justthings

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/13070933034" title="Florida Fungi by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3203/13070933034_c3dbe584b6_z.jp g" width="640" height="430" alt="Florida Fungi"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/8426101390" title="vulture3 by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8426101390_cee0547cc0_z.jpg" width="640" height="428" alt="vulture3"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14507332654" title="Morning Surf by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/14507332654_b644a699a7_z.jp g" width="640" height="374" alt="Morning Surf"></a>

Paul, where did you get the 11-22 for EOS-M? I don't think this or the soon to be released 55-200 are being sold in the US which just makes me gnash my teeth.

I am considering buying a set of ND filters so that I have more tools in my tool box so as John puts it, I can use them when they are appropriate for the image I am trying to make. Often, this has little or nothing to do with 'reality' but rather what is in my head at the moment. Some point out this is a pretty common technique, the trick is finding a way to employ it so your images aren't cliche or perhaps viewers aren't bludgeoned with it, subtly counts.

<p>I do believe the post title referenced the term "guidelines" which aren't rules precisely ( ), the OP also stresses throughout the emphasis on nature and natural objects which i can see as having some definitional issues but also stresses the 'common sense' factor. I doubt anyone is going to object to pictures of geese feeding in a grain field, and the point I believe about the chosen goose shot is as much about composition as subject matter. Sometimes I think a shot that juxtaposes 'nature' against 'the hand of man' (as some forums phrase it) are interesting and compelling, but I don't think its terribly difficult to adhere to the guidelines (not rules) as describe here, particularly when there are so many forums to post in. Choose wisely (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H3rdfI28s0&feature=kp)!</p><div></div>

@alan, you just have to be aware of what the apps are doing with those components.. When you download an app, you can read what it does with all the different services it accesses. Like anything else, its a user beware system. Or, you can simply choose not to participate.

This is really an "it depends" sort of question. I'm a mapping guy and have used GPS technology to map everything from archaeological sites to tortoise poop, and just about anything else in between that you can think of. For much of the field work I've been involved in, I would have given my left testicle to have built-in GPS capability with the photographic equipment we used. For my personal projects, I don't really care, because the level to which I need my photos geotagged is far less important, though the the mapping/GPS nerd in me would think its cool and fun tech to play with. And when I consider the operational overhead (battery life, device ergonomics, competition with photographic features, etc) built-in GPS adds for the value it gives I would prefer my camera doesn't have it. I want my camera to be designed first to take pictures. Necessary - hell no; desirable for some applications - yes. Also, I think the paranoia related to someone being able to see where you took a given photo in the past is misplaced - are you really freaked out that someone will know you were at (x,y) location on some particular day three years ago? Why? No one is going to track you by your GPS as that doesnt broadcast, its a receiver only technology. I understand the concern about live tracking you with your phone but that is only possible because your phone is more actively pinging cell towers and broadcasting a unique identifer (MAC address) if you have WiFi or Bluetooth enabled. So turning off GPS isn't that big a deterrent to being surveiled. Tech today is being used by retailers for example to track the MAC address broadcast by your phone or other devices and are using that data to look at shopping behavior. This kind of information is also being used to track your vehicle in a similar manner - how do you think all those traffic flow maps you see or traffic advisory boards on the freeway work, in part by tracking your MAC address broadcast by your WiFi and Bluetooth. What application did the Seattle PD have in mind when it installed a grid of sensors to read WiFi broadcasts in the city? These use cases are far more disconcerting I think and have nothing to do with GPS. Also remember that most of these devices and these features can be turned off.

