You know I think have downloaded every one of your videos and revisit them often: They provide knowledge and excellent teaching, but also a snippet of sanity in an insane world:
Hi Steve. Great message here. I think people lose sight of the fact that this is a hobby (for most of us) in the quest for likes/views/tweets etc. My priority is to enjoy being in the hills or on the coast and if I come away with a half decent image then I'm a very happy chappy !! Your philosophy is spot on, so keep doing your own thing ! Really enjoyed seeing the Arenigs (haven't been for a long time) so many thanks for sharing Steve.
Thanks Tim. I’m definitely not trying to be popular ( if I was I’d make more click bait videos). I really enjoy being out and about and getting an image is just a bonus.
Absolutely love the locations you pick for your photography. The expansive natural beauty of these places is truly transporting and is the main reason I follow your journeys.
Another enjoyable and informative video Steve. I would have struggled to find a composition in that location, but you show that photography isn’t all about dramatic scenes and golden hour light. And your comment that the equipment you have is plenty good enough for your needs is very reassuring when we are being constantly bombarded by newer and more advanced technology.
Thanks Guy. I needed up selling the Nikon digital gear as it doesn’t suit me as well as lighter equipment such as my micro 4/3 outfit. On an outing like this convenience and light weight more than outweigh the benefits of a bigger sensor.
Enjoyed the lovely walk Steve. Gorgeous country and scenery. Excellent information on the cameras used and why. I do agree on the weight aspect. Long walk, heavy equipment can make for a less than stellar day in the field but this was more of a comparison outing. Thank you for all the time spent edition and posting your videos. Cheers from Canada.
Thanks Wayne. After the trip I weighed up the options (literally) and sold the Nikon digital equipment as I can carry an equivalent Micro 4/3 camera much more easily and save a lot of weight.
Lovely. Thanks againfor all the effort you put into making and editing your videos. And you are totally right, I think. After selling most of my full frame gear to afford a Lumix GH9 with some lenses, which are great, I still kept my Canon EOS 3 and 6DII plus a 35 mm, 50 mm and the Tamron 28-300. These lenses are not that heavy and they certainly produce more than enough image quality for Ilford HP5+ (which is what I have settled down to for now). It is simply fun to use this gear, and for us lucky amateur photographers fun should be the main thing.
Couldn’t agree more, a lot of the lenses that get poor reviews on high end digital cameras are perfect for film use. Like you I am standardising on HP5+ for a number of reasons.
Very inspiring (so much so I just bought an N80 off eBay filling up the film gap in 35mm). Thank you for you weekly inspirations and continued emphasis on film photography as well as digital. Both are needed - the right tool for the job, as they say. Cheers!
Nice work Steve! I hope you realised or saw that a B17 flying fortress crashed on Arenig Fawr during WWII? There is a memorial to the crew near the summit. I was up there many years ago and it's a really remote area of Snowdonia, a great choice.
I saw the memorial Alan, very moving and it made me think about the young men who lost their lives so far from home. I think the remoteness is what attracted me most, so much more peaceful than most of Snowdonia.
Hi Steve. Beautiful vid and photographs. The black and white are the best to my liking. I use a fuji setup and that's also very good for long walks. Mostly I only use the 23mm prime. I hope to do some black & white soon with the Nikon FG. Still waiting for the first color photographs of the FG (Kodak Ektar). The FG is a practical and good camera next to my XT-2. Many thanks for the advise.
Hi Steve. I'm currently in Scotland with a LF, MF, and digi setups. So facing the same conundrums. I recon the way forward is by following Ansel Adams. Use a Mule! Just need to find one that can use a kissing gate and styles. Great vlog. Cheers, Diz
Hope you are enjoying your trip Diz, I was up there last month and had a great time. If I could just find someone to carry all the equipment I’d really enjoy photographing mountains but until then I’ll continue to look for the perfect balance of weight and performance.
Very enjoyable video. I also like you aren’t beholden to one particular format, and you explain the compromises you make in the gear you choose for a walk. Nicely done. Thanks.
Love your videos. My philosophy with cameras is to have one for different uses. For example I do a lot of macro studio product photography and landscapes, I can use my Canon EOS RP for both because it has focus bracketing. I just bought a Lumix GX85 for street photography and to keep in the car. And today, not even a week later, I bought an Olympus OM-D EM10 Mark II to use for nightscapes with its Live Composite feature. I also plan on getting a Sony a7R II (bought one used and it had sensor damage so I had to return it) for landscapes and for large prints. I love having different camera systems, they all have their unique advantages.
Thanks Dylan. I also find a range of cameras suit me better than just one. I use everything from 35mm to 8x10 and find the operation of each suits different subject matter.
lol... You looked a bit sheepish in that intro :) Great approach to your love of photography That looked a great hike and had me panting watching you walking and talking whilst going up that mountain - great effort! Never been up there but recognised the summit of Arenig Fawr (from looking at my os mapping) and the ridge of Craig y Hyrddod I believe? Cracking image. Loved both the colour & mono images of Amnodd-Wen, really makes me want to visit that spot. Was shocked when you did your what's in my bag... I was thinking weight!!! It was one major factor in my choice to move from FF to 4/3rds to be honest, when I compare the lenses of FF to what I take with the G9 it now makes me smile.., I still haven't used the high resolution mode on that camera yet - still getting to grips with all those menus. I have taken up a little project where I am now going back over the locations I used to shoot with the Canon and replicating them with the G9. Thanks again Steve, great epiosde and always a pleasure to see your images from the shoot.
