Back Yard Macro Part 2

Not true macro as I didn't use a macro lens. I used my trusty voigtlander 35mm/1.7, along with a couple of tiffen magnifying filters, +4 and +2. This got me pretty good magnification without having to be super close to the subjects. While adding filters of any type can create some image quality degradation, I was very happy to see that the sharpness of the voigtlander still shined through.

Backyard Macro

I've had my Minolta 50mm 3.5 macro for a few months but I've rarely had any chance to use it. With the weather getting nice and flowers coming to bloom, I thought I'd try my hands at shooting flowers and bees in macro. My skills definitely need a lot of work but I managed to capture some good shots.
All these were shot handheld on a day that was cloudy and a little windy...so I shot wide open so that I can shoot using the highest shutter speed possible.

I didn't even notice the little guy until I cropped it!

Though the entire pic it out of focus, I kinda like how this turned out...very dreamy.

Weekend in Colorado, Shooting with Nex 6 for the first time.

Took a trip to Denver this past weekend. The day I was supposed to leave, I accidentally kicked the charging cord while my 5R was charging and the 5R wouldn't charge anymore. Frantically I drove straight to Best Buy, remembering I bought the protection plan. They were able to exchange it on the spot. I took this opportunity to upgrade to the Nex 6. 

It's a little bigger than the 5R and fits my hand perfectly. My hand never cramped, even when holding it for extended periods of time. And because of the bigger size, I can easily manipulate all the controls with my right hand. The camera also just "feels" a lot more solid vs. the 5R.

With respect to Denver, I've never been there and I was really excited at the prospects of shooting some beautiful scenery. My wide angle lenses (Canon FD 28mm/2.8 and my newest addition, Minolta fisheye Rokkor 16mm/2.8) definitely got a work out. Most of these shots were from various points of interest near Mt. Evans. 

My 1st attempt at using a ND Filter and long exposure.

Day at Greenfield Village

I took my son to Greenfield Village in Dearborn this past Saturday. It's in the same complex as the Henry Ford Museum...but I never had a chance to venture out to the village until now. Thomas and Friends also happened to be a special event going on. You could actually ride Thomas around the village.
All pics were taken using my newest lens, Canon FD 24mm/2.8. Most of the pics were taken using the build in "painting" app, on low setting.

Week in Chicago, Canon FD 24mm

It's been way too long since a updated my blog, due to work and not having much time taking pics.
This past week, work sent me to Chicago so it was a great opportunity to enjoy the windy city and to test out my Canon FD 24mm. After a week with this lens, this will definitely be my go to wide angle lens.

This is the cloud gate in millennium park. I used the in camera "painting" app..basically HDR on steroids. I really like this app. It's simple to use and it gives interesting results.

Took a walk down to Navy Pier. 1st time at my hands at night pics. Set ISO at 100, set aperture at 4, and used long (20 secs i think) exposure

Skyline view of Lake Shore Drive

View from the roof top of a friend's apartment on Michigan Avenue

Another roof top view

Visit to the Michigan Firehouse Museum

Michigan Firehouse Museum is located in downtown Ypsilanti. My son loves going there, not just to look at the vast collection of firetrucks from over the years but because he gets to buy a toy firetruck every time he visits. This also gave me a chance to shoot with the voigtlander 35/1.7 mounted with a new adapter from Hawk's Factory. This adapter has a helicoid ring that greatly improves the minimum focusing distance. 

Close up achieved with Hawks Factory Adapter, as well as bokeh with Voigtlander 35/1,7

Close up capability achieved with Hawks Factory M-Emount adapter

Future Firefighter!

Michigan Central Train Station

Michigan Central Train Station is a Detroit landmark. It was one of the most famous and grand train stations in its time. But now it sits in ruin...a fitting analogy of Detroit itself.

I shot these from my car. I wanted to walk around and get better vantage but there were some "sketchy" people around so better to be safe than sorry. I'll be back on when the weather is nicer and try to take some better ones.

All the pics, save for the 1st one, was taken using minolta Rokkor 200mm f4. I was very impressed by the sharpness of this lens and it will definitely have a place in my bag at all times.