filled with great photography techniques and tips.  I was the technical editor on the first volume, and they have all been great!       ScottKelbyBooks.com

 

 

 

 

Jack Graham is a terrific teacher, photographer and his eBooks are great as well, check them out at http://www.jackgrahamphoto.com  I teach workshops with Jack and have 6 coming up in 2015, check the blog in a few days the entire schedule will be revised!  Check out Preparation Photography Processing!

 

 

 

 

 

Another couple of eBooks from my store which are new are the Fuji X-System User’s Guide and the Americana Photography Book A Step by Step Guide.  Check them out at www.billfortney.com

 

 

 

 

Stocking Stuffers?  My favorites are (1) Extra camera batteries!  (2)  A new Camera Strap, check out  Wapiti Straps, beautiful hand made with Elk hide!   http://wapitistraps.com  (3) Lens Pens are rally handy,  (4)  How about Zeiss lens cleaning wipes (Walmart Eye glass department)  (5)  Every photographer needs a Swiss Army Knife (Amazon again)  (6)  if you can’t decide, how about an Amazon Gift Card!

 

Hope that helps!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim