Zenmuse X7 and 16/2.8
The Zenmuse X7 arrived yesterday for the Inspire 2. Once the winds drop to a reasonable level I will get it out for its maiden flight. The 16 will be a go to lens with the 35 that I have on order providing a bit more reach.
Filtering by Category: Camera Gear
DJI Crystal Sky
After months of waiting my DJI Crystal Sky, 7.5" Ultra Bright arrived. In typical DJI fashion, nothing is ever easy, but after a week of effort, including having to purchase a separate power supply for a device that comes with rechargeable batteries, but no charger, I finally have things up and running. As I mentioned, nothing is easy with DJI.
The display is definitely on the larger side, but having a dedicated device for all of my drones is worth the effort. I purchased the Mavmount separately and must say, its construction is top notch. One item that is difficult with this setup is putting on and removing the monitor from the mount. To make things easier I will be adding a RRS quick release setup that will solve this problem.
Once I get to warmer weather I will provide some further feedback on the device. My internal testing so far has been very positive.
Zeiss Loxia 21 Testing
Super low tides reveal the decaying structure of a Down East Maine smoke house A7rii/21 Loxia
I continue to thoroughly enjoy shooting with the little Loxia 21. It is as close to a 'Leica' glass feel as I have experienced with the Sony A7rii. I have a running set of images on my stories site with sample images so please jump over there for more imagery from the A7rii/Loxia 21 combination.
In a few words or less, this is a simply stunning lens. The build quality is spectacular. The aperture ring and focus ring are buttery smooth, which makes manual operation a dream. Paired with the A7Rii peaking and zoom capability, focus is easy, quick and very precise.
If I had one nit about the lens, it would be what others have already stated. The mount is just a bit small for removing the lens. If it were a tad bigger, with more separation from the aperture ring, removal of the lens would be just like any other lens. However, due to its small size, removal is a tad difficult. All in all, I would say that is purely a minor complaint and one that is easily overcome with practice.
I will continue to update my story site over the next several days with images and then I move on to testing out the Zeiss 25 Batis; the Sony-Zeiss 35/1.4 and the Sony 35/2.8.
The quest for a complete strap system
I think most photographers have serious gear issues -- not only with regards to Cameras and Lenses but also with accessories. Specifically bags and straps. While I won't even begin to go into my bag issues, I am now looking to sort out my strap system.
For too long I have wanted a quick and easy way to switch out straps across my cameras. There are times when I love having a wrist strap, but then want to switch out to a sling. Some times I have a super light setup going and don't need a big strap, but then at other times, I have a heavier setup and want to switch to an appropriate strap.
So, in my quest to solve my issues, I am making an investment into the Peak Designs systems. I love the idea of the quick connectors along with their diverse set of straps/slings and wrist straps. I will have a running dialogue on what I find and how this works, but for now I have made the investment to put quick connects on my bodies and L plates and have acquired the Slide; the Slide Lite; and the Clutch. So far my impressions are very, very positive.
Below is a comparison of the Slide and the Slide Lite, with the latter attached to the Leica Q. I think for that small mirrorless body both the Lite and the Clutch will be absolutely perfect.
Next is an image of the A7Rii with the Zeiss 55/1.8 attached using the Slide strap. With this lens combination I think it is right on the edge of being too much. However, with the 90 Macro or even the 55 plus the battery grip, the heavier strap just feels more comfortable than the Lite version. I will update this post with more information as I get to spend time with each of the combinations. For now, I am definitely very pleased.
The Sony A7rii - A new piece of adventure kit
There are plenty of reviews out there regarding the A7rii and all of its pros and cons. So for me, I will simply use some images to showcase what this little camera can do. After a week or so of usage, I am definitely impressed. It still has the normal 'Sony' issues, but I must say, all in all it seems to be a solid package.
This series was shot using the 55/f1.8 Zeiss lens at sunset. Exposures range from .8 seconds to 6 seconds.
Quick Q Update
After two weeks with the Q I can say without a doubt it is the real deal; all the reviews were correct; it is the best single lens compact camera I have ever shot. Amazing build quality, stunning IQ and lightning fast AF all in a small compact body. For the most part, I have put down my M240 and have only been shooting with either the Q or the Monochrom. With the release and now readily available set of reviews on the SL, I am beginning to re-think my overall kit strategy. More on that at another time.
