NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 08, 2015, 00:28:13

Title: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 08, 2015, 00:28:13
Currently in Ireland with Ruth, my girl friend of the last 21 years. As it happens 21 years also have elapsed since my last visit to the Emerald Island, thus a reason for a double celebration :D

Ireland is still irresistibly green, they still drive on the 'wrong' side of the road, and the Irish themselves are the same wonderful people as before. And last but not least, the weather is Irish. Meaning rain and lots of it.

We arrived on the Atlantic coast today. Not much shooting mainly driving on winding narrow lanes through a rural landscape dotted with groves of lush deciduous tres.

A first impression from the Burren area (Nikon Df, rain, Noct-Nikkor)




Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: elsa hoffmann on July 08, 2015, 07:36:31
Great - looking forward to seeing pics of Ireland and hear your experiences - it might be on my list
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Frank Fremerey on July 08, 2015, 09:53:31
I love Ireland. All slides though, no scanner currently.

Bjørn: hangs to the right.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 08, 2015, 11:16:51
As if I didn't know ....

No fixed rules for a horizon other than you should make it clear the angle is intentional :D
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Frank Fremerey on July 08, 2015, 11:40:42
I know that it is intentional but I see no compositional justification
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 08, 2015, 12:17:41
I do. The composition is done by spinal reflexes, the main job of this capture was to avoid flooding the lens with rain water :D
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Jan Anne on July 08, 2015, 12:37:15
I know that it is intentional but I see no compositional justification
Because he wants to, all the justification one needs to bend the rules ;)
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Frank Fremerey on July 08, 2015, 14:57:18
Of course everyone shoots what he pleases. It just does not add up for me in this case.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: armando_m on July 08, 2015, 16:53:57
no dumping fine $3000 euros ...

good to know , if everything gets aligned I might be in the neighborhood (uk) sometime  in the next few weeks

looking forward to some of the lush greens
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on July 08, 2015, 19:06:36
You always seem to be able to spot a bright yellow "something" and use it to great effect.

And congrats on the 21 years, I hope you get to share at least 21 more. Have a nice trip.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 10, 2015, 01:20:52
Ruth and I are enjoying the Irish countryside, despite the foul weather. However, if you haul out one of the trustworthy Fisheyes, you need to spend a lot of time retouching away rain drops later :D

Here is a Lesser Hawkbit Leontodon taraxacoides in a grike on the limestone pavement of The Burren, a remarkable karst area in County Clare and adjacent parts of Co. Galway. Nikon Df, Fisheye-Nikkor 16 mm f/2.8 AIS.



Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: stenrasmussen on July 10, 2015, 09:38:00
Ruth and I are enjoying the Irish countryside, despite the foul weather. However, if you haul out one of the trustworthy Fisheyes, you need to spend a lot of time retouching away rain drops later :D

Here is a Lesser Hawkbit Leontodon taraxacoides in a grike on the limestone pavement of The Burren, a remarkable karst area in County Clare and adjacent parts of Co. Galway. Nikon Df, Fisheye-Nikkor 16 mm f/2.8 AIS.

Tis "always" windy on the west side and with drops coming down one has to counter strike with a pint of something in the afternoons. Nice picture showing how life finds hiding from the elements in order to survive. What next...Cliffs of Moher?
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Jakov Minić on July 10, 2015, 11:54:44
Yet another inspiring shot with the fish-eye Bjørn!
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: elsa hoffmann on July 10, 2015, 12:12:19
very different and interesting!
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 10, 2015, 14:48:11
Ruth went for a walk on the Cliffs of Moher. I explored the environs of Doolin instead.

Apart from a tiny clue, deliberately left to stay, this image could have been taken some 1000 years ago. The Arran Islands, watchers of the entrance to Galway Bay,  form the backdrop.


Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 10, 2015, 15:17:42
Ireland is a country imbued as deeply in their traditional music as in their Guinness. Playing starts very early and the young are more than willing to share their musical progress with a larger audience at the nearest pub.

This harp player was 11 years old and already in full command of her instrument. Her freckles and red hair add to the Irish air. The group comprised two fiddle and tin pipe players, the harp, and concertina. All players were in the 10-12 year bracket and drawing huge applause for their excellent performance.



Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: armando_m on July 10, 2015, 15:22:12
I really like the tower shot

Wonderful scene, I did see the clue  of modern age

Perhaps a bit oversharpen ?

