Saturday, March 19, 2011

If it's Saturday, then it's . . .

Time for your weekly bath. Those were wise words of my Grandmother when I was a youngster. I remember those days on Saturday nights when you would fill your bathtub and then wait for the electric hot water heater to "catch up". Often we would have to boil water in a pot on the stove and pour it into the tub to help get the water warmer. And when you were finished it was time to clean all those dirt rings.

So Saturday had arrived and I had thoughts of actually taking a few photos.
I was shamed into it by a couple of my blogger buddies

comments mar 2011

My day started with pounding rain on my window but I was determined to ride to breakfast on my V-strom. I packed a small assortment of alternative lenses, loaded my bags into my sidecase and headed out. The forecast was for clearing periods around noon so I went home to print an enlargement and after an hour or so it was time to ride somewhere so I could get a few snapshots and a snack to tide me over until dinner. I am trying to decide where to go and I finally ended up on Granville Island

IMG_3928
(Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm F 2.8 mounted on Canon T2i)

where parking was a premium. There are not many vacant spaces but I find my usual spot by the bike rack. In past years you were allowed to park for 2-3 hours. This year I notice that all the free spots have a 30 minute limit. And believe me when I say this area is heavily patrolled. There are parking enforcement people all over the place just waiting to give you a ticket. There are many paid areas and I think they are trying to make the closer spots turn over faster to bring in more people. I don't think there is a time limit in the bike rack area.

IMG_3929
(Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm F 2.8 mounted on Canon T2i)

I just had to take another shot of my V-strom looking West towards the Burrard Steet Bridge. It may not be a Yamaha Super Tenere but it gets me where I need to be. Eat your heart out Mr GeorgeF .



All photos were taken with a Canon T2i EOS Rebel body so I will only make reference to the alternative lens used with the appropriate adapter. (Pentax = M42 -> EOS , Contax Zeiss = C/Y -> EOS , Nikon = Ai -> EOS ) . All outdoor photos were either at ISO 200 or 400 F 5.6-8 , all indoor photos are ISO 400 wide open). No processing. JPGs straight out of the camera, NO levels, NO curves, NO editing, NO tricks .

IMG_3885
(Pentax SMC Takumar 35mm 3.5 M42)

IMG_3893
(Mr Seagull: Pentax SMC Takumar 35mm 3.5 M42)

Somehow the Seagull got in the way on this one

IMG_3899
(Pentax SMC Takumar 35mm 3.5 M42)

Over the years I had accumulated a few Ai manual focus Nikon Nikkor lenses, and I found this one which I didn't realize I had

IMG_3901
(Burrard Bridge: Nikon Nikkor 28mm F 2.0 Ai)

Most lenses used in daylight at 5.6 or F8 are sharp. The true test is at lower light levels wide open

IMG_3908
(Granville Island Market: Nikon Nikkor 28mm F 2.0 ISO 400 Ai)

Did I mention I also needed some substenance. I had this Butter Chicken Ricebowl. At a cost of $8.00 + 12% HST, it wasn't worth it. The Nikkor 28mm is not a macro but it focuses to 10"

IMG_3910
(Nikon Nikkor 28mm F 2.0 Ai)

IMG_3913
(Nikon Nikkor 28mm F 2.0 Ai)

I changed to the Carl Zeiss lens and shot this same subject. The Zeiss is slightly wider

IMG_3915
(Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm 2.8 C/Y mount)

The side door was open so I shot inside the pie place

IMG_3918
(Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm 2.8 C/Y mount)

IMG_3919
Self Portrait:(Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm F8.0)

Which brings me to my title subject. I went home and washed my Baby. I was shamed into it by Doug

It's only about 80% by Doug's standards, but it's a start and now I can see out of the windshield.

IMG_3940
(Canon T2i, Zeiss Distagon 25mm 5.6 ISO 200, 580EX fill flash, remote control)

14 comments:

  1. I love those shots of the Ferry and Marina area with the city in the background. Amazing detail!

    Okay... I love to take pics myself and I've been using a Fugi FinePix S5100. It has some amazing features built in and does a lot of things (some I haven't even played with yet)but I'm getting hungry to learn more about the "how to" of taking great shots.

    I hate to admit this, but when you start talking about different lenses and shutter speeds, I go blank. I've got to find a good source that will teach me the basics of picture taking... Photography 101! Back to school I go!

    If you've got any suggestions that might help with my learning, please advise. In the meantime, I'll just scratch my head and wonder what all that... "(Pentax = M42 -> EOS , Contax Zeiss = C/Y -> EOS , Nikon = Ai -> EOS ) . All outdoor photos were either at ISO 200 or 400 F 5.6-8 , all indoor photos are ISO 400 wide open)." really means! lol!

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  2. I am like, so bummed out! I thought just having the lenses and being to throw the jargon around was enough. Are you saying I need to learn to actually use the things? Sigh.....