Thanks Alan. I have disposed of the digital Nikon now, it isn’t as good as the micro 4/3 kit to my mind and it was quite a lot to carry. I’ve used the G9’s hi res mode a few times recently and in the right conditions it does look cleaner and sharper.
Great video. Informative and sheepy. I really like the photos you shared with us. I got a better look at them over on Flickr. I've recently given up cityscape photography (too many unpleasant encounters) and taken up landscape photography. Your videos are a great source of inspiration and motivation. Regarding landscape equipment, I was walking the other day with my Nikon D810 and a bag of prime lenses and I got tired after a while. Today I went up the hills with a Fujifilm X-T3, the kits lens, and a light travel tripod. It was a much better experience. Setting up and making photos was much easier.
Thanks Marcus and I totally get the bit about using something like an XT-3 with a kit lens. I have sold the D610 and now plan to use the Micro 4/3 with an all in one lens when out walking, it is so much lighter and a lot more flexible.
I shoot film and digital. In a blind test my wife prefers the film alternative almost always. It may be that we've become used to perfectly sharp, highly resolved photographs and look for something more than description alone.
Hi Steve. Like you, I enjoy having a mix of cameras and formats to shoot but I sometimes struggle to decide on what to take as each system is a fair weight in itself. Liked your woolly followers - it made for a great title thumbnail!
Some nice photos there, Steve. The countryside is so different from what I am used to here in North Carolina, particularly the absence of trees. Share your regard for the F80. My favorite camera was an N75, until the shutter died.aybe time to replace. Thanks for sharing.
Always a treat when your video hits my notification bell Steve. Interesting choice of cameras for this trip. I wonder how much weight you’d lose by limiting yourself to one or two lenses and perhaps leaving that big zoom at home for a trip like this one. The compromise might be good for your back. I’ve been thinking about an Nikon F6 for a while, your video may push me over the edge.
Thanks Bill. I found the outfit a bit of a struggle when the going got tough in the boggy sections of the walk. It is surprising how a little extra weight really adds up on a long walk and I’ve now sold the outfit to concentrate on micro 4/3 for digital work. I used to have a Nikon F100 until recently (still have an F90x) but found it offered nothing over the F80 for most situations and it weighs a lot more. I’ve also looked at the F6 as the ultimate film camera. For now I’ve got a 28-200 Nikkor to use as a single lens for longer walks, it will be interesting to see how it performs.
Great video as always. Definitely stick to what you love shooting, I have the same philosophy :) I currently have the G9 and e-m10 mk II for my digital workflow and use a Minolta X-700, Zeis Ikon Nettar II 6x9 and Mamiya C330s for my medium format film photography. Also considering getting a Mamiya 645 pro as I love the look and feel of medium format film photography be it heavier than my Minolta X-700 or M/43 cameras :) Being Welsh I can understand your appreciate of Wales for landscape photography :)
I'm looking for a decent filter pouch for my Lee Filters and liked the one you showed. I didn't see it listed in the notes below the video. Can you tell me what it was, and do you like it now that you have used it? I really enjoy all your videos Steve. Always inspiring!
Thanks Philip. The filter bag is by Sioti SIOTI Camera Lens and ND Filter... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FUBCU5G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share It isn’t great quality but it is big enough to hold the larger 100mm filters, a holder and adapter rings. Thankfully it is also very solid and resists hard impacts well.
You make such lovely videos, I feel better for watching them. Following a serious health issue a few years back (heart attack), in addition to my work as an equine photographer I now use photography as a means of physical training - meaning I haul an RB67 kit around on my travels, not recommended but the workout is phenomenal and the images aren't too bad either 😀 But for lazy days it's an old F801...
Your are braver than me to take an RB out and about, I think the SQ is heavy! I also like to carry 35mm for the freedom it gives and there is something very personal about the images. All the best.
Steve O'Nions my next one is from the summit of Elidir Fawr at both ends of the day in bright light and I was very pleased at how well the camera coped 😊
I’ve not done that one yet Dave and I’m still pondering which mountain to do next time out. I now have the cheaper version of your 12-100 Olympus in the form of the Panasonic 14-140 which is a lot easier to lug than the D610 and two zooms.
Thanks William. Those sheep were very friendly and followed me for half a mile. The poles are made by Hama and I bought them because they also have a threaded camera mount to enable use as a monopod.