On the harp player, interesting to see the picture in the background with musicians in it
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 10, 2015, 23:06:33
Another example of young traditionalists (not the same town as the harp player),

(AW1, 10-100)

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 10, 2015, 23:18:25
What is not to like in a country where houses are painted in this manner ? Df, 300 PF
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Frank Fremerey on July 11, 2015, 01:51:09
I love Ireland and I recognize some of the tings you show here. I wonder if there ever can be any congruence between the perception of different individuals
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 11, 2015, 01:53:52
Convergence yes - to some extent.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 15, 2015, 00:18:02
A country of green hues ...

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 15, 2015, 00:18:35
... and the Scream of Nature ...

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: ColinM on July 15, 2015, 17:35:14
Great collection so far Bjorn.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 16, 2015, 02:14:01
.. and the occasional reds ....

Stonecrop on a gravestead near Ballynakill, Co.Galway. Df, 20/1.8.

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: elsa hoffmann on July 16, 2015, 08:13:26
I love that scream of nature pic!
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Airy on July 16, 2015, 08:45:55
So do I, not to mention the last, close-up one.

BTW I am afraid you got a heavy bag - or is it a trolley ?
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: David Paterson on July 16, 2015, 10:45:24
Very interesting images, demonstrating once again nfoto's unique vision.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 17, 2015, 21:09:19
Still lots of images to process.

However, the return flight caused a bad incident. This is what happens when a fellow passenger on a crowded airliner pushes his way through just as you are about to put your gear into the overhead locker - he jolted me so I lost my grip .... Exit Df, exit 300 PF. To use the Nordic phrase, "they went out of the Saga".

To complete the misery, another traveler tripped and spilled his cup of coffee into the lens later during the flight. Back home, we lost our connecting train so had to ride a bus for hours, then to find Ruth's car had its rear-wheel drums seized up durings its 2-week outdoor parking due to the moisture caused  by torrential rains. Oh well, a car-mechanic nerd came to assistance and we managed to get the wheels rolling again. Now, time for a stiff drink.

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Erik Lund on July 17, 2015, 21:14:22
That is indeed a tragic sight, so sorry, the little Df and lensling needs a visit to the Nikon repair guys for sure... ouch...

All the best from Copenhagen!
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: BEZ on July 17, 2015, 21:23:00
The joys of travel  ....commiserations Bjørn.

On a side note the break points do seem well designed to avoid even more serious damage.

Cheers
Bez
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Jakov Minić on July 17, 2015, 21:24:49
Sorry to read the misshapps. Hopefully the Df and 300 won't end up painted in green...
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: elsa hoffmann on July 17, 2015, 21:32:43
omg what a terrible experience Bjørn. Karma is a bitch. One isnt suppose to wish anyone ill - so I hope he is okey - but lets hope he lost his suitcase with all his s&x toys and that his wife is there to receive them when the airline delivers the bag.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on July 17, 2015, 21:54:01
Ouch! Sorry to hear that. I'm glad it was only material damage.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 17, 2015, 22:05:47
Got myself a heat burn from piping hot coffee as well ... a minor incident obviously.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Øivind Tøien on July 17, 2015, 22:58:30
Best wishes for recovery of the patients! Yes, bad things happen in three, the more scientific term is statistical clustering.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Jan Anne on July 18, 2015, 00:37:43
Ouch, the horror :'(

On many occasions I've ignored my own advise to unmount lenses during transport but this massacre reminds me that doing so can have fatal consequences.



 
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 18, 2015, 17:41:51
Oh well, enough of miseries.

A couple to show the lushness so typical of Ireland .... Environmentally friendly, as it were.



Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 19, 2015, 09:25:57
Ruth tries to make eye contact with a native ...

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 19, 2015, 10:23:23
When in Dublin, go to the Science Gallery at Trinity College. Ruth and I spent considerable time at the current exhibition "Home\Sick". Lots of enjoyable science stuff cleverly presented so anyone not interested beforehand would be eager to learn more.

Here is a section showing how to make your own food by running an algal culture.

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: elsa hoffmann on July 19, 2015, 14:00:13
interesting - and I LOVE Honkey the Donkey
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Fons Baerken on July 20, 2015, 09:32:47
sorry about your mishap,
i wonder about some of the processing a lot of lo/hi-lights, details correction seems to be going on,
i normally would get a lot of bad rap for that ;D
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 20, 2015, 09:41:48
Mishaps do happen when least expected. That's their very nature.

As to processing - apart from running the software on a new, small laptop didn't do anything out of the ordinary.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Akira on July 20, 2015, 21:48:19
Bjørn, hope you have run out of all the bad lucks for the rest of your life.

