yardkat

Went to Southern Utah last weekend for work. These were taken in Snow Canyon near St George, Utah. Nikon D750+ 24-70 and Rokinon 14mm.

Sunday, Uintas. D750+24-85VR. Fall is coming.

I wish we had too much rain! But I guess be careful what you wish for. Two shots this week, one from a rare Friday night free, too close to town and too much light pollution, but it's all for fun and practice. And one from a hike Sunday. Nikon D750, Rokinon 14mm, Nikon 24-85VR.

 

Growing up in Oklahoma and then living in Virginia the past seven years, there is a huge difference in the elevation. And add the fact that I'm not getting any younger (won't say I'm getting old), it really hit me hard. Honestly though, I think coming back down the trail is where I struggled the most. You mention the sweating, I typically sweat like a pig on a spit. I've officiated high school sports for the past 30 years and usually during football season I would have so much sweat dripping off my cap that I would get the ball wet when spotting it. I really didn't sweat that much on the hike which caused me some concern, but again as you mention the air is much dryer here.

 

I do think part of what contributed to slipping was struggling with my bag and tripod. Right now I just have the bag that came with my kit, just a small shoulder bag with a flash carry case clipped on to the side. I had my tripod in a carrying case as well as a small backpack with my water and snacks. My camera bag and tripod had been shifting the whole time, throw in the decline that I was going down and there you have it, I went down.

 

They are having a star party up in Ogden Saturday evening that I'm thinking about going to. I will add the trails you mentioned and Provo to my list of places to go. If everything goes right, we're supposed to close on our house in Virginia at the end of the month so my wife will be getting out here soon thereafter so we can see some of these places together.

 

Because the altitude and the steepness of our trails, I've definitely struggled with how to carry what I want. Hit up REI and consider a sturdy day pack with a hydration system. This year I started using more backpack than I probably need, but it's got a really great waist belt and the back is sort of like an internal frame backpacking pack. Even though it's bigger and heavier than I need most of the time, it's just so much more stable. (It's an REI Lookout 40.)

 

Have you been to Pictureline yet? They are a fantastic store here in SLC, and a great bunch of salespeople. They have lots of tripods in stock, see if you like a traveler style tripod, for hiking at least. (last spring I bought a Gitzo Traveler and I adore it. So much time wasted not carrying big clunky tripods because they were big and clunky, and this slips in my pack easily, and it's so light!)

 

And then one final piece of advice, and I'm sorry if I'm giving too much unsolicited advice, it's just that carrying camera gear on hikes is a struggle that I struggle with, and I'd love to save someone else buying three tripods and four backpacks if I can save you the time and money. :) If you don't already use hiking poles, think about getting some. I used to use them, and then for some reason I stopped. This summer I picked them back up again and I felt like a mountain goat, like I could go anywhere. They help a lot with stability, especially downhill. And the downhills can be tougher than the uphills.

 

Enjoy that star party! I often see those events on Facebook and wish I could go, but I work on Sat nights. And congrats on your house! I hope you and your wife are very happy here.

 

And sorry to everyone else for hijacking a Nikon Wednesday thread!

I went for a "easy to moderate" hike on Saturday, September 1 up the Adams Canyon Trail near Layton, UT. I learned some very important things on the hike. Number 1, I'm not acclimated to the elevation here yet. Number 2, I'm not acclimated to the elevation here yet. Number 3, whoever rates these trails is most likely acclimated to the elevation here (and did I mention that I'm not acclimated yet?). Number 4, I need a better way to lug my gear around as in getting a backpack that will carry my camera stuff and tripod, some snacks and water, etc. What I thought was going to take 2 - 3 hours turned into almost 6 hours, and for someone with diabetes, planning accordingly is very important. Despite my inexperience and still feeling the effects it was well worth it. Here are a couple of shots from the trail. First shot is from a small clearing along the trail where you can see a hint of fall colors starting to show. The second shot is of the waterfall at the end of the trail.

 

 

Definitely be careful out here, the altitude, heat, and dryness aren't to be taken lightly! I am always surprised when I head back to the midwest about how different exercising is. (I was in Cincinnati recently, didn't even raise my heart rate or breathing on the treadmill, though oddly because of the humidity I actually sweat, so that was new..) There aren't many "easy" hikes around here. AllTrails is usually pretty good with the trail descriptions. You might try the Pipeline Trail in Millcreek Canyon, it's steep at the front, but not for very long, and then level. Parts of the Bonneville Shoreline are flatter, too. There's a hike up above the Aves with great city skyline and lake views payoff and it's not too long. (Though there will be better payoff on clearer days...)

 

This is why I struggle with camera and backpack weight! (backpacks are like camera bags, I've bought so many thinking it was the solution, only to discard it later in favor of a new solution...) I drink a lot of water, and carry a lot in my backpack. I've lived here for years, I'm not in *terrible* shape, but uphills really challenge my lung capacity. Even hiking in Glacier was less challenging that here. A lot of the hikes involve elevation gain in a relatively short distance. So, be careful, bring lots of water and great snacks, and take it easy til you're acclimated. Happy shooting!