Interesting thoughts about MFT and the Sony system. I'm re-evaluating my Sony A7 at the moment - and I fully agree, I too don't especially "like" it. Compared to my Pen F it is much less fun! But results are just gorgeous. The standard zoom (28-70 3.5-5.6) has issues at 28 mm in the corners, but other than that, image quality (especially dynamic range and highlights) is just way beyond my Pen F. I had the opportunity to take some shots with the Sony 85 mm lens (what a beast). I'm a bit torn …
I know exactly what you mean. I loved the 24mp sensor and its colours but lenses were the stumbling block. I tried a range of adapted Canon FD primes which were small and light but needed f/11 to be truly sharp across the frame. The body was very compact too but battery life and handling felt a long way behind the M43 devices. I find the smaller format has enough quality for me and the lenses are just so small and sharp that I have come down firmly on the side of M43 from now on (the D610 has been sold).
@@SteveONions Yeah, image quality of the small Olympus MFT primes is excellent, the whole system is a joy to use. But highlights are a problem for me (hits me again and again), and there I find the Sony A7 far superior (and I mean: far, far superior, like from another world, or nearly like color negative film). I'll test an A7RII that a friend will lend me to see if I get better results with wide-angle lenses, and this might be the deciding factor. There are much smaller (non-Sony) lens options for the A7 by now, so that might be another point to consider. In the end I might just set -0.5 stops exposure compensation as an offset on the Pen F (newer Olympus cameras have this option) to be sure about the highlights, or put bracketing on one of the buttons (had it set in the past, but needed the button for something else ;-)) …
If and when I start my own TH-cam channel, you will see me shoot landscapes with Fujifilm, Canon and asony cameras, but I will shoot film too on my old Minoltas for those moody , grainy and gritty images. We are photographers not brand geeks. It is, as you say, getting out there in the landscape and just photographing scenes we love.
Hello Steve, my question today is about your pack. Actually the pack within the pack. Looks like a pack with dividers for lenses and that might slide into the Osprey. How does that work? BTW, I picked up the Osprey 24 liter and fell in love! Great pack! So ill be looking for a bigger one. I am intrigued by the other one though too with dividers My other question was about using a VR lens on a tripod. And what kind of tripod is it. It looks very light weight, like maybe a carbon fiber? But also capable of supporting big lenses? Love watching your vlogs! And reminds me to never give up shooting film! I get a lot of inspiration from you! Thanks
Hi Dorothy. The pack insert is just a cheap one from Amazon and it is a snug fit for the Osprey 44. It does make carrying a heavy camera kit a lot easier than using a camera backpack. The VR lens seems fine on the tripod most of the time but to be safe I usually deactivate it just in case. The tripod itself was actually a very basic Velbon Rexi, aluminium but very light and rigid enough for my needs. I’ve found the Velbon range very good over the years and have two other models. All the best, Steve.
Sorry Steve, a Good Shepherd metaphor is stuck in my mind about this your trip ;) Real pleasure as usual to watch your photographic endeavors. Just one technical question, was the developer id-11? I always ask you about fp5 because I try to shoot only this film for now and study it in different developers.
Hi Gene. I used HC-110 for this trip but I have now switched back to ID-11 as I want to do more optical enlarging and find it suits me better. HC-110 is very sharp but quite unforgiving in 35mm, much better suited to large format where grain is rarely an issue.
@@SteveONions Yeah, they were hot on your heels. I could just imagine the sheriff after you for hijacking the sheep. We use sheep in our rural northern California community to keep hillside grass and brush "cut" to reduce fire danger. The sheep we have here start walking the other way if they see a person coming. Best to you.
Steve, I was interested to see that you use a removable insert for your camera equipment rather than plumping for a dedicated LowePro pack, or similar. Presumably because the Osprey affords more room for all your other stuff - or is the 'insert' included with the Talon 44, please? Thank you.
There are no dedicated Osprey inserts as far as I know Russell but generic Amazon ones can fit really well and I'm far happier using a real rucksack than a camera bag on long hikes.
I believe as you do, digital and film both have a place in my kit. I shoot a Nikon F4 along side a Nikon D810. I also shoot a Bronica SQ-A. Until it died I shot an Olympus E620.
Hi, great video as always. I've been into photography since the early 70's and one issue that I've never really solved satisfactorily is the storage of chemicals to minimize waste when the chemicals go off. I'm a light to moderate printer and I tend to buy larger quantities (5l) of Hypam, for example, and then I'm faced with how to store the unused quantity so it's usable when I next print. Efficient storage be something you can address in a future video?
There’s no ideal solution Norbert apart from buying in small quantities and accepting the higher costs. I also but 5L of Hypam at a time and tend to use it quickly by mixing fresh for every session regardless of how used it is. For film Dev the best bet is HC-110 or Rodinal.
Was wondering what you think of the gritty B&w setting in the 4/3rds format. Do you like it? Think it's any good? I ask as you seem to be very knowledgeable in b&w as you shoot a lot in film. Just wondering are they vastly different or has the digital age finally captured it!
I’ve not used the B&W modes very much to be honest as I’d usually work on the RAW images later. There’s a lot to be said for shooting natively in B&W though rather than trying to correct it later in post processing. I’m sure the jpeg quality of images straight from camera are good enough for almost any purpose.