    Enjoyed the photos and the trip.

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  3. Thanks for sharing. Your results are excellent. I can see many fun photo expeditions in your future.

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  4. I'd like to ride up there and tag along with you. I could be your lens mule.

    That first shot at the marina with the bridge looks familiar. Is that were the cruise ships are? I like the one at the market - nice colors!

    Thanks for sharing your Saturday!

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  5. Nice selection of shots and thank you for including some technical details with the photos. Always looking to learn. I'm somewhat amazed at the comparison shots at the coffee stand with the Nikkor and the Zeiss lenses both shot wide open. There is definitely a difference.

    Richard

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  6. It looks positively like spring up there. People sitting outside & out in their boats. Great series of photos - I love the interior shots. Good self-portrait too! :)

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  7. You need to share a post on how you carry all this stuff around. I know about the tripod, but what other handy-dandy ideas do you have going? :)

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  8. Dear Sir:

    The brigse shots and wharf snaps suit me to a "Tee." However, shots opf pies roosting on a shelf are not the kind of inspiration I need. I admire you and IronDad (okay, that's probably a nice touch of bullshit.) for wandering out in the rain. I don't mind getting caught out in the rain. But it is unlikely I would deliberately embark on a ride in the rain.

    Not because the chances of slipping and sliding at inopportune momemts increases significantly, but rather, the chances of getting run over by other dopes in cages seems to increase as well.

    Your ening shots of washing yoir bike now touch upon a sore spot. The fashion model who used to detail my bike in her bathing suit has moved on to a high paying job. Now I have to recruit another hotties to wash and wax this rig each month.

    Nice pictures... Engaging text.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads

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  9. Hey Uncle Bob,

    Its was the same routine at home when I was a kid....Bath once a week on Sunday whether we needed it or not lol..

    Cheers,

    Dave....

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  10. AAhhh...very nice indeed. :)

    I love the seagull shot roosting on the railing. Would be interested to see a little more contrast and burn in of the subject. Bring out the detail.

    Also love the produce shot. I'm a sucker for nicely stacked vegetables and fruit. Great color and like the "miniature" feel of the subject matter.

    The Butter Chicken Ricebowl looked delicious. Sorry that it wasn't.

    Ya know...I didn't even notice the pies! I was too busy comparing color, coverage and clarity. And I was distracted by the neon pies. :)

    Great shot of you and your motorbike. Disappointed the pink crocs are missing. :( Hopefully the camera tripod was wearing them to keep clean.

    Thank You! :)

    -Steel Cupcake

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  11. Oh dear, I thought washing the bike was what riding in the rain was for. Oh well, ill informed again.

    I, too, like the seagull.

    ~Keith

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  12. Lady R: I wrote about those lens adapters on prev blog entries. It allows me to mount other manufacturer's lenses on my Canon EOS body. I am very happy to be able to use some of my older lenses. I think it slows you down and makes you more deliberate in your shooting, rather than just auto mode with Autofocus lenses. If you have any questions, just ask.

    Irondad: There are those who use their equipment, and others whom acquire equipment as a sign of status, you know, having the best body, best lenses etc, like a poser on a Ducati dressed in full leather riding suit at the local Starbucks.

    Kathy-ToadMama: . . . but, but you are the guru when it comes to rotating header photos.

    Mike: In a word, NO. The cruise ships are north of the DT area, We are south in False Creek. Vancouver has two skylines, one for the tourists as viewed from Stanley Park, or the North Shore. The other is from Fairview slopes viewing north. I have a photo essay "on deck" with a skyline shot

    RichardM: I didn't keep accurate detail notes of actual settings for each photo as there is no EXIF data for manual lenses. I would have needed a pad and pen to record each shot

    Bluekat: During the summer it is very busy down there, being a tourist area. it will be very hard to get parking when it gets warmer

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  13. Jack r: Like you, I normally avoid the rain too, but sometimes it is unavoidable. It was raining quite hard in the AM, but sunny periods were forecast for afternoon. It was just easier to drag the bike out, and it needed to be washed.

    when the roads are wet I just presume 80% traction and slow down for intersections, and watch out for tailgaters

    Uncle Dave: you mean you can take time off "garden duty" ? Yes, those were the good old days, too bad we couldn't turn our clocks back

    PS: thanks for addressing me "SIR", it makes me feel impotant

    Lori,BeemerGirl: I will have more to say soon about your PP requests.

    and the Pink Crocs will be around very soon. They are not meant to be worn with socks and I am waiting for 10°C, that's when I change to sandals & shorts.

    Keith: I tried to wash my car once during a downpour. I got my soap pail out and started wiping down the car and I thought that the rain would rinse it off. It was a good idea, but didn't work. Congrats on your long ride

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  14. No socks with the crocs? I wear my wool socks with my crocs. I thought it was the PNW thing to do!

    Here's to crocs without socks weather!! :)

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