mlfly

Sounds like a nightmare, not a dream! <g>

My only objection to digital (which I use a lot) is the constant need (real or imagined) to toss away the old and upgrade to the new.

Improvements don't seem to come in large steps but in small steps. So rather than bite the bullet once and be done with it, you bite a lot of bullets frequently.

Oh well - nothing I can do to change it other than buy off on the occasional improvement rather than every one.

Mike

I do like my current 67II screen better but the Beattie installed on my first 6x7 did the job nicely - big difference over the standard one. I also use glasses but don't notice that I'm moving around to take in the corners. I think this might become a little more "invisible" as you spend time with the camera.

Mike

I have and use the 300 f4 IS often. It's a great lens and if you intend to have something longer in the future, it's a must have. I would not consider a zoom in its range. If, OTOH, you have a film camera and you're not looking for a 500 or 600 down the road, then a 400 is probably what you need if your camera can autofocus with the 400 f5.6 and a 1.4x. If it can't or if it is digital and has a magnification factor of 1.3 or 1.6, then the 300 would be my recommendation.

Mike

I have the 1548 now and had a 340 for years and years and am a big fan of the 340. The 1548 actually folds up small enough and fits in my suitcase. It also will handle a 600 with the 1.4x where the 340 comes up short with the extender (works fine with the 600 only). Regarding the lowest leg section, it helps get you some extra height if needed - I keep it extended about 8" or so. If you don't have a 600 and use it with the extender, you can get by with less tripod, IMO. Having said that, I wouldn't sell mine.

Mike

I've never had a single problem with my Microdrive and hike with it regularly. However, I did not want to get stuck with a card dying and having no storage so I chose 2 512's as backup. I have rarely used them because I "empty" the MD into an Image Tank. The Image Tank is a bargain if you have a hardrive from a laptop lying around (I upgraded my notebook from 10g to 30g and used the 10g in the Image Tank).

Mike

Someone mentioned the 3047 and that's a great head for the money. I chose a 3029 for lightness but the AS B1 is the mainstay and I'd say I use it 90% of the time. Any of the 3 will handle "studied" work with 35mm or medium format (except the 3029 would be for leaf shuttered, mirror locked up systems). The B1 handles anything.

Mike

Maybe I'm missing something but if you compensated your meter reading for MF on the first set of photographs by 1 or 1.5 stops, you would be in line with your Minolta. You don't mention how you meter for medium format and I think we need to know that. It is not uncommon for two cameras or two meters to disagree but still be correct, depending on angle of view and much, much more.

The sharpness question on the second set is a different issue. If the city scent were reduced in exposure and increased in contrast, it might look great. Keep in mind that sharpness is not simply a matter of raw definition.

Anyway, I would be looking at exposing my Minolta at the indicated reading and then adjusting my meter when exposing in the medium format camera. Not unusual at all.

Mike

I'm not saying a 3 section 15xx isn't a good idea, but the 1548 handles the 500 and 600 superbly AND it fits in my suitcase. It's impossible to predict the size of a 3 section unit but to reach a certain height, the base legs have to be a certain length. At some point (410, for example), it gets hard to take on a trip and you end up needing a travel tripod, which takes you back to square one. Just IMHO.

Regarding all those collars, I just leave the bottom-most ones at the length which gives me the most comfort and never touch them again until I'm packing up. Sometimes I can do that with the next section of legs also. Then, there's only the top section to adjust.

Mike

For a "day hike", I think Key West would be a bit far. There are some great opportunities for Pelicans everywhere but the rest is isolated and up to luck. So far as a romantic trip with great sunsets + excellent food and drink, you and your wife would like it very much. The Continental Inn is pretty reasonable (http://www.seefloridaonline.com/continentalinnmarathon/). I'd turn around there unless you can live with just having a good time in Key West (But what's Key West without the Pier House - www.pierhouse.com - and it's never been reasonable <g>). Concentrate on your photography in South FL and go have fun in the Keys, if you have time for both.

Mike

It's a shame you can't do a couple of test rolls before your trip. My first attempts with Velvia 100 were _slightly_ overexposed at 100. 125 is more accurate for my system. To put this into a working perspective, Velvia 50 exposes properly at 40 for me. In your circumstance, I would try 100 asa but bracket another shot at ASA 125.

Mike

No question that a 410 would handle what you have now but I wouldn't buy for what I MIGHT have in the future (the 8x10 in your post). The 410 is a big heavy tripod and is overkill for the 4x5 IMHO, except in a moderate wind. Personally, I'd go with the 340 and it will be fine (I've travelled with a small Bogen many times with large format). IF the 8x10 ever shows up on your door then you can think 410 or maybe a CF could be considered by then. A good tripod's resale value is such that you can trade up without taking a huge hit.

Mike

If the shutter speed is 1 second or faster (ie you're not using "T"), the the longer cable goes into the shutter button and the shorter one into the mirror lock up oriface. In sequence it raises the mirror and snaps the shutter. If you are using "T", the longer cable goes into the mirror lock up oriface and the shorter one into the "B" oriface. You raise the mirror by pressing the shutter button. The cable first opens the shutter and then closes it after the time you choose.

If times are know to be consistently 1 second or faster, I find a single cable release easier. Screw it into the mirror lock up oriface, lock up the mirror by pressing the shutter button and then expose with the cable release (don't forget to pause after the mirror locks up for vibrations to cease). This is simple and keeps wear and tear down on a pretty expensive double cable release.

Not so hard but it pays to carry an instruction card for a few times.