The wife asked me what I was laughing at, and when I said sheep she gave me that look only a wife can. I’m the same with cameras, but with Canon as I’ve shot them for many years and they are my digital cameras. I also have two EOS cameras that can use all the same lenses, and I know those really well. But I see no point in taking sides, it’s all photography and it’s supposed to be enjoyed. Personally I prefer the journey with film, especially 35mm B&W that I can take into the darkroom. I really enjoyed the "what’s in my bag". I often take two cameras, my newest digital being my Canon 5DIII. For stills photography digital cameras of that period at still plenty good enough. But I don’t have the same weight issues as either my mobility scooter or car carries everything, but I imagine the next digital camera I buy will be tan Olympus. I’ll need an adapter though as I'm planning on using it with my old Zuiko lenses. An absolutely brilliant video Steve with some wonderful images.
Thanks Mark. After the trip I weighed up the options (literally) and realised that micro 4/3 suited me a lot better so I sold the D610 and stabilised zooms. I also much preferred the mono images taken with the F80 and HP5+, so much more emotion and depth. I’ve also decided to do some optical enlarging again so having a proper negative to work from is important once again. For digital it is micro 4/3 or smaller from now on thanks to the size and weight, not to mention the ultra compact lenses.
Steve O'Nions You did have the option of keeping the Nikon and buying a mobility scooter, I bet you never thought of that! I know you’re one of those photographers that can (and do) create a great image with any camera. I agree with your attitude to photography, and I think there’s a certain amount of snobbery around photography which often results in mixed up values. I’m really pleased your going back into the darkroom, with B&W I don’t think the chemicals have any real impact on my chest. Being locked in a small room might though.
I do fret about camera choice before certain outings but always find that ease of use outweighs any technical benefits. As soon as it becomes a burden to get the camera out you start missing shots that could have been made with a smaller outfit. I do think the mix of digital and film works very well for certain situations providing each has a specific purpose - I typically like film for mono but can live with digital colour quite happily.
Steve O'Nions If I shoot a full roll of 35mm colour a year I shoot a lot, that’s why 10 different rolls is going to be my 360 project for next year. That and the fact I’m looking for a replacement for my 120 Fujifilm Pro 160ns. But transversally I rarely shoot B&W on my digital cameras. All my gear weighs the same for me, so it isn’t really a consideration.
I have done that, 2 cameras, BW and colour! It was a failure for me! Better one than try cover it all. Colour easily manipulated to Monochrome but, BUT, it's not film .In all great images. The video of those sheep so joyous!
You know I think have downloaded every one of your videos and revisit them often: They provide knowledge and excellent teaching, but also a snippet of sanity in an insane world:
Thanks Brian 😀
Hi Steve. Great message here. I think people lose sight of the fact that this is a hobby (for most of us) in the quest for likes/views/tweets etc. My priority is to enjoy being in the hills or on the coast and if I come away with a half decent image then I'm a very happy chappy !! Your philosophy is spot on, so keep doing your own thing ! Really enjoyed seeing the Arenigs (haven't been for a long time) so many thanks for sharing Steve.
Thanks Tim. I’m definitely not trying to be popular ( if I was I’d make more click bait videos). I really enjoy being out and about and getting an image is just a bonus.
Thanks Steve. My aim with the channel would be to just enjoy it and hope I could inspire others to just get out there and enjoy their hobby too.
I can’t agree more Simon.
Absolutely love the locations you pick for your photography. The expansive natural beauty of these places is truly transporting and is the main reason I follow your journeys.
Thank you.
Another enjoyable and informative video Steve. I would have struggled to find a composition in that location, but you show that photography isn’t all about dramatic scenes and golden hour light. And your comment that the equipment you have is plenty good enough for your needs is very reassuring when we are being constantly bombarded by newer and more advanced technology.
Thanks Guy. I needed up selling the Nikon digital gear as it doesn’t suit me as well as lighter equipment such as my micro 4/3 outfit. On an outing like this convenience and light weight more than outweigh the benefits of a bigger sensor.
Enjoyed the lovely walk Steve. Gorgeous country and scenery. Excellent information on the cameras used and why. I do agree on the weight aspect. Long walk, heavy equipment can make for a less than stellar day in the field but this was more of a comparison outing. Thank you for all the time spent edition and posting your videos. Cheers from Canada.
Thanks Wayne. After the trip I weighed up the options (literally) and sold the Nikon digital equipment as I can carry an equivalent Micro 4/3 camera much more easily and save a lot of weight.
Lovely. Thanks againfor all the effort you put into making and editing your videos. And you are totally right, I think. After selling most of my full frame gear to afford a Lumix GH9 with some lenses, which are great, I still kept my Canon EOS 3 and 6DII plus a 35 mm, 50 mm and the Tamron 28-300. These lenses are not that heavy and they certainly produce more than enough image quality for Ilford HP5+ (which is what I have settled down to for now). It is simply fun to use this gear, and for us lucky amateur photographers fun should be the main thing.
Couldn’t agree more, a lot of the lenses that get poor reviews on high end digital cameras are perfect for film use. Like you I am standardising on HP5+ for a number of reasons.