I had previously mentioned that one of the only negative things I had to say about the Q was the way it was held in the hand. Leica's little thumb indent helps, but the body still has just a bit too much heft to make that a stable platform for holding the camera. There are a couple of options for remedying this including buying Leica's own grip; buying one of the JB Camera Design grips; and adding the new Thumbs Up adapter.
I currently have these Thumbs Up adapters on my M240 and my Monochrom, so going that route was a natural first step. The adapter arrived yesterday in the standard beautiful packaging. The adapter itself is meticulously machined and fits the Q like a glove, giving the hand a rock solid hold on the camera. While I will still add a JB grip, this is a great first step and enhancing the feel and ergonomics of the mighty Q.
Porcelain Rocket Slinger
Scott Felter, the mastermind at Porcelain Rocket, has continued to push the boundaries of ultralight backpacking bags. Scott has been helping me with my travels by bike for the last 4 years and I am extremely grateful not only for his support but for his creativity.
For quite some time I know that not only I, but other bike photographers have been looking for a solution to easily carry and protect our camera gear on our bikes. We have all gone through a host of solutions, some elegant, and some not so much. I am sure that most of us have tried making crap, using backpacks, repurposing other bits of kit, all in an attempt to come up with a solution that safely carries our cameras; keeps them close at hand; and most importantly, keeps them off of our backs.
I am happy to say, that after seeing the prototypes I am now the proud recipient of one of Scott's new 'Slinger' bags. This is a super light bag that in similar fashion to 'Feed Bags', attaches to the handlebars, fork and stem to create a secure location for carrying a small DSLR, mirrorless camera or range finder. I personally shoot primarily with a rangefinder, but there are definitely situations where I will use a DSLR like the Nikon D810 or even a small mirrorless camera like the Fuji X100T.
Scott's new Slinger fits the bill perfectly with more than enough space for a DSLR and small zoom or fixed lens. For a rangefinder or mirrorless camera, there is enough space in there for a camera, lens and second lens. The pictures below who the bag mounted to the Salsa Mukluk. The 3rd picture shows the bag with a D810/50 combination. Plenty of room in there for a longer fixed lens or a moderate zoom.
I head to Ireland for 3 weeks of photography and bikes starting next week and then am off to Alaska for 3 weeks of winter touring and photography. I look forward to putting the Slinger through its paces and will provide a bit of running commentary on Instagram as to how it works.
Scott -- GREAT JOB!!
Fuji X-T1- A Winner
Fuji X-T1, 23/1.4, ISO 640 shot on a mini tripod
More to come when I have a good internet connection, but my read on this camera is very positive. Shooting it for 5 days, in a mixture of conditions has given me a good feel for what it is capable of doing. I would certainly not hesitate to recommend it for an adventure based camera, especially with the 23/1.4, and the 56/1.2, both of which are spectacular. Jason would add that the 35/1.4 is a must have as well. Once I obtain a better internet connection I will post a full writeup as well as more shots.
You can order the Fuji X-T1 and a full assortment of lenses at B&H Photo. As always, it costs you nothing extra to purchase using my links but it does help me to fund the site and the rentals of cameras for reviews.
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Fuji X-T1 available at B&H
Fuji 23/1.4 available at B&H
Fuji 35/1.4 available at B&H
Fuji 56/1.2 available at B&H
Adventure Cameras, NAHBS Bound
I am on the road to see my first NAHBS show down in Charlotte and using this as an opportunity to test out the new Fuji X-T1. The camera has taken the mirrorless market, especially the Fuji faithful, by storm. I won't do a full detail write up as there are plenty of those types of reviews out there. Instead, I am focusing on how this camera would fit into the Adventurer's kit.
Does it offer up the feature set, image quality, and a robust lens family, that would warrant a $2000 investment. I have previously been hard on Fuji, even though the rest of the world seemed to be in love with them. I tried the X100s and while it was a very cute camera, it was too limiting for my needs. I rented the X-E1 and took it on a 10 day bikepacking trip and while it produced some nice images, I found its size and controls to be a bit lacking. Additionally, the lack of a grip and my inability to really get the Raw files to 'produce' for me led me to cast it aside.
So it is with a good bit of excitement that I get to play with the new X-T1 for a week. Shooting B&W has become mainstream for me, so switching my mind over to color will be a fun exercise in creativity and in 'seeing'. I will be posting images from NAHBS over on Facebook and on my Exposure site so be sure and stay tuned.
