Recent content by JohnFar

Thank you, thank you. Glad you're prioritising yourself.

Morris said: Sure, over time it might kill me but I'm willing to take the chance . Yes, some of these old lenses have some radioactive material in their glass - including the 50mm Super Tak - but the chances of being harmed by it are very low indeed. The thorium is an alpha-emitter; alpha is...

For general use, the pre-AI (my copy has been AI-modified) Nikon 50/1.4. But for other, specific, uses different 50s would be preferred.

Some good advice above. Here's a separate thought: whichever you get, consider using Capture One as your RAW processing software. There are many online discussions about which software to use and they're worth a look. There is a free version, Capture One Express, which you can play with (and...

My general rule is, there are no rules. But there must be honesty about the taking (did you re-arrange anything?) and the processing of a photo. Personally I will never, ever, for any reason, change a sky, and will have little respect for any photo with a changed sky. This is my ethic, it need...

You've had lots of specific advice, here by contrast is a bit of personal experience. I had an XT20, loved it, light and capable. But then found out the hard way that it is not weather resistant (wasn't raining that much, but ruined). Replaced it with an XT2, heavier but feels much more durable...

Cwm Graianog - a 500 million year old seabed (but only a 32 year old Kodachrome).

Don't underestimate the XE1; yes, newer models are improved but it's still quite capable (still use mine as a back-up or when I want to go really light). Have you considered using the XE1 intensively for a while, until you know what it doesn't do what you'd like it to - and that will help tell...

Both are pleasing pictures - as you imply, quiet, complex photos are not always appreciated, but they can really grow on you, unlike the crude golden hour/bright/pop pictures that can produce a 'wow' but rapidly bore. In the first, have you tried a slight crop on the right, so that the curved...

The decision is not to restrict parking at Dinorwic Terminus (in the face of a very large number of objections to the proposals) but there is to be further consideration of how to deal with inconsiderate parking. So good news, and the onus is on us all to behave responsibly.

Nice set Steve; The Kelpies is a really nice composition. With another 5 weeks of 2020 to go I'm still hoping for some good pics - especially if it stops f****** raining.

Sadly Jeff/the black fox is right - there has been considerable abuse of parking at Dinorwig terminus (and other places in Snowdonia) in recent months (I am 15 min from Dinorwig and have friends who live there). Motorhomes have been using Dinorwig for ages, and poor parking has increased. Other...

As an alternative to YouTube videos, I'd suggest a more introspective approach (but I'm old...). First, try looking at the work of some highly regarded photographers of the natural world who do trees/woods - Eliot Porter for example. Second - like Lee says - just go and take a lot of consciously...

Often (at least in Wales!) a slightly longer focal length helps find just the more dramatic or shapely bits, and a polariser can help with faint white wispy clouds (for example) against a blue sky. Btw there is a website by the Cloud Appreciation Society that could be worth a look.

I like both of these, but the first wins for me, because it's simpler, with just one near-central area of sunlit fell.