My favorite image of this trip was the one at 8:36. Liked them all and I always love the look of film. Thanks for sharing
Thanks again Tony.
Very inspiring (so much so I just bought an N80 off eBay filling up the film gap in 35mm). Thank you for you weekly inspirations and continued emphasis on film photography as well as digital. Both are needed - the right tool for the job, as they say. Cheers!
Thanks Robert. I have a few N80’s as they are so cheap and I prefer them to the higher spec F100 and F90.
Nice work Steve! I hope you realised or saw that a B17 flying fortress crashed on Arenig Fawr during WWII? There is a memorial to the crew near the summit. I was up there many years ago and it's a really remote area of Snowdonia, a great choice.
I saw the memorial Alan, very moving and it made me think about the young men who lost their lives so far from home. I think the remoteness is what attracted me most, so much more peaceful than most of Snowdonia.
Hi Steve. Beautiful vid and photographs. The black and white are the best to my liking. I use a fuji setup and that's also very good for long walks. Mostly I only use the 23mm prime. I hope to do some black & white soon with the Nikon FG. Still waiting for the first color photographs of the FG (Kodak Ektar). The FG is a practical and good camera next to my XT-2. Many thanks for the advise.
Thanks Ruud, I also preferred the mono images. I hope your FG shots come out well and you can soon experiment with B&W film too.
Hi Steve. I'm currently in Scotland with a LF, MF, and digi setups. So facing the same conundrums. I recon the way forward is by following Ansel Adams. Use a Mule! Just need to find one that can use a kissing gate and styles. Great vlog. Cheers, Diz
Hope you are enjoying your trip Diz, I was up there last month and had a great time. If I could just find someone to carry all the equipment I’d really enjoy photographing mountains but until then I’ll continue to look for the perfect balance of weight and performance.
Very enjoyable video. I also like you aren’t beholden to one particular format, and you explain the compromises you make in the gear you choose for a walk. Nicely done. Thanks.
Thanks Kent.
Love your videos. My philosophy with cameras is to have one for different uses. For example I do a lot of macro studio product photography and landscapes, I can use my Canon EOS RP for both because it has focus bracketing. I just bought a Lumix GX85 for street photography and to keep in the car. And today, not even a week later, I bought an Olympus OM-D EM10 Mark II to use for nightscapes with its Live Composite feature. I also plan on getting a Sony a7R II (bought one used and it had sensor damage so I had to return it) for landscapes and for large prints. I love having different camera systems, they all have their unique advantages.
Thanks Dylan. I also find a range of cameras suit me better than just one. I use everything from 35mm to 8x10 and find the operation of each suits different subject matter.
lol... You looked a bit sheepish in that intro :) Great approach to your love of photography That looked a great hike and had me panting watching you walking and talking whilst going up that mountain - great effort! Never been up there but recognised the summit of Arenig Fawr (from looking at my os mapping) and the ridge of Craig y Hyrddod I believe? Cracking image. Loved both the colour & mono images of Amnodd-Wen, really makes me want to visit that spot. Was shocked when you did your what's in my bag... I was thinking weight!!! It was one major factor in my choice to move from FF to 4/3rds to be honest, when I compare the lenses of FF to what I take with the G9 it now makes me smile.., I still haven't used the high resolution mode on that camera yet - still getting to grips with all those menus. I have taken up a little project where I am now going back over the locations I used to shoot with the Canon and replicating them with the G9. Thanks again Steve, great epiosde and always a pleasure to see your images from the shoot.
Thanks Alan. I have disposed of the digital Nikon now, it isn’t as good as the micro 4/3 kit to my mind and it was quite a lot to carry. I’ve used the G9’s hi res mode a few times recently and in the right conditions it does look cleaner and sharper.
I do the same in landscape by shooting both film and digital. Love your channel. Thank you.
Thanks Jack 🙂
Great video Steve. I can relate to your philosophy entirely. Looking forward to your next offering.
Great video. Informative and sheepy. I really like the photos you shared with us. I got a better look at them over on Flickr. I've recently given up cityscape photography (too many unpleasant encounters) and taken up landscape photography. Your videos are a great source of inspiration and motivation.
Regarding landscape equipment, I was walking the other day with my Nikon D810 and a bag of prime lenses and I got tired after a while. Today I went up the hills with a Fujifilm X-T3, the kits lens, and a light travel tripod. It was a much better experience. Setting up and making photos was much easier.
Thanks Marcus and I totally get the bit about using something like an XT-3 with a kit lens. I have sold the D610 and now plan to use the Micro 4/3 with an all in one lens when out walking, it is so much lighter and a lot more flexible.
I shoot film and digital. In a blind test my wife prefers the film alternative almost always. It may be that we've become used to perfectly sharp, highly resolved photographs and look for something more than description alone.
My wife also prefers the film look, it somehow feels more alive.
My wife too! Seems that wifes prefer film :-)
First B/W shot great grainy, and that composition of that abandoned settlement Perfect 👍
Thanks Kamil, the grain of HP5+ adds a lot of atmosphere to the location.
