Author: circadianreflections

My name is Deborah Zajac. I'm a photographer living in Nevada at the base of the Eastern Sierras. I am a passionate nature, landscape, night/astro photographer. I shoot predominately in color and use Nikon Digital Cameras, and lenses. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the photos I've taken while on my travels. Please feel free to leave a comment I'd love to hear from you.

Men’s Camera Bags

Posted in Gear, PhotographyTagged , Leave a comment

After my post yesterday about the Epiphane, and Jill-e camera bags a male friend wrote that he likes the shape, size, and idea of the Jill-e bags, but wants something more masculine.

He noticed Jill-e has a line of bags for men called Jack bags that I overlooked. What a mistake! I think Ladies will love these bags too.

The leather messenger looks like it feels supple, and wonderful.  The style brings to my mind vintage aviator luggage.

http://www.jill-e.com/mocha/jack_messenger.html

The small messenger with leather trim and belt buckle closure looks stylish as well.

http://www.jill-e.com/mocha/jack_small_messenger.html

For a little more rugged, old school camera bag look take a look at Think Tank’s Retrospective line of bags.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/retrospective-10-pinestone-shoulder-bag.aspx

Another really neat thing about all these bags is none of them scream “camera bag”, and they give us some options other than a back-pack.

I love having options!

When a camera back pack just won’t do!

Posted in Gear, PhotographyTagged 1 Comment

What’s a woman to do when going out with your camera, but the bulky back-pack doesn’t suit the venue, or your ensemble?

Go shopping!

Epiphane Bags http://www.epiphaniebags.com/#/shopginger/ has a line of camera bags in several styles that come in bold, and fun colors that look like a purse!

I just ordered this Ginger bag. They must be popular it’s back ordered! I’ll review this bag when it arrives.

Jill-e designs  also has a line of bags, and cases for women photographers. I like the Medium Bone bag.

http://www.jill-e.com/jill-e_bags.html

Thankfully we have some nice options!

Thank you Nikki for the tip on Epiphane bags!

Scenic Peak Trail-Training for Cloud’s Rest

Posted in California, hikes, Landscapes, Nature, Nikon, PhotographyTagged 2 Comments

Myself and two friends hiked up to Mission Peak yesterday afternoon. I’m in training for a hike up to Cloud’s Rest in Yosemite this summer, and my friend Rachael is hiking to both Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome in early summer.  This was the first time hiking up to Mission Peak for my friend Dali.

The Peak trail is considered a good training hike because the ascent is steep and fast. You start at 500 feet and climb to 2,517ft in just about 3 miles. The route is quite pretty filled with wildlife and great views. Here is some of what I saw yesterday.

I spotted several wildflowers along the trail yesterday; Spring Vetch; California Poppies; and Buttercups, but the flower I liked the best was this Coulter’s Matilija Poppy growing along the road near Ohlone College. I love the big billowy pedals, and wonderful yellow center. It’s a show stopper!

Not too far up the trail I saw this little Chipping Sparrow. I was so surprised he didn’t fly away when I stopped to take his photo.

At the pond where the cows hang out I lose time taking photo after photo.

I saw a Killdeer up here for the first time.

In the woodland a Bitter Cherry (I think) was blooming.

About halfway to the top we come to my favorite view. You have to turn around to see this lovely Red barn nestled in the trees.

Yesterday we spotted a Red Tailed Hawk flying from one side of the trail to the other. He would circle awhile then land on a rock and watch his territory.  I travel light when hiking up here so I didn’t have my longer lens with me, but wished I did.

Looking back – Fremont and the Bay

Only 300 feet from the top now! This part of the trail is brutal. It’s the steepest, and very rocky the higher you get.

Rachael is a great hiker she moves a lot faster than I do. She made it to the top about 20 minutes before me. Dali not far behind Rachael peaked about 10 minutes before me. I knew he wouldn’t have any trouble making it to the top.

Dali

…and here’s me. I made it!

This was the 7th time  I’ve hiked this trail and 4th time peaking.  I have a goal of climbing up here 4 times this year I’m halfway there! I’ll probably have to step it up and come up here more if I hope to make it to Cloud’s Rest this August.

One thing is for sure. The hike up is always beautiful, and I see something different each time I come.

Nikon D300s| Nikkor 18-200mmVR| Handheld and Tripod

All Photos are Copyright © 2011 Deborah M. Zajac.  All Rights Reserved.

“Look at the stars! Look, look up at the skies!Oh look at all the fire-folk sitting in the air!The bright boroughs, the circle-citadels there!” Gerard Manley Hopkins

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Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2011 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

Twilight on the Mesquite Sand Dunes.
While hiking out in the dunes to shoot the sunrise I had to stop and shoot Venus, and the Crescent Moon shining down on this lone Creosote bush.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 17-35mm @ 25mm| f5| 10 seconds| ISO 160| Manual Mode| Tripod| Self Timer|

Nikon D800 Design Concept…

Posted in Nikon4 Comments

Tecnofotografia has a new design concept for the D800 published.

http://nikonrumors.com/2011/04/10/nikon-d800-design-concept-camera.aspx

My initial thoughts:

While I don’t particularly care for video on a camera, and have never used the feature on either one of my cameras it seems to be a trend that is staying around.

I wouldn’t want that removable grip to come off so easily that it fell off on its own for no reason. The longer it “wears” the happier the consumer will be.

The removable wireless screen is interesting. It would be cool if you could tap into your apps with it to use neat apps like OnOne’s software that I blogged about here:

https://circadianreflections.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/d-slr-next-generation-camera-remote/

I do hope they don’t put on-board flash on it. I’d like to see them get rid of that keeping only the Hot Shoe mount like the higher end Pro line D3 (s) (x).

I am wondering how it would feel in my hands to use without the left hand control buttons. I love Nikon’s ergonomics. I’d hate to lose that.

My first reaction was that it has a lot of gimmicks and has a “consumer” rather than “Professional” feel/look. I hope Nikon keeps all the Pro features and ditches the gimmicky “consumer” features on the D700 replacement. I’m looking for the D3 in a Prosumer body.

 

What do you find interesting or exciting about this concept design?

H/T Geo Wu & Nikon Rumors