TWO Big Announcements

Leica M2, Death Valley

When this blog goes live on Monday morning the number one question I get asked about this blog will be answered. YES, I am selling prints through my shop here. I have hand selected a few of my favorite shots from the last three years and listed them for sale. I am so excited to be able to offer some of my art to my friends, family and followers! I will hand sign each print that goes out as well. The initial plan is to offer them in an 8x10 size glossy photo paper. If you would like them in a different size or finish, please send me an email and I will be happy to see what I can do.

I will also be listing some cameras and accessories for sale. Some of the cameras will be fully film tested, while other will be function tested but not with film. I have dozens of bags, straps, handheld meters and other accessories I just simply am running out of room for.

The second announcement for today is when this post goes live, we will have just returned from the trip of a lifetime! We have gone on a few National Park trips the last few years, but I have waited decades to visit where we are coming home from. Within the past three weeks we have been to Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, Redwoods, Crater Lake, Olympic and Glacier National Parks. I will be writing about and posting pictures over the next few weeks as we recover from travel.

Nikon F2, 1955 Chevy

 I planned ahead and bought a couple cameras specifically for this trip. I have always pictured myself traveling through California with a Leica Rangefinder, just living my best Ansel Adams life, taking photos of unbelievable landscapes and then turning to meet interesting people. So, I bought myself a Leica M2 built in 1963 with a matching Summilux 50mm f1.4 lens. Did I need the extra light this lens gives me over one of the smaller lenses I could have chosen? No, absolutely not, but I am so happy with how sharp this lens shoots at f5.6 and higher. I suspect I will probably just sell off every other Rangefinder I have, because this one is simply fantastic.

Leica M2 in Sedona, AZ shot with iPhone 12

 I also took one of my favorite Nikon SLR bodies to make direct comparisons alongside the Leica so I can prove to myself, and anybody else that cares, it is just as good as any other camera ever built. This one is a Nikon F2 and one of my “newer” cameras built in early 1973, paired with a 50mm f1.4 lens as well but built in 1981. This was one of the first lenses I ever actively hunted down instead of just waiting for it to show up at a thrift shop or garage sale. It has been the one lens I pack every time I plan to use a Nikon body and have never been let down with the images it allows me to take.

Nikon F2 in King’s Canyon, shot with iPhone 12

Alongside the film photos I will be adding some digital shots as well to supplement. Even though this was a film trip first and foremost there were some shots I wanted to guarantee I captured, like seeing Half Dome for the first time in my life. I took my Nikon D500 and Nikon 28-200mm lens. This lens is not my first choice in general but it has a huge range and is as small as a lens can get for travel. There is a lot of flare and soft images with it, but I really like how versatile it is for it’s size. I will do my best to label each image with the camera and lens I used for it as they are posted.

Glacier National Park Valley, iPhone 12

I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures and hope you all are as well.