The Transition to Mirrorless - Nikon Z6 II

After nearly nine years, I bought a new camera body and ventured into the world of mirrorless photography. Oh, wait, the second part of that statement is not accurate. I do own an old mirrorless Olympus OMD camera - also purchased nine year ago, but it didn't "take", ie, it sits, very un-used in a camera bag and serves as a stinging reminder for me to be more mindful of my purchases. [So maybe that misguided purchase resulted in this nine year wait and reluctance to switch over to mirrorless.]

 

 
My Nikon D600 still performs beautifully, shows no apparent issues with its mechanical elements with over 28,000 shutter actuations. The D600 gives me all the results I want - great action shots, great low light capability, great portrait photos and the list goes on. I resisted the pull of the new mirrorless cameras due to the EVF (Electronic View Finder) and slow performance based on my experience with the Oly.

 

 
So why convert now? Technology has caught up, especially on the EVF - [a baseline requirement]. I learned that my current lenses could be used on Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras - [important as I have invested in good glass]. The final deciding factor for me is the smaller, lighter camera form factor. I've grown weary of lugging around a heavy, bulky camera bag when my pocketable iPhone can render 70-80% similar images to my D600. But I still need performance of an interchangeable lens camera and the mirrorless fits that need.

 

 
So I purchased a Nikon Z6 II along with the FTZ lens converter which allows me to utilize my existing F-mount lenses on the camera with full functionality.

 

 
With my 24-70mm lens mounted via the FTZ converter:

 

 
Plusses: 

• The EVF performance is amazing - I don't miss my view finder at all 
• Focus points - I can now set focus point anywhere in the photo area. The D600's focus points are clustered in 30% of the center of the photo area and I always felt that handicapped the composition or slowed me down with focus / recomposing action. 
• The form factor and controls - the smaller body is suited for my small hands. Which makes me think it might feel cramped for someone with normal / large hands. 
• The controls feel intuitive and I'm well versed in Nikon camera settings so there hasn't been too steep of a learning curve. 
• Auto focus - it is amazing and includes tech upgrades like subject eye detect for people and animals.

 
Here's a photo of a droopy Louie the Siamese cat as an example.

 
 

• In camera image stabilization coupled with auto focus 
• What you see is what you get with respect to the EVF and exposure control. Want to underexpose? The EVF renders that under exposure. I moved to Manual control and immediately saw the exposure settings were way off in the EVF. 

Cons: 

• The only substantial con I've run into is battery life. Of course the EVF will drain the battery faster than a standard DSLR. 
•  The live view screen on the back is hard for me to use due to ambient light conditions, but honestly, I'm going to use the EVF 95% of the time anyways.

 

 
Yes, I still plan to use the D600, so maybe I will turn into one of those photographers who tote around two cameras at a time to avoid the hassle of switching lenses. Of course that counters my desire to lighten up my camera kit. Maybe just for those portrait sessions!

 

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For the Birds

My husband recently relocated the platform bird feeder so that it sits less than a yard from the back of the house, conveniently situated close to the living room windows. He also bought and filled it bird seed, an important element to attracting birds to the feeder (yeah, obvious, but something I just never seem to remember to do, LOL!).

I like my new photo set up!




This set up also attracts birds to the pond.


Of course, the cats love their new entertainment package.

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Caught Sleeping

Every blog needs some fuzzy cuteness every now and then.





Two weeks ago, I accidentally shut the sliding glass door on Louie's tail. I shut it hard and didn't realized what had happened until I looked down and saw a big clump of cat hair on the ground, and one super freaked out cat who proceeded to run away each time I approached. Yes, there was blood and cat hair everywhere. We couldn't find the cat until the following day, and I brought him into the vet. We thought the tail was broken, which meant the possibility of a tail amputation. I felt so bad!

Everything worked out in the end - the tail is not broken, and the two inch gash has healed nicely. I gave Louie his antibiotics via portions of tuna fish, which he loved. He has resumed sleeping with me at night, so I think he forgives me. I take my time closing that door now - I never want to go through something like that again.

After the 2nd visit to the vet - he's feeling better enough to roam out of the cat carrier.

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Stuff with Pictures Thrown In

This is going to be one of those disjointed, free wheeling posts with photos thrown in. Just so you're duly warned up front....

I've started to document the food I prepare for dinner, as in creating recipes of my family's favorite dishes. I typically don't measure anything and create meals based on photographs, recipes I've read but not printed out - I "wing" a lot of it. Recipes I've started to document include Lemon Shrimp with Pasta, Secret Ingredient Meatballs / Hamburgers, Veggie Burgers, Teriyaki chicken, and Black Bean Salsa.

Because I'm talking about food right now, here are some photos I took in February when I made Chinese dumplings for Book Club.