While on the road yesterday, the much anticipated Nikon V3 was announced. Anyone that follows along knows that i am a big fan of the 1 series. It has so many detractors, most of whom have never even tried the V or J series cameras. The V1 is a beautiful little camera. It is small, fast, and produces very nice images. On the Lost Coast bikepacking trip, it actually accounted for about 1/3 of my final selects, a number which is quite respectable for a camera with a 1" sensor.
Nikon has now introduced the successor to the V2 and I am very excited. They have gone with a more traditional styling and a modular approach. The camera options include a vertical grip and an external EVF along with the announcement of two new lenses. The 1 series lens selection is fairly decent and for those interested in video, word is the V3 has absolutely killer video capabilities. They are still lacking a couple of primes, but you cant argue with the quality of the existing lenses. Personally, I find shooting with the little 10/2.8 to be a real joy and I am itching to grab the 32/1.8.
I will have one of these new cameras in as soon as they are available. Right now you can pre-order the V1 kit from B&H by following this link. As always, it costs you nothing extra to purchase using my links but it does help me to fund the site and the rentals of cameras for reviews.
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NIKON 1 V3 with 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 NIKKOR 1 LENS at B&H
10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 NIKKOR 1 LENS at B&H
Fuji X-T1 available at B&H
Camera Nerds - The Lost Coast
Choosing what camera gear to carry on a long distance bike trip is always a challenge. Over the years I have spanned the gamut from the simplicity of a smart phone to the complexities of DSLRs and mirrorless bodies. Often for me, the over-arching theme is what types of images am I hoping to capture and what is my intended goal for said images. Am I shooting to simply blog or am I looking for large print worthy images? Am I traveling in a capacity that allows me to carry a bit more gear or am I very much constrained by size and weight.
Since adopting a purely Bikepacking style of traveling, size and weight have often been key components in any decision that I make. An exception to this was my trip last year to Alaska where I knew that I would have to use rear panniers in order to carry the amount and type of food needed for a self supported tour. That decision opened up the opportunity to carry a D800E DSLR and a set of larger Zeiss lenses with a small NEX-7 as my point and shoot body.
You can barely see the little Hubba Hubba bag on top of my roll bag. That is how nicely it fits up there.
For the recent Lost Coast trip, I knew that I needed to travel light, so I opted for a very minimal kit, at least minimal in size and weight. I chose to carry my little Nikon V1 with 10/2,8 lens as my go to on the bike 'grab' camera. For a bit higher quality imagery I carried the Fuji X100s and the Fuji X-E1 with a XF 35/1,4 and the XF 60/2,4. This entire kit, with batteries, easily fit in a Think Tank Hubba Hubba Hiney pack that was attached to my handlebars with velcro straps.
What was so interesting to me about the choice of camera gear was the distribution of both the images that I shot and then the distribution of images that made the final cut for my Lost Coast Photo Essay. To say it was not what I expected is an understatement. Here are the final stats:
Images captured on the entire trip: 3527 images
- Nikon V1: 1603
- Fuji X-E1 w/35: 196
- Fuji X-E1 w/60: 268
- X100s: 1460
That proved to be a fairly reasonable result given that the Nikon V1 was my go to camera on the bike. It was the camera that was most easily simply grabbed and shot while cruising along on the bike. At camp or for more methodical shooting I would turn to the Fuji's to do the job. As you can see, I really did not like the X-E1 very much otherwise I would have used it way more than the little X100s. The X100s is just a lovely little camera to hold and shoot. I look forward to seeing what Fuji does with that little guy.
However, what was really amazing to me, although I guess not totally unexpected, was the distribution of images that I used to tell the story. These were images that I selected not only for their meaning to the story, but also because I felt they were nicely crafted images from a Image Quality (IQ) perspective. Now, before this trip, I was shooting almost exclusively for a year with a Nikon D800E and Zeiss glass. Widely considered to be one of the finest cameras ever made. So my definition of IQ is a bit biased in one direction.
The final image selection: 118 images
- Fuji X100s: 43 images
- Fuji X-E1 w/35: 9
- Fuji X-E1 w/60: 20
- Nikon V1: 46
Folks, the Nikon V1 can be had for a little more than $200 on the used market w/10mm lens, which is exactly how I acquired mine. This little camera and those image distribution numbers just blow me away. I want to beat the crap out of Nikon because they have allowed this little guy to be pummeled by the media when the reality is, if your target is the web or small (11x14) print, this camera just rocks. It still has the fastest, most reliable, AF of any small camera. Yes it has a few warts, but it produces absolutely solid B&W images.
