Thank you all for your kind comments. Your encouragement inspires me to keep trying to take the next step.

These were a couple of poor quality jpegs from my p&s that I was about to discard, but I liked the composition and wanted to preserve the memory. I worked with them for a little while in Camera Raw and Nix. I am new to both programs, but these come close to my ˜VISION so I am very pleased with myself. They wont stand up to much enlargement, but they look nice as a screensaver.

(Download)

Downtown Cairo roofscape - looking down from Hilton Hotel

One of my very earliest childhood memories was going to the George Eastman House with my Mother when I was about 3 years old. We lived about two blocks away. Maybe that's what stimulated my interest in Photography. Must go back.

What a great discussion on one of the key elements of photography. Makes a welcome change from all the posts about sharpness and Canon This vs Nikon That. Hope to see more topics like this.

I take quite a few trips on one of the cheap European discount airlines like Ryanair. They are very stringent about size and weight of carry-on luggage and checking a bag usually costs more than the seat fare. Every ounce and cubic inch counts. Bringing a bigger, heavier camera could mean going without socks and underwear or not going to some great locations. I always opt for the socks and underwear, but I'm not a 'real' photographer.

I have only been to Dubai. It was insanely hot and humid in November. Couldn't walk more than 200 yards before I was soaked in seat from head to toe. Took a taxi to see the Burj Al Arab. As soon as I got out of the air conditioned taxi, my lens fogged up and wouldn't clear. Couldn't see much anyway. The hotel is inaccessible unless you have a reservation for at least afternoon tea at $50 a head. Would have done better going to the Jumereih Beach for a better view.
For a futuristic Flash Gordonesque experience take a ride on the modern clean Metro. Go to the very front of the first carriage. Its like an observation cone.

I have the Rokinon 12mm f2.0 for my A6000. It’s a great lens, but I’m sure you are aware by now that the hood is such a bad fit that it hard to get is stay on much less protect the lens. There is no click at the end of the quarter screw and trying to keep it on the lens is like walking around with an egg on a spoon. Also, the front end of the lens is flared like a funnel designed to catch sand, dust etc. Unlike the 14mm, the 12mm will take a filter, but you should definitely get a good quality multi coated one. I got the B&W F-Pro UV (010) one and it works great. I would have preferred the 070 clear, but it was quite a bit more expensive. I have noticed some vignetting, but I’m not sure if it is the lens itself or from the filter. I actually quite like the effect. If it is something that would worry you, B&W make a special mount for ultra wide lenses, but it costs more than the lens and you probably wouldn’t be able to use the hood at all..
I haven’t tried a CP filter on it, but I have tried a ND Fader and the results were horrible X banding or Maltese Cross. Apparently this is a well know shortcoming of ultra wide lenses. Unfortunately I wasn’t aware of it at the time. I think the faders (or some of them) work on the same principle as a CP so I would expect the effect to be pretty similar. You also need to watch for the thickness of the filter. The glass in my fader is a couple of mm wider than the filter thread so it wasn’t a problem. But I don’t know if the CP’s come like that.

An e-clip!!! Got a pack at the auto store on the way home this evening. $2.99. Should do the job perfectly.

Thanks folks. You guys are awesome!!

Thanks for all of the kind comments. You have encouraged me to post some more 'mini themes' Watch this space.

I have the screw, spring and the lock nut, but I am missing the small circlip that holds everything in place. If I can get the right QR clamp I don't need the circlip which is why I wanted the QR. A circlip pliers and pack of rings will cost me nearly as much as a QR.

The only marking I could find on the unit was Bogen 3030. There is an identical one on eBay with original box at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bogen-3030-tripod-heavy-duty-with-head-approx-70-tall-original-box-vintage-/141965189770?hash=item210dc8e28a:g:-FEAAOSw3mpXFtCI
I will investigate taking the old head off and replacing with something more modern. Don't be surprised if I come back looking for more great advice on that process.
Thanks to all.

I think you might be right. Its an old one from the 80's, but built like a tank. I think my Uncle had it for a 4x6 view camera. Should be real steady for some astrophotography. I have found some nice dark parking lots on the Cape so I won't have to carry it very far.

I have been down this road. I started with the Sony 16-50 and 55-210 kit and found them plenty sharp but the split at 50-55 mm is annoying. However, the main reason I stepped up to the A6000 from ten years of satisfaction and success with good compacts was to have something that would give me some DoF control and decent bukkah, so my first purchase was the Sony 35mm f1.8. I would really recommend making a fast ‘normal’ lens your next purchase if you want to develop your skills. I have added a bunch of lenses to my bag since, but this is the one I try to use most for general outdoor use if only for the discipline it imposes. I’m not a pixel peeper so I can’t say I notice any great difference in sharpness in any of my lenses when viewed at normal size on a computer screen. The one exception, is an old manual Nikkor 55mm F3.5 Micro P Auto that I picked up on line for $35. I have only used it for a couple of test shots, but it is WOW ‘ouch’ sharp. 55mm is not a great length for what I shoot, but it is the best I have for close-up work especially when mounted on a tripod. If you just want sharpness for the sake of sharpness its worth tracking down a nice clean one.
In hindsight, if I were to start again from scratch with a body only A6000 the first three lenses I would go for (in order of purchase) - 1 - The Sony 18-105 f4.0 G (just got it last week – really nice but big); 2 - The Sony 35mm f1.8; 3 – Rokinon 12 mm f2.0 . However I still keep my Pannie LF-1 P&S to carry in my pants pocket.

At the Herring Run, Brewster, MA (Cape Cod)

What's For Dinner?


Mother Goose


Grist Mill

Thanks Imagemeister and rwilson1942.
The problem is I don't think either of these will work due to the size of the plate unless I use some sort of spacer to raise the clamp up. I found a clamp at http://www.amazon.com/Run-Shuangyu-QR-120-Release-Tripod/dp/B018S3OQMS?ie=UTF8&keywords=arca%20clamp&qid=1463448063&ref_=sr_1_15&sr=8-15 that seems to have a longer stem on the clamp tightning knob which may reach past the edge of the plate.
Thanks again.