As we know, the only constant is
change. As the Argentina/Chile trip looms ahead I started packing today
and unsurprisingly made a few revisions to my
camera
gear list.
Out: Nikkor 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-D, it has good optical quality but is
the
kind of lens that gave all AF lenses a bad reputation for manual
focusing. I've never seen a poorer handling focus ring, perhaps it's
just my copy. In: Nikon 75-150 Series E, not as small or light, and
notorious for poor handling, but when compared to the 80-200 the
handling is exquisite.
Out: SB-800. It's not that heavy until you add in four AA batteries,
then it takes up a good bit of space and is heavy with batteries
installed. I prefer natural light and don't
need to capture shots on this trip.
In: Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G AF-S. Light, sharp, great for portraits and has
a nice overall rendering.
Out: FM2. Two cameras is enough. If both have issues on the trip, well
I guess I just wasn't meant to capture those images. In: Nikkor 5.8cm
f/1.4, a true relic with beautiful rendering and useless at f/1.4. I
just like the way images from this lens look, it's fun on the NEX
series.
So far the Tamron 70-300mm VC is a very decent performer. The AF
performance speed does not match the Nikkor counterpart, and the VC
is...different. I think it will take some time to adjust to. I do like
that AF-ON triggers the VC on the Tamron while it does not on the Nikon
70-300VR. I liked the
Nikkor 70-300mm VR a
lot too, except at 300mm. I sold it thinking I wouldn't need it as an
owner of the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8, but have since realized that the
70-200mm is just too heavy for traveling. I may just like the Tamron
more than the Nikon. Time will tell. So far the rendering is very nice.
Off season backpacking: just
about guaranteed solitude. Well below freezing at 7,800' and swimming
is not an option. Eddy Mountain in the background at Upper Deadfall
Lake.
Sony NEX-5r, Sigma 19mm f/2.8 EX DN @
1/80
f/2.8 ISO 400
Sony NEX-5r, Sigma 30mm
f/2.8 EX DN @ 2"
f/5.6 ISO 100