I admit, I am not a fan of its color, but as anyone who follows my efforts these days knows I am turning almost exclusively to B&W imagery, and the little V1 does B&W beautifully. This camera at the current price points, should be in every adventurers bag. The V1 uses the older Nikon batteries and they just last, so you can take a little V1 with the 10/2,8 lens, two batteries, and go shoot forever. To say I am a fan is really an understatement.
Other than promoting the little V1, which really was not my main intent, I wanted to highlight how you can go create a compelling visual story with just about any camera out there today. They all take great pictures, which means, like it always has, it is about the person behind the lens, the one that chooses when to push the shutter button.
Learning to see, before you pull the trigger, is what it is all about.
Twists and Turns
My life has taken a bit of an unexpected turn the past two months -- Something that I will write about when the time is right, but for now, is all consuming. In the meantime, my riding and writing is definitely taking a back seat to the issues that need to be dealt with. While going through this life event, I continue to explore my environment in B&W, just at a slower and much less adventurous pace. The adventure will be back, but for now it takes a back seat to more pressing issues of life.
I do have a couple of items that I will be writing about in the next week or so during down time, including my thoughts on the state of the Mirrorless market (Olympus v. Fuji while Nikon and Canon are asleep at the wheel). I have a brief review on how I use a L bracket combined with the RRS mini plate and a Black Rapid (Kurve, Metro, Sport) strap to carry my cameras in certain situations. Lastly, I have some thoughts on B&W photography as a means of enhancing your color vision.
I am optimistic that my much desired 2014 Salsa Ti Fargo will arrive soon and the review on that can commence along with the unveiling of my SUL kit from Scott, the master mind at Porcelain Rocket (1.5 pounds for an entire bikepacking setup...). I am still on the fence with regards to gearing the Fargo, a toss up between going with a Rohloff or XX1. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Beast of the Night
Christmas day, enjoying small town friends
Never before have I had a camera that screamed, that demanded, that absolutely had to be shot when the lights start going down. The Monochrome is simply a beast of the night. It is not just how it deals with high ISO images, but the way the sensor reacts to the strong contrast that is night time. The images, with virtually no adjustments at all, just seem to pop off the page. I can't wait to get some prints done as I believe they are simply going to blow me away.
Lit by the light of the fire and two small spots
Slowing Down
Click through and read the text...
The camera, a week in my hands, and I am in love. Their are warts for sure, but all in all it is a joy to use. I can't remember having said this about any camera in recent memory. I ran across an old ad for the Leica M4, and the words, while not totally accurate for today's modern M, certainly rung true to my ears.
More than anything, the camera makes you focus, slow down, and think. None of which are a bad thing unless you are a sports photographer, in which case, fire away (no disrespect intended as I love shooting sports as well). With the Monochrome, I am challenged to see and think my way through an image or through a scene. Simply pointing and shooting is no longer possible.
I am totally taken back to the days of shooting chrome where I spent all of my time looking for shapes and lines and evaluating colors and luminance, working all the while to think in terms of zones... For some, in this modern age, that is just too much work. For me, short of the focusing issues I am working through, it is a godsend. Their is an indescribable Organic feel to the camera. Its weight, form and function, all feel like a camera. I don't have to touch the menus and when looking through the view finder, I am simply presented with my subject, the shutter speed, an indication if I am below my 'auto iso' preset (in the form of a flashing shutter speed) and a small dot that indicates I have locked my exposure. Nothing more is needed. If I blow out the highlights, well, it was my fault, not the camera.
There is nothing else there, nothing else to confuse or mess with my mind. I am simply focused on the task at hand -- capturing the image that my mind has already seen unfolding in front of me. The camera, well, it feels like a camera and acts like a camera. I can see where for some, it is too minimalist, but for me, not so much.
These past few days have been challenging on a very personal front, and I found the Monochrome to be the perfect tool for the job. Unobtrusive, relatively quiet, and capable of performing in a variety of conditions. I will share some of those images tomorrow, but for now, I sit, drink a glass of wine, and contemplate how lucky a man I am.
ISO 320, f/1,7 -- Handheld
Making the switch
As with all things in life, sometimes you just have to listen to your gut and go with it, even if it may not make logical sense.. With that said, I have decided to commit myself to a year long trial of the Leica M system as my primary image making tool. I have long thought about this switch, but I was so wedded to my love of all things Nikon, that I could not bring myself to do it. Now, I feel with the way I am shooting, methodically and focused and my love of MF glass, that the M system is simply a better match for me than the AF world of Nikon. Unfortunately, renting kit for a week is just not enough time to really commit and to learn, so I will jump in with both feet and see how this plays out.
