Cheap Filter and Hood for X100

Cheap Filter and Hood for X100, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

First get two 49mm filters. One with glass that is bad or you mind don't discarding. Also get a hood to your liking if you want. i got an old Pentax 28mm hood that has a nice compression lock that fits over 49mm filters. Filters and rings were under $20 from a local used camera store.

Image (3) shows one of the filters taken apart. Just unwind the the lock ring shown in (1) using a small screwdriver to fit in the notch.

(4) shows the glassless filter screwed onto the lens. (5) shows a skylight filter uses to protect the lens. You can screw back in the silver thread cover that comes with the X100 onto the exposed male threads if you want.

(5) I added my hood instead. Works well though it does block some of the optical viewfinder.

I am happy with it though I will replace my "Black's" skylight filter with a better multicoated one soon.

Fuji X100

X100, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

I just picked it up after Henry's called. Batteries are charging but I won't get a chance to shoot until the morning. I traded in my Olympus E-P1 and lenses. I liked that camera but hated the fact it had no viewfinder. I did shoot lots with it. I hope the X100 will fit in better with my style of shooting.

Update: Batteries finally charged and I spent an hour or so shooting around the house. It has it's quirks but I am in love!

Abandoned Barn

Barn, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

I have ben exploring abandoned places for a while now. Now that I have been looking I see that they are everywhere.

This one was a short walk from where I work.

Triumph Motorcycle

Triumph, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

It was parked in front of the Subway restaurant. I admired it as I went in and asked the guy who was building my sub if he knew who the bike belonged to. And of course, it was his bike. Subway must pay well!

He didn't mind me taking some pics so I went to my car and got my battered D200 and Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AI lens. I took about 15 or shots at f/2.5 and merged them with Photomerge in Photoshop.

I am glad I kept my Nikon D200, it serves well as my point 'n shoot. I take it with me most places. It gets used and abused but keeps on clicking the images.

Nike Heels?

Nike Heels?, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

Just what the heck are these things?

Unlocked

Unlocked, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

My friend Dave found this abandoned shack in the Ottawa area. Inside where many books on ham radio, tv repair and photography. There were lots of radio and tv parts scattered about too.

I wonder what the story is with this radio shack.

We spent some time exploring and finding many gems. We disturbed nothing but took many photographs.

Kitchen Komputer ASRock S330

Kitchen Komputer, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

I setup a small 'Netop' Windows 7 based PC on kitchen counter. Its for use by all family members whilst hanging about.

I'm Mac guy but this was a cheap option that is very functional.

Through the viewfinder

Through the viewfinder, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

A pic of me taken by wife last summer. I am using my Arax 60 (Kiev 60).

Two yellow fellows Freelensed

Two yellow fellows, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

A shot of my fruit bowl. Taken with my D200 using a Takumar 50mm f/1.4 M42 @f/1.4. The lens was simply held by hand flush against the D200 and shifted about, or "freelensed".

I really like the old Pentax M42 lenses, they have a very nice rendering too them.

Detroit Airport Colour Tunnel

Detroit Airport Colour Tunnel, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

Many a time I have had to sprint through this tunnel, rushing to catch a connecting flight. I always wanted to slow down and take a picture. On my way down to San Antonio I had to do the mad dash but on the return trip I had some time.

So, I made sure no one was behind me and placed my Olympus E-P1 ont the ground and took about 3 shots before I got this one. The whole time I thought security would come and drag me off but no one even took interest in idiot on the floor taking pictures.

I only have the 17mm f/2.8 prime so that was the lens I used for this image. I always shoot in manual focus mode and had pre-focused the shot before placing the camera on the ground.

Tame

Tame, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

One of the many far too tame deers that I came across.

I see trees. I see snow.

I see trees. I see snow., originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

I went for a long hike last Saturday (Jan 29). My wife went to her spinning class and dropped me off at the parking lot for The Old Quarry Trail in Kanata. There was fresh snow on the ground and it was mild, about -5C.

I set off on foot along the trail. It was not long before the magic quiet that can only be experienced in a snow laden forest enveloped me. The worries of the 'real' world disappeared as the tranquility of the white world forced me to clear my mind.

I had with me my Nikon D3, 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom, and old 105mm f/2.5 AI lens and a Lensbaby composer. I used the zoom for most of my shooting. All my equipment operated flawlessly even though it was snowing heavily at times. Even my creaky body feared well for the four hours or so I was out there.

I managed to capture some nice images and was surprised at how tame the deer where. They would approach very close to you, looking for a handout. One young doe even let me pet her and she left a nose print on my lens!

The best part about going out like this is the people you meet. You will not come across the grouchy, the sad, or the depressed. You will not finder the moaners and haters of winter or outdoors. Instead you come across energetic positive people with a zest for life and a love of the outdoors and enjoy the same beauty of winter as you do.

Can't wait to do it again next Saturday!

What?!

What?!, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

A test portrait of my wife taken with my Arax-60 on Ilford Delta 100 120 developed in HC-110 1:63 for 10 minutes. I found the roll in the back of a sock drawer where I think it had lived for the last 8 years or so. It was well expired but worked out nicely.

She does not like it but I got permission to post it. Here is an "approved" picture of her : www.flickr.com/photos/photobal/3281589325/

Minolta X-370

Minolta X-370, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

A friend gave me a Minolta X-370 film camera. I have never owned a Minolta before. I have put a roll of Legacy 100 B&W film in it. Once the roll is done I will give the camera away as most of my lenses are Nikon and I won't have much use for this one.

Cute little camera though a bit flimsy. Came with a MD 50mm f/2 lens.

RIP Kodachrome

Sunset, originally uploaded by PhotoBal.

I have not shot a roll of Kodachrome in 10 years but it is still sad to see it gone. I have hundreds of colourful slides stored away and have scanned in a few. You can follow this link to my flickr page to see some of them: K64 pics.

Kodachrome was my main film during the early eighties, when I used my father's Nikkormat FTN to learn photography. He also has many boxes of slides of good old K64.

I shoot mainly digital now and only use my film cameras for black and white. I'll miss you Kodachrome but we said our goodbyes long ago.

B.