When several years go by

 Yikes, I didn't realize how much time has passed since I last posted on my blog. The kit has grown a lot since 2022. I sold the Nikon D5200, loaned out the Fuji X-T1 for a Canon 7D, and bought a Fujifilm X100VI. I also added a DJI Pocket 3 to the kit. My desktop computer has also been upgraded. So there's quite a bit to blog about.

Lens count is now up to 50! My dry cabinets are full, but it's not the right time to buy anything new at the moment. I still have a backlog of lenses to evaluate, but with summer ending, not many opportunities to go on photowalks.

Nikon Z9: Back to a tent peg smasher

 I placed an order for the Nikon Z9 the day the stores began to take them. I wasn't in a rush to get it, and I was hoping to hear more concrete information of a possible Z8 before the body arrived. A little less than five months, and I received an email with tracking information.

So far it's been a good experience.

1. The AF is much better than the Z7, and better than the D3.
2. The Nikon 200-500mm surprisingly focuses much faster than on the Z7. I'm not sure if it's a placebo effect, or whether the AF is stickier, leading to the impression that it's focusing faster as it doesn't hunt.
3. I'm getting more peak moment shots for surfing. I'm also getting more junk shots as I don't let off the shutter soon enough.
4. The shutter does blank out at 1/100s. I'll have to look into why that's happening, as I thought it would only blank out at sub-1/30s exposures.
5. I've only hit the buffer a few times, and this is with Sony XQD cards shooting high efficiency (HE*) files.
6. On two surfing shoots (2500+ shots), the battery did not drop below 50%, and I barely filled one 120GB card. 
7. The Z9 barely fits in my Peak Design 10L Everyday Sling. Hopefully the zipper stands up to the abuse.
8. I'm not used to the weight. My arms hurt after the first outing with the Z9 + 70-200E. In my younger days, I could last several hours with a D2H + 70-200VR + SB-800 + flash bracket.

I'll update this post as I continue to learn the camera.

On a side note, I picked up an Irix 11mm f/4 (not that I need something this wide, but it was a bargain) and a Sigma 50mm Art (not that I need yet ANOTHER normal lens, but it was also a bargain, especially for the Otus Lite). More on these lenses as I use them.

Another fast classic: the Canon 55mm f/1.2 FL

 Last year I discovered the fun of scrolling through Facebook Marketplace for bargains (aka stuff I don't space or a need, but are too much of a bargain to deny). I've managed to only pick up three things so far: a Canon CanoScan 8800 (a replacement for my aging Epson Perfection 2450), Nikon 85mm f/1.8S, and a Canon 55mm f/1.2 FL that came with a Canon FT QL body. The lens is a lovely piece of metal and glass, comparable to my Nikon 55mm f/1.2 (surprisingly, I haven't written about this lens on this blog).

I've had minimal experience with the lens so far, but from what I've seen, it has the same image quality as the Nikon: lots of veiling flare when shot wide open, but gains enough contrast by f/2. Sadly I forgot to bring it along to test it out with the Christmas lights, but I'm pretty sure it's going to have similar coma issues as the Nikon since they're from the same generation.

Year end musings 2021 edition

Oops. just found this in the Drafts folder!

2021 has moved along faster than expected. By my count, I've taken ~20k photos. Unfortunately, most of them will just sit on a hard drive, along with all the other ones taken from the last several years. Part of the blame lies with having a laptop at my current location that's several generations old, and struggles with processing 45mp files. The other blame lies with my lack of desire to work on the photos; I continue to spend more time enjoying the outdoors instead of spending time in front of a monitor.

On the hardware side, I added four lenses to the kit, and sold four, for a net of zero. Not bad, but the total lens count remains at 42. The ones that I let go were the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G SE (lovely cosmetics, average performance), Nikon 35mm f/1.8 ED (replaced by the Tamron 35mm f/1.4 I purchased last year), Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 (wonderful optics, slow autofocus) and 50-230mm f/4.5~6.7 (an OK kit lens) as I divest myself of my Fuji kit.

The newcomers are a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AF-S (a bargain I couldn't resist), 24-70mm f/2.8S (replacement for the aging 28-70mm f/2.8 AF-S that I have yet to sell), 85mm f/1.8S (now I need to sell the F-mount G version), and a petite Canon 55mm f/1.2 FL. I haven't had many opportunities to use the newcomers, and have just added to the pile of testing that I need to do.

I remain sorely tempted by the updated version of my Sigma 500mm f/4.5 that Sigma assures me will focus with the Z7, unlike my older version whose firmware Sigma said can't be upgraded. The Nikon 200-500mm continues to be my lens for surfing photos, but there are times when its AF and IQ with the TC-14E disappoint me. I do still manage to get some good shots though.

What's in store for 2022: A Nikon Z9 ;-D

Not a bad start

I did a little cleanup of my kit. Since I haven't used the Fuji XT-1 in over a year, I took that as a sign to let go of the lenses. The 56mm f/1.2 and 23mm f/1.4 have gone on to new homes, where I hope they will receive much love. The Nikon 35mm f/1.8ED and 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition have also moved on. Of the three lenses, the 50mm saw the least use and the least admiration, but it had the nicest cosmetics. Nikon would sell more lenses (to me at lesat) if they added the classic silver ring to their lineup.

So that leaves me with the 35mm f/2 and the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 to us with the XT-1. I really doubt that either will get much use since the Z7 is the superior camera, and the V2 the more portable one.

I also found a clean Canoscan 9000F for $50. It'll make a good replacement for my ancient Epson Photo Perfection 2450 (purchased for S170 waaaaay back in 2004) for scanning MF negatives.

The jury is still out on the Nikon 50mm f/1.8S. So far I can't find anything to complain about with regards to the IQ, but I just can't connect to the focal length. It's neither wide enough nor tele enough, it's just too.....normal.