Thus, I am putting up my entire Nikon/Zeiss collection for sale. Please email me for pics and more details. All gear has been well taken care of and has no issues other than cosmetics. Reasonable offers will be accepted and discounts will be applied for bundling components.
For sale is the following:
- Nikon D800E - 8+ ($2250) SOLD
- Zeiss 100/2 Makro Planar - Glass 9, Body 8 ($1400)
- Zeiss 21/2,8 Distagon - Glass 9, Body 8+ ($1300) (SOLD)
- RRS L Bracket - Included with D800E body SOLD
- Zeiss Polarizing Filter for the 100 and for the 21 (Included with each respective lens)
Nikon AW1 - My Thoughts
Lets start the whole discussion off with why? Why another camera? Why the 1 series? Why not just use a Waterproof Case? Why not just stay home, in the dry and not take pictures? Why?.... The list goes on and on, with each of us having our own unique take on the questions that are relevant to our own needs.
For me, the answer is simple and profound. The AW1 represents nothing more than a tool that helps me to accomplish a goal. In my case, and that of the AW1, take the highest quality photographs possible in the types of crappy conditions I sometimes find myself shooting. The worst offender of all is on the kayak where the environment, especially in salt water, is simply brutal. To date I have tried just about every possible permutation known to anyone that takes pictures from a kayak, and not one of them has been successful nor a reasonable compromise.
I have used little waterproof point and shoots that either produced extremely low quality images or that actually were not that rugged and waterproof after all. In the worst of all worlds, they did both, leaving me wanting for more, much more. I have tried using wipes and dry cases to carry nicer cameras (NEX-7, NEX-5) that would be stored, delicately removed, images taken, wiped down and then placed back in there container. Now I will admit, for some calm scenarios, this worked well, but it placed your gear at tremendous risk. A bobble here, a drip there, one little mistake, and the saltwater would destroy your camera in an instant.
Just ask my Nikon D3 that I still can't bring myself to throw out after it got a little (and I mean a little) saltwater in the camera via the battery compartment (which is not sealed like the rest of the camera). The note back from NPS telling me that after initial inspection they were optimistic, only to open it up all the way and discover the sea of corrosion... Yep, that was a real bummer to say the least, and yes, I still have the body!
I have tried baggies and all kinds of cases, which do an admirable job of protecting your camera, but place constraints on the optics or add significant bulk to the body and impede upon the entire shooting experience. Short of spending $2k for a soft housing for a large camera, I have tried it all. In the end, everything was a compromise and left me wanting and waiting for something else. Thus, enter the Nikon 1 series AW1.
I picked up a Nikon V1 used a while ago and began shooting this much maligned camera almost immediately. I was simply shocked to discover how much I enjoyed the little beast and how much I was loving the images, especially in B&W mode. There was something very magical about those images that I just found incredibly compelling. No, they were not the same quality as a D800E paired with a Zeiss lens, but dang, they were really good. I was loving this little camera, and the more I used it the more I loved it.
V1, crazy artificial light, ISO 1600
The optics were sharp and it had a near 'film like' quality to the images. The files are very pliable in LR and Capture, especially when shot below ISO 800. Even ISO 1600 worked for me, although I can hear the pixel peepers complaining about the amount of noise they see when zoomed in 100% on a 27 inch monitor viewed 12 inches away... Don't get me started on the whole pixel peeping thing, because if that is you, you are not paying attention to making images. You are stuck in the noise of your gear (no pun intended).
So, with all of the love I was feeling for the little V1 and the fact that I was convinced that Nikon had produced a gem of a camera, I was super stoked when I saw that Nikon was taking the 1 series and building a rugged version of the camera and two of the lenses, sort of a Nikonos Lite model. There are plenty of sites that will give you the technical details on the 1 series (V1,V2, J2, AW1), but suffice it to say, this little camera series rocks. Why does this matter to us adventure folks? Well, a couple of key specs that are worth pointing out.
First, read any review and they will say that the 1 series has the best AF out there. Coupled with Nikon's legendary metering system that is proven over and over, you have a fantastic one two combination. Two things that no other little waterproof P&S camera can boast. I mean this thing rocks from a focus and shutter perspective. Put the camera in Electronic shutter mode and you can choose between 10|30|60 FPS. Now, can you really achieve that, I don't know, but let me tell you, the camera will fire off a sequence of images in a second that make tracking the action absolutely a cinch. That alone, from my perspective is a huge plus.