<p>From an outing with my EOS-M over the weekend.</p> <p>A Thistle past its prime</p> <p><a title="dead thistle by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14509897173"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/14509897173_f3defbd4e2_z.jpg" alt="dead thistle" width="640" height="626" /></a></p> <p>Passionflower</p> <p><a title="Passionflower 2 by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14303183738"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/14303183738_e597e64de2_z.jpg" alt="Passionflower 2" width="639" height="640" /></a></p> <p>A red rose</p> <p><a title="rose by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14466667136"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14466667136_b15d86b5fe_z.jpg" alt="rose" width="640" height="640" /></a></p>

<p>A mishmash of a few things from the archives as I haven't been out shooting a lot recently with the Nikon. All taken with a D80. <br> on the beach in Santa Barbara, California</p> <p><a title="Morning Surf by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14507332654"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/14507332654_b644a699a7_z.jpg" alt="Morning Surf" width="640" height="374" /></a></p> <p>Peppers on display at the Reading market in Philadelphia's Center City district</p> <p><a title="Peppers in the Market by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14505297321"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14505297321_7c8348c0e0_z.jpg" alt="Peppers in the Market" width="640" height="388" /></a></p> <p>This butterfly stopped long enough for me to snap a shot - at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Az</p> <p><a title="Butterfly perched by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14322037730"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/14322037730_29d8ebe37b_z.jpg" alt="Butterfly perched" width="640" height="640" /></a></p>

<p>For those of you who can't wait, there is a signed, first edition on Amazon for a mere $14,000.</p>

<p>@ Laura and Paul - thanks for that ID, I was going to spend some time looking it up!</p>

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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14509896743" title="thistle by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/14509896743_44d7568e49_z.jp g" width="640" height="640" alt="thistle"></a>

<p>Haven't posted here in a while, but found myself out on a walk in Richmond on Saturday and had my EOS-M with me so took some shots of small stuff along the walking path. I sometimes forget what a nice little camera this is, and makes me gnash my teeth at Canon for not supporting it with a better array of lenses. The 22mm suits me just fine for most stuff though. </p> <p>Dead head thistle</p> <p><a title="dead thistle by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14509897173"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/14509897173_f3defbd4e2_z.jpg" alt="dead thistle" width="640" height="626" /></a></p> <p>Ivy and other climbers cover some of the steelwork supporting an overhead railway along the path</p> <p><a title="Ivy on rivets by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14489772635"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3876/14489772635_ef8735c6aa_z.jpg" alt="Ivy on rivets" width="640" height="494" /></a></p> <p>Just a curious purple flower</p> <p><a title="unknown flower by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14303183638"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14303183638_b60bffd922_z.jpg" alt="unknown flower" width="639" height="640" /></a></p>

<p>Found this interesting flower alongside a walking path in Richmond, not sure what it is and it looks to be somewhat at the end of its cycle.</p> <p><a title="unknown flower by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14303183638"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14303183638_b60bffd922_z.jpg" alt="unknown flower" width="639" height="640" /></a></p>

<p>Thanks for the responses everyone, this gives me food for thought, especially the ideas on how to inexpensively dip my toe in the rangefinder waters. The Yashica option looks pretty interesting, one thing that concerns me is the battery issue - I think the battery this requires isn't made any longer. I'll take a look at some of the others that were mentioned too.. the canonet models look like they could be picked up for something similar to the Yashica though a bit more in the $120+/- range.</p>

<p>I've never used a rangefinder and have been toying with the idea of picking up something like a Bessa R to play with. I'm a little confused by the array of lenses available, and am wondering what suggestions for something that is a decently performing lens between 35 and 50mm, but that isn't hugely expensive (say under $300) or perhaps if there are any well known dogs to be avoided. Any other suggestions or advice about learning the ins and outs of a rangefinder would be helpful.</p>

