A Rose called "Chris"

A Rose called "Chris"
Originally uploaded by Ray52

I hope this shows what the NX10, standard 18-55 lens and +4 close up filter are capable of. I don't think it's at all bad.

If, like me, you're approaching the other side of the hill, or even over it already, then these new style EVIL cameras are good news, especially if you want to take pictures where you can no longer quite get your head to use a proper viewfinder! The live view implementation is really superb on them, far better than on any DSLR.

I suppose the downside is that there's no optical viewfinder. However, the new breed of EVFs are much, much better than those of yore. If you haven't done so already, I would recommend you try one. When I compare the EVF in my Nikon E8700 with that in my Samsung NX10 the difference is staggering.

Lytes Cary Manor

Lytes Cary Manor
Originally uploaded by Ray52

The National Trust certainly have some superb properties, and Lytes Cary Manor in Somerset is undoubtedly one of my favourites.

You often hear the Trust criticsed for being a 'middle class preserve'. I think there is some truth in that, but I firmly believe we would have lost many if not all of these places long ago if it weren't for the Trust. Maybe the big challenge for them is to be more inclusive...

A friend (?) sent me this in an email today, and yes she's also in the photo. It's a scan from a very old photo so excuse the quality. It was taken in 1960 or perhaps 1961 and I'm in the back row with my head on my hands between the girl with glasses and the boy with the exagerated smile. I suddenly feel very old!

In case you were wondering, an NX10 complete with 18-55 lens, battery, SD card and wrist strap weighs in at 664 grams. This compares to a Pentax K7 with a FA 43 Ltd lens, battery, SD card and neck strap at 961 grams. I know it doesn't sound so very different, but it certainly feels it.

Unfortunately I'm not as fit as I once was, and I find carrying a heavy camera bag just about impossible these days. Consequently I was immediately attracted to the EVIL cameras concept, and this year I invested in a Samsung NX10. I find it very impressive.

Of course lens support is rather limited so far but, as I'm trying to save weight here, I decided I'd see if I could manage with just one lens anyway. I've opted for the 18-55 OIS lens for now, and I'm fairly satisfied. One problem area though is that I do like a close focus lens, and the little Samsung is a bit limited in this respect. Solution? I bought a +4 close up filter, it's small light and cheap and performs surprisingly well. Mind you I think I'll invest in the 60mm Macro as and when it becomes available. So much for sticking to one lens!

looking for spring: wind

looking for spring: wind
Originally uploaded by hanabi.

This is by Hanabi another of my favourite flickr photographers. Quite how she manages to capture such delicate images of plants and flowers I don't know, but I'd urge you to look at her work.

Hope

Hope
Originally uploaded by peel apart

This is a shot from a guy who goes by the name of 'peel apart' on flickr.
Have a look at some of his work, great compositions, some sensitive portraits and sense of humour.

He also seems able to get great results using a couple of old TLRs. Respect. I've got a Yashicamat 124G but I'm afraid my coordination seems to fall apart when I try to compose a picture with it!

Expensive cameras, why bother?

I like to watch how many 'views' my pictures get on Flickr and try to understand what it is that makes them popular, or not! My most viewed picture I've previously posted here, but this one is rapidly catching up. Why?

Is there anything in the fact that both of these pictures were taken with small sensor cameras? Surely not.

Ok, so it's a pot plant on a window sill. It's (more or less) how the camera coped with the exposure at the time having spot metered on the pot. Consequently the scene outside the window is, of course, very over exposed. Is this a case for using an HDR technique? I decided not, because I felt too much background detail would detract from the plant which is the subject of the photo.

By the way, this was taken at Lacock Abbey, arguably the home of photography.