Whether or not this becomes a regular feature or not who knows, well if I don’t then I guess no one else can change anything. So what’s it all about? Simply random chosen images from whatever I’ve been shooting/reworking etc.
So to kick it off we head to Westward Ho! Unusual name to be honest and it’s quite an odd place – however it has a great rocky/pebble beach.
Rocky Beach
Another one straight from the camera (jpg on 2nd slot – via iPhone).
Possibly it’s a little flat contrast wise – but I like it. Whether it’ll end up in a competition who knows. If only there were some white horses* running through it (maybe not!).
Camera Details: Fujifilm X-Pro2 – XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS
ƒ/14 – 18.0 mm – 1/150 – ISO 200 – Fuji Acros Mode + Red Filter
Next up is a reworking of a Clovelly image from last week
Clovelly Harbour Original from CameraClovelly Harbour Reworked
Reworking of a previous image – I’ve cropped it a bit to remove the foreground bin and part of a sign. Tweaked the structure with Viveza, Contrast boosted on Colour Efex and finally cloned some cloud in to the space where the burnt out sun was. Part of the Sun’s area is still burnt out, but to be honest it’s the Sun so I’d expect a touch of uncontrolled highlights at that bit.
Camera Details: Fujifilm X-Pro2 – XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS
ƒ/8.0 – 18.0 mm – 1/500 – ISO 200
The one thing I can take away from these images is the depth of field that the Fuji is giving me. Front to back detail is superb.
*its a cheesy photo that keeps appearing in competitions.
So the grand clear out is complete – I’m out of the Eos system. It’s been a fairly pain free experience to be honest. So what’s the damage?
Here’s some figures:
Things bought:
Camera (X-Pro2) : Bought from John Lewis – £1,489 – JL Discounted Price – £1310.32 (1275.12 – £40 (Price match) – 12% discount)
Lens: Bought from WEX – 18-55mm £619
Cashback:
X Pro 2 Cash Back – Paid £380
18-55 Cash Back – Paid £190
Total Cashback £570
Things Sold:
Macro £160
Flash (st2, 2x 580mkII) £240
6D & 24-70 (and other bits) £1508
300 & 135 £850 (store credit at Calumet)
15, 70-200, 200 £760 cash from MBP (In bank)
Total: £3,518 (- Camera £1275.12 and Lens: £619)
Leaving: £1623.88
Cashback: £570
New Total: £2193.88
Next purchase: 100-400: £1599.00**
Leaving: £594.88
So there you go, if you take the raw costs of the Eos kit then it’s lost half the value. But as mentioned before, most of the kit was over 5 years old and well used. 50% (ish) return on the value isn’t bad. Also a large part of the kit was purchased when the pound was worth more so the retail price was much cheaper.
*Apart from a 1D mkII, Eos 50E & Eos 650 – no lenses though!
** Current price – might be cheaper at the Photography Show
Whilst i’m in the mood for danc updates, here’s another one.
Film, once thought of a past media has recently had an upturn in interest, I personally think I’m responsible for that upturn – or at least a very small localised Yardley based upturn.
For most of 2017 I switched back to film, getting bored of my Eos system – and to be honest I didn’t miss it. I was mainly using my Medium Format FujiFilm GA645zi.
Fujifilm GA645zi Medium Format Film Camera
Used with a mixture of Colour and mainly Black and White film I’ve had an enjoyable year. I also dug out my old Eos 50E which used on a couple of holidays. Strange thing using the 50E worth about £20 with a £1700 EF24-70 f/2.8 mkII L lens. It’s been a good thing to go back to film, thinking about the image before shooting and having to wait for the result. It’s good to step back from time to time I think.
Anyway it’s not all anti digital, I still scan and digitally manipulate the images as online is usually my area to share. If you want to check out my Brum_Film instagram account, check the links on the side bar.
Water Taxi, Paignton Devon – Fujifilm GA645zi
So what to do with a collection of:
Eos 1D MkII, Eos 6D (Mk1)
15mm Fisheye
100mm Macro
24-70mm, 70-200mm, 135mm, 200mm, 300mm Zooms
3 flash guns
Well, I sold them (except the ancient 1D)- all traded/sold for a figure of around £3,500.
O.k. if you price it all up I’ve lost money – but have I? Most of the kit is over 5 years old and had plenty of use. I’m not going to get precious about camera kit values – none of it is a rare old Leica so why bother. (Although I’m sad to see the 15mm Fisheye go – it’s a marmite lens I know, but I loved it. but I’ll check out some of the SamYang 3rd party Fisheye lenses at the Photography Show (NEC) in March.)
Besides I have a new toy….
Fujifilm X Pro 2 and Instax Share SP-2
Why mirrorless? why not to be honest – I tried the Fuji XT2/X Pro 2 out at the photography show (NEC) last year as was impressed. I was looking at getting one last year, but Mom and my bike crash kept me busy for a while.
So it is any better than the Eos system? Well probably not, but the advantages are the smaller size so I can take both the film and digital system out together. Carrying less is one thing my film Fuji has taught me.
Under Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham – Fujifilm X Pro 2 – in body Black and White ConversionStairs, Solihull – Fujifilm X Pro 2, B&W conversion via Lightroom
The EVF is different, but it works. The hybrid Optical/EVF is a bit of a gimmick, but it works well until you get a long lens on it.
Currently I have just the kit lens, but the quality is superb – possibly not the L series quality of my EF24-70, but at £600 it’s a bargain.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Mk II – Vs – Fujifilm XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS – Size Matters? (possibly, but weight and £1000 cheaper helps a lot!)
The camera plays nice with the Install Share SP2 printer (prints Instax Mini instant prints) so that’s another bonus. I’m still getting used to the quirks of the system, 20 years of Eos use makes my figure memory go to the wrong places. Just need a few more outings to reprogram the digitals.