Second, the AW1 sports both complete waterproofing (down to 15m), is shockproof and freeze-proof. These three features mean that all of a sudden, no more bags or dry cases or other forms of 'How do I keep my camera dry' protection. Sea Kayaking -- no problem, just stick a paddle leash on the camera and slap it under your deck lines. Time to shoot, well you can wipe off the lens if time permits or you can use the surf photographers technique of spit, wipe, dip, shoot. Yes it works, but you gotta do it almost every time. Out biking, well, just use a black rapid strap and hang the camera off of your back. Who cares if it is raining, snowing, dusty, etc. Just grab the camera and shoot!
However, and too the point, none of these things matter if the image quality isn't there; if the camera doesn't produce images that are worthy of your needs. Each of us has very different needs and requirements for what we expect from our images. Are we printing them; submitting them to magazines; selling stock images; creating blog and web content; or just documenting our travels.
While I have only had the camera for a week, I am comfortable in saying that I believe I can do all of the above. Now, the one question is how large can I print before things begin to degrade, but I have seen some pretty amazing prints from sensors smaller than the 1 series, so I am not too worried.
Some details about my first week of shooting in no particular order:
- The battery life is awesome. I am more than a week in, 100% battery, first charge!!
- The camera offers an outdoor display mode which is awesome in bright light
- One handed operation is very nice, with some cool innovative ways to control the UI by tilting the camera. I wish they had gone a bit farther with this, but it works really nice as is.
- Get the rubber casing, even though monetarily it is a rip off, it does make the camera much nicer to hold
- I miss EVFs and tilting screens, but again, I do understand why they did this
- Electronic shutter mode is silent, so it is impossible to know when you are actually snapping the shutter, which at 10,30,60FPS is a bit of a problem if you get my point
You can probably tell from everything above that I like the camera. It is not perfect and in the end, it is still a tiny sensor, but compared to the other options for a waterproof and rugged camera, this is a rocking little device. The images that I am getting are more than useable for my needs. I still prefer B&W out of the 1 series over the color profile, but I just need to dedicate some time to tweaking my LR color profile. The color rendering is just a bit vivid for me where as the B&W is so sharp and gritty. I just love those B&W files.
The camera has a great feel to it with a very nice and balanced heft. Yes, you have to shoot from the LCD, but it is big and bright, and on the bike or in the kayak, that is the way I would use it most of the time anyway. The detail rendered from the little sensor is pretty amazing. I shot most of my images on auto ISO, 400-800 so as to maximize my shutter speed, and it worked brilliantly. I have not done any real high ISO testing with the AW1 but based on what I am getting from the little V1, it should be fine.
Negatives, well, I don't have a lot of them right now... Their are currently only two lenses out that are rugged, the 10/2,8 and the little 11-27.5 zoom, which I have. I will acquire the 10/2,8 as soon as it is available. The AW1 will support the use of all Nikon 1 lenses, but it does not work the other way. This means that you cant use the rugged AW1 lenses on a regular 1 series camera. This is a function of the way Nikon chose to waterproof the lenses. A reasonable compromise in my opinion.
Nikon AW1 with kit zoom. Nikon V1 in background with Nikon 70-200/4 mounted via the FT1 adapter (a whole different conversation).
The camera is not going to replace any of my other photographic tools. However, what it does do is open up shooting in environments where previously I had really crappy camera choices. Heck, I even think with the little 10/2,8 lens, this thing could be a bit of a GoPro killer for me. Yep, you heard it here. Now, I am not mounting one on my head or my chest or at the end of a ski, but on my kayak or bike or car? Heck yes and I get so much more functionality and such better image quality that it is a no brainer. Yep, I already ordered a few mounts with an eye towards using this on the bike and kayak in some killer ways. Oh, and HD video, which I have not even addressed...
Time to go shoot.
Below are a few more from the AW1 -- More to follow
Mixed light, great detail in the fabric and good vibrant colors in the magazines
Nice B&W capabilities - converted in Silver Effects Pro
Nice real world use capturing the setting sun
Additional Info and/or answers to questions:
Q: How did I carry the camera on the Kayak
A: Basically I used a Black Rapids toggle that screws into the tripod adapter. I attached one end of the paddle leash to that and the other end to my deck lines. I stored the camera everywhere, under the deck bungy, in my lap, even over the side. Now remember (I know you know), the camera does NOT float!! When I wanted to hop in the water, I just unscrewed the adapter and then used the Jobo wrist strap (which is really cool on its own).