A morning at Muti (Imti as it is now known).
This is ‘Dry Stone walling’ perfected over many years!
Muti is the remains of a village behind the present day Imti – over the years it has moved progressive down hill.
A very dark and smoke filled existence.
This was made in the area directly behind the new village of Imti – the others were further up the hill.
Another Door!
I am amazed at how many door images I have on file – maybe it is some sort of subconscious message.
Jebel Shams.
Jebel Shams – one of Oman’s areas of spectacular scenery; from the mountains, canyons, Juniper trees and villages, with some of
the most hospitable people you are ever likely to meet.
Back from holiday.
Although a little late – Happy New Year.
I have just spent a month in wind swept UK: cold wet and windy so nothing new .
The weather is definitely returning to what I remember in the 50’s and 60’s; where is ‘global warming’ – ho sorry climate change… when you want it?
Maybe it is the little ice age that was predicted by the experts during the 1970’s !
I now have the MF 23 for my Nikon F4 and although it was in ‘used condition’ Grays of Westminster has sent me another Nikon item in mint condition, that can only be described as ‘new’ because one is hard pressed to tell it is not.
I have also decided to keep the D200 that I have been testing (playing with) for a number of weeks now. I must admit that it is a nice camera to use – once I found my way around the menu settings. One caveat, there is always one! ‘Blown Highlights’ I MUST watch the histogram.
Set-up as near as I can get to my F4, even down to using the Tokina AT-x 35–70 F2.8 manual zoom lens.
No more chasing around for colour chemicals (well maybe E6, although not much chance here in Oman…….! ) pity I cannot afford (justify) one of those digital to analogue (paper) enlargers that got a mention a couple of years ago. DE VERE 504DS.
Qabil Al BuSaid.
It must have been an impressive entrance at one time.
Rock Art near Qabil Al BuSaid.
The following series of images are from a rock art site quite close to Qabil Al BuSaid in the Ash Sharqiyah Region.
A friend who lives in Al Mudaybi gave me directions to the area (also thanks to Google Earth which I used to pin-point probable rock outcrops) he said that there is some rock art that I might be interested in: how right he was….
This is the first site where I have seen ‘Finger Painted’ art outside the Salalah area.
I will have to do some more research, because so far I have not come across any reference in the literature that I have, which refers to finger painting, other than in Salalah.
Note the Red Ochre coloured finger painting; some of the images have become very faint with age.
This looks like a 1600’s Galleon, but why would someone peck it out on a rock so far inland?
I need to go back! I did not get the focus quite right on this one…… That will teach me; when working in B&W I always take at least 3 just in case I mess up. Trying to conserve materials is never a good idea.
My Bronica S2a 6×6 camera.
The Bronica S2a 6×6 camera was made from about 1969 to 72. It was the successor of the S2. Having been given an improved film advance gear mechanism, resulting in fewer jams, usually the result of over enthusiastic film advancement.
This range of Bronica cameras had somewhat of a reputation for not being very sharp – even with the excellent Nikkor lens range that was provided.
It has been found that a number of things contributed to this problem:
The ground glass screen can be out of alignment and not allow sharp focus at the Infinity mark. Also to make matters worse, the foam under the screen deteriorates with age exacerbating the problem.
Film back inserts that would not seat properly.
Film roller problems with earlier backs which would allow the film to bow slightly. Later corrected by Bronica.
This all makes it sound unworthwhile bothering with these cameras which is far from the case: all it needs is a little care and attention. See this link for further information and corrective action. Link here.
They have an excellent selection of Nikkor lenses, a large range of accessories and with the above problems sorted out, are capable of producing some fine images.
Further links of interest:
My Nikon F3 & F2SB .
Thought I would just post an image of two cameras that I own.
The F2SB is quite rare in near mint condition, as it was only produced for one year (between 1976 & 77) so unfortunately gets the attention of collectors who push the price up.
It was (is) arguably the finest manual camera that Nikon has ever produced see Mir for more details.
The F3 was the last of the Nikon manual-focus cameras, it was produced from 1980 to 2000 or maybe up to 2002; during that time there were at least four main variants that ended with the F3AF. The one I have is an early one without the ‘High Eye-point’ viewfinder, which allowed the entire viewfinder image to be seen from a distance. The only down side of this camera was the flash-mount which needed a dedicated F3 flash unit or a coupler AS-7: it took almost 20 years? before Nikon made the AS-17 coupler which will allow more modern flash units to be used; for example the SB27. see Mir
Incidentally, the lens is a Tokina AT-x 35-70 F2.8 zoom: their manual AT-x range is some of the highest quality lenses built, both in terms of sharpness and construction. As a side note: the AT-x designation was changed to AT-x Pro for this quality of lens when AF lenses were introduced by the company.
11.11.11
Have you forgotten yet?…
Look up, and swear by the green of the spring that you’ll never forget.
From ‘Aftermath’ Siegfried Sassoon.
Oman after last years rain.
I like both versions of this image – maybe the un-toned has the edge?
Taken on Ilford XP2 super.
Oman Falaj.
The Falaj is a traditional method of irrigation in Oman; some of which are quite basic as in this case, others can be complex with a very ridged control of how much water each individual gets.
Villages have a person who controls the amount of water supplied by using a form of ‘sun dial’ where the shadow cast by an upright stick times the amount each member of the community receives.
When a Falaj is required for moving water long distances, it will quite often be under ground for most of its length; getting the gradient and flow rate is a very skilled job.
See these links for a far more detailed description:
The Falajs - Written by Tor Eigeland.
Michael Kenna.
This is dedication – a very interesting interview with one of the great landscape photographers Michael Kenna.
(Link video) Hokkaido.
I have been lucky enough to obtain a couple of his books – Japan being one of them.
A selection of his images that are beautifully bound and presented in a slipcase - I say I am lucky as his books are in great demand because of their quality