(PS. for fall colors make sure you visit Provo canyon, you'll love it. You can go to Sundance and take the ski lift to the top.)

Sept 2 hike to a bunch of lakes. D750+24-85vr.

yardkat, glad you like the camera. Someone else went to the Salk Lake City event last night (September 4, 2018) and posted a lengthy report on DPReview:

My (brief) experience with the Z7 tonight. Somewhat long post.: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

 

Paul Van Allen from Nikon did the presentation in Salt Lake City. Paul is an experienced instructor whom I have met a few times. In San Jose, the Nikon rep was Jeff Mitchell, whom I have also talked to a number of times before.

 

At the San Jose event, they showed the following video presented by a Nikon optical engineer about why they are using a 55mm mount diameter and a 16mm flange distance. The engineer has a heavy accent but there is also English subtitles. Note that he is writing things backward "from behind the glass."

 

I'll read the SLC event detail, sounds fun! I think they were intending to play that video as well last night, at least that's what the woman who was also there mentioned.

They know how to treat you nice at Pictureline, btw...I went in all cranky and left feeling amazing. They treated me like a queen and acted like I had a right to see the camera before the presentation. Which I don't, I don't do this for a living, and it's obvious. But they still treat me as important as the folks who go in and buy the top of the line gear like it's no trouble. So kudos to Pictureline. :)

I was unable to go to the actual event here in Salt Lake City at Pictureline yesterday, but I stopped in the store for something else earlier. The Nikon reps were just arriving so I got to see the camera for a couple minutes in real life. I liked the size and weight of it, and I thought the lenses were quite a bit smaller than what I was expecting based on internet chatter. I liked the size and feel of the camera, I don't have tiny hands but I have a bad neck, and I am constantly dealing with how to carry my gear, so my desire for a lighter, smaller camera would be different than Andrew Garrard and ShunCheung. The images that the rep had taken with the cameras were impressive. So my meeting with the Z series was really brief but positive. So I was kind of fangirl when I left. I would really consider this line as an option just to rid myself of weight hanging from my neck. The images they were showing were both with Z lenses and the FTZ adapter, really no visible difference, and they said no difference in focusing ability. Definitely something I will be considering.

We were driving around Montana and came across a nest of Osprey. The dad flew off and came back with a fish, then sat guard on a nearby tree. I was mad at myself because I'd left my 150-600 zoom at our hotel. After we finished up and were putting our stuff back in the car, my husband said, pointing behind the seat, "Isn't that your long lens right there?" Massive facepalm.

Anyhoo, D750+70-300vr. Taken around Hungry Horse reservoir.

 

 

I'll have to check out some of the places you mentioned. I don't do FB (paranoid information security person here). I totally agree with the retirement, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I think it might be a train. I was hoping since Antelope Island was designated as a dark sky place that I might get some good views. We'll see how it goes and will definitely be posting something on here soon.

 

Wow, I'm shocked to learn that! but it's true! Hmmm. Maybe I rushed to judgement. Maybe you'll see me out there! Thanks for the info!

Dark Skies | Utah State Parks

I've not spoken with my mom in a few days. I'd not heard they had a fire there. Always sad. We've only been out here a couple of weeks so have not had a lot of opportunities to get out and explore. I'm planning on heading out to Antelope Island State Park this Saturday to try to get some nice shots. It sounds like they have some pretty good night views out there as well, hope to see the Milky Way for the first time in quite a few years.

From Antelope Island you may not get much great night skyviews...light pollution from the valley out there. There are great sunsets there, I love the lake actually. You may have to go further out to the west desert to get away from light pollution. Lots of people go up to Mirror Lake for milky way. I've tried a couple places in Big Cottonwood and there's still lots of light up there, but it was fun to experiment and try to get my feet wet. Up at the top of Guardsman's Pass you'd have some great views but still might have some light pollution, but I haven't done enough nightscape photography though to be any kind of expert. There's a facebook group called Utah Nightscape or something like that. They have some meetups, I just usually can't go because of work. (How long to retirement? Oh, that long...hmm.) But if you're on FB, check them out.

Such a beautiful place. My mom lives about 30 miles outside of Glacier. We were supposed to go visit next month, but a job transfer most of the way across country kind of put the brakes on that trip. The good part of the move is now that we're in Utah, we're only a day away from there. You mention the smoke, it's been very smoky here as well. Between the smoke and getting used to the elevation, getting out and doing very much so far has been a challenge.

Hey I'm in Utah, too. Yes, SLC has been terrible this summer. And it has been hard to breathe some days, regardless of one's adjustment to the altitude. Even escaping to the mountains it's still been smoky.

