the verdict on f/1.4...

Ended up having a friend tell me about a Nikon FG-20 that his parents had for sale locally. Since this was the model of camera that I first bought when I was in the 7th grade, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to own this camera again. The shutter button on my original camera broke a few years back when I was on a trip and I that was when I bought my Leica M6. One thing that I had forgotten was why I decided to stop buying lenses that stop down to f/1.4. I had bought the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 right before the shutter button broke and never really got to try it out much. It produces beautiful photos, when you can get the focus right. The last part is becoming harder for me as my eyes age. That is why I've pretty much stayed with f/2.0 and above on my Canon and Leica lenses. With my first roll in the Nikon, I decided to shoot mostly on f/1.4 to see how I would do. Well, the proof is in the photos (most of them anyway).  I need to stick with f/2.0 and above...

kids with cameras...

To build on yesterday's post, it never gets old shooting kids (aka "future photographers" with cameras...

photograpers with cameras...

It never gets old shooting photographers with cameras...

christmas 2014 on film...

I continue to have the desire to keep film a part of my life. I have used instant film for the last three years, but I want to start using 35mm & 120mm film more often. My goal is to eventually use my Leica M6 camera to document all aspects of my life. I truly want to master this camera and a small selection of films.  Ilford Delta 3200 is one of those films.  It is very forgiving and super-flexible in all types of lighting and conditions.

 This year, I wanted to make sure and bring film back to document Christmas morning and the days after. I didn't use it as much as I would like, but after developing every roll I become more confident in using the camera and film. See the images above for a small selection of what I was able to capture...