Sony Diaries #796: a sweet find

Picked up this clean, sharp, Canon FD 50f1.4. Great contrast (this latest and last version has superior coatings) and really sweet bokeh. Should go nicely on the A7II with an inexpensive Fotosy adaptor. Sample photos  to come soon. Many, many thanks to Martin for bringing this to my attention.
June 29th.

5 Truths Learned About Photography, by Robin Wong

In spite of the fact that he shoots with Olympus :-), Robin Wong's passion for photography is infectious. His blog is an effective combination of technique and philosophy, photo trouble shooting and life lessons. Here's his latest blog entry, one which I share wholeheartedly. I should also add that the surest sign of competency is being paid for what one does for fun.

Sony Diaries (RX10) #795: after the rain (or before the next rain)

June 28th.

Sony Diaries (RX10) #794: wet Sunday

June 28th.

Sony Diaries (Xperia Z3) #793: Sony Fanboy

June, 2015

Sony Diaries (A7II) #792: SickKids: Portrait of an Institution

A commissioned portrait. June 2015

"Peelings...

… nothing more than, peelings"

June 25th.

from The UTNE: Destroying what Remains - by Dar Jamail

Destroying What Remains - by Dar Jamail

dancing under the Magnolia Tree

Underneath a 100-year-old Magnolia tree, migrant workers and students from Ontario and Mexico City break into a dance at a bbq in the parking lot of The Haldimand-Norfolk Resource Centre.

Simcoe, ON June 19th.

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #791: two of life's essentials

June 24th.

candids from McCaul Street, Instagram Style

June 24th

candids from McCaul Street (sometimes, Instagram's square format just doesn't cut it)

lunch time, June 24th.

Sony Diaries (a7II) #790: bullet-shattered

June, 2015

The Sony A7rII

Opinion: Did Sony just do the impossible?

Sony Diaries (RX10, xPeria Z3) #789: Popp

poppy from the front yard. June 22nd.

Scenes from a BBQ with migrant workers from Simcoe, ON

Clink here for more on Ontario's migrant workers. June 19th.

While there's no doubt that images like these can be captured with any camera in  capable hands (and eyes), I find that the size, heft, and ergonomics (read: customizable buttons) of the A7II is perfect for photo documentaries where one has to be unobtrusive, with the camera being an extension of the eyes and mind, as if there is a direct neural connection from the brain to the camera. I don't think I can obtain the same product using an SLR, not even with the Sony a99, which gets me the same technical results without the fun factor. I have never shot with a rangefinder Leica but I can imagine that the A7II is a  close enough experience. An added bonus is that the Konica Mnolta 28-75f2.8 that I use may be had on kijiji/craigslist/eBay for $300.

Sony Diaries #786: reflections...

through the eyes of a migrant worker from Mexico, Simcoe, ON. July 19th.

Sony Diaries #785: St. James Cathedral through a bullet-shattered glass.

June 18th.

Sony Diaries #784: St James Cathedral Centre

Shot with a Sony A7II, Minolta 17-35f2.8-4, NFC'd to Sony xPeria Z3.

June 18th.

Sony Diaries #783: downtown walkabout

 la dolce vita

 Toronto

 Bay Street Wolverine

 self-portrait

 Queen Street

 the colours of Italy (or is it of Mexico?)

 it's a nice day for a, white Mercedes

 no Instagram filters necessary here

 see you tomorrow

 I see Jesus

 shoulder bags

Sony A7II, Minolta 50f1.7 @f2, NFC to Sony xPeria Z3, worked on with the default editing tools, and processed for Instagram. July 17th.

pigeon pulchritude

pigeon observing me as I shoot a group photo. June 17th.

a repost from 2012

reposting just because I love these pics

THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #782: red wine shadows

George Restaurant. June 14th.

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #781: chandelier at the Royal York

It seems like the Royal York has hundreds of these in their innumerable ballrooms. June 14th.

Sony Diaries (xPeria Z3) #780: 1954 Rolls Royce

In the backseat of a 1954 Rolls Royce with the groom on his way to the Royal York to meet his wife-to-be. Uniformed, white-haired aged driver with impeccable manners, old leather and over-shellacked wood, musty horse-barn smell, and fogged-up windows on a rainy Sunday in mid-June. Perfect scene for the groom who flew in from Liverpool, via Dubai. June 14th