Still trying to catch up to the list - you just keep too busy for me. Or is it that I am keeping too busy for the list? :-) That is what at least one lurker has told me...
This past weekend I was actually home - what a surprise... Yesterday I actually attended a beach volleyball tournament that I learned of the night before during the late news. I figured it was a great way to finish the film in my cameras. A good friend of mine was helping out with the tourney... in case I needed an in. I shot about seven pictures using my 645n. I did not bring another roll, so that was it for MF. Okay, I admit waiting until the women's finals to shoot the film. They were aesthetically more pleasing than the men... I had one guy pass me as I had the 120/4 on it comment about his having a disposable... But I commented that as long as the photo was had, that was what actually counted. I also finished the b&w film in the S1a. Mostly using the 85/1.9. I wish I had my, new to me, S3 to try out - with a meter no less, but I had only planned to be there a couple of hours - not over five hours. I did use my Sekonic meter to assure myself of the beach exposure. I was curious to ask the other photogs how they were shooting since I saw no external meters. I guess with print film you do not have to be more exact :-) Then I completed the roll and then shot another of ASA 100 slide film in the MZ-S. Mostly this came about as some people were interested in having me shoot a tournament in the beginning of September. I plan to send some images to them. I think they will be pleased with my work. I actually wish I had my LX to shoot. This is a camera that has the stated sealing to help with this environment. I have used the MZ-S in different harsh environments with nary a problem. I figure no one can say the LXen were out of their element :-) I also took along my Optio S. I surprised some of the coordinators with my timing with a p&s. Some of the better shots can be seen at http://cesar_abdul.fotopages.com, nothing grand, but you get the idea. It was a great day to spend photographically, especially since it was an all Pentax day. I may actually get an assignment out of this - for something I enjoy doing. As long as I can deliver what they need. Two of the organizers had a photographer taking shots. I noted that they were taking pictures where shade was readily available. They did not consider taking shots from my vantage point - one where two of the sponsors names would appear in the photos. Is this something that I notice because of a more critical eye on my part? Anyway, I had a wonderful afternoon of shooting MF, screwmount, 35mm, and digital... I found that I never shot using autofocus - actually only with the Optio because I prefocused. And it was an all Pentax day!!! No reason to the post, other than an expression of enjoyment of a phootgraphic day - even if I had a DSLR, I would still have manually focused. I have tried it before with both the Nikon D1X and D1H and found my following the action with MF more accurate. Though I will be busy up north during my trip, I look forward to shooting. I plan to travel lightly and taking my MZ-S means I do not have to carry my AF280T. The only reason I would leave my LXen behind. Happy shooting, César Panama City, Florida heading north...
