Snowstorm in Payson, AZ
The snowstorm in Payson, Arizona, blankets the landscape in a crisp, white serenity that transforms familiar views into a magical winter wonderland. As delicate flakes swirl around, each unique and short lived, I capture the stillness and quietness of the moment. A snowstorm is like a blanket from heaven, glistening as it spins and falls from heaven, perfection and beauty in motion.
A few weeks ago, we received a few inches of snow in our charming town of Payson, AZ. It was a truly beautiful sight to behold and much badly needed for our parched landscape. In a normal year, we can expect to receive around three feet of snow in a typical winter season, but this time around, we’ve only had the one little storm so far. We all hope and pray that we will receive more snow and moisture in general as the winter progresses. This precipitation not only keeps the fire risks down but also makes life significantly easier and more enjoyable in the high desert environment. Being nestled at 5,000 feet, snow and bone-chilling temperatures are quite the norm during the winters here, creating a winter wonderland that we can't help but appreciate!
As I mentioned earlier, I am originally from the state of South Carolina. Most people tend to assume that we don’t receive any snow there at all, but the truth is that they do get snow from time to time. They typically experience only a few inches each year, but every few years, they are fortunate enough to be graced by a real blizzard. The snow here in Arizona is much lighter and fluffier in comparison, presenting such beauty and perfection as it falls from heaven. It resembles a soft blanket gently settling onto the earth. When it glistens in the rare moments of sunlight, it feels like a precious gift from God and it is.
Luckily, I was off of work the day of the snow and was able to play in it all day. I grabbed my Sony A7Cii, a few lenses, and the Voigtlander Vito IIa and had a blast shooting the snow and nature at the park. The ducks and geese were having a blast waddling around in the snow. As I was capturing the beauty and stillness of the moment, I realized how lucky I was to be able to see such a beautiful scene. I may never see another snow storm, but I am grateful to God that I was able to see this one. We didn’t get that much, and it didn’t hang around long, but it was beautiful while it was here.
Minolta Maxxum 100-300mm lens w/ Sony LA EA5 Adapter
In this short review of the Minolta Maxxum APO 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens, I discuss how well it works on newer mirrorless cameras with the LA EA5 adapter. I also provide sample photographs.
When I arrived home from work today, I grabbed the Sony A7Cii, the LA EA5 adapter that I discussed yesterday, and a Minolta Maxxum 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 lens. I headed down to the lakes at Green Valley Park in the hopes of photographing some wildlife. There were a lot of people out walking their dogs. The ducks were very photogenic. As I was walking around the lake in the hope of catching something somewhat wild, I discovered the same great blue heron that I had photographed on Wednesday.
The heron was standing regal, facing into the wind. He ignored me for the most part, perhaps because we had met before. He stood there for a bit, turning for me to get a good shot. The Sony A7cii has character recognition. It can detect animals and birds and their eyes. It is amazing how well it works. I took a $20 lens that you can purchase on ebay and got some amazing results. It does suffer from chromatic aberation, but most lenses from the 80’s do have this issue. In fact, some brand new lenses suffer from it.
You can spend $1500 and get sharper results, but why would you do that unless you’re shooting wildlife all the time and make money from it? It’s a logical question, right? I have all of these old AF Minolta A-mount lenses from the 80’s and 90’s. Why not make use of them. Some are better than others, of course, but they work surprisingly well with the new adapter. For any of you with a fairly new Sony mirrorless camera, get the adapter and a few A-mount lenses. You will not be disappointed. Below you’ll find a sample gallery from today’s shoot.
Sony LA EA5 Adapter
Last week, I ordered a LA EA4 adapter after doing a considerable amount of research about the five different E to A Mount adapters that Sony has offered over the years. These adapters are used to adapt older Sony and Minolta A-Mount lenses to modern Sony E mount mirrorless cameras. The first few iterations were clunky and the autofocus was slow. After doing a bit of research, I ordered the LA EA4 adapter. It arrived on Tuesday. When I got off of work, I peddled home in a hurry to discover to my horror that after waiting a week for the treasure, it turned out to not be supported for my camera, the Sony A7cii.
