Sundays Overseas: African Penguins

I had know idea these guys existed, but when we headed off to South Africa, Donald was determined to see them.  We also met their 'cousins' in Patagonia, and they have more relatives in Australia.  penguins in all three locations are sometimes called 'Jackass Penguins' because of their braying donkey-like call.  When we saw them they were silent.......

Feeding time, for a chick almost as large as the parent.......

Snow Sculpture III

Snow Sculpture II

International Snow Sculpture Festival in B&W

Perhaps an old choice for the beginning of Lent................

This year's Snow Sculpture Festival was not quite as good as the past ones.  And someone's brilliant idea for mood lighting made B&W photography difficult.  But here goes.........

Sundays Overseas: Victoria Falls, Overflight

If you ever have the chance to do an overflight when you are traveling, it's definitely worth it.  The perspective from the air is completely different.  In this case much more dramatic:

 

Quiz:  What river forms Victoria Falls?

A Natural Bouquet for Valentine's Day!

Sundays Overseas: Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls at ground level:

Always a Rainbow...............

Camera: Minolta X-700
Lens: Tamron 28-200. f/3.8 zoom
Film: ENC-II exposed at ASA 400

All Victoria Falls photos have the same conditions...........

Minolta SRT-101 Film Test

Nothing spectacular here.  I just wanted to confirm that my 40+ year old camera didn't have any light leaks or other major problems:

Near Beaver Lake, off the Peak to Peak Highway.

Cornice on our neighbor's house, from Snowmageddon 2/3/2012.

Not Snowmageddon, but a Natural Snow Sculpture, Also from Beaver Lake.

Camera: Minolta SRT-101 circa 1966

Lens: Minolta Rokker MD 50 mm, f/1.7

Film: Kodak TMAX 100

Meet the Minolta SRT-101

 I have already satisfied my immediate camera plan from My New Year's Resolutions.  Let's hope the rest of the years goes as well.

“The cameras of the 1960s and 1970s have a better chance of working in 2050 than those made in the 1980s……”

I begin with this quote from Karen Nakamura’s Photoethnography, entry for the Minolta SRT-101.  The SRT-101 was introduced in 1966, as one of the earliest cameras with through the lens metering. The SRT-201 added a true flash synched hot shoe, and that was the only difference.

To synch this Hot Shoe you need a cable that plugs into the side.  I never use flash, so who cares!

I’ll also share with you a friend’s story of his experience with the SRT-Series in general.  Jamie was in a small plane crash or more like a very hard landing in a farm field (no serious injuries).  He had been doing some aerial photography and on impact his SRT flew out of his hands.  He later found it imbedded in the wing of the plane, and the camera still worked!

And that’s why I love my clunky, old, fully manual, all metal body SRT cameras.  here's another view of my latest family member……..

ASA Dial.

Most of my recent 35mm B&W images were made with my SRT-202 (also used for these photos), which was a 1970’s update (1975-1978).  A fully manual camera is s great place to start if you are experimenting with film.  And even if the battery dies you can still shoot as long as you are able to “guestimate” the proper exposure.  With constant use, that “guestimation” is usually workable, especially with B&W film.

Tomorrow a few photos from the SRT-101.....................

Orchid #3

More Warm Thoughts.....Orchid #2

I know,  you're wondering where the snow pix are.  For a glimpse of Snomageddon Click Here.

Orchids On Film #1

Sundays Overseas: Korea, World Upside Down

It must feel that way with the recent events and uncertainty in North Korea........