I'm not sure if Ruth could achieve the eye contact through the sunglasses???
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: James Fitzgerald on July 21, 2015, 00:11:54
Nice to see some images from the land of my forefathers. (Although most of my ancestors are Swedish or Scottish.)
I did notice the sign by the donkey said nothing about giving it a drink.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 21, 2015, 16:42:55
The 300 PF apparently survived with just a few minor scratches. Managed to get the extra camera mount off it as well (the one that was ripped off the Df body). The coffee stains on its rear element went away with some soap on a chamoise cloth.

It probably was saved by (1) the hood being stored reversed so effectively would act as a cushion and shock absorber and (2) the lens tripod collar + Arca plate added even more protection. Yesterday, I ran a comprehensive test session with the 300 PF on my second Df, checking alignment, proper focusing, VR functionality in 'Normal' mode, and consistency of exposures ('E' aperture). All results looked good.

As all main Nikon techs are on their summer vacation at present, I have to wait at least 2 weeks to get the camera repaired. I wonder whether the designated shearing zone for impact has protected the camera's mirror chamber from coming out of alignment. Everything else with the camera seems to work: it turns on and off, shows previews and menus, and I can trip the shutter. The massive "L" plate must - again - have acted as a protection to the vulnerable camera body.

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Erik Lund on July 22, 2015, 11:11:59
I would think the threads on the mirrorbox looks like they where stripped out so a new mirror box is needed...

The body is cast magnesium so can take a beating :) Lets hope for the best!
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 22, 2015, 11:53:25
According to the first report from the repair shop, only the front unit with the bayonet support needs to be replaced. Estimated cost approx. $ 700 which is pretty acceptable all things considered. The lens survived the ordeal.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Mike G on July 22, 2015, 12:52:47
Bjorn so sorry to hear the sorry tale, for some reason there is always jostling when trying to get off an aircraft, some people are just too impatient to live. so it ends up with you having a large bill to repair your gear, I can only imagine the Norwegian expletives ringing in the air!

I'm about to go on holiday with my 300 PF via Dusseldorf, so I shall be extra careful!

Hopefully the scalding wasn't too painful!
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Jan Anne on July 22, 2015, 14:44:35
Bjorn, just curious, was it the same Df that got damaged again or was it the spare you bought in Copenhagen?
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 22, 2015, 15:30:12
Actually, it was Df #1. So the spare apparently has a better longevity :D
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 23, 2015, 12:11:51
'nuff about broken cameras ... brings little enjoyment except for the repair techs :D

Ireland is very much about colours. The country simply overflows with colour everywhere and I suspect the moisture in the air adds colour saturation all of its own.

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 23, 2015, 14:24:19
Entering the bustling traffic of downtown Dublin is a true challenge for someone accustomed to driving on the right side of the road. As I'm left-handed, driving on the left side stresses me more than most people since my least-used arm (the right) now handles most of the action. Two weeks driving was more than enough. Fortunately, most of it took place in less crowded circumstances than rush hours in Dubin :D
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 23, 2015, 14:30:31
The contrast to the busy streets of Dublin could hardly be more pronounced than this placid bakery in sleepy little town of Corofin, Co. Clare. The prices were cheap and they provided a tasty carrot cake and for once, really enjoyable coffee, which in Ireland and elsewhere in the British Isles is a scarce commodity indeed.

Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 23, 2015, 14:42:44
The usual 'Irish' weather prevailed in the streets of Dublin. However, this little girl was more interesting in using her umbrella to collect rain drops than to protect her from the wrath of the Irish elements.
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Mike G on July 23, 2015, 14:57:41
Very nice series Bjorn, if you want a decent cup of coffee come to my house, I make a mean cup of coffee in my cafetierre!
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: tommiejeep on July 23, 2015, 15:18:42
Doing some catching up.  I am very fond of the Street image of the 3 Violinists, were they Busking or practicing?  I cannot see any money in the open case  :( .

Wow, tough on the Df.  I used to be bigger and could use my size and weight and a booming voice with such people on flights.  Now I just try and embarrass them with the voice but if you are caught unawares and off balance just not much you can do.
Many fun, good , interesting images, shame about the return home  :( .  Bet you were really looking forward to getting home and making a cup of good coffee  :) .  Sounds like a large Brandy would have been in order with the coffee  ;)
Tom
Title: Re: Ireland 2015
Post by: Bjørn J on July 23, 2015, 15:48:16
Lovely series of a city and a country I would like to visit. Wonderful colours in the last series. The coffee shop photo is great - not least because of the 50's sign "Drink coffee, do stupid things faster" :)