lahuasteca

<p>Hi all - went to the event, used the D80 exclusively, with the central AF point. At base ISO images were sharp and good colors, but the AF was very slow (lens used 16-85). I purposely took my oldest camera as this was basically a test for future use. For DX, I need a new camera. FWIW, I also had a mirrorless with me (Panasonic LX7), that I didn't use - too slow, not the AF, but the zoom action and accessing the controls.</p><div></div>

<p>Background - I've always used the central area AF when shooting street, or even MF. Shooting a parade tomorrow in South Texas - Charro Days, and wondering what does auto AF area do? Never used it. Cameras are D700 and D80. Any benefit to using auto AF area?<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p>Try again - market scene, Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala</p><div></div>

<p>Street market scene - candid, Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala, October 30, 2015. Panasonic LX7</p>

<p>One more candid highland Maya, market shot, Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala.</p><div></div>

<p>Another candid market scene from Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala. Panasonic LX7. Santa Maria de Jesus is on the flak of the Volcan de Agua. Being very close to Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala, one would expect a high degree of acculturation. Such is not the case - the village is very traditional highland Maya.</p><div></div>

<p>"Muchachas" - Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala, October 30, 2015</p><div></div>

<p>"Paseando" - candid street shot, market day, Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala</p><div></div>

<p>"Hermanitos" - street candid, market day, Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala. I know, framing is clipped, but I was shooting from the waist, street candid. Having said all that, I was using a Panasonic LX7, and no one was paying attention or seemed to care, like they never even noticed the camera, or were bothered by it.</p><div></div>

<p>Volcan de Fuego - Antigua Guatemala, Nov. 1, 2015</p><div></div>

<p>"Smile" - Candid shot from weekly Friday market, Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala.</p><div></div>

<p>To Louis Meluso,<br>

Re. - Buck in Snowy Thicket. Right time in the right place, exceptional image, perfect framing.<br>

Gene Paull</p>

 

<p>"Hija del Sol" - Guatemala term for albinism. Kakchiquel Maya woman. Candid street image, Antigua, Guatemala.<br />October 31, 2015</p><div></div>

<p>Mukul,</p>

<p>Great capture - you got the twinkle in her eyes! Sharp and with subject isolation. I may have to explore the Sony mirrorless. Right now I'm traveling with a Panasonic LX7 and an m 4/3.<br>

Gene</p>

 

<p>"Jovencita" - candid street portrait, market day, Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala.</p><div></div>

<p>"Brasileño" - street jazz musician, Antigua Guatemala, Panasonic LX7</p><div></div>

<p>Antigua Guatemala, Nov. 1, 2015. Kakchiquel Maya mother and daughter. Panasonic LX7</p><div></div>

<p>Santa Maria de Jesus Guatemala, on the flanks of the V. de Agua. Kakchiquel Maya-speaking population - the image is from the weekly Friday market.</p><div></div>

<p>try again to insert image - from Guatemala.</p><div></div>

<p>I feel kind of funny posting here - pestered the Nikon forum for about ten years, about "what gear" to take for a trip to Guatemala. Ended taking a Panasonic LX7 which I used for candid street shots. Here's the first one, from a market in Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala on the flanks of the V. de Agua, about 10 miles and 500 years in time removed from the old colonial capital of Antigua.</p>

<p>"This is a comparison of my EM-5 next to my D90 (before I sold it) to show the difference in size."</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Peter,<br>

Sort of says it all - one of the travel options that I very seriously considered, was an 18-70 on my D80.<br>

Brad and Don,<br>

Yes, for me, the FE (or more modern FM3a) was the perfect travel/street camera, shooting hyperfocal with one or two primes. But the last place which develops negatives in my area closed four months ago. Doing film right now would be an expensive complicated process with shipping back and forth then my doing the scanning. I like the full frame perspective, but with Nikon digital the bulk is too much. <br>

So I'm back to mirrorless m 4/3 with very small pancake primes for travel/street.<br>

<br>

Gene<br>

</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I've been posting on this forum for 10 yrs. about which Nikon equipment to take on my Central America trips. Finally decided that whatever I take - no bags or backpack, just inside jacket pockets. Bought a used Panasonic GX1 with a 20 mm pancake lens, then will add a 42.5 mm lens. Will use for candid street. Back in film days FE and FM with 1.8 primes fit the bill. </p>

<p>Back from a day of running errands! Yes, was thinking of wrist strap. But I have heard of the shoulder sling and will check it out. I notice that Keith uses a 28-105 lens on his D700. I have this lens but was going to leave it behind in favor of the primes. It would cut down on the gear if I took it. I was in Best Buy this morning checking out the 24-120 - it's a much much bigger footprint, albeit with AFS and VR, but very noticeable.<br>

Also checked out a Sony A6000 - very, very small footprint, APS sensor, 24 MP, but I'd have to learn how to use it, then there's the question about lenses.<br>

Yes, Guatemala is a "grab and run" type of place. In Antigua, I'll probably use the LX7 p&s most of the time in the street. But I go to Sumpango, Nov. 1, and that's where the IQ is most important. For that event I'll use the D700 and whatever lenses I take. It's high in elevation, over 2000 meters, so cold, and I'll be wearing some kind of jacket - can hide a strap and/or messenger bag.<br>

I'm still hourly changing my mind as to what to bring, but best to "dance with the one who brung us." For this one I should stick with the D700 - it's too late to learn a new system. Maybe next August, when I plan a hike from Nebaj to Todos Santos in Guatemala (with guides of course) a smaller system will be necessary.<br>

FWIW, I'm a recently retired college prof. - environmental science - and I'm returning to the areas of my original studies. The past ten or so years was overwhelming with academic bureaucracy and little to no fieldwork. Need to make up for lost time.<br>

Thanks for all who have responded.</p>

<p>Still planning my trip to Central America for Dia de Todos los Santos. After changing my mind and asking a thousand "what to take questions" will be carrying a Panasonic LX7 p&s and my D700 and some fast primes. I've done this before, albeit with a much smaller footprint film FE2.<br>

My question is - should I go with a wrist strap for the D700? I'm leaning in that direction - want to avoid the "tourist look" with the D700 hanging off the neck. <br>

This is going to be basically street photography and I have to as non-intrusive as possible. Barring any unforeseen disasters, going at the end of October and will post here some images when I return.<br>

FWIW, I've vacillated from D80 and some zooms, D700 with mega zooms, renting a complete m 4/3, buying a Panasonic LX100,<br />and in the end decided I needed the FX image, but with lower footprint fast primes. Will go with 35, 85, and may rent a 135 for this trip. </p>

 

<p>To Rick Drawbridge,<br>

I am just amazed at the detail, sharpness, and color of your image! Is the Praktica 20 medium format or 35 mm.<br />It's making me rethink everything for an upcoming trip of mine to Guatemala for candid street photography.<br>

Thanks.<br>

Gene</p>

<p> </p>