biffnix

I just liked the "V" shape the sun made as it set behind Mt. Tom and the Wheeler Crest, to the west of my house in Bishop, California...

So, I’ve owned a LOT of camera bags over the years. Lowepro, Tenba, Peak Designs, Canon, and many more brands I can’t recall.

My latest had been a Peak Designs backpack that I liked, but definitely needed more space to carry miscellaneous items in addition to my standard photography gear.

I got the 31-liter sized Prvke backpack from Wandrd. I really like the roll top design that provides exactly what I was missing from my other bags - enough extra space to stuff a jacket, or snacks, or other things I need to stow while traveling. The only other bag I saw with this feature is a Thule "Covert" bag, which I may try if this Wandrd bag doesn’t work out.

I do like the burnt orange color. The photo cube holds my R5 body, 15-35mm f/2.8L, 70-200mm f/2.8L, 180mm macro, 50mm prime, flash, chargers, and filters. My MacBook Pro and iPad fit easily in the special pockets made for them, and there is plenty of space for my chargers, cables, pens, etc. I packed my travel tripod in the side pocket.

Wandrd says they have a lifetime warranty, so I guess we’ll see if I end up needing it. Hopefully it’ll hold up well under daily use. I’m planning to use it as my everyday carry bag for work. It is pretty comfortable to wear so far, so I think durability is my biggest concern right now. Everything else seems good so far - capacity, packability, space, and flexibility.

So, what’s your favorite bag?

I took my son and his girlfriend backpacking up to Parker Lake, in the June Lake Loop. This is in Mono County, CA. It was her first backpacking trip, and I wanted to make it an easy one, so as not to discourage her from ever backpacking again. Anywhere, here are some photos:

At the trailhead:

First view of the lake:

Mirror shot:

Log jams on the outlet creek:

Sunrise, Monday morning:

Just another shot of the ridge and lake:

Just me, at the trailhead:

I took this the morning of Aug. 14, 2023. The sun was shining through clouds. It rained off and on all morning. This was on a short backpack in. My son's girlfriend had never been backpacking before, so we took her on this short overnighter. Taken with a Canon R5, 15-35mm f/2.8L lens.

Can anyone else upload photos anymore? I haven't been able to do so in days. Is it an error with imagemagick? I keep getting some error that flashes briefly about exceeding maximum dimensions, but I used to upload just fine. Weird. Just asking, since I can't seem to post photos at all anwhere on discuss.online. I can try on another instance, just to see what's going on...

I was traveling to the San Francisco Bay Area last weekend (AYSO referee training camp) and I stopped by a Trader Joe's near the camp, and saw a camera store.

I walked in planning to buy a spare battery for my R5, as I didn't want to risk counterfeit items on Amazon, and figure a real in-person camera store would be safe.

Well, I had my bag with me, and they had a used RF 70-200 f/4.0 on consignment, and I tried that, but then the salesperson said, "I have a new 2.8 in stock, if you just want to mount it and check it out." Ugh. I did, and loved it. He saw I had my EF-mount 70-200 2.8 in my bag, and said they'd take it as a trade-in, if I wanted to buy the new RF-mount 70-200 f/2.8.

So, with a swipe of the card, the deal was done. I was traveling down to Irvine for the AYSO National Games, so I figured I'd give it a try down there taking some sports shots. I do love how more compact it is to carry, especially while on a strap.

Thought I’d try a black and white shot. This is the Horton Creek drainage of the Sierra Nevada here in California. Basin Mountain is the highest visible peak on the right, and Horton Creek flows out between Basin Mtn. and Mt. Tom, off screen to the right.

I used a Canon R5, with an EF 70-200mm F2.8L lens (with R-mount adapter). Took it this evening while out walking the dog, about 7:30pm.

I'm on the developer beta, but was just wondering what folks who are on either the public or dev beta think of it.

I haven't noticed anything too twitchy right now. I did find that I had to reboot as Adobe Lightroom locked up on my i9 2019 MB Pro, but it was fine after a reboot...

I recently upgraded from a Canon 6D to a Canon R5 body, and I just now discovered Fv mode. For those who don't know, there are some really useful shortcut modes for Aperture Variation, or Shutter Speed Variation (Av and Tv in Canon parlance), where I spent most of my time shooting on the 6D.

Now, with Fv mode, you can easily adjust shutter speed and aperture, as well as exposure and ISO with the flick of two dials. Once I put the camera in Fv mode, you use the top dial ("Mode" dial) to toggle from shutter speed, aperture, exposure, and ISO, then use the "Main" dial (the one on top, just behind the shutter button) to change values for each one, depending on what feature you want to adjust. You can quickly toggle between each of those things with your thumb on the "Mode" dial, then adjust the value you want to change and leave the other setting on "Auto" and let the camera decide the best setting for the shot, or you can spin the "Main" dial with your index finger, and change each of them - all without having to take your eye away from the viewfinder.

Since my 6D didn't have this, I'm finding it VERY convenient to shoot now. No more taking it into manual mode to change things for a shot, and then have to tediously change it back for the next shot. I can now make pretty much any adjust for a single shot, with my eye in the viewfinder. It's a real game-changer, and there is literally no more need for Av or Tv modes for me at all!

I was just wondering if other R-series Canon shooters stay in Fv mostly as well. I only just found out about it myself, after seeing a YouTube video on its utility. I had been using Av and Tv as I did on my old 6D, but now, there's no more need.

Anyway, just wanted to share my "Today I Learned" moment.

Cheers.

You can't get abs like that just pressing a few squishy grapes. For true abs of steel (or bronze, in this case), you've gotta crank that Ferris Wheel, baby!

Sorry, just a silly photo I happened to notice while visiting San Francisco this past weekend. I saw the Ansel Adams exhibit at the DeYoung museum, and when I was done, I strolled through Golden Gate park, and noticed this dumb composition, and thought I'd share. :)

One of my favorite campsites. I did the North Lake to South Lake loop (about about fifty miles) back in 2020.

Sadly, most thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail or the John Muir Trail will hustle past here, as they’re always trying to get from Muir Pass to Muir Trail Ranch (or vice versa, if they’re southbound) in a day. But, it’s a beautiful place, worth stopping to see at different times of day.

Deer grazed in the meadow, as well as in my campsite as I made my morning coffee. If you’re an angler, Evolution Creek is full of golden trout, and make for a fantastic diet addition along the trail.

It is one of the most peaceful places in the Sierra Nevada, if you visit at the right time of year. This was back in late 2020, and I was able to be all alone here, due to the pandemic keeping the backpackers’ numbers down.

This is one of my favorite campsites ever. This is sunrise over Evolution Creek and McClure Meadow, in the high country of the Sierra Nevada mountains, in Kings Canyon National Park, in California. I’m fortunate enough to live relatively close, in Bishop, California. Still, there are no roads here - you must make your way on foot, or by horseback or pack train.

I backpacked the roughly fifty mile loop, from North Lake to South Lake. Some do it quickly, but I enjoyed taking seven days for the loop.

Enjoy!