Mike

LOL. Yes, I suppose handling the 600 is good practice for the 500. I could have asked that better. I only had time to put it on the tripod briefly yesterday and the balance point is different with a padded rest on the tripod leg of the lens. Also, the hand falls in a different place and I wondered if it was a better practice to put the hand on the padded area. But, never mind. In the field today it worked just like the 600 (duh) except lighter. Nice lens. Don't know about IS though - I used it with a bean bag on the window of the truck and results were excellent, certainly user friendly. I felt more comfortable on the tripod, however, and if I could have saved $500 by buying a new one without IS, it would have been tempting.

Mike

Hi everyone. I've sold my 600 f4 and replaced it with the 500 f4 IS.

It's amazing how much difference 5 lbs makes and that's the reason

I've traded. With the B1 head and a Kirk plate, there isn't much

room to move the lens to it's balance point. So, placement of the

top hand to steady the lens feels important in these early stages.

Of those using this lens, are you placing your left hand on top of

the lens or on the padded base in order to steady it? I'm off this

weekend so I'll be playing and finding out for myself but other's

input would be appreciated.

Mike

Cham, Something is wrong with your B-1's as there's no slop at all even with my 600 f4. Have you adjusted with the set screw? If not, having AS look at it might not be a bad thing - the B1 is a great head. I had mine repaired and overhauled by AS (it's about 10 years old)and it came back looking like new and back to working like new.

Mike

I have the Wimberly flash bracket and like it. It can be positioned almost infinitely and its base fits well on the Arca Swiss bracket that always rides under my camera. You might consider a Sto-Fen diffuser which I use for everything from insects to airplane interiors.

Mike

I'd stop by Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach for scenics - good sea stacks. I was told Ozette was better but couldn't make it there. It was also pointed out that Eagles frequented La Push, swooping down in the water outside the windown of the only restaurant there. We were there very briefly and saw none but enough people told me to go that we probably just had bad luck. If you head out from Seattle right away, you might try Port Townsend. We stayed at the St. James B&B for a night and it was one of the highlights of the trip for my wife - old victorian home with a really cool room and excellent breakfast. I found plenty to photograph there in the way of buidings and homes while she relaxed. In my opinion Hoh and Quinault are too far from Port Angeles to stay there. Forks would be better (we saw a couple of nice looking motels driving by but don't remember the names). The Lake Quinault area had plenty of small waterfalls and some easy trails with rain forest. Further south, the Lake Quinault lodge was very comfortable (and pricey). The Lake Quinault Resort was 1 mile further down the road, looked clean and was less expensive.

We were on the penisular for 9 days (3 of the days were for driving and air travel mostly) and could have used a couple more. Nice area.

Mike

Chuck,

I just got back and it was a beautiful trip. I used a film and digital camera with the following lenses: 17-40 f4, 28-135 IS, 100 Macro. Took a 1227 tripod, B-1 head, Wimberly flash bracket, 550EX, Off shoe cord, Polarizer and ND filter. Wish I'd had the 300 f4 IS for some deer shots but otherwise, I didn't wish for anything (keep in mind the 1.6x of the D60 and 1x of the film camera really gave me more lenses at the ends of the spectrum - ie, a 17mm on film and a 200mm on the digital). Field & Stream belt pouches were used for water and a micro trekker held everything travelling and with a camera/lens on the tripod over my shoulder, held extras on the day trips (like an image bank).

Flowers were pretty good, Hoh was dry, waterfalls weren't as powerful in the dry season, Seastacks and beaches were great. Despite the dry conditions, I loved it and there's plenty to see and shoot.

Mike

A T-hinge (as others have suggested) with a double mat overlay lies very flat up to 20x24 with a quality paper (might go bigger but I've not printed larger). FWIW, my wife does the same with giglee prints and they are less wavy than the original watercolors.

I would drymount silver prints but not inkjet prints.

So far as value is concerned, great prints sell. <g>

Mike

I had pretty good luck in all formats with an F64 backpack. It's not small but I don't think you're looking for a small one with that equipment. It was also comfortable for my 5'10" medium frame.

Mike

A lot has to do with the end goal of a person's photography. If it's just for fun, it is a whole lot less important whether you embrace digital (or even AF). My wife's Elan 7 blows my D60 away in terms of quick focusing making it far more desirable for inflight shots. However, I'm patient. I know a new one is coming and when it leaves only compromises I can live with, I'll have one and film will finally be gone for good for me (except those 1000's of slides I still like to look at). I'm honestly more upset about the mfg's programmed obsolescence of cameras in 9-12 months. All I can do is stay off that train until the right time.

I do believe the instant feedback has the potential to help me make better images and I am enjoying the darkroom again (without fixer!)

Mike

Gloria is glorius :) Great stuff!

After 30 years of photography, don't things just fall into place for most of you? And that's not to stay it's the same ole, same ole - but after a while the composition, exposure and other important elements seem to just happen. It leaves a lot more room for adding elements of style. The same is true of driving or flying or other pursuits - at first you are so busy there is no time for anything. But, later, you have time to think because the intuitive becomes more, well, intuitive. :)

This is way off topic and I suppose I will be squashed. But good for you, Gloria!

Mike

I have to tell you that my B1 is on the way back from repair by Arca Swiss. I am very impressed by the communications, friendliness and pricing. I asked for the rush repair in order to get it back for a trip to Olympia and it will make it back with plenty of time.

Mike

Very nice website and thoughts.

Mike

The Gitzo 340 worked very well with my 600 f4 until I put the 1.4x on it. Then, my tack sharp ratio went to almost never. The 1548 is just superb even with the 1.4x. I've had a 410 in the past and it is capable of handling the job but it is heavy and you're already carrying plenty of weight. BTW, the above comments are with a film camera. With the D60 at 1.6 mag and the 600/1.4x combo sharpness is still outstanding with the 1548 - that's about 1300 mm of lens.

All of the above is with a B1 head.

Mike