PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

I just got back from 1 month of hiking in the Alps with the Eos 1Ds Mark III and a 40 D as a backup. I used to use a 1Ds Mark II and a 1D Mark II, but the 1Ds Mark II was stolen (it was insured) and I didn’t want to lug the extra weight of a separate Mark II body without the compatibility of battery systems. Buying a 2nd Mark III wasn’t in the budget, thus the lighter 40D. My primary purpose of shooting is for a book I am researching on the best treks in the world. I have a report on the treks (not edited yet) and some small photos on http://www.greattreks.com/greattreks/TopTen/TopTen01.asp. Go to Tour de Mont Blanc and the Haute Route for the photostory. Pics are small, I will provide slightly large images on links below. My photographs were more documantarian than usual, but I was focused on my book rather than straight artistic style.

I was very interested to see how the Mark III would stack up to the Mark II and if the 40D sacrifice was a mistake. Here’s my anecdotal report.

The Mark III was a tank. I hike almost 400 kilometers and climbed a total of 20,000 vertical meters. It was 23 days of hiking of which 4 were horrific weather wise. I would say I had the Mark III out of my bag 95% of the time. The exceptions being one time during really hard rain and a few times where I was concerned for my wife or my own safety. It was a tank. With that said I had 0 dust on the sensor problems. This is a huge advantage over my previous experience with the Mark II. When trekking one doesn’t have the luxury to check how clean one’s images are. I was amazed that I had no issues whatsoever …. full article.

You may be curious that why I acquired a 24/2.8 prime lens while I already have the 24-105/4 and 16-35 II both cover the 24mm focal length. That is because 24/2.8 is a tiny and good performer at a focal length most important to my style, particularly for quick snap in events.

Here is the story - my wife find herself interested in photography, she has tried the 400D & 17-85 combo (see also Canon EOS 400D Combo for Everyday Snaps) and complained that is just too much for her, she want something lighter and easier, I think she is referring to a point & shoot compact camera. After a second thought, I am not going to acquire a new toy for her, I decided to have a light prime for the 400D, such as 24/2.8, 28/1.8 & 35/2 and 50/1.8 (we have also considered the EF-S 18-55 which is light zoom lens, however, it is still too complex for my wife, we want something fixed and easier, it is also not fast enough for indoor environment).

I finally picked a 24/2.8 for its overall performance across apertures (even wide open at f/2.8), it outperforms my 24-105/4 and 16-35 II at 24mm. 24/2.8 actually held up very well to the much expensive 24/1.4 L in color and sharpness departments …. see full article.

We joined a local tour to Plitvice Lakes National Park, the largest of Croatia’s eight national parks. Plitvice Lakes was proclaimed a national park in 1949 that also making it the oldest national park in Croatia. In 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was included in the UNESCO list of World Natural Heritage sites.

The broader zone of the national park hides rich forest and meadow habitats with many diverse species of plants and animals. Possible activities in the park include: walking, trekking, electrical boat and train riding, talking photos, cycling, skiing and rowing.

Thought nothing really huge nor in colorful fashion, there are simply clear, pure, silence and beautiful nature scenes in water, lakes, waterfalls and forest. Plitvice Lakes is quite unique.

It is a pity that we only have 3 hours for a limited exploration to about one-third of the park and I have to run in a dynamic mode (that means not only no tripod, but also not much time to make a better composition, everything goes in hurry) during the tour.

Read full article.

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