Sony Diaries #1003: The best-kept secret in the Full Frame world

Ever since I switched to Sony (from Canon), I have enjoyed (and employed) the many excellent features of Sony's unique SLT technology. Seldom mentioned is the fact that Sony has kept the Minolta mount, now known as the Sony Alpha mount. This means that one can use Minolta lenses, world-renowned for their superior image and build quality. Minolta lenses possess excellent optics in almost-all metal barrels. There is also the mystical "Minolta Colors", that I can definitely discern.

One of the best-kept secrets in the world of Full-Frame cameras is the cultish status of the legendary Minolta 70-210F4 Beercan. Still available on eBay and occasionally on Kijiji and Craigslist, it can be had for as low as $100CDN. 

I was fortunate to obtain my second copy off of Kijiji just yesterday, for $130CDN, boxed, and what looks like in never-used condition. This copy is incredibly sharp, Minolta colours. Being a screw drive lens, I expected  the focus ito be relatively sluggish (and hunts a bit) on my a99. But on the a7III, focus is snappy almost as if it was a native lens!!

I feel like I just won a small lottery!

Sony Diaries #1002: What's in my bag?

I strive to capture spontaneity and candid moments in my wedding photos and it is essential to be  nimble on my feet. Traveling light is important for easy movement and the good health of my back. 

For a typical wedding/event shoot, I take 2 bags (main and backup gear), a monopod, and a light stand. I use the monopod for reception shots with the Tamron 70-200f2.8 and the night stand is for when I use my backup flash as an off-camera flash.

My main gear consists of a Sony a99, Tamron 28-75f2.8, Tamron 70-200f2.8, Konica-Minolta 17-35f2.8-4, Sigma 24f1.8macro, Godox TT685S, 3 spare batteries, 12 rechargeable AA's.

My backup gear starts with a Sony a77II , Minolta 24-85f3.5-4.5, Tamron 70-200f2.8, Sigma 10-20f3.5, Godox TT685S, 2 spare batteries, 8 rechargeable AA's.

The two sets are notable for it's low acquisition cost. The Tamron's are the lowest-priced in their  category but can compete with the OEM in image quality. The Minoltas are the best-kept secret in the full-frame world. Sony Alpha cameras are descended from Minolta and still use the Minolta mount. Minolta lenses are world-renowned for their optical and build quality. Minolta stopped producing lenses 20 over  years ago but these lenses are equal to, if not better, than current lenses. And there's plenty of them still available on Kijiji and Craigslist. The Sigma 24f1.8macro is an anomaly: a fast wide that is also a macro lens. And it's less than $600 new. The Sigma 10-20f3.5 is a crop-sensor lens but it is cheap at $500 and very sharp at f5.6. 

In a pinch, I also have the Sony RX10 as a very capable 2nd backup: a very sharp 24-200f2.8, built-in flash.

                                                                                           

How much for the Apples?

She asked him, 'How much are you selling the apples for?'

The old seller replied, '$1 for an apple, Madam.'

She said to him, 'I will take 7 apples for $5 or I will leave.'

The old seller replied, 'Come take them at the price you want. Maybe this is a good beginning because I have not been able to sell even a single apple today.

She took the apples and walked away feeling she has won. She got into her fancy car and went to a posh restaurant with her friend.
There, she and her friend, ordered whatever they liked. They ate a little and left a lot of what they ordered. Then she went to pay the bill. The bill costed her $160. She gave $200 and asked the owner of the restaurant to keep the change.

This incident might have seemed quite normal to the owner, but very painful to the poor fruit seller.

The point is,
Why do we always show we have the power when we buy from the needy ones?
And why do we get generous to those who do not even need our generosity?

I once read somewhere:
"My father used to buy simple goods from poor people at high prices, even though he did not need them. Sometimes he even used to pay extra for them. I got concerned by this act and asked him why he does so?"
Then my father replied, "It is a charity wrapped with dignity, my child."

_from https://www.instagram.com/undocumentarian/

Sony Diaries #1001: Right To Play

I t was a privilege to shoot a segment of the Right To Play Program in Fort Erie Ontario. Below is a sampling of the over 2200 shots I took in the 3 hours with the RTP group.

November, 2017

A new website for 2018

My never-ending battle to sift through life's distractions and non-essentials goes on. Fortunately, getting older and gaining life experience brings with it some clarity. 

Years ago, I tried to be all things to all people; I'm still a generalist, and I'm proud of it.  My earlier (and still current) website  was just that: landscapes, weddings, social activism, still life, assorted videos, etc. 

The New Year and my recent birthday was the impetus I needed to be mindful of what I enjoy shooting the most: weddings, events, and portraits. Especially weddings.

And so yesterday, on my birthday, I sat down and started putting together my new site. I knew the most difficult part would be editing out 99% of potential content. Editing has never been easy, I tend to look at content as all valuable. As the saying goes, "too close to the trees to see the forest". I've had to remove myself from myself and look at things from a different vantage point. I'm too kind to my own creations.

The Client Galleries will have Private and Selects Galleries. Privates are  accessible with a password, and they will be populated with photos with a range of technical and artistic qualities. I leave it to the clients to decide what they like. Selects will contain my personal choices.

My pricing will reflect  both the economic realities of the times coupled with technological advances in image creation. Advances in digital technology has meant that there is now a manageable price for anyone to get into paying commercial work. Technology has replaced the well-earned knowledge of producing technically great images. Anyone can walk into Best Buy and purchase a $500 camera that can take sharp photos like the 8x10's of Ansel Adams, and use free filters to produce B&Ws like Ansel Adams'. In addition, the glut of digital images has saturated our senses to the point where we have absorbed certain basic artistic sensibilities. Most people don't have formal or informal training in the Elements of Composition but most people recognize these elements when they see it on an image. And so most people learn by being bombarded with it.
Fortunately, there is still a market for professionals who are both technically and artistically accomplished, and who can deliver the expected product.

It's only been 2 days and it'll be an ongoing job to populate my new site. I do hope that the artistic sensibilities displayed on my Home Page will be maintained throughout the site, and in fact, throughout all my shoots. Below are some of the images on the Home Page.

January 5th.