<blockquote> <p><strong>UWA, 17-50 2.8 and 18-140.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p>This seems like a lot of overlap among all 3 of your lenses and feels inefficient - how much of the time do you think you'll be shooting between 17 and 50? The 70-300 seems like a better fit in this mix and saves you some cash for something else. If you're set on having that extra bit of reach perhaps consider something like Tokina f/2.8 50-135 (i own this and like it a lot) or one of the Sigma 50-150s, both are quite decent lenses.<br> Frankly, I like Dieter's suggestion of the 11-16, 18-35 (i am considering going this direction for my DX kit) and then add a 50-150 or keep the 70-300, and then I'd pick the 85mm for your prime as that could possibly do double duty along with the short tele-zoom for macro/closeup purposes. This is not necessarily a lightweight kit though.<br> However, think if i was truly trying to 'go light' I'd be looking at a Fuji X-something kit and ditch the dslr.</p>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/12801877593" title="Connecticut by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/12801877593_6400114f7f_z.jpg" width="640" height="428" alt="Connecticut"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14081517229" title="bicycle sequence 2 by chris thompson, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/14081517229_ce3ba0cc3c_z.jp g" width="640" height="480" alt="bicycle sequence 2"></a>

<p>This weekend was the annual Dominion River Rock festival in Richmond, VA. This is an outdoor sporting oriented event with bicycling, kayaking, climbing, running activities as well as great music and food. We had just had a pretty big rain event in Virginia on Thursday and the James River was running up near flood stage and provided a fantastic stage for the kayakers participating in various competitions and demonstrations. All were shot with a Nikon D80 and a Tokina 50-135 f/2.8.<br> This first shot is actually the second of a 4 piece sequence starting with the guy entering this white water pillow backwards (i am facing downstream to take this picture), flipping over then righting himself, on purpose.<br> <a title="kayaker_2_web by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14230605741"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5075/14230605741_7d74a1fd29_b.jpg" alt="kayaker_2_web" width="700" height="530" /></a><br> Another kayaker paddling hard through the white water<br> <a title="kayaker_a1_web by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14047320827"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2931/14047320827_7daee3cb8f_z.jpg" alt="kayaker_a1_web" width="640" height="428" /></a><br> Two kayakers race downstream<br> <a title="kayaker_a2_web by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/14233897585"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/14233897585_8182a6da53_z.jpg" alt="kayaker_a2_web" width="640" height="444" /></a></p>

<p>I like simplicity in photos very much and minimalism (though i have to admit i don't fully understand the term sometimes) is a favorite theme when i'm looking at others work. Here's one of mine that I think could be 'minimalist' and also quite like.<br> <a title="level_5 by chris thompson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/8328486772"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8328486772_3921d9e2d0_z.jpg" alt="level_5" width="429" height="640" /></a></p>

<p>I'm not fussed about how the flickr look and feel has changed because things evolve and typically I can adjust and get used to those kind of changes. My main objection is the new policy requiring a Yahoo email account. I've really tried to reduce and limit the number of email accounts that I have to manage. The issue is really one of convenience more than it is anything else. I'm curious however what is driving this - what does Yahoo gain by making me get an email account that, ostensibly, i will never use except for the ability to log into Flickr - i won't send mail from it or give that address to anyone to send me email at, so its just a useless drag on my time and ultimately on Yahoo's resources to keep an unused email account active somehow.<br> Regardless, no one has really chimed in on what they see as an alternative to using flickr - I see Lex uses FB (which I abhor but have an obligatory account there that only family can see, but don't really feel this is a viable alternative to flickr for my uses). I guess i'm sensing that people here (at least the respondents to this thread) really aren't using photography oriented social media sites, or am I incorrect in that interpretation? I've explored 500px to some extent, Google+, and Picasa but none seem to offer what I feel flickr really does better than any of them. Ultimately, I may have to suck it up and create a yahoo email, but dammit, i really don't want to!</p>

<p>I'm sorry, I wasn't being clear - Yahoo is going to be removing the ability to sign in to flickr with a gmail or facebook account. However, now I am thoroughly confused. I tried logging in on my tablet and when i gave it my gmail account i was redirected to a dialogue indicating that a yahoo email would be required henceforth. But now I just tried on my desktop using my gmail account and logged in successfully. This article seems to confirm though, that signing in with either google or facebook is going the way of the dodo:<br> http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/05/us-yahoo-login-idUSBREA2407820140305<br> The article says that the change will be 'rolled out gradually'. Apparently with some inconsistency too.</p>