Thankyou Steve. A very enjoyable video and some good compositions.
Ah Steve, you got such an eye for a shot. That View From Arenig Fawr picture is fantastic.
Thank you.
Hi Steve. Like you, I enjoy having a mix of cameras and formats to shoot but I sometimes struggle to decide on what to take as each system is a fair weight in itself. Liked your woolly followers - it made for a great title thumbnail!
Thanks Craig, I wish I’d left the digital camera and just used the 35mm as I much preferred the HP5+ images in the end.
Some nice photos there, Steve. The countryside is so different from what I am used to here in North Carolina, particularly the absence of trees. Share your regard for the F80. My favorite camera was an N75, until the shutter died.aybe time to replace. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Martin.
Always a treat when your video hits my notification bell Steve. Interesting choice of cameras for this trip. I wonder how much weight you’d lose by limiting yourself to one or two lenses and perhaps leaving that big zoom at home for a trip like this one. The compromise might be good for your back. I’ve been thinking about an Nikon F6 for a while, your video may push me over the edge.
Thanks Bill. I found the outfit a bit of a struggle when the going got tough in the boggy sections of the walk. It is surprising how a little extra weight really adds up on a long walk and I’ve now sold the outfit to concentrate on micro 4/3 for digital work.
I used to have a Nikon F100 until recently (still have an F90x) but found it offered nothing over the F80 for most situations and it weighs a lot more. I’ve also looked at the F6 as the ultimate film camera.
For now I’ve got a 28-200 Nikkor to use as a single lens for longer walks, it will be interesting to see how it performs.
Great video as always. Definitely stick to what you love shooting, I have the same philosophy :) I currently have the G9 and e-m10 mk II for my digital workflow and use a Minolta X-700, Zeis Ikon Nettar II 6x9 and Mamiya C330s for my medium format film photography. Also considering getting a Mamiya 645 pro as I love the look and feel of medium format film photography be it heavier than my Minolta X-700 or M/43 cameras :)
Being Welsh I can understand your appreciate of Wales for landscape photography :)
Thanks Howie and I totally understand the medium format thing, I miss using it on long walks but appreciate the weight benefit of 35mm.
Love your videos Steve!!! Especially appreciate your outlook on Photography!!!! You’re a beautiful man.
Thanks Rick.
Beautiful pictures, i Love your Videos! I learn so much from you. Thanks for this, best regards and have a nice week.
Thank you Gopi.
Another great video Steve. Your photos great as usual and the sheep added a nice bit of comedy.
Thanks Peter 😀
images came out really lovely
Great stuff! What it should be all about.
Nice video and really nice photos. Best regards from Sweden !
I'm looking for a decent filter pouch for my Lee Filters and liked the one you showed. I didn't see it listed in the notes below the video. Can you tell me what it was, and do you like it now that you have used it? I really enjoy all your videos Steve. Always inspiring!
Thanks Philip. The filter bag is by Sioti SIOTI Camera Lens and ND Filter... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FUBCU5G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It isn’t great quality but it is big enough to hold the larger 100mm filters, a holder and adapter rings. Thankfully it is also very solid and resists hard impacts well.
You make such lovely videos, I feel better for watching them. Following a serious health issue a few years back (heart attack), in addition to my work as an equine photographer I now use photography as a means of physical training - meaning I haul an RB67 kit around on my travels, not recommended but the workout is phenomenal and the images aren't too bad either 😀 But for lazy days it's an old F801...
Your are braver than me to take an RB out and about, I think the SQ is heavy! I also like to carry 35mm for the freedom it gives and there is something very personal about the images. All the best.
Lovely part of the world and, as you know, my kind of day out! Thoroughly enjoyable and interesting from start to finish. 😀👍
Cheers Dave, it’ll be micro 4/3 next time I go up a mountain.
Steve O'Nions my next one is from the summit of Elidir Fawr at both ends of the day in bright light and I was very pleased at how well the camera coped 😊
I’ve not done that one yet Dave and I’m still pondering which mountain to do next time out. I now have the cheaper version of your 12-100 Olympus in the form of the Panasonic 14-140 which is a lot easier to lug than the D610 and two zooms.
Steve O'Nions just thinking, I wonder if you might be up for getting out together at some point, I’d be very pleased to meet you...
We should, prefer not to vlog though as I find the whole meet up thing a bit contrived 🙂
I'm at minute one and laughing so loud for those sheepoos :D
Loved the video. Thought the herd was going to follow you to the top. Can you tell me who makes the walking sticks?
Thanks William. Those sheep were very friendly and followed me for half a mile. The poles are made by Hama and I bought them because they also have a threaded camera mount to enable use as a monopod.
Well, I too prefer Olympus on my hiking over FF. But I keep both systems and pick the one who is more suitable for the trip.
Definitely the best of both worlds 👍
Thank you Steve!Another inspirational video!
Thanks Vincent.
Great video and images.
As always excellent work.........have you used the new film CatLABS film 80...it's 120 format?
Not something I’ve tried yet to be honest.
