Sunday, March 22, 2015

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Gallery: Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4R LM OIS Revisited...



Before I get into this main topic of this post, let me point out a few changes I made to this blog today. The separate links section on right side of the page has been removed and in its place, a list of image galleries has been added. These will filter the blog and only show postings that have links to image galleries for the relevant year. In addition, I have edited the main "SHOW" menu at the top of the blog, to remove the beauphoto blog entry link and put in its place, a "Major Trip/Event" link which will filter the blog to show only entries relevant to either a major photography trip I have been on, or for a major event I have photographed, like galleries related to the 2010 Olympics for example. The links have now all be moved to a "Links Elsewhere" page, which has been revised as well. Okay, so now to the main topic...

Above is a link to a gallery of images from Fujifilm's XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4R LM OIS zoom lens. I used to own that lens but sold it along with my X-E1 body well over a year ago. After selling it, I actually missed having a mid-range "walk-around" zoom, but had decided to wait for Fujifilm's XF 16-55mm f/2.8 pro-series zoom to arrive. As impressive a lens as the new 16-55mm is overall (a review of that lens is also coming), after testing it I decided not to get it after all. It was simply too big and heavy for me to have any interest in carrying it around on a regular basis! So, when I recently ordered myself a second X-E2 body, I decided at the last minute to order it with the 18-55mm kit zoom. I am actually quite impressed with the little 18-55mm and it seems better optically than I remember it being...

Sunday, March 15, 2015

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Gallery: Southwest 2010 / Day 15


Gallery (45 images): Southwest 2010 / Day 15

Three interesting places, visited in one day! Firstly, the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Preserve (with lots of basking turtles as above), next the Very Large Array (VLA) facility, a part of the NRAO, or National Radio Astronomy Observatory and finally, an evening photographing the bluffs at El Malpais National Monument.

All posts from this trip: Southwest 2010

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

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Gallery: Southwest 2010 / Days 13 & 14


Gallery (40 images): Southwest 2010 / Days 13 & 14

The above photo was taken at sunset, near Chisos Basin in Big Bend National Park. The gallery contains images taken in the park, along the Rio Grande River and then also further north at McDonald Observatory, featuring the huge 10 meter Hobby•Eberly telescope.

All posts from this trip: Southwest 2010

Sunday, March 1, 2015

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Gallery: Southwest 2010 / Days 10 - 12


Gallery (50 images): Southwest 2010 / Days 10 - 12

The above photo was taken in Big Bend National Park, however the gallery starts with two more observatory visits. Day 10 saw us first visit Sacramento Peak Observatory and then Apache Point Observatory. We decided to take a back road out towards the south to return to the campground near White Sands, however this proved a very rough and long route, pretty much killing the rest of the day. In addition, we ended up accidentally driving through a military range and at one point, a convoy of Hummers and other military trucks came up behind us, thankfully just driving by when I pulled over to let them pass. The next day we did more driving than photography, first over to Carlsbad Caverns and then, at that point, we made the decision to head south towards Big Bend National Park. The next day was mostly driving as well with some gorgeous evening light and storm clouds which greeted us, once we reached Big Bend NP...

All posts from this trip: Southwest 2010