johnfarrar

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<p>Sand dune at dawn, Ynyslas</p><div></div>

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<p>Ah those mountains in winter; raking light and muted colours.....</p><div></div>

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<p>First 2017 session - ice and mat grass</p><div></div>

<p>Here's an example from this morning. For some time I've wanted to see if I could get the mountain in the background with the quartz rib in the foreground. It's a few km to walk in, and tussocky sloping ground to get near the quartz. So what camera? It was always going to be a high-contrast scene with ND grads hard to use because of the irregular skyline. So the Fuji - better than the EM5 for this. Also using old manual lenses makes getting dof right easier on this type of terrain. I could have got a FX DSLR and big lenses to this place, but only at some expense of effort; and the Fuji with an old 100mm lens can hang round my neck on rough ground more easily than a D800 with 70-200. So it's a compromise that works for my types of landscapes.</p><div></div>

<p>Sanford, I still use M43 (EM5) but have grown very fond of the Fuji XE1 (currently only with adapted lenses). Basically for me it's the sensor and files, which are far better for my purposes from the Fuji. Lower noise, better shadow detail recovery, etc. However I like the IS of the EM5, love it for macro/close-ups and for 'play' such as shots with camera movement. And the 45 and 75 Oly lenses are excellent. However for a light, quality kit my ageing frame can carry into remote places, the Fuji wins.</p>

<p>East coast sunrise</p><div></div>

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<p>Mountain road</p><div></div>

<p>Mountain sky</p><div></div>

<p>The Zuiko 75mm f1.8 is superb, but perhaps shorter than you want and obviously not a zoom!</p>

<p>Gordon, I agree with Laura - wonderful. A perhaps odd image from me that you may not like; indeed you might pan it. Let's hope for a 2017 of peace, tolerance of people of all kinds, and respect for the natural world. Let's hope.</p><div></div>

<p>Nant Gwynant.</p><div></div>

<p>...and, less I'm sure to the liking of some, Carnedd Dafydd before sunrise, no. 2. And seasonal greetings to all!</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks for getting us started Mukul. Carnedd Dafydd,before sunrise, no. 1.</p><div></div>

<p>Gordon -superb. From me, tussocks of <em>Deschampsia</em> - good to look at, but not the easiest of walking.</p><div></div>

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<p>Thanks Brian. Jane, love that strong abstract; Don, love the cattle pic.</p>

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<p>Sky over Lindisdarne</p><div></div>

<p>Wood</p><div></div>

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<p><em>Fucus vesiculosus</em> on sandstone, Embleton Bay. (please don't, after Laura's opening, take the generic name too literally).</p><div></div>