A college friend posted the recipe for Chinese Egg Tarts (Dan Ta) on Facebook. I need to make them - maybe this weekend.

Outside, plentiful rain is falling, mixed with thunder, lightning and wind. It’s a dark cloud day that makes you want to crawl in bed. It's warmer than last week when I took this photo during a morning run:

I ran two 6 mile loops that morning, with the first loop around sunrise. The rising sun transformed the cold, frosty, slightly misty landscape into a golden, glittery scene right before my eyes. It was pretty, albeit still cold. For the first time, I had to run with music in the background (I used my iPhone speakers). I normally eschew such stimuli, but I was SO bored running by myself. This has me thinking about my race strategy - I think I may need music to get me through the last 6 miles. Or I'll have to find a stranger to talk to.

My daughter competed in her first horse show last weekend. She entered the Dressage and Jumping events in the Starter Novice division. I learned a couple things that day - one, to rely upon the scheduled event times instead of waiting for my daughter to text me her event was coming up. I caught her Dressage ride, but missed her two jumping runs. Two, stick around for the show results - yes, I know, that's a no brainer, and I should have known better. She took home a first place ribbon for the jumping event and I missed it. Cue bad mom music, if there is such a thing.



During our visit to the Art Institute, we happened upon the staging of a future exhibit. I found it utterly fascinating - the workers had design drawings they were working from, several tripod set up with level cross hairs beamed on to the walls to guide them in the set up.



I finally used the Panoramic functionality on my iPhone. It was perfect for this rendering of the Chicago Skyline in the Bean


Finally, a cat photo, because you can't have a rambling blog post without something cat related.


Hope you have a great Friday! I've already gone to yoga class, will go to work and after work I get to pick up a case of wine, buy some art coloring pencils, pick up a library book before making dinner and sending myself to bed early in preparation for a 20+ mile run Saturday morning. I'm tired just thinking about it....

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Horse And More Wednesday - Empty Stall

Well, not completely empty - the barn cats have taken up residence in the stall where the foal and his momma once occupied.



Notice I stated "where the foal and his momma once occupied".

Sigh, the little baby and his momma are gone. I guess their stay at the stable was for the purpose of bringing the little one into this world and now they have gone back to where the baby will be trained up.

Even though they are gone, I am glad to have been graced by their presence, if only for a fleeting moment. Maybe our paths will cross again.

If you would like to share a photo, please link up below. Your photo does not need to be horse themed.

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday.

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Huntress

We let Hannah out of the house occasionally because
1. She doesn't go far - she stays in the yard
2. She always comes home when we call her - or more specifically, shake her food bowl
3. She manages to catch a rodent every now and then

We won't let Louie outside because he's young and we are afraid he might run off. There are coyotes still in the area and it's best to keep him inside.

But Hannah, she enjoys the comforts of home too much now to wander off.

Hannah watched as I was taking picture of the icy branches Monday afternoon and started to meow so loudly that one of the kids let her out to join me. She didn't know she would become my next subject.





Here she is in "stalking mode":

But maybe she's just slinking around because the ground is so cold!

She didn't catch anything today. Maybe next time, Hannah-girl.

Sharing with This or That Thursday

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Large And Small

And beautiful in every way.





We were blessed with bright sunshine today, which tempered the frigid and icy conditions outside. I was lucky to capture little Louie by the dining room window before he scampered off.

I captured the horses a few days back - another sunny but chilly day. I love how they grow thick, fuzzy coats in the winter - they look so cozy.

But it is decidedly cold out.....as she reminded me:


Hope you are staying warm today!

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Merry Christmas

Just a few glimpses into our Christmas this year.

The kid-decorated gingerbread house. Each kid gets half the house to decorate. There was a mis-understanding this year - each kid thought I was making them their own house! Next year, I'm just going to purchase two kits - it will be much easier for me...

The front:


The "party backyard", complete with pond for the penguin and campfire for the gingerbread men.


We bought gifts for the cats and I could not resist this plaid outfit, even if it was designed for a dog. Louie endured 15 minutes of humiliation while we cooed and declared how cute he looked in it.


See, it even comes with a hood...


The kids stayed up late, trying to guess what was in each package. There were a lot of guesses for "shoes". That's because we used old shoe boxes to house the gifts!


Needless to say, we had a great Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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Those Darn Cats

I know you are inundated by cat photos on Instagram, YouTube and other social media sites. But who can't resist these fuzzy guys? They look so cute and innocent....



1. At Attention, 2. On Her Ear, 3. Catitude, 4. I'm in the Spot Now

Doing what they do best - napping, hanging out and showing that "catitude".

Linked to Mosaic Monday. Hope you have a great day.