Evidently Glacier is now on fire, so it's even more smoky there. :(

Just returned from Glacier. It was quite smoky there, most of my photos are pretty hazy so it wasn't the most photographic trip. But here are a couple. D750+24-85VR.

 

Many Glacier Hotel, from the Swiftcurrent Lake trail.

 

Grinnell Point at Sunrise, from the Many Glacier Hotel.

Did dawn patrol on Sunday morning. D750+24-85

Just moose, no squirrel.

D750+24-85VR.

Went out for dawn patrol on Sunday morning. D750+24-70 and Lensbaby circular fisheye.

Day late, always dollars short...

D750+Lensbaby Velvet 85

So many great images this week!

Went on an evening hike this week. D750+24-85.

No fireworks, just a firecracker! D750+70-300

I received my AF-S Nikkor 24-85/3.5-4.5 G VR last night and have been playing with it around the apartment today. I like it.

 

It's a fairly handy size—significantly smaller than the 24-120/4 I used to have, but still much bulkier than the modest-aperture MF primes I'm accustomed to. However, although it's an ounce heavier than my heaviest MF prime (the 135/2.8 AI-s), it's much less dense and thus feels lighter mounted on the camera.

 

The silent-wave motor feels a bit slow. It takes somewhat more than a half a second to go from infinity to MFD—but it feels like a leisurely half-second. I have had the pleasure of trying out a couple of truly quick-focusing lenses (an AF-S 300/2.8 D II and an AF-P 18-55/3.5-5.6 VR); this lens is downright poky by comparison. However, most of the time one is not racking focus from end to end, so in practice I think the AF will be quick enough. It does seem quite accurate.

 

The zoom action on this copy feels uncomfortably dry and fairly stiff. I don't know whether that's normal or not for this model. It's especially stiff and squeaky when zooming between 24mm and 35mm. The zoom action on the 24-120 was definitely more fluid. I'd appreciate hearing from other owners whether their zoom rings feel stiff. If anybody has any tips for treating the squeakiness, please share them.

 

 

All in all, the lens is a keeper. Thanks, everyone!

 

Glad you're enjoying the lens, I think as you use it more you'll like it. I haven't experienced the zoom action as you've described, so perhaps that's something you could have serviced? But I do agree that it does focus a little slowly, but faster than the D version of the lens. It's something I only notice after I rent a 24-70 lens or use primes. Then I put the 24-85 back on and am let down, until 5 minutes later when I've gotten used to it again and forget. :)

Happy shooting!

D750+Lensbaby Sweet 35

Welp, I just won an auction for a 24-85 VR. $225 + shipping. I hope it's a good copy!

I think you'll enjoy it. I keep trying to talk myself into a more expensive mid range system (24-70 zoom or primes), but then I don't because the 24-85 is lightweight and easy to carry, and probably good enough for what/how I shoot. The focal length is really useful, too. Enjoy!

One more option to throw into the ring, guys. The AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4D. Apparently still being made, incredibly enough, or at least stocked—though I won't buy a new one, of course. Anybody have any experience with this? I can get a copy in quite good shape for $175.

 

I had one, and traded it for the G version shortly after I got my D700 several years back. I missed the close focus switch for about 5 minutes, but the quality of the G version is much better than the D, and the focus is faster, too. If I could see the quality differences on my D700, your D800series will really show it.

Get the 24-85Gvr and don't look back. :)

Everyone has had wonderful knowledgeable comments here, and I'll just be adding to the noise a little, but if you don't have a system right now, and you're starting with a clean slate, maybe it's a good time to take a look at some mirrorless options. My husband has both a Nikon D5300 and a Fuji mirrorless (I forget the number, sorry!) and the Fuji is a super fun camera to use. Image quality is great, it's lightweight, I admit to having a bit of envy about it. I'm very attracted to it. :) He's holding on to his D5300 but honestly after he acquires a long enough lens for the Fuji he'll probably not use the D5300 anymore.

 

I enjoy shooting my FX camera, for many of the reasons others have stated already. It just depends on what and how you want to shoot. As everyone has said, full frame is a more expensive proposition to get back into. DX is going to be lighter, if that's a consideration. (I don't envy my husband's D5300 except for it's weight!)

But if I were just getting into it now and had no lenses, I'd really consider mirrorless.

 

Also I'd like to second what someone upthread said about lensrentals.com. I've rented lenses from them to see if I like them, it's nice to have that as an option. Their reviews are really helpful, too, and in fact I ended up purchasing a lens from them that I'd rented. If you're not sure what camera and /or format you might want, definitely try some in hand before you buy. I'm lucky because I can rent just about anything locally, but what I can't get here in town I get thru lensrentals. They are really easy to use, too. It's not a hassle on any level. You could rent a mirrorless camera and lens and immediately know if it's not for you, then all that's left is to decide DX or FX.

 

Good luck on your decision, and happy shooting!

The film holders are claimed, thank you!