I put it on the camera, along with an A-mount lens that was supported by the adapter and nothing. I could adjust the aperture, but I could not get auto focus to work. I did more digging and discovered on Sony’s Japanese website that the LA EA4 is no longer supported and would not work on my camera. So, I disappointingly packed it back up and processed the return with Amazon. Once that was done, I ordered the LA EA5 adapter, which is cheaper and is supported on my camera and older ones.
It arrived yesterday, and to my incredible excitement, it actually worked like a charm! The great thing about the 5 over the 4 is that it doesn’t have a translucent mirror used for focusing, which means that all the beautiful light streaming through the lens hits the sensor directly without any interruption. I eagerly put a few of my favorite lenses on it, and to my delight, it worked seamlessly with each of them. Even better, the EXIF data transferred over perfectly as well, making the whole experience even more satisfying.
Early this morning, I headed down to Green Valley Park with the camera, the adapter, and a Minolta 35-70mm f/4 macro lens. The lens isn’t fast, but it is very versatile and a macro to boot. The lens is sharp and the autofocus, although not as fast as a native lens, is fast enough for what I do. I had a great time shooting with this lens and using autofocus. The subject recognition in the Sony A7cii does work through the older lenses. I had it on Animal/Bird, and it recognized a Great Blue Herons eyes and the subject. The autofocus is a little noisy compared to modern lenses, but for photography work, it is great. I will be taking the 70-200mm f/4 beer can lens out tomorrow to test it.
Thus far, I am incredibly happy with the performance of this adapter and the lenses used that I already have. This little adapter will save me thousands of dollars, and that, ladies and gentleman, is of the utmost importance. You can buy these old A mount lenses for pennies on the dollar compared to their native new counterparts. There are a few photographs below for your enjoyment. I could not get too close to the heron with a maximum range of 70mm. What are your thoughts on these adapters?
Affordable Film Cameras
In my venture to find the ultimate deal on a film camera, I have come across numerous offers, some may have seemed too good to be true.
That’s like that old saying goes, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. I am more than half a century old and have had to learn this the hard way, as my journey through photography has been filled with lessons learned from both successes and mistakes.
The Minolta srT line of cameras can be had with a lens for $30 plus shipping, making them an incredibly accessible option for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Different models offer various features, but they are all great cameras that have stood the test of time. The lenses that come with these cameras are known for their accuracy and sharpness, capturing images that are true to life, as they say. That being said, if you are looking for that ethereal feel in your photographs, you’ve got to try a Pentax as well, as they offer a unique quality that can elevate your work significantly.
The Pentax ME Super can be purchased on eBay for between $30-$50 with a lens, which is another steal in the world of film photography. They are equipped with full auto exposure control, yet also offer manual control with two convenient buttons on the top plate, allowing for flexibility in shooting conditions. The K1000 stands out, of course, because of its reputation and usability, but they are selling for upwards of $200 at present in December 2024—showing how highly regarded they are among film photographers. However, the ME Super presents a nice compromise and serves as a great camera for the price, combining quality and affordability seamlessly.
An older, but superior in my opinion, Spotmatic, can sometimes be acquired within the same price range and usually comes bundled with one of the amazing Takumar lenses. While these cameras may often show signs of age and require some TLC, they are well worth the time and effort you invest in them.
Another hidden gem from behind the iron curtain are the Praktica cameras. The MTL line of SLRs was amazing in its own right, blending functionality with reliability. We all take a chance when purchasing one of these cameras, but when they work, they perform exceptionally well; the lenses are absolutely stunning and sharp, producing images of remarkable quality. The Zenit cameras were good as well, though their lenses were generally regarded as superior to the camera bodies, which often seemed to present a problem.
Regardless of what you end up with, the essential point is to get out there and shoot some film. My entire goal is to inspire you, the reader, to rise up from your seat and start your photography journey. Whether you’re using a $5 point-and-shoot from a charity shop or a vintage SLR, the important thing is that you’re actively capturing moments; at least you’re doing more than the guy that talks about it all the time without ever picking up a camera. Get out there, embrace the adventure, and shoot!