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Random Shots

Having a new toy shouldn't be the impetus for a sudden surge in photo taking, but that is what's happening.

A vertical shot, too....


The day before Thanksgiving was so nice - sunny and 60 degF.


We're shivering now that the winds are blowing the cold air around now.




So we've settled in tonight by the fire. Hoping you are staying warm wherever you are!

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Traditions

I take and post similar photos every year, but it's hard to mess with tradition. And it's so fun to see the changes year over year.

The pre-Thanksgiving Feast photo with the cats - I'm setting up the interval timer on the camera here:


And like magic, I've joined the photo:


Some differences this year - the boy has surpassed his sister and me in height and the Siamese cat is Louie instead of Sam (sniff).

Another holiday tradition - picking out the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.


Since this is Louie's first Christmas, he doesn't know what to think.


I guess instinct takes over in times like this.


I hope he doesn't try to climb the real tree!

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Hannah on Our Balance Beam

With the Olympics in full swing, it's hard not to be inspired by the feats the athletes display. Here is Hannah, channeling the gymnasts as she balances herself on our banister.



I don't know how she or the gymnasts do it - I can't even stand on a 4" beam for a minute.

Today's post is my entry into I Heart Faces Pet Photo Challenge.

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With Family - July's Self Portraits

In July, I found myself taking my self portraits with the various animals in our lives. After all, they are part of the family and what better way to capture them.

With Caesar, our Appoloosa:




With Louie, our new Siamese:



Me and the kids:



And in keeping with this month's optional theme that Christy, aka Urban Muser challenged us with - Reflection:

If you are interested, I am doing a side plank here, something new I've learned in the Pilates / Yoga class I've been taking.

You can check out the other great reflection photos from other participants of {in the picture} at the group's flickr pool. If you feel inspired, please join us!

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Skip to My Lou

Over the past month, I've learned that, as much as I hoped and prayed for a happy ending, that doesn't always happen. Instead, we have a bittersweet start and move forward.

The reality of the situation is as such - in our neighborhood, seven cats have gone missing since mid May. We've lived here ten years and have never had any issues with cats being taken. But the rabbit population is way down and there have been sightings of a coyote. We received word that seven foxes were rounded up and destroyed just to the south of our neighborhood - due to the unusually high fox population.

It's now been five weeks since Sam went missing. We are fairly certain he was killed by the coyote or large fox. Our other cat, Hannah, is no longer allowed to go outside unsupervised - we go outside with her and make sure she doesn't leave the boundaries of the yard. She only goes out to chew on some grass before heading back inside. She's only insisted on going outside since Sam disappeared, and I am certain she misses him, too.

With the loss of our Sam, I started the process of finding a new cat. The house felt empty and I needed another cat. I specifically sought out another Siamese cat because I knew that breed would bring with it many of the traits I loved in Sam, namely friendliness and loyalty. Ideally, I would have preferred an adult Siamese whose owners were seeking a family to adopt. I found such a cat on Craigslist, but the person running the ad never responded to my inquiry and I assumed the cat had already been adopted. So I started looking for kittens. Oh my, there were quite a few to choose from - such cute and adorable photos that melted my heart. I was ready to drive four hours to visit one breeder when a new ad popped up on Craigslist - one for a 6 month male, a seal point Siamese, whose family could no longer afford him. I responded to the ad and within an hour, the owner, Jane, had emailed and texted me. We arranged to meet the next day.

I took Brian with me and we met Jane at her house, about an hour away. Louie, the Siamese was sleeping on the couch. Jane explained that she was going back to school and could not afford to keep Louie. He had his first set of shots, but needed rounds two and three, including a rabies shot and finally, he needed to be neutered. Jane obtained Louie from an inexperienced breeder who was dealing with too many litters - quote - "I got him out of a bad situation". Even so, it was clear that he was well cared for and loved in his current situation. When Jane placed that droopy cat in my arms, I knew he was the right one. We took him home with us.

Meet Louie. Taken a couple hours after we first brought him home. He spent a little time hidden under the bed, but finally emerged after some coaxing.

We decided to keep the name his previous owners called him. Scott looked up the meaning of the name and Louie means "famous warrior". We think it fits.

No, he'll never replace Sam. I've told the kids that I would love it if Sam showed up on our doorstep tonight, or 6 months from now - having Louie doesn't change anything about the love we have for Sam and we still miss him.

In the two weeks we've had Louie, he's progressed from being contained to the basement to having free reign of the house. Hannah no longer hisses at him and they seem to be getting along, interacting more with each passing day. We're learning more about his personality - what toys he prefers, where he likes to sleep, how he likes people food (not much of a shocker there!). He's certainly a part of the family.




I am thankful we have Louie in our lives.

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