16 and Counting

Nikon EM, 50mm f1.8 Series E, Ilford HP5+

Finished roll number sixteen of 2016 this morning, tying my count for 2014 and the highest number of rolls I've shot from 2013 on. It was a roll of HP5+ through my EM.

I've also sold the X-700. Great camera, but Minolta isn't where I want to go. I've finally made a call on direction, I'm going all-in on Nikon again. The system just works for me for the most part. not perfect but more than acceptable.

I'm most likely going to put together a pretty similar system to what I had before getting the D700 a couple years ago. I really don't need much. So I traded off the G3 for a D90. That gives me a body to play with on the Nikon side for now.

No Parking

Mamiya 645 Super, 45/2.8 C, TriX@1600

This is the sort of urban geographic shot that I love taking. There's a range of tones and textures all over the shot and all unique to the city. These sorts of small scenes just fascinate me endlessly.

It's also something I struggle to find these days, much of the urban light industrial character of Toronto has been disappearing into endless condo developments. While on one side this is a good thing, I do regret the loss of much of the character of Toronto's downtown core.

Ode to the EM

Nikon EM, Sigma Super-Wide II 24mm f2.8,Ektachrome 100EC

 If the Nikon FM2n is my all-time favourite camera, the EM is my favourite cheap SLR (yes, even more so than the Cosina SLR's which I love).

Simple, small & cheap. Not too complex. Slap a lens on and shoot. That's the EM. I've owned 4-5 of them over the years, including my first SLR, bought in 1993 with a 50/1.8E, Vivitar 283 and a Tamron 70-210 f4-5.6. Shot a lot with that before I got rid of it after acquiring an F801s (another camera I've owned a bunch of copies of). The only camera I've ever had stolen was an EM (with a 100/2.8 Series E)

The EM will always have an opening in my bag, especially if paired with a 35/2.5 or 50/1.8 Series E. It's too cheap and too fun not to. It's simply the camera I chose as a car/desk camera to always have around.

If you shoot Nikon MF, grab one. You'll only be out $25 or so (my average purchase price, current one was free as a rear lens cap). Throw some cheap film through it and have fun.

Just Shooting

GX7, Olympus m.Zuiko 25mm f1.8

It's been a couple weeks since my last post, and yes, I have been shooting. I've been pushing myself to do more walking and it's been helping with my shooting as well.

I like carrying a pretty minimalist kit when walking, a body and a normal is usually enough. This typically ends up being either the GX7 and the 25/1.8 or the X-700 and the 45/2. Even better is a mild wide in the pocket, and maybe a short tele. I don't have that full setup yet with either kit, but in both cases I'm a single $200-ish lens away. I do need to round out both kits.

I also need to get out of the city and do some hiking. This summer has had me out of the city a fair bit, but only for rc flying, not for photography or hiking. I need to change that. This weekend is in fact a good possibility, being too windy to fly, but also looking good weather-wise. Time to find a destination.