Canon FD Buyers Guide | Vintage Lenses For Video

I’m often asked about good lens options for M4/3 & Sony E-mount cameras. Most people are hoping to save quite a lot of money when building a vintage set, so this guide will concentrate on affordable lenses with a price tag no higher than $300 per lens (I’ll also share a full set option for under $500 at the end of this guide). It’s important to note that this guide is written with M4/3 & Sony E-mount users in mind (these lenses will not work well on Canon EF cameras without expensive mounts).

Source: Canon FD Buyers Guide | Vintage Lenses For Video

Northumberland Landscapes - Mortuary Chapel, Alnmouth

[caption id="attachment_4156" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Mortuary Chapel, Alnmouth, Northumberland[/caption]

 

Northumberland Landscapes - Alnmouth

We recently visited St.Cuthberts Cross, Alnmouth to grab a shot across the Aln Estuary and the cross itself along with other Northumberland landscapes.

On our way back down from the top of Church Hill we took a different path to shelter from the wind and came across this ruin on the shore. It is the Mortuary Chapel built in 1869 as part of a plan to re-open the cemetery on Church Hill.

Atmospheric place!

 

The Shot

It was very windy and a storm was coming so, to minimise camera shake, a fast exposure was selected. A long exposure was out of the question as ghosting and camera shake would probably occur to an unacceptable degree.

That said, a remote shutter release and tripod were still used. Live view was enabled so mirror lock-up was not necessary (in case you don't know, when you use live view to compose the mirror is already locked up so you don't need to worry about that, useful for landscapes)

 

Links

Derelict Places - Mortuary Chapel

Wikipedia - Alnmouth

 

Getting there ...

Scottish Seascapes - Wick Stack, Pettico Wick

 

[caption id="attachment_2974" align="aligncenter" width="633"] View across Broadhaven Bay, Pettico Wick, Scotland[/caption]

Seascapes

Returning home from a Scottish photography trip we decided to come down the A1 along the coastal route looking for seascapes.

As we neared St.Abbs towards sunset the sky began to colour and a fantastic sunset was in the offing. Racking our brains for a nearby location, we came up with Pettico Wick, Broadhaven Bay.

We had wanted to visit this one for a long time and hadn't really been able to justify it, but we had to move quickly.

Heading into St.Abbs we were disappointed to find the sought after location was not actually here, frantic googling got us the name "Pettico Wick" and more googling got us a map, off we went. We weren't too sure of the maps authenticity when it came to crossing farm land, avoiding livestock and driving along a narrow track but we persevered. Glad we did!

The jetty and stack were bathed in pink sunlight by now but the sun was really low and in danger of disappearing below the cliff tops as we ran down the path to the jetty and set up the camera.

Just in time. Darkened over within two minutes of the shot as the sun dipped behind the cliffs.

Back to St.Abbs for coffee and cake ..... as you do.

 

The Shot

The clouds weren't moving but the sea was a little choppy so a 10-stop filter was used to smooth it out a little (always useful with seascapes). With no time left to calculate the hyperfocal distance focussing a third into the frame got the shot.

 

Links

This print is available to buy in the seascapes section of our shop

Take a look at another seascapes blog entry - Longniddry Wreck

Wikipedia information on Pettico Wick

Getting there ...

Scottish Seascapes - Longniddry Wreck

[caption id="attachment_2957" align="aligncenter" width="950"] The wreck on the beach at Longniddry, Scotland[/caption]

 

Seascapes

So, we were aimlessy driving along the southern coastline of the Firth of Forth, Scotland, looking for promising seascapes.

Alright, alright, don't twist my arm! We were specifically heading to Longniddry where we knew a wreck on the beach would be revealed if the tide was right. You can't fail with seascapes if you have a wreck to include in the shot.

We were lucky, the tide was going out and the ribs of the wreck were just beginning to show above the water, not long to wait.

The sky was nice and moody and the clouds were moving quite fast.

We don't know much about the wreck, to be honest, so if you have any information please drop us an email or leave a comment.

 

The Shot

The tripod was jammed well down in the sand to dampen vibrations from the water arounf the legs. A 10-stop filter was used to give a long exposure to make the most of the receding tide and the fast moving clouds.

We took two or three exposures just to make sure one of them had captured the water and the clouds sufficiently well.

