Posts for: KD Stern
Dec 15, 2015 14:06:49 #
No restrictions at least none that I encountered ---- Usual types of photo gear -- Cell phones/Ipads/P&S/DSLR's like mine with big bags & way too many lenses
Dec 15, 2015 12:59:02 #
The times have changed ----
The difference between our trip experience's is one of freedom of movement/action --- you had it & we did not -- During our 2 week trip up & around the Baltic we did indeed experience that complete freedom of movement & action in Denmark; Latvia; Estonia; Finland & Sweden --- We got to wander around get lost interact with the people sit down eat/drink & buy a stuff -- in general have fun --- But not in Russia --- Since our Russian visit fell under what was described (by the Russian government) as a "Group Visa" all our movements were per-planed & tightly scheduled -- We got into a bus & got to see lots & lots of stuff but darn scant interaction with "real" people --- Once back on board our ship we could not leave it until the specified time the next day & then only as a group & then only after we & our passports were once again inspected by those unhappy looking government ladies -- we called them the "Angry Olgas"
I'm sure the average Russian is just as nice & well meaning as any of the many folk from all those other countries we met
The difference between our trip experience's is one of freedom of movement/action --- you had it & we did not -- During our 2 week trip up & around the Baltic we did indeed experience that complete freedom of movement & action in Denmark; Latvia; Estonia; Finland & Sweden --- We got to wander around get lost interact with the people sit down eat/drink & buy a stuff -- in general have fun --- But not in Russia --- Since our Russian visit fell under what was described (by the Russian government) as a "Group Visa" all our movements were per-planed & tightly scheduled -- We got into a bus & got to see lots & lots of stuff but darn scant interaction with "real" people --- Once back on board our ship we could not leave it until the specified time the next day & then only as a group & then only after we & our passports were once again inspected by those unhappy looking government ladies -- we called them the "Angry Olgas"
I'm sure the average Russian is just as nice & well meaning as any of the many folk from all those other countries we met
Dec 14, 2015 18:13:35 #
Bad things happen to good people ---
Oh my goodness --- A captured audience ---
Love it
Sending as many as I can --- that is until the Big Ugly Hedgehog in FLA says NO MORE
Oh my goodness --- A captured audience ---
Love it
Sending as many as I can --- that is until the Big Ugly Hedgehog in FLA says NO MORE
Dec 14, 2015 17:51:03 #
I LIKE IT
&
Even though it will probably k**l me -----
I'll V**E FOR IT
&
Even though it will probably k**l me -----
I'll V**E FOR IT
Dec 14, 2015 17:21:23 #
Well as you can see from one of many cranes throughout the city they are still fixing the place up -- At the time of our visit those petrodollars were worth a lot more then they are now.
Dec 14, 2015 16:07:51 #
Oh yes-- One last thing -- The yelling & arm & hand stuff we not limited to Americans but was directed at anyone from the west
Dec 14, 2015 16:05:15 #
Being flipped off & yelled at -- not once but on a consistent regular basis -- Since we were there on what they call a "group visa" we were real real easy to spot -- always in groups either getting on or off the darn tourist buses -- Must admit was not the older Russians but just about always the younger 20's to mid 30's both male & female --- Then there were the Angry Olga's those grim faced government lady inspectors that checked us & our passports out each day as we trooped off our ship & lined up to get on our buses --- Like I said a Beautiful City
Dec 14, 2015 15:43:09 #
did not see that -- Either missed it or they made changes -- I bet back in 1990 they gave you a much better / warmer welcome then they gave us -- Really Beautiful City with lots of don't ever come back here again Russians
Dec 14, 2015 15:29:01 #
Only had a morning visit -- probably saw about 5 / 10%
Dec 14, 2015 12:12:08 #
If your in the neighborhood a MUST SEE
Dec 12, 2015 19:10:58 #
Dec 12, 2015 17:11:29 #
Zooms vs Primes -- Well -- I for one think --
It all depends !! ----