Nice video Steve
Interesting thoughts about MFT and the Sony system. I'm re-evaluating my Sony A7 at the moment - and I fully agree, I too don't especially "like" it. Compared to my Pen F it is much less fun! But results are just gorgeous. The standard zoom (28-70 3.5-5.6) has issues at 28 mm in the corners, but other than that, image quality (especially dynamic range and highlights) is just way beyond my Pen F. I had the opportunity to take some shots with the Sony 85 mm lens (what a beast). I'm a bit torn …
I know exactly what you mean. I loved the 24mp sensor and its colours but lenses were the stumbling block. I tried a range of adapted Canon FD primes which were small and light but needed f/11 to be truly sharp across the frame. The body was very compact too but battery life and handling felt a long way behind the M43 devices. I find the smaller format has enough quality for me and the lenses are just so small and sharp that I have come down firmly on the side of M43 from now on (the D610 has been sold).
@@SteveONions Yeah, image quality of the small Olympus MFT primes is excellent, the whole system is a joy to use. But highlights are a problem for me (hits me again and again), and there I find the Sony A7 far superior (and I mean: far, far superior, like from another world, or nearly like color negative film). I'll test an A7RII that a friend will lend me to see if I get better results with wide-angle lenses, and this might be the deciding factor. There are much smaller (non-Sony) lens options for the A7 by now, so that might be another point to consider. In the end I might just set -0.5 stops exposure compensation as an offset on the Pen F (newer Olympus cameras have this option) to be sure about the highlights, or put bracketing on one of the buttons (had it set in the past, but needed the button for something else ;-)) …
I’ve also assigned a custom button for bracketing on the G9, its ideal for high contrast situations.
If and when I start my own TH-cam channel, you will see me shoot landscapes with Fujifilm, Canon and asony cameras, but I will shoot film too on my old Minoltas for those moody , grainy and gritty images. We are photographers not brand geeks. It is, as you say, getting out there in the landscape and just photographing scenes we love.
Thanks Simon and good luck with the new channel.
Hello Steve, my question today is about your pack. Actually the pack within the pack. Looks like a pack with dividers for lenses and that might slide into the Osprey. How does that work? BTW, I picked up the Osprey 24 liter and fell in love! Great pack! So ill be looking for a bigger one. I am intrigued by the other one though too with dividers
My other question was about using a VR lens on a tripod. And what kind of tripod is it. It looks very light weight, like maybe a carbon fiber? But also capable of supporting big lenses?
Love watching your vlogs! And reminds me to never give up shooting film! I get a lot of inspiration from you! Thanks
Hi Dorothy. The pack insert is just a cheap one from Amazon and it is a snug fit for the Osprey 44. It does make carrying a heavy camera kit a lot easier than using a camera backpack.
The VR lens seems fine on the tripod most of the time but to be safe I usually deactivate it just in case. The tripod itself was actually a very basic Velbon Rexi, aluminium but very light and rigid enough for my needs. I’ve found the Velbon range very good over the years and have two other models.
All the best, Steve.
Sorry Steve, a Good Shepherd metaphor is stuck in my mind about this your trip ;) Real pleasure as usual to watch your photographic endeavors. Just one technical question, was the developer id-11? I always ask you about fp5 because I try to shoot only this film for now and study it in different developers.
Hi Gene. I used HC-110 for this trip but I have now switched back to ID-11 as I want to do more optical enlarging and find it suits me better. HC-110 is very sharp but quite unforgiving in 35mm, much better suited to large format where grain is rarely an issue.
Thank you Steve -- inspirational as usual. Did you check the boot of your auto for a stray sheep?
Hehe, I was getting worried at one point that they would follow me the whole way round but thankfully they gave up after half a mile.
@@SteveONions Yeah, they were hot on your heels. I could just imagine the sheriff after you for hijacking the sheep. We use sheep in our rural northern California community to keep hillside grass and brush "cut" to reduce fire danger. The sheep we have here start walking the other way if they see a person coming. Best to you.
The sheep are usually quite wary of humans but that bunch were very curious.
Steve, I was interested to see that you use a removable insert for your camera equipment rather than plumping for a dedicated LowePro pack, or similar. Presumably because the Osprey affords more room for all your other stuff - or is the 'insert' included with the Talon 44, please? Thank you.
There are no dedicated Osprey inserts as far as I know Russell but generic Amazon ones can fit really well and I'm far happier using a real rucksack than a camera bag on long hikes.
@@SteveONions Thank you.
I believe as you do, digital and film both have a place in my kit. I shoot a Nikon F4 along side a Nikon D810. I also shoot a Bronica SQ-A. Until it died I shot an Olympus E620.
No need to take sides Michael, just have the best of both worlds.
Hi, great video as always. I've been into photography since the early 70's and one issue that I've never really solved satisfactorily is the storage of chemicals to minimize waste when the chemicals go off. I'm a light to moderate printer and I tend to buy larger quantities (5l) of Hypam, for example, and then I'm faced with how to store the unused quantity so it's usable when I next print. Efficient storage be something you can address in a future video?
