ken_dunn1

This question is almost standard every spring now, but since this is

my first year to go I was wondering how it is looking. Be there

(Austin) next weekend. All you locals please keep me up to date.

Thanks

Ken

I have the Mamiya 35mm lens and my friend has the 45, so I have used it as well. I love the 35. It seems to do its best stopped way down. At anything less than f/11 it will get soft around the edges. The 45 is OK, but I would much rather have the 35. I also have the 55 and it is the best lens IMO in the 645 system as far as sharpness, but not as useful for me as the 35.

Ken

Jonathan- It is always the right light for something. The picture that I have sold the most was taken at mid-day. Don't be limited to what people tell you to shoot. Shoot everything until you learn what is going to happen on film. Having said this- your odds are better early morning and late in the day. A trick I use sometimes for harse light is adding a warm soft Tiffen filter.

Good luck

Ken

Maybe you should try some print films manufactured for wedding photography like VPS 160. This stuff was designed to hold detail in both a black tux and a white gown. Worth a try. Kenny

Going to do some shooting in the SW in early spring and was wondering

about Havasu Falls and Gorge. Is mid March too early? Also going to

do the Wave at Paria (yep, I have reservations, anyone else there

March 19th?) and would like any recomindations about that. Thanks,

Kenny

Thanks Dave, Kenny. If you are ever coming down South (KY, TN, NC) I will return the favor.

Hey Dave- Thanks for the report. Arriving in WMNF on the 5th so it sounds like I will hit it pretty close. Anyone care to suggest any of their favorite spots as I have never been. Waterfalls are of particular interest to me. If the 7th is supposed to be clear thinking about heading up top to Mt Liberty to watch the sunrise (looks to be a lung buster). Also going to Acadia and Portland for a day each, but pretty much know where I am going to be (Portland Head and Otter Cliffs at sunrise). THanks Kenny Dunn

Jim- Stay low. You might find some early flowers at Cades Cove level but it will be barren above 2000'. Go up near the Tremount School for some nice water shoots. Good luck, Kenny

Chris- Try this moonrise program, it is pretty cool. get it at www.iserv.net/~bsidell/moonrise.htm

Ken Dunn

I have been shooting landscapes with a mamiya 645 for about 2 years now and have recently tried to do some wildlife shooting, nothing serious, I purchased a 300mm 5.6 and thought I would give it a go. It seems that there is no way to keep the camera steady enough to do this. I use a good tripod (bogen 3021) but if the mirror is not locked up even a 1/125 the image is less than sharp. I am sure it is the mirrow because on the rare occasions that I have time to lock up the mirror the results are quite good. I was just wondering who else shoots with this type of equipment and what kind of results are they getting.

I was just wondering if the final results were in from everyone comparing the E200 to Fuji 100/1000. I would like to hear what everyone has to say especially its pushability-Ken

Scott-Rent that camera and try backpacking with it before you buy it. I have a friend who had one and tried it with little satisfaction. If you plan on carrying more than one lens it will be very heavy. My friend gave his up for a 645 (which is what I use) and it works much better. The Bogen 3021 is our tripod of choice and it seems to do very well. It seems to be just the right combo of weight and support. If you still get the camera the tripod should still hold it no problem.- Ken

Dennis- Just got back from Maroon Bells. Was there on the 19th and there was very little color. Went East toward Leadville and found much more. If you are still early you may want to try that. Good luck-Ken Dunn

Eugene-I made a mistake in my answer, Whitewater Falls is in western NC. Sorry-Kenny You may also want to spend some time around Boone (Grandfather Mtn) and Ashville (Biltmore House)

Eugene-You are in luck. You should be arriving when the leaves are at their peak color. You are a very short distance from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Try to get there about the third week of Oct. and do it throgh the week and be gone by the weekend. Drive through Cades Cove and also to Big Creek and Greenbriar. Some other places to see would be Whitewater falls in Eastern NC and almost anywhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you hit the Blue Ridge be sure to stop at Lineville Falls. If you need to know any more please e-mail me direct. I plan to be at all of these places myself at that time-Ken Dunn

Piaw-I can never manage to get any time to photograph when my family is with me. I have a seven year old and a three year old so lets face it, they are not going to wait 20 minutes just standing around while you dig out the right lens, filter, body, light meter etc. much less hike 2 miles for the privilege. I have a saying, "leave the kids or the (big) camera at home". To be honest I think my wife is worse than the kids. I have a friend that I go on photo treks with alot and I think I shoot better with him than alone, or maybe I just enjoy it more. I am a very competitive person and when we are together we are always trying to out do each other. Happy shooting catch you latter.-Ken

Thanks to all the replys. I think I will stick with my 3029 head for now. I just dont think 3265 could handle the pressure. But you have to admit if it worked it would be a great trick!

I was thinking of buying a Bogen 3265 grip action ball head for my 3021 and was wondering what owners thought of it. It feels great to play with in the store but seems like it might loosen up over time. I will be mounting a Mamiya 645 on it with a pretty big hammer (300mm 5.6) sometimes. How will this work out? I mostly shoot landscapes, but sometimes wildlife.

Dan-Avoid the Smokies like the plague on any fall weekend. Try driving the Cherahola highway instead of the Blue Ridge. Not nearly as busy and just as nice. You might also try the Roan Mtn area. Try picking up a copy of Blue Ridge Country Magazine for some other tips. These guys know the Blue Ridge area better than anyone. I will be there myself this fall. Feel free to get back with me if you have any questions or if you want a local to shoot with.-Kenny

Cesare-I told you to try a 4Tin answer to your question. What I should have said was a 5T. It fits a 62mm filter thread. A 4T fits a 52mm. - Ken Dunn

Cesare- Why don't you try a high quality close up diopter before you buy a new lens. I use a Nikon 6T with a 110mm and 300mm Mamiya 645 system with excellent results. The pictures I get are as sharp as any I get without a diopter. Stay away from the close-up filters that usually come in sets of 3 marked +1,+2,+4. They are not much. For what you are wanting to do try the Nikon 4T. Cannon makes some very good ones also. You may have to get an adapter ring to fit your lens, but this should be only $10 or so. B&H Photo (800-947-9960) sells the 4T for $40. Let me know how it works out. Ken Dunn

Brain-

The green light transmitted thru the leaves could be your problem, but there may be another problem that can cause your photos to have a green tint when you shoot in the forest. Usually under the forest canopy you have very low light and long exposures. When you expose slide film for a long exposure you sometimes get a color shift. I shoot Velvia and try to keep my exposures at 4 sec. or less. Anything over that you need to add a magenta filter. Fuji will provide you with a list of speed to CC settings but I have found just to keep it under 8 sec. and you are OK. They will break it down more but this seems to work. Happy shooting!

Mike-

Going there myself the same time and was going to ask basically the same questions. Let me know if you get any hot tips or just to compare notes.