Photography
We are both avid photographers, and we love to travel. You can follow our travels vicariously by checking out our travel-photo webs. Just click on a 'pin' on the map and follow the link to the album for that part of the world.
Our favorite photographs can be found on our web site at farstar.smugmug.com. You can purchase prints in various sizes as well as other novelties there (playing cards, mugs, t-shirts, etc). Digital downloads are also available with separate pricing for commercial and non-commercial uses.
We shoot with Nikon D-SLR's. We are very happy with features, controls and low noise of the Nikon D-300(s) body. We usually carry two lenses: The 18-200mm VR and the 80-400mmVR.
For general photography, the 18-200MM VR lens is amazingly versatile, and eliminates carrying around a second or third lens most of the time. We do sometimes carry an ultra-wide 12 - 24mm lens if we suspect we're going to need the extra angle of view.
For wildlife shots, we find the Nikkor 80-400 VR lens has been indispensable. It is often difficult to acquire a small, moving subject in the viewfinder with a long fixed focal length lens so the zoom is very handy. With the 80-400 we can find the subject in a wide angle view and then zoom in keeping the subject in the frame. Our only complaint is that the closest focusing distance is over 10 feet and if a subject comes too close, you can't get a shot without changing lenses.
We also occasionally use a manual-focus Nikkor 1000mm reflex lens with a fixed f11 aperture - usually for eclipse photography.
The BlackRapid® Strap RS7
is a fantastic, ergonimic way to carry the SLR even when attached to a long
telephoto lens. Linda likes the 'curvier' version designed for women.
Check out the
useful demonstration video at
BlackRapid.
We typically carry a Canon Digital Elph or G10 in our pocket. These capture great images, and they are small enough to always have on hand.
While traveling, we upload our images into an Epson P-7000 storage device. The display on this device is fantastic, and we can carry it easily particularly when we don't have a laptop along.
We still shoot a tiny amount of 35mm film. We have an old Stereo Realist camera that we capture 3D images with - just for the fun of it.
If you are in the market for a digital camera, the great information and detailed technical reviews at Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) can't be beat.