Portland Coast Victoria

On a weekend exploratory trip to the far west coast of Victoria suing out the camping and fishing opportunities last weekend. This was a great way to avoid the 40+ C temperatures of central Victoria for a more pleasant 16 -23 degrees.

Also this gave me a chance to test out my new Ultra Wide Nikkor 20mm 2.8 lens. Also to test the roof top tent and the 200 watt solar panel camping configuration. All good.

Beach Rig

Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f2.8, 1/100 sec

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Storm Clouds Racecourse Bay S.A.

 Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f2.8, 1/160 sec

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Portland looking towards Narrawong Beach

Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f2.8, 1/60 sec

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Grampians from Dunkeld in the Wild Wide West

iPhone Click on photo for larger image view 

Arrarat to Hamilton Road

 iPhone Click on photo for larger image view

Portland Tourist Tram

 iPhone Click on photo for larger image view

Grampians

 Nikon D610, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 100, 90mm f22, 1/30 sec

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Port of Portland

 Nikon D610, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 100, 70mm f22, 1/50 sec

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Part of the wind farm at Cape Nelson

 Nikon D610, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 100, 130mm f22, 1/50 sec

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Cape Nelson towards Portland

  Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f22, 1/30 sec

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First Nikon D610 Time Lapse

The migration to Full Frame - DX to FX

With the The migration to Full Frame - DX to FX I have had to make some new lens choices. If you want to capture images in more than one style or genre, you need to have the right gear. The first rule of photography is supposed to be that its not the gear, its the artist and their ability to create with a sense of composition, colour, light and timing. All true but the right gear also helps. So lens choice counts when you know what type of images you want to make. You need the optimal focal length and field of capture to suit the style you want. Focal Length and Angle of view of a lens are related, focal length is used to describe a lens.

I have blogged about this before with my D300 DX cropped sensor camera before here - http://wfrblog.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/lens-choices.html

My preference and style have led me to a broad selection of lenses and their general use on an FX camera for me are:

• 20mm f2.8- Ultra Wide Angle - great for indoor, close up, indoor architecture and landscapes. 94° field of view.
• 35mm f2 - Wide Angle - portrait, indoor happy snaps and walk around versatile. 62° field of view.
• 50mm f1.4 - Normal - portrait, indoor happy snaps and walk around versatile. 46° field of view.
• 105mm f2.8 - Macro prime - close work for insects, product and detailed close up, also a fantastic portrait lens. 23° field of view.
• 70-200mm f2.8 - zoom - sports and action, great for picking people out at a distance, pro's event and wedding lens. 34 - 12° field of view.

So I have endeavoured to cover all the angle of view or field of view for the amount of a scene that I think i need to be captured by my camera.
This diagram helps describe this. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW

The line up looks like this

Of course on my DX D300 the field of view are different (more compressed):

• 20mm f2.8- 70° field of view.
• 35mm f2 - 44° field of view.
• 50mm f1.4 - 31° field of view.
• 105mm f2.8 - 15° field of view.
• 70-200mm f2.8 - 22 - 8° field of view.

DX v FX or full frame v cropped sensors are adequately explained here - http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/crop_sensor_cameras_and_lenses.html

Moulamein

Moulamein is a small town in New South Wales, Australia, located between Balranald, Hay, Deniliquin and Swan Hill, at the junction of the Edward River and Billabong Creek. Moulamein is the oldest town in the Riverina.

Lake Moulamein right in town and recently redeveloped is chock full of Yellow Belly I'm told by the locals is a beautiful family friendly amenity next door to the caravan park.

Edwards River and boat ramp in town outside the pub.

Camp

 Mermaid dog

 The vista

 Casting a lure

 28 cm Silver Perch caught and released. Once rare but this native appears to be making a comeback

The view from the swag

Gunbower

Murray Valley Highway near Torrumbarry Victoria

Murray River Reserve

Worthy Bend

Part of the bend

White Cockatoo feather

Whistling Kite

The mooring

The camp

Moonlight photo of mooring

The view from below

Birds