文書は英語ですが、写真は共通
(though I'm taking a break from blogging for a while)
Archive for October, 2006As I recently wrote, I love my Nikon 18-200 zoom except that it's a bit "slow", optically speaking: at f/3.5-5.6, the lens diameter is too small to allow enough light for reasonable shutter speeds in low-light situations. So, two weeks ago, I finally picked up a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 prime lens. At f/1.4, it's 3 stops "faster" (optically speaking) than my current lens, meaning it can allow 8 times more light, in turn allowing a shutter speed 8 times faster. That makes it great for low-light situations. A byproduct of a large aperture (low "f" number like [...] 
View full post » I haven't posted lately because I've had a cold for the last week, but I feel good enough today to continue with the Anthony birthday-presents posts. On his birthday, he got to pick a present for himself and a cake. The next day, he opened a package of gifts from his Aunt Natalie and Uncle Alan. This brings us to the third day. We hadn't really intended to make his birthday a multi-day event, but I like how it's turned out, with one present each day. It lets him concentrate on the one present, and appreciate it (and its givers) [...] 
View full post » Anthony turned four years old yesterday, but it was a long day, so we put off opening the present sent by his Aunt Natalie and Uncle Alan until today. (We still have presents from both sets of grandparents to give as well.... more fun for another day!) Natalie and Alan put together a wonderful set of surprises for Anthony. I'll let his face tell the story.... The pictures ended here as he wanted me to read all three books to him, which I most happily did. I still have my cold, but watching his joy made me forget about it [...] 
View full post » Anthony turned four today. Due to a fluke with Fumie's schedule, I made his bento this morning, following simple but detailed instructions that Fumie had left. The result wasn't pretty, but I judged that it probably wouldn't kill him. Fumie and I both picked him up from preschool, and on the walk back to the car I asked how the bento was. His understated reply was "It was okay; I didn't throw up." (He used the Japanese ge for "throw up") Now, there are a few things you should know about this: we ask how the bento was every day, [...]
View full post » I was at Yodobashi Camera in Osaka the other day, the largest camera store in this part of the country. It's something like six expansive floors, selling everything from obscure large-format camera accessories to luggage (but, alas, not the out-of-production AF-Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 I was looking for). They're a national chain, and internationally minded: the "welcome to Yodobashi Camera" jingle that continually plays storewide cycles among a bunch of languages (at least Japanese, English, German, Chinese, and I think Portuguese. Maybe French too? I wasn't paying that much attention.) So, with that in mind, I found the [...] 
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