Looking closer… #1

Reinhold Staden14 Comments

On Friday I received the macro extension tubes for my Fuji camera. I ordered two of them.
One with a focal length of 10mm, one with 16mm. You can use them separately or combine them.
They are mounted like a lense to the camera and then you mount the lens to the extension tube(s).
All camera settings are still working. But you better change from auto to manual focus.
They turn my kit zoom (18-55mm) into a sort of „macro“ lens.
And you can’t beat the price. They ship for 30€. Not the expensive Fuji originals. Mine are produced by Meike.
I will use these extensions to start my new series: Looking closer.
These are the first 4 images I captured with the new setup.

Happy days.
Reinhold

Intimate views

Reinhold Staden7 Comments

Fortunately we have a contact ban only. So far. We can still leave our homes (supermarket, pharmacy, walking Boomer, walking alone or as a couple) but we have to avoid contact to other people. Usually pretty easy in our small, remote village. But sometimes difficult in our supermarket. But people still behave like responsible human beings (most of them). At least our local weather is playing on our side. Forecast looks pretty promising. I have positioned the grill on our terrace, checked the wine and meat stock, baked some fresh bread and will isolate ourselves as much as possible to our home and garden. Starting today (April 1) Boomer is not allowed to run free for a period of a few months. We are living in a nature resort and have to protect breeding birds.

I have ordered 2 macro rings for my Fuji. This will turn my kit zoom (18-55mm) into a type of macro lens. Reviews were promising. So I try to focus on macro photography for the next weeks and stay at home.
Hopefully we will get some plants and flowers in our garden to dig into macro photography.

Stay save my blogging friends where ever you are and try to enjoy life even under these weird conditions.
Happy days and smiles.

Reinhold

Virtual walk with Boomer

Reinhold Staden8 Comments

Would you be interested in me filming and commenting one of my walks round the lake with Boomer? Would not be perfect. I am not a film maker, vlogger. But may be it brings some fun, sun and distraction into our isolation. Let me know in the comments below. Happy days. Reinhold

Walking my dog… against all odds

Reinhold Staden13 Comments
Our lake… this morning

We are at home. In social isolation. Walking our dog Boomer and buying fresh goods for cooking are the highlights of my day. My wife is still working from our home office. We are healthy and being back in our remote spot at the lake feels better. What a treasure. Fortunately the weather has changed from horrible to good. Spring is coming. So we are able to open doors and windows. All tourists are gone. The lake is deserted. Most of the people I meet are walking their dogs. But people are trying to avoid contact. Difficult to understand for Boomer why he can’t play with his dog friends he made over the last months. And the walks are definitely shorter than before. We have to stay in the neighborhood. Which is in our case two pathways to the lake. Could be worse. But their is obviously no secure place. We are trying to minimize the risk. I am 66 but having Boomer for a few months now made me stronger. Stronger than before. Our biggest concerns are our family in the south of Germany. The virus scares us, hurts us and it makes life more difficult and strange. But it can’t beat us. Stay healthy, protect yourself and stay at the safest place you have. Happy days. Reinhold

Walking my dog… #19

Reinhold Staden2 Comments

After the storm.

Returned safely from Hamburg to the lake. 2 days to relax. The next storm front is expected on Sunday. Will be not as heavy as the last one but still another 2-3 days of horrible weather. I start to hate rain, wind and cold and wet clothes and shoes. Let’s hope for better weather. Happy days. Reinhold and Boomer.

Walking my dog… #18

Reinhold Staden9 Comments

Back in Hamburg Boomer and I are trying to manage the hurricane Ciara with heavy wind and rain. Difficult to find moments for short walks. Never imagined how difficult it is to get through the day and night. The house and bed were shaking and the noise of the wind and rain was extreme. Still one day and night to go! Hopefully it will be better on Wednesday! Happy days to you! Reinhold and Boomer.

The day before in the moor