There’s no ideal solution Norbert apart from buying in small quantities and accepting the higher costs. I also but 5L of Hypam at a time and tend to use it quickly by mixing fresh for every session regardless of how used it is. For film Dev the best bet is HC-110 or Rodinal.
Was wondering what you think of the gritty B&w setting in the 4/3rds format. Do you like it? Think it's any good? I ask as you seem to be very knowledgeable in b&w as you shoot a lot in film. Just wondering are they vastly different or has the digital age finally captured it!
I’ve not used the B&W modes very much to be honest as I’d usually work on the RAW images later. There’s a lot to be said for shooting natively in B&W though rather than trying to correct it later in post processing. I’m sure the jpeg quality of images straight from camera are good enough for almost any purpose.
Steve, enjoyed the trip as usual. Great message. Question; You reference a "preview" device in the video. Phone app? Something else?
I preview with an app called Artist viewfinder Mk2, a very useful tool.
The wife asked me what I was laughing at, and when I said sheep she gave me that look only a wife can.
I’m the same with cameras, but with Canon as I’ve shot them for many years and they are my digital cameras. I also have two EOS cameras that can use all the same lenses, and I know those really well. But I see no point in taking sides, it’s all photography and it’s supposed to be enjoyed. Personally I prefer the journey with film, especially 35mm B&W that I can take into the darkroom.
I really enjoyed the "what’s in my bag". I often take two cameras, my newest digital being my Canon 5DIII. For stills photography digital cameras of that period at still plenty good enough. But I don’t have the same weight issues as either my mobility scooter or car carries everything, but I imagine the next digital camera I buy will be tan Olympus. I’ll need an adapter though as I'm planning on using it with my old Zuiko lenses.
An absolutely brilliant video Steve with some wonderful images.
Thanks Mark. After the trip I weighed up the options (literally) and realised that micro 4/3 suited me a lot better so I sold the D610 and stabilised zooms.
I also much preferred the mono images taken with the F80 and HP5+, so much more emotion and depth.
I’ve also decided to do some optical enlarging again so having a proper negative to work from is important once again.
For digital it is micro 4/3 or smaller from now on thanks to the size and weight, not to mention the ultra compact lenses.
Steve O'Nions You did have the option of keeping the Nikon and buying a mobility scooter, I bet you never thought of that!
I know you’re one of those photographers that can (and do) create a great image with any camera. I agree with your attitude to photography, and I think there’s a certain amount of snobbery around photography which often results in mixed up values.
I’m really pleased your going back into the darkroom, with B&W I don’t think the chemicals have any real impact on my chest. Being locked in a small room might though.
I do fret about camera choice before certain outings but always find that ease of use outweighs any technical benefits. As soon as it becomes a burden to get the camera out you start missing shots that could have been made with a smaller outfit.
I do think the mix of digital and film works very well for certain situations providing each has a specific purpose - I typically like film for mono but can live with digital colour quite happily.
Steve O'Nions If I shoot a full roll of 35mm colour a year I shoot a lot, that’s why 10 different rolls is going to be my 360 project for next year. That and the fact I’m looking for a replacement for my 120 Fujifilm Pro 160ns. But transversally I rarely shoot B&W on my digital cameras.
All my gear weighs the same for me, so it isn’t really a consideration.
I also do the vast majority of B&W with film but more colour with digital.
Hey, Steve, I really like the video. One question though: what kind of filter system do you use?
For this trip I had 100mm filters from Cokin although I much prefer the 85mm size if I can get away with it.
I have done that, 2 cameras, BW and colour! It was a failure for me! Better one than try cover it all. Colour easily manipulated to Monochrome but, BUT, it's not film .In all great images. The video of those sheep so joyous!
I also hate converting colour to B&W, it always feels like an afterthought.
Hi Steve, may I ask which company's filter mount and filters you use please? Thank you.
I typically use Cokin filters and holders, both 85mm and 100mm square systems.
amazing
You've got yourself quite a herd there :-)
Half of what you walked through to get to your destination would have stopped me to take photographs. I might never have made it to your destination.
It’s quite bland up there James, much better near the abandoned settlement.
How far did your adoring fan follow you and what did you do to ditch them?
About a mile, they gradually dropped off one by one but a stubborn group of three did keep it up for a worryingly long time.
@@SteveONions Sorry, I know you were concerned, but that's kind of funny. A Pied Piper, of sorts.
This man will make me move to Wales one day...
😀😀😀
👏🏼👏🏻
Steve, your videos are absolutely beautiful. Even if I never dreamed of touching a shutter release button, I’d still find your videos to be superb.
Thanks Larry.
it's bc your blue jacket.
They thought you were their leader. You can see they all had blue dots. hahahaha
😀
Followed by sheep is better than whatever maneater that lives in the area.
The local farmers wife?
"one of us!"
🙂
Steve a Shepard of sheep...ameras wait Nikons you brave man you.
"It rewards a slower approach." Nice thought for many applications.
I always wondered why some people are "like sheep".. I now get it, it's the noise they make.
😀