The Leaf
I think I am in LOVE with my Ricoh GX 200 and it’s been about 10-12 days at the most. At first, when I started fumbling with it I was distraught with the noise and it’s speed… but now, I think I did a very good thing (with some compromise offcourse) selling off my Nikon D200 and getting the Ricoh GX200.
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Dandellion
Ricoh GX200 RAW file post-processed in PhotoShop
Daisy Me
Ricoh GX200 – Ambient light – PP on Photoshop CS3
Out goes the D200 and Ricoh GX200 is In
I sold my Nikon D200 with the vertical grip, MC-10 remote cord, 18~70mm f/3.5~4.5 kit lens for $700. The body was intact but the glue holding the rubber was wearing out and so the rubber was coming off esp. at the ends. The sensor was also very dirty. Didn’t clean it all this time even once since I got the camera (that being in March 2006). I was hoping and wishing I get somewhere around $1000 with all that, but landed up with only $700. True, I tried to rush the sale… but who’s buying a D200 now anyways?! I wouldn’t !!
So, for $700, I got the Ricoh GX 200 with the VF-1 + extra batt. + acc. lens cover… all for $590 from Amazon. I think that the best camera is the one you have with you! The D200 more than often sat there in the house unless I took it out for a particular shoot or something. I experienced slide film and to be honest, I am in love with photography once again! It’s just amazing. I guess I’ll use my F3 to shoot film, and GX 200 for snaps. I definitely plan on getting me a DSLR sometime (soon I hope). I want to go for the D700 (or the upgrade of it if there is at the time).
Personally, I think it’s a win-win situation with some compromise. Funny thing, I am still with “200″ !! lol…
Retro-Retreat : Going from Digital –> Film
It’s been ages since I bought any camera gear and honestly, it frustrates the shit out of me!! Not that I’m just into buying stuff, but all I’ve been using is the one kit lens I got with my D200 – and that’s 3 years ago!
Umm… so why haven’t I bought it? Well, no job = no money = no fun… plain n simple. I’ve got tired of browsing around, reviewing gears and wishing I could have it… only finding out that something better popped up. It’s seriously BAD how fast the industry is churning out these cameras. A semi-pro body has a life of 6 months, pro body of 1-1.5 years. A new body or a version HAS to come out!! It’s really frustrating.
A few days ago, I had a bolt of lightning… I thought of selling my digital stuff, and buying myself a scanner and one “good” lens from that money. I have been wanting (dying) to buy me a point-n-shoot for sometime now. Well, after using a dSLR for so long, you can imagine how much of a control freak I became using it. Went through a lot of semi-pro P-n-S but none stood out as the ultimate “swiss army” camera. Until recently, Olympus came out with the E-P1. Now this camera IS something that’s between a P-n-S. A very product that can serve anyone. However, no point-n-shoot can satisfy everyone’s needs. The issue with the E_P1 is that it doesn’t have any built in flash, and it really isn’t pocketable esp. when you put on a different lens than the 17mm pancake lens.
The other alternative to the E-P1 (for myself, mind you) is the Ricoh GRD III or the GX200. The GRD III is a sweet sweet camera, and many photographers do swear by its lens. The ONLY issue I have with it is that it’s lens has a fixed focal length. This leaves me no other choice but the GX200.
So now I’m thinking, if I got me a film scanner, one “good” lens and the Ricoh GX200, I can wait a while and watch the prices drop for the dSLR body I ultimately want. Not a bad proposition in my view.
- now this is what’s on my mind -
Scanner : Konica-Minolta Elite 5400 II
Lens : Nikon 85mm f/1.8 D ( and/or 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 … if possible )
P-n-S : Ricoh GX200
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Royal Ride
A shot of my cousin’s bike taken at midnight at a construction site. The bike is Royal Enfield.
Camera : Nikon D200
Lens : 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G DX
Lighting : SB-600 speedlite
Settings : Bulb (20sec.) Remote flash
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Homage To A Master
This is one of those photographs that has made it’s home in my heart and mind, and I have never forgotten it.
Taken by Brian Brake in the 1960 in India, this photograph clearly exhibits the mastery of Brian Brake over the art and craft of photography.
A saying by B. Brake in the following article which has taught me immensely, “You’ve got eyes boy, use them!“
That saying of B. Brake has taught me and guided me to learn more about metering and not relying on the camera’s meter at all if I didn’t choose to. I think that people nowadays, have receded more and more from the “craft” of photography than ever before and have familiarized themselves with the technicalities and the jargon that surrounds it – esp. in the digital realm.
((scanned from Minolta Mirror 1986 on Canon Pixma MP 130. If someone would like to buy the magazine, please let me know))
Purple Hope
Shot in Napa City, a leaf clinging on to the thin branch (and yeah it was vertical) reminded me of the thin line and strength of hope and faith.
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Red Hot Summer
Camera : Nikon F3
Lens : 50mm f/1.2 @ f/4
Film : Fuji RVP III 100
