Monthly Archives: January 2014

 

Excitement and confusion. Excited to see a really neat product coming from Fuji and confused at the reaction various people have to their choice in cameras!  Let’s get that out of the way first!  When I worked for Nikon I found it amazing that users of various brands are like tribes.

 

tribe |trīb|noun1 a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect, typically having a recognized leader: indigenous Indian tribes | the Celtic tribes of Europe.

 

In the Indian Nations tribes could be either allies or bitter enemies.  Sadly in the world of photography some people fall into that pattern.  Among some circles Canon shooters hate Nikon shooters, and visa versa.  It is no less true among Olympus, Fuji, Panasonic, Leica etc, etc.  I understand the dynamic.  You study and study, you try different brands and then you make a decision with both head and heart and then you “commit”!  Once you commit to a brand you become surrounded by friends and associates that use the brand you chose! Now the fun begins, the teasing, the joking, the debating, most is harmless but some folks just take the whole exercise to seriously!  For me, no harm – no foul.  I never took any of this very seriously even when I represented one of the 800 pound gorillas in the room!

 

Cameras and lenses are made to make photographs, that’s it.  Some do it better, or worse but they all get the job done.  Is a D800 higher resolution that Canon 5D Mark III?  Does a Fuji X Sensor have incredibly low noise at super high ISOs?  Does the Panasonic GH3 make incredible video? Sure, sure, sure!  Doesn’t matter, pick one, and make images.

 

Regardless of brand loyalties, sooner or later you have to find what helps you make the image. I’m not going to go through  the whole shoulder surgery story again, let’s just say I’ve found my everyday, walk around system, Fuji’s X System, and here’s why;

 

(1)  The weight is just right.  Not heavy, but with a feeling of real substance.

 

(2)  The image quality is absolutely incredible.

 

(3)  I can shoot at any ISO up to and including 6400 and not worry about noise, in 90% of the cases, not even notice any!

 

(4)  I own the 14, 18-55, 23, 35, 60, and the 55-200, and everyone is of the highest quality, absolutely stunning glass.  All of my lenses, and the ones that are coming from Fuji, are faster than almost any other brands, and cost substantially less! 

 

(5)  After years of using DSLRs, I’m loving the quiet shutters, and lack of mirror vibration.

 

(6)  I shot Fuji film in the old days, and always loved their color renditions, and the X cameras have those say lovely colors.

 

(7)  Photography is tactile, I love the feel of the X system, it just fits my hands!

 

(8)  I’m very impressed with Fuji’s commitment to continue to improve their products with constant firmware updates that make genuinely significant improvements to their products. 

 

(9)  Most of all, they listen to their customers!  A number of Firmware updates have addresses specific recommendations from their customers, that’s golden!

 

(10)  And lastly, they have developed a philosophy to produce products that are designed for photography, not the specs race!

 

So, I’m anxious to feet to try the XT-1, the 56 f 1.2 and the 10-24 f4 OIS, it’s going to be an exciting start to 2014!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

ADDENDUM:   Believe it or not, I had not seen Scott Kelby video on his blog about switching from Nikon to Canon before I wrote this blog entry!!!!!  I may have been the only guy in the photo world who hadn’t!!  The reaction to his video with Rick Sammon got as variety of responses, some pretty nasty!  This was my point in my own blog entry, and remember once again I had not seen Scott’s video!!  A number of pretty blunt charges were leveled at Scott, and I feel bound to respond in blanket form.

 

(1)  Scott is a great guy, and an honest guy, and I believe a sincere guy!  If he says he really liked the Canon stuff for what he does, I’m sure he does.

 

(2)  I am sure that Canon made a good offer ($$$) to NAPP, (now KelbyOne), to be “more involved” with them.  I’m sure they probably really wanted Scott to give their stuff a good try.  That Scott really liked the gear for sports, or for that matter any other kind of shooting, does not surprise me.  Remember I used to work for Nikon, and I can tell you that both Nikon and Canon make dang good stuff!   Why did Nikon not offer to become a bigger part of KelbyOne too?   I have no idea, you would have to ask the people in marketing at Nikon, they are the only ones that would know the answer to that.  I wish they had, I would love to see equal representation at KelbyOne between both brands, but they didn’t, and that’s that!  Case closed.   However, that is not Scott Kelby’s fault!

 

(3)  Does it really matter what camera brand you shoot?  I’m going to go out on limb and say that Jay Maisel could shoot all our pants off with a low end  Samsung camera!  I really believe that it’s the photographer, not the camera, and that is not being disrespectful of Nikon, Canon, Leica or anyone else!!!!!!!!  I think we need to grow up and start acting like adults on this whole brand thing!  Surely we are not so insecure that we have to roll in the mud over this subject?

 

(4)  I really respect and care for Scott Kelby, he has been a great friend to me, and it doesn’t bother me in the least if he makes good money doing what he does, he has earned it, and I can tell you I’ve seen him shoot superior work with anything you hand him.  All of you can infer anything you would like about the “brand wars” ,  but for me, I won’t disrespect  his ability with a camera, to reduce it down to Canon vs Nikon!

 

(5)  Want to take someone on, come after me, I don’t shoot either brand, and I’ll shoot it out with you anytime, anywhere.  Just be sure to tighten your belt, to keep your pants in place!

 

Sorry, I was a little ticked off after reading all this, but that was pretty good line!!!!

 

the pilgrim

When I was in Nashville last week I visited the corporate offices of Marathon Motorworks.  The manager Barry Walker has welded together some wonderful Americana things to decorate the offices.  This set of instruments on the wall was, to me, very striking!  As I studied the creation and thought about how to compose the shot I came to wonderful recognition.

 

I love music, everything from Blue Grass to  Classical, and in each and every form of music, it is the perfect combination of instruments and voices that make those heavenly sounds!  Standing looking at this wall I thought about how the perfect combination of a Loving God, a Saving Lord, and a indwelling Holy Spirit has made my life one of harmony and rich texture. I am always amazed at God’s love for us, and His provision.  I am so thankful for Him and His Grace.  I am truly blessed!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Photo Note:  Fuji X-E2 – 18-55 lens

Wednesday I drove down to Nashville to meet with Ricky Skaggs to get the details lined out of for Nashville Event the last week of July.  I also; had been inspirted by images from some of our attendees on Facebook from our trips to Antique Archaeology, the American Pickers TV show store in Nashville, at the least event.  This is one of my favorite locations to shoot Americana!  I spent a couple of hours there on Wednesday and wanted to share some of the images.  This is one of the great benefits of running workshops, you learn so much from your students.  Their vision inspires us as we attempt to teach them a trick or two!  Hope you enjoy the images!

 

 

I’m too blessed to be depressed!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Photo Note:  All images with Fuji X-E2 and the Fujinon 18-55 OIS zoom.

Quick post, I’m pulling out for Nashville in a few minutes.  Working on this summers great event at the end of July with Ricky Skaggs.  The Nashville Workshop is great if you love a wonderful variety of subject matter and it’s worth going alone to be at the Ryman Auditorium with Rick and Kentucky thunder!  I hope to get over and meet with the folks at Antique Archaeology today and do a little shooting , and maybe will post tonight or tomorrow the results!

 

Have a great day and be blessed!

 

the pilgrim