{"id":9050,"date":"2013-10-03T16:25:43","date_gmt":"2013-10-03T16:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=9050"},"modified":"2013-10-03T18:50:06","modified_gmt":"2013-10-03T18:50:06","slug":"todays-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=9050","title":{"rendered":"Today’s reality………"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

One of my time tested ground rules for doing successful work is “settle on the gear!” \u00a0 Find the gear that works for you, test it thoroughly, make sure it is capable of making exemplary images, then just go out and use it!!!!! \u00a0For over two years that is exactly what I’ve been doing and I now know what stays, and what goes! \u00a0I am maintaining two gear systems, each for a very good and specific reason and use!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Above is my travel, walking, general all around system for 90% of my work. \u00a0I’ve found the Fuji X System to be almost faultless! \u00a0It continues to evolve and I will evolve my system as it grows, but as of today, it is my go to system for most of what I do. \u00a0Keep in mind I no longer do hardly any action or sports. \u00a0This system is perfect for the nature, outdoor, travel, Americana, and landscape work I do. \u00a0The above bag is the Think Tank Street Walker (the smallest one) filled with the bodies and lenses above it weighs 14 pounds. \u00a0It consists of;<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fuji X-E-1 body with 18-55 f 2.8-4 OIS lens \u00a0(27-83 f 2.8-4 equiv.) \u00a0Really Right Stuff “L” bracket and grip.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fuji X100s camera with fixed 23 f2 lens \u00a0(35mm f 2 equiv.) \u00a0\u00a0Really Right Stuff “L” bracket and grip.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

14mm f 2.8 Wide Angle \u00a0(21mm f 2.8 equiv.)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

35mm f 1.4 lens \u00a0(53mm f1.4 equiv.)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

60mm Micro f 2.4 \u00a0(90 mm f 2.4 equiv.)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

55-200 f 3.5-4.8 OIS telephoto zoom \u00a0(83-300 equiv.)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

8mm Rokinon Fisheye f 2.8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Electronic Cable release with built in introvelometer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Polarizers for all lenses, Nikon 4T & 5T, Canon 250D Diopter<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

10mm auto extension tube<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Batteries and chargers<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Induro CT-214 Tripod with RRS BH-40LR ball head<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kirk Mini tripod legs with RRS BH-30LR ball head<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

_____________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

System number two weighing in at 27 lbs for the back pack (The Lowepro 300 AW Trekker) and 10 lbs for the Lightware Long Lens bag holding my manual focus Nikkor 400mm f 3.5 lens and TC-14 B \u00a0Teleconverter. \u00a0This is my “trunk system” that comes out when I can shoot close to the vehicle, or when I need \u00a0extreme high resolution! \u00a0The Nikon D800 and D700 are two of the finest cameras I’ve \u00a0ever shot in the Nikon system, I also love the D4 but it is simply to heavy to carry around, in spite of it’s fantastic performance! \u00a0This system consists of:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nikon D800 body with the 80-200 f 4 manual focus Nikkor \u00a0\u00a0Really Right Stuff L” bracket\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikon D700 body\u00a0\u00a0Really Right Stuff “L” bracket and grip.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

24mm Nikkor f 2.8 AI-S manual focus lens<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

55mm Micro Nikkor f 2.8 AI-S manual focus lens<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

25-50 Nikkor AI-S zoom f4 wide angle zoom – \u00a0manual focus lens<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

105 Micro Nikon AI-S f 2.8 \u00a0manual focus lens<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

75-150 Nikon Series E \u00a0f 3.5 zoom lens<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

200mm Micro Nikkor f4 AF lens<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

400mm Nikkor IF-ED f 3.5 telephoto lens<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Electronic Wireless Cable release with built in introvelometer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Polarizers for all lenses<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kenko Auto extension tube<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Batteries and chargers<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Induro CT-314 Tripod with RRS BH-55LR ball head<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kirk Mini tripod legs with RRS BH-30LR bull head<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I can anticipate some of the questions you may have, \u00a0so let me deal with some of them now!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Why manual focus lenses? \u00a0<\/span><\/strong> Actually several reasons, I love the old school feel of using the throwback lenses. \u00a0Additionally they are exceptionally sharp and \u00a0I know if the focus is off it’s my fault!, since I don’t do action, auto focus is not a big advantage for me. \u00a0These lenses, not being auto focus, can be made much more rugged, with smooth racings in the focusing rings. For landscape work I really enjoy the focus markings that makes doing hyper focal distance much easier! \u00a0Finally These particular lenses are among the most legendary Nikon glass ever made and all still works wonderfully even with the super Hi Res D800! \u00a0All modern camera’s auto focus systems, from time to time, have glitches, every brand, so I find manual focusing more confidence inspiring.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Do you still own any Nikon auto focus glass?<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0Yes the 16-35 f4, the new 24-120 f4, the 85mm f 1.8, and the 70-300 AF-S VR f 3.5-5.6, plus my 200 Micro Nikkor is an AF lens as well. \u00a0I have these available when I have a need for modern auto focus glass.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. \u00a0Do you feel you give up anything by using the Fuji X system as your principle system?<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0The D800 has more resolution and bigger files which can be both good, and bad, depending on the situation. \u00a0No very long glass is currently available for the Fuji X system, though a Nikon adapter lets me use some of my Nikon lenses on that system’s bodies. Fuji needs a super wide zoom, and it is coming in November or December, at least according to their lens road map, the 10-24 (15-36 equiv.) will round out the system very nicely. \u00a0I would love to see a 90mm or 105 micro with f 2 speed, so we will see what happens in the 2014! \u00a0For now I have that in the Nikon system.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4. \u00a0Do you feel bad about using Nikon less after all these years using nothing but Nikon?<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0Let me put it this way, I have spent well over $150,000. on Nikon gear over the last 43 years, I still own a lot of it, and still use it. \u00a0I worked for Nikon for almost eleven years and faithfully represented them helping thousands of photographers invest in, and use their equipment. \u00a0 Many of my best friends in the industry are still working for Nikon. \u00a0I’m proud of my relationship with this fine company, but I’m 67 years old and can no longer lug around the equipment I could 20 years ago. \u00a0I love the craft, and don’t intend to stop pushing the shutter release until my dying breath! \u00a0The excellent Fuji System is allowing me to continue that joyous journey! \u00a0Who knows, maybe some day Nikon will build a lighter weight, fully pro grade system, and then I may have to rethink things!! \u00a0For now, I’m happy owning both, and using them when it is photographically appropriate!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, if you don’t mind, I’m head to Ohio with my dear buddy, and wonderful photographer friend, Jack Graham to try and get some folks excited about using their gear!!!!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blessings,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

the pilgrim<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo Notes; \u00a0Top Image: Nikon D800 with 55 mm Micro Nikkor \u00a0 F16 @ 10 seconds<\/p>\n

Bottom Shot: \u00a0Fuji X100s f16 @ 4 seconds<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of my time tested ground rules for doing successful work is “settle on the gear!” \u00a0 Find the gear that works for you, test it thoroughly, make sure it is capable of making exemplary images, then just go out and use it!!!!! \u00a0For over two years that is exactly what I’ve been doing and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chronicles","category-learning"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9050"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9055,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9050\/revisions\/9055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}