*** This Week Through Your Eyes 2023.xx.xx ***

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Daneland
Members 846 posts

July 22, 2023, 2:35 p.m. July 22, 2023, 2:35 p.m.
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@SteveMonks has written:

Wandering The Moors (mostly) with the 100-400

I only managed to get out for one moorland walk this week, but what a lovely evening it turned out to be. I followed what's becoming something of a regular route around Withnell Moor, heading up past Cocker's Folly, onto Ratten Clough, then across the moorland path to Botany Bay Farm. There's still a herd of cows roaming around up there, which had decided to camp on the path just West of Botany Bay Farm, so a bit of improvisation was required to reach the farm ruins without getting too close, followed by a return to Ratten Clough via Solomon's Temple so I wouldn't be bumping into them in the dark.

I took two lenses along for this hike, the ever trusty Nikon 24-70 f/2.8S and my new Nikon 100-400 f/4.5-g.6 VR S, along with my Nikon Z7 and a big bag to put stuff in. The 100-400 isn't that big or heavy for what it is, but it's still a chunky lens to hike with, pretty much filling the camera compartment of my Mindshift Rotation rucksack all on its own. I think I need a better solution for carrying this and changing lenses. Talking of changing lenses, I was initially swapping back and forth between the two lenses, but for most of the moorland walk I ended up with just the 100-400 on the camera, which worked much better than I had initially expected. I suppose on a barren and desolate chunk of moor, most of the visual interest is in the distance, although there were a few instances where I needed to "zoom with my feet", albeit in the opposite direction to what that phrase usually implies.

I did have one interesting bird encounter, with a Kestrel (I think) taking a break from looking for lunch in my favourite lone tree, but it flew away before I could get close enough to do it justice at the 400mm end of the lens. A bit more reach would be cool, but I don't fancy having the 180-600 hanging off my camera while I trudge around, and that range is bit too long at the short end for my purposes, so I may have to invest in the 1.4x teleconverter as a compromise at some point.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the new lens, it's definitely worthy of its 'S' branding and hopefully it'll do me good service and not suffer some horrible demise (historically, I've slipped and fallen on rocks, smashing a 24-70 f/2.8 AF-S beyond economic repair, and also gone flying in mud to land on top of what was at the time a recently purchased Panasonic/Leica 12-60 f/2,8-4.0, that did at least survive with just a bit of a ding to the metal filter ring which I managed to straighten out enough with pliers enough to get a filter on it, but it was eventually taken out in a horrendous rainstorm that proved to be just a bit too much for Panasonic's weather resistance. Ah, the good old days in The Lake District. Anyway, I digress...)

This must have been an OM1 Body and 12-40 to survive I guess

I'm toying with the idea of getting a 2nd Z body for it so I don't need to do lens swaps, but I'm not sure how practical that would be to carry. I think I'm really just looking for some way to justify a Z8 to myself. Fortunately, limited stock in the local(ish) camera store has prevented me from making an impulse purchase. So far.

FF bodies are reasonably sized I guess but the lenses are not I am afraid. I think until there is a new development, completely different tech on lenses' side, we have to carry glass.

8. Sheepish Sunset

With cows on the direct path between Botany Bay farm and Brinscall, I decided to take a different route back to Brinscall, crossing the higher part of the moor past Solomon's Temple and eventually exiting via Ratten Clough. It was getting dark as I crossed this particular section of the moor as the sun had slunk somewhere behind the Irish Sea Perma Fog™. So it was, that I was rather surprised to be faced with a soft red glow as it broke through a small gap in the cloud bank, exciting the atmosphere before it. This almost perfectly lined up with a pair of sheep having a natter on the moor, but as I raised the camera to take the shot they wandered off to join the bigger group shown here. This particular bunch of sheep were not particularly cooperative models either, as every time I moved to centre them up with the sun breaking through the clouds they'd move a bit, either one way or the other. From the large number of shots I took I think this is the best one.

**Models were not be cooperative but the scene was very pretty, this is my pick

**
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Daneland
Members 846 posts

July 22, 2023, 2:37 p.m. July 22, 2023, 2:37 p.m.
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@ChrisOly has written:

Calm waters. Southamton on Lake Huron.

Peaceful , it is a jet-ski, isnt it?
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ChrisOly
Members 1243 posts

July 22, 2023, 2:59 p.m. July 22, 2023, 2:59 p.m.
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@Daneland has written:

@ChrisOly has written:

Calm waters. Southamton on Lake Huron.

Peaceful , it is a jet-ski, isnt it?

Yes indeed. Thanks for commenting.
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ChrisOly
Members 1243 posts

July 22, 2023, 3:01 p.m. July 22, 2023, 3:01 p.m.
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Great document of a hike. Superb scenery.
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ChrisOly
Members 1243 posts

July 22, 2023, 3:03 p.m. July 22, 2023, 3:03 p.m.
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@ChrisOly has written:

In reference to Fireplace 33 posting -

Great document of a hike. Superb scenery.
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ChrisOly
Members 1243 posts

July 22, 2023, 3:05 p.m. July 22, 2023, 3:05 p.m.
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@Woodsider79 has written:

Dufton Ghyll

I've been wanting to explore this little valley for some time, having spotted it on the map near where my daughter now lives. So in a break from decorating her new house, I went to investigate. The valley was quarried in the 19th century for stone to build workers cottages in thenearby village of Dufton. The old quarry faces are now beautifully encrusted with lichens and ferns, and bathed in green light from the towering trees.

A three image vertical pano.

Who was Dan McPhee?

Green

Sense of mystery about this place. Great atmosphere.
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ChrisOly
Members 1243 posts

July 22, 2023, 3:08 p.m. July 22, 2023, 3:08 p.m.
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@Daneland has written:

Congrats on new cam!

These 2 are superb(imho).
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ChrisOly
Members 1243 posts

July 22, 2023, 3:08 p.m. July 22, 2023, 3:08 p.m.
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@OpenCube has written:

Great pp and colours.

OpenCube likes this.

favorite 1
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simplejoy
Members 1662 posts

July 22, 2023, 3:22 p.m. July 22, 2023, 3:22 p.m.
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@Woodsider79 has written:

Green

Love your skillful double exposure - excellent work combining those structures.
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Rich42
Members 701 posts

July 22, 2023, 3:43 p.m. July 22, 2023, 3:43 p.m.
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@Daneland has written:

GAS hit and bought S5ii and twin kit lens(20-60mm, 50mm) (£1799). I know it is crazy but I sold last week one of my X100V ( I bought 2 of them when I found reasonably priced) for £1450 and a FF camera with 2 lenses brand new £1799, of course they are different particularly in terms of size but still it does not make sense to me...
Anyway I am happy with my new camera, I hope it will make get better. Went to London last night and took some shots.

Danelend,

Numbers 1 and 4 are two very beautiful "street" images. Very nice.

Rich
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OpenCube
Members 861 posts

July 22, 2023, 10:09 p.m. July 22, 2023, 10:09 p.m.
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@Daneland has written:

GAS hit and bought S5ii and twin kit lens(20-60mm, 50mm) (£1799). Went to London last night and took some shots.

I'm gonna start referring to my love of medium format as a diesel fuel addiction. Lol. Lovely stuff. Maybe one day my budget and used model will meet my hands. Are you coming from the Panasonic world? If so, how does this one navigate compared to previous Panasonics?
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Fireplace33
Members 855 posts

July 23, 2023, 11:21 a.m. July 23, 2023, 11:21 a.m.
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@Wormsmeat has written:

This looks good,
I like their dark shiny surface. I'm sure that the statue must have some "meaning" but no idea what that might be :-)
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Fireplace33
Members 855 posts

July 23, 2023, 11:25 a.m. July 23, 2023, 11:25 a.m.
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@SteveMonks has written:

Wandering The Moors (mostly) with the 100-400

5. Wall and Tower

While I quite like this composition, I don't think the golden light works here and it would be better served with a more gritty and moody look. Hopefully I shall return when the weather is more inclement.

8. Sheepish Sunset

With cows on the direct path between Botany Bay farm and Brinscall, I decided to take a different route back to Brinscall, crossing the higher part of the moor past Solomon's Temple and eventually exiting via Ratten Clough. It was getting dark as I crossed this particular section of the moor as the sun had slunk somewhere behind the Irish Sea Perma Fog™. So it was, that I was rather surprised to be faced with a soft red glow as it broke through a small gap in the cloud bank, exciting the atmosphere before it. This almost perfectly lined up with a pair of sheep having a natter on the moor, but as I raised the camera to take the shot they wandered off to join the bigger group shown here. This particular bunch of sheep were not particularly cooperative models either, as every time I moved to centre them up with the sun breaking through the clouds they'd move a bit, either one way or the other. From the large number of shots I took I think this is the best one.

9. Last Light at Ratten Clough

Finally, I returned to Ratten Clough. With the failing light I'd swapped back to the 24-70, when I came across this short lived view. There was no time to swap back to the longer lens and reposition myself, so I just took this. Like the sheep shot, it's the middle one of a -3EV three shot bracket, pretty much exposed to stop the sun burning out, but with enough detail left in the shadows to pull the brickwork on the farm ruin back up a bit without getting noisy.

5 , 8 & 9 stand out for me.
I think the golden light in 5 works well.
8, when viewed in full res, looks great.
The dark sheep with their super rim lighting is well caught & processed!
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Fireplace33
Members 855 posts

July 23, 2023, 11:32 a.m. July 23, 2023, 11:32 a.m.
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@ChrisOly has written:

Calm waters. Southampton on Lake Huron.

I Like it a lot.
This image has a really peaceful mood. The jet ski is returning home after a fun day, the fishermen are just, standing there, chatting.
It's the subdued blue light that sets the mood.
The perspective of the pier guides you out towards the brighter sea through that gap between the lighthouse and the left sea wall.
It all falls together very nicely in this image!
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Fireplace33
Members 855 posts

July 23, 2023, 11:34 a.m. July 23, 2023, 11:34 a.m.
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@OpenCube has written:

Nice . This one looks almost real ;-)

OpenCube likes this.

favorite 1
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Fireplace33
Members 855 posts

July 23, 2023, 11:37 a.m. July 23, 2023, 11:37 a.m.
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@Daneland has written:

@ChrisOly has written:

@Wormsmeat has written:

Great shot. Are they sitting or riding? Like 2 colours on your subjects.

Since WM is a bit busy I took the liberty to answer you question, they are riding and called Tandem Lovers. Another angle to see almost whole

Thanks Daneland. Just read your link, and the "Tandem lovers" is a nice project!
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Fireplace33
Members 855 posts

July 23, 2023, 11:42 a.m. July 23, 2023, 11:42 a.m.
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@Daneland has written:

GAS hit and bought S5ii and twin kit lens(20-60mm, 50mm) (£1799). I know it is crazy but I sold last week one of my X100V ( I bought 2 of them when I found reasonably priced) for £1450 and a FF camera with 2 lenses brand new £1799, of course they are different particularly in terms of size but still it does not make sense to me...
Anyway I am happy with my new camera, I hope it will make get better. Went to London last night and took some shots.

Congrats on the new gear, getting something new often does inspire one to improve :-)
I like this one best. Good night time scene, clear and sharp.
Nice curved shadows and the colourful blurred moving bus make it good. Of course, coming from you, there are people in ther too :-)
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Fireplace33
Members 855 posts

July 23, 2023, 11:45 a.m. July 23, 2023, 11:45 a.m.
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@Woodsider79 has written:

Dufton Ghyll

I've been wanting to explore this little valley for some time, having spotted it on the map near where my daughter now lives. So in a break from decorating her new house, I went to investigate. The valley was quarried in the 19th century for stone to build workers cottages in thenearby village of Dufton. The old quarry faces are now beautifully encrusted with lichens and ferns, and bathed in green light from the towering trees.

A three image vertical pano.

That first one is lovely, I like the idea of it "being bathed in green light". I'll have to look out for that and embrace the idea on my forest trips too :-)