 

Links

This print is available to buy in the seascapes section of our shop

Take a look at another seascapes blog entry - Stag Rock

Tripadvisor - Longniddry

Wikipedia information on Longniddry

Visit Scotland - Longniddry

 

Getting there ...

We took the A198 from the eastbound A1, then along the B1348 Links Road to a carpark signposted "Bents No.1", a sandy path lead down to the beach from there, once on the beach turn left and walk a couple of hundred yards along the beach and around 100 yards out. If the tide isn't that far out yet, you'll just have to wait :-)

Lake District Landscapes - Loughrigg Tarn

[caption id="attachment_1485" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Late afternoon at Loughrigg Tarn[/caption]

Landscapes

On a more sedate landscapes photographic trip to the Lake District we visited Loughrigg Tarn.

Surely it must be one of the most picture-postcard, photogenic spots in the Lakes.

Followers of our landscapes work will know that we simply cannot pass up a "sun through the trees" shot, so when the opportunity presented itself late one afternoon we had to stop and set up the gear.

The sheep obligingly positioned themselves for foreground interest and the shot was in the bag.

As always, coffee next!

The Shot

Into the sun so the camera was positioned to hide the sun behind a branch whilst still capturing the landscape required, it can be fiddly ti set up but the effect is worth it. When the sun moves out slightly from the branch a flare will occur ..... click.

Wait a minute or so and, bingo!

Links

A walking route

Wikipedia information on Loughrigg Tarn

Visit Cumbria

Getting there ...

We turned off the A593 onto Ellers Brow, parked in the carpark at the top of Mill Brow Wood and walked to the Tarn. You can also drive up Foulstep from Skelwith Bridge to the same carpark.

Lake District Landscapes - Cockley Beck Bridge

[caption id="attachment_1480" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Under Cockley Beck Bridge[/caption]

Landscapes

Hunting for more Lake District landscapes again!

This place is a little more involved to get to than some of the other places we've been, in the Lake District, but is definitely worth the effort.

Landscape photography can be all consuming but you need to stay safe in remote areas so check for local advice before setting off, if it has been snowing or the weather is particularly bad as, I believe, the passes can be closed for safety. Also, if your clutch is "dodgy" be careful on the passes!!

Driving down from Wrynose Pass, where Wrynose Bottom meets the road to Hardknott Pass, will bring you to Cockley Beck.

A picturesque stone bridge crosses the River Duddon here. When the river is flowing well it produces a nice cascade right under the bridge that can't be seen from the road.

Feet wet for this one.

 

The Shot

We crossed the bridge and parked up, I climbed over the wall and down to the river to get this shot of the cascade.

The light was difficult on this one so this shot is a composite of three shots (brackets) to make the most of the landscapes beyond the bridge. It was hand-blended using luminosity masks and colour-range masks before being polished in Nik Color-Efex

 

Links

Wikipedia information on Cockley Beck

Info on walkthefells.net

Cockley Beck Farm & Cottage

Check out one of our other Lake District Posts from Birks Bridge

 

Getting there ...

Lake District Landscapes - Autumn Bridge

Landscapes

[caption id="attachment_1470" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Autumn crossing of Skelwith Bridge, Lake District[/caption]

The Story

A hiking trip, doubling as a landscapes photography trip to the Lake District brought us to the Skelwith Bridge area.

Parking in the National Trust carpark, we walked down through what I believe to be Bridge How Coppice (speak up if I'm wrong) and followed the River Brathay towards Skelwith Bridge.

About 300 yards from the main bridge and Chesters By The River we came across this amazing, contemporary, footbridge crossing the river. The camera had to come out!

It was Autumn and the trees were lovely colours so we spent a while here before heading down to Chesters for, guess what, yep, coffee and large pieces of cake.

 

The Shot

Used  a tripod here, low down, and hyperfocal focussing to keep everything nice and sharp. Had to wait for a clear period as there were a lot of tourists hiking past.

The Processing

The shot was processed in Adobe Lightroom and Nik Dfine, RAW Pre-sharperner, Nik Color Efex

 

Links

Check out our other landscapes post from Skelwith Bridge

Wikipedia information on Skelwith Bridge

Chesters By The River

 

Getting there ...