robert_mikan

I used a Komura 100 f1.8 lens for several years on my nikons with a t mount modified to fit the unidapter thread. It was

quite sharp and had wonderful bokeh. I used it in low light events, circus, basketball etc. so it rarely got stopped down. I

used it on a Lumix G1 with great success and it is much easier to use with this digital camera than it ever was on my film

bodies. Komura are all very well made and are now commanding high values from collectors and for digital use where

high speed lenses are scarce.

<p>DDD has been a hero to me for over 50 years! His Korean War and Vietnam photos are among the most painful and enlightening ever made. He was all Marine - but I would have hated to be in a rifle company he was travelling with. Too many chances to die trying to emulate some of his earlier subjects. The handsome Marine in tears because his squad cannot get any more ammunition - knowing it means an agonizing death for many of them.<br>

Check out "This is War", War without Heroes or either of the Nomad books. The Picasso series are nice and probably his favorites.<br>

He was everywhere where history was made in the late 1940's. Eisenhower, Stalin, Churchill, Faisal - all knew and liked him. His observations of rioting in India between Hindus and Muslims were chilling - it was the first time that he was afraid to take out a camera.<br>

However - you must study "The World of Allah" , a lovely large book with insights into Islam that make me wonder how, or rather why, he was allowed to chronicle otherwise forbidden Islamic subjects so beautifully.</p>

<p>My experience is that JetBlue and American Airlines would not allow me to carry on my tripod. It has to go into checked luggage. Tripods are on the dangerous list since they can be used by snipers or to launch small missiles. They made me run downstairs and put it in a special box which went into checked luggage which went to a special area -where anyone could steal it - upon landing.<br>

So put it into your checked luggage. Never refer to any piece of equipment as a tripod. I keep a small table top /chest pod on my camera and even "bracket" that raised eyebrows.<br>

Similarly in Washington DC a tripod can get you arrested - you must get a tripod permit no matter how small . However if you use it near any sensitive sights you still have a problem. Interestingly - when I was shooting the Brooklyn Bridge at night , the Police boat came by in a few minutes, and choppers are always near by! This has happened several times. I believe that they use camera detectors near such sights - they see the glare from fixed lenses, binoculars, spotter scopes etc. This is also how they check out a hotel room to be sure no cameras were set up for illegal activity.</p>

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