Consider what I'll term the lens to camera format applicability issue --- Now I love using my primes on my FF Camera (the only camera I own) --- However If my camera was say a Canon7D I assure you I would own a lot more zooms then primes --- Consider the economics or as a buyer of lenses the value for the money. My35mm 1.4 L (which I truly love) which ran me somewhere in the neighborhood of a large bunch -- Now match that lens up with a Canon 7D & you now have the equivalent of a 56mm lens -- At least for me @ 56mm that's a rather low value lens for an awful lot of money -- I would instead purchase a high quality zoom -- The same holds true for my 24mm 1.4 II L --- Now not all primes become low valued over priced glass --- The lower priced 50mm gives you a rather high quality fast 80mm -- I'd buy into that -- but probably for just about everything else (except for those really big telephotos) I'd lean towards zooms if I owned a sub-frame & I'd be darn happy using them ---
It all depends !! ----
Consider what I'll term the lens to camera format applicability issue --- Now I love using my primes on my FF Camera (the only camera I own) --- However If my camera was say a Canon7D I assure you I would own a lot more zooms then primes --- Consider the economics or as a buyer of lenses the value for the money. My35mm 1.4 L (which I truly love) which ran me somewhere in the neighborhood of a large bunch -- Now match that lens up with a Canon 7D & you now have the equivalent of a 56mm lens -- At least for me @ 56mm that's a rather low value lens for an awful lot of money -- I would instead purchase a high quality zoom -- The same holds true for my 24mm 1.4 II L --- Now not all primes become low valued over priced glass --- The lower priced 50mm gives you a rather high quality fast 80mm -- I'd buy into that -- but probably for just about everything else (except for those really big telephotos) I'd lean towards zooms if I owned a sub-frame & I'd be darn happy using them ---
Dec 11, 2015 18:10:28 #
Dec 11, 2015 16:29:39 #
Either/or --or -- Other
About 15yrs ago I was in the same situation as you are -- I was attempting to put a lens collection together for a then film camera --- Already had a 50, 100-400 and a 85-28 kit lens that I hated --- When it came to the either or comparison of the 85 1.8 vs the 100 2.0 --- Figured the angle view difference of 15mm was not a biggie nor was the half stop in speed -- Since the 100 had better lens test numbers I was ready to purchase it ----That is until a buddy of mine loaned me his 135mm 2.0 L ---- Decided the 135 was my lens of the future & went ahead I bought the 85 --- Eventually purchased the 135 -- My logic at the time & still now is the 135 made the 85 a much better fit for me -- Under many say like urban situations I can leave the 3.5lbs worth slower 100-400 at home & use the much lighter & faster 135 instead & find lots of low light & "small" telephoto situations where the 85 really comes in handy --Plus if you stop it down the 85 is a darn fine quality lens
--- None of this my apply to your situation -- But just the same ---Hope this helps
About 15yrs ago I was in the same situation as you are -- I was attempting to put a lens collection together for a then film camera --- Already had a 50, 100-400 and a 85-28 kit lens that I hated --- When it came to the either or comparison of the 85 1.8 vs the 100 2.0 --- Figured the angle view difference of 15mm was not a biggie nor was the half stop in speed -- Since the 100 had better lens test numbers I was ready to purchase it ----That is until a buddy of mine loaned me his 135mm 2.0 L ---- Decided the 135 was my lens of the future & went ahead I bought the 85 --- Eventually purchased the 135 -- My logic at the time & still now is the 135 made the 85 a much better fit for me -- Under many say like urban situations I can leave the 3.5lbs worth slower 100-400 at home & use the much lighter & faster 135 instead & find lots of low light & "small" telephoto situations where the 85 really comes in handy --Plus if you stop it down the 85 is a darn fine quality lens
--- None of this my apply to your situation -- But just the same ---Hope this helps
Nov 10, 2015 14:56:08 #
Well now -- you just may have a point -- Enjoyed my 4 yrs but never again -- Just the same -- Fine organization ---- Glad they are on our side
HAPPY BIRTHDAY -- USMC
HAPPY BIRTHDAY -- USMC