web site hits

Thanks for the great pictures, mark. I think Hellebores may be perfect for me. The waterfalls/pond are in a semi-shady place here and I am having a hard time deciding how to plant it. The patio sits at the bottom , next to the pond and the falls are up on a steep bank. Since hellebores have drooping flowers, we would be looking up at them and that should be perfect. I am inspired! Where do you buy them? I know nothing about them other than to say they seem to meet my needs. Do you propagate them by cuttings? or are they divided? I hear they take a long time to start blooming, so any hints about that?

they are quite readily available on the 'net and very good nurseries here. maybe it will take a while for their appeal to filter to the US.

from seed they take about 3 years to flower but it's worth the wait as they produce stunning seedlings. In Japan they pay $1 per seed from a white plant especially if it is double.

they are easy from divisions.

they are woodland plants and do well in shade ans partial shade.

Woodspirit look what I found!
a nursery in the US who specialise in Hellebores http://www.sunfarm.com/

and their list of plants for sale
http://www.sunfarm.com/plantlist/hellebores_main.phtml

Philomel ~~~

In medium format I am using the Fuji roll film cameras. These are all 6cm X 9cm frame aspect. These are totally manual cameras, with no electronics whatsoever. Each camera has a fixed lens, with Copal shutters in the lens, thus no lens swap is possible. The cameras will accept both 120 and 220 roll film.

Focus is marvelously precise, and on each camera you can stop the lens down to f32 in 1/3~stop increments for precise exposure bracketing. I shoot ASA 400 pulled to 200.

My favorite of these cameras is the GSW690III, which is the equivalent of a 28mm lens on 35mm. Further, these are viewfinder cameras, not through~the~lens, thus there is no mirror flip to shake the camera during image capture.

The cameras are slightly larger and heavier than a full size 35mm camera, and I use them on tripod only (I use a Gitzo). I have not had good success with hand~held work, but that would depend very much on the photographer.

I have carried these cameras around the world in remote and sometimes rugged environments. They are substantially built, not fragile in any way.

The cameras have been a significant investment for an amateur, but have provided much pleasure. I have made some wonderful images with them. Handling these ultra~high quality tools in a world of cheaply made objects is a joy.

I hope this helps.

Adam.

Mark:

A Short Course in Nikon 5000 Photography
by Dennic Curtin
US34.95 New
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Adam.

Thanks very much for all that information Aotearo. I love wide angle work and have taken many such photographs while travelling - but with a humble 35mm camera with electronics I have to confess. You must have some superb photographs!

I'd love to hear about where you've been, as i expect would many others. If you have the time................?