SanFrancisco

Chasing a Clearing Storm /  by John Wineberg

It rained, here in Sonoma County, yesterday.  Having some free time I decided that I wanted to run down to the Golden Gate Bridge and make some images of the clearing storm.  I took my Fuji XT1, a few lenses, my GoPro "Hero" and a tripod.  This being a spur of the moment decision, the ability for planning was limited.  I did check the Golden Gate Bridge webcam to see if conditions might be favorable for some images.  There was heavy cloud cover but it wasn't raining and the weatherman said that it would clear up by the early afternoon.  So I jumped in my car and headed South.  Hitting some traffic on my way.  I made it to the Marin Headlands in about an hour and a half.  The clouds were clearing nicely but the fog was my biggest concern.  The Headlands are the hills just North of the Golden Gate and afford some of the most beautiful views of this amazing structure.  I usually avoid shooting here in the middle of the day, even when conditions are perfect, due to the huge number of tourists in the area.  The fog was very erratic, at times blocking the view of the bridge completely.  I got lucky and was able to make a few images.

South Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, taken from the Marin Headlands. June, 2016

I set up my tripod to hold my GoPro "Hero" and started the timelapse mode.  As I set it up the fog cleared and I saw this shot below.

View of San Francisco looking through the Golden Gate Bridge, taken from the Marin Headlands.  June, 2016

One of the challenges of being a photographer and standing in a location such as this is that you are asked to take image after image of tourists.  I don't mind this at all, but it tends to get in the way of my purpose, which is to create images.  It got to the point where people were crowding me and my tripod so I had to abandon ship.  Before I left I was able to make this timelapse.

Storm was clearing so I made my way to the Marin Headlands. Battled the tourists for a parking spot and set up my GoPro "Hero".

As I was getting ready to pack up I looked down and noticed a lock attached to the cable of the fence at the viewpoint.  The lock had a heart engraved on its' face.  It gave me an idea for a couple of images.

Lock attached to fence cable, located at a viewpoint above the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, June 2016

Lock attached to fence cable, located at a viewpoint above the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, June 2016

I love photography adventures.  I have found that I do my best work on spur of the moment trips.  Lately these adventures have been inspired by weather events.  I love the look of the sky as the clouds start to clear.  A clear blue sky can be a beautiful background but I tend to prefer a little something going on in the way of clouds.  

Dreaming of the next storm.......

First Impressions of the Fuji X100T /  by John Wineberg

Morning setup at Fishermans Wharf, San Francisco, California, Fuji X100T

I finally broke down and purchased a Fuji X100T.  This will not be an exhaustive review of this camera but a quick overview of what it's been like from opening the box until today, I have been a Nikon user for over 30 years.  My first Nikon was an FE2 that I still own and love.  I actually just sent it out to have it cleaned and have some minor repairs done.  When digital hit I went with Nikon because it was what I knew.  Lately I have felt like my photography has stagnated a bit.  Lugging around a large DSLR with multiple lenses became a hassle.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Nikon gear.  The focus is fast and I'm able to capture fast action.  I've shot my fair share of weddings and many baseball games and I love the results.  I just felt that I wanted an everyday camera that had the features and functions of a DSLR but was more mobile, a camera that I could take everywhere.  The Fuji X100T has fulfilled that role in a very big way.  

Straight out of the box the camera was more than pleasant to look at.  It looks like a distant cousin of the FE2.  The size and shape is that of an old film camera.  The dials, lens and viewfinder all reminded me of cameras of the late 70's.  One thing that was tough to get used to was the positioning of the f-stop ring.  It is very close to the body and there are two protrusions that you can grab with two fingers to adjust.  I wish that it was a few cm out from the body, which would have been closer to the same ring on my Nikon 50mm from 1984.  After a couple weeks of use this is something that I have gotten used to.  The menus are easy to navigate and setup was a breeze.  One of my favorite things about this camera is that you can program just about every button for whatever purpose you want.  You hold down the button and all of the choices appear.  You can also setup several different user profiles for different types of shooting.  The features seem to be endless.  I have only scratched the surface so far.  

The Electronic View Finder (EVF) took some time to get used to.  There is some lag in the screen in low light but overall it is very nice.  The WYSIWYG functionality is amazing.  You also have a ton of information available to you in the viewfinder.  It also reorients itself when you shoot portrait vs. landscape.  I am however new to the paralax feature and am not sure that I can adjust to the way that is presented on the screen.  More detail in my full review after some time with this camera.

I spent a day in San Francisco trying my hand at street photography.  I've always referred to it as urban landscapes.  Until recently I didn't even know that there was a whole world devoted to "Street Photography".  This was fun for me in so many ways.  I practiced my panning skills.

Cyclist, Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, Fuji X100T

Shot a silhouette.

Silhouette, Stockton St. San Francisco, CA  Fuji X100T

And took in the views.

Fishermans Wharf, San Francisco, CA, Fuji X100T

I was very happy with the results.  I've only had this camera for a little over two weeks and I couldn't be happier.  I literally can take it everywhere.  It fits in the cargo pocket of my shorts or in a jacket pocket, easily.  The only accessory I have added is a wrist strap I found at the Leica Store in San Francisco.  I may look into the lens hood and possibly the thumb-rest, but I want to wait until I am sure that they are necessary.  

Needless to say I am very happy with my purchase.  My next big test will be when I take this camera and try to use it in tandem with my Nikon D7000 with a mid-range zoom to shoot a parade.  My goal is to be able to use the X100T for everything that I would have shot with my 35mm 1.8 DX and to use the zoom on the Nikon for everything else.  The X100T will be on my left wrist with my Nikon on a Black Rapid Sport strap slung to my right.  I will update here with the results.  

 

Till then, Happy Shooting!!