Down the Road

Photographs and stories by Jim Grey

single frame: Low stone wall

Jim Grey
8 comments on single frame: Low stone wall
1 minute
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Maker's Mark Distillery *EXPLORED*

Low stone wall
Nikon FA, 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5 AI-s Zoom Nikkor
Arista EDU 200
2019

My decision to part with my Nikon FA hasn’t sat well with me since I wrote Verdict: Goodbye on its Operation Thin the Herd post. Logically, I own too many Nikon bodies and that this one’s winding lever keeps poking me in the forehead means I will shy away from using it. The whole point of Operation Thin the Herd is to shrink the collection to a set of cameras I’ll use regularly and enjoy.

There is, however, no denying the FA’s brilliant metering system. Just look at how much shadow detail it captured here. A camera as capable as this one probably deserves another chance.

I shot this at the Maker’s Mark Distillery. Margaret and I were struck by how much the Kentucky countryside reminded us of Ireland, except the farms were not divided in Kentucky by low stone walls as they were in Ireland. Then we came upon this most Irish of low stone walls.

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Comments

8 responses to “single frame: Low stone wall”

  1. bodegabayf2 Avatar
    bodegabayf2

    I have a similar issue with my Canon A-1. It has a large removable rubber eyecup on the viewfinder which doesn’t feel quite right to me when it is flipped out in its proper position, so I push it back against the camera body when I am using it. I tried taking it off completely and I don’t like the way the viewfinder feels without it there at all. Plus, you have to fuss with the thing during film loading and unloading because it interferes with film back door opening and closing. But the darn camera makes such pretty pictures, I live with it.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      If the FA were jaw-droppingly brilliant except for the winder poking me in the forehead this would be a no-brainer: keep. But it’s merely good, maybe even very good. That makes it harder because I own many very good cameras.

      Reply
  2. Theron Avatar
    Theron

    Jim, I’m sure you’re aware that the N8008s and N90 give you even more capable metering than the FA, and I don’t believe you have issues with those two.

    FA matrix metering was better than anything available when introduced, but still definitely gen 1. I made some great photos with mine (my first SLR) but I don’t think I would pony up the fee for replacement. There are so many others I haven’t tried!

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Oh yes, the N90s has more refined metering. It’s a wonderful camera. I should use it more.

      But in my heart I’m a manual-focus kind of guy. I don’t know why. I just feel more at home when I’m twisting the focus ring.

      Reply
  3. analogphotobug Avatar
    analogphotobug

    Give it another chance…….The metering is wonderful to see. So How did you get started ‘collecting’ cameras? I’ve managed (largely) to resist collecting. But I do have several Mamiyas, Minoltas and FujiFilm cameras….. Will be reviewing my ‘newest ‘ old Fuji Soon.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Here’s my story of how I got started collecting:

      https://blog.jimgrey.net/2012/01/12/why-i-collect-cameras/

      I’m going to drag my feet on getting rid of the FA and see how I feel later.

      Reply
  4. Bart. Avatar
    Bart.

    Here’s a non-technical comment, since I originally came across your blog on one of your road-trip-centric posts, rather than a camera-centric post.

    This fence may have been built by an Irish immigrant, who missed seeing these fences in his new home, and who also had experience in building them. When, a while back, I was in the area, was also struck by their distinctive character, but having never been to Ireland, I didn’t realize their original source.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      That’s a great thought, Bart! An Irishman, missing home, built something here that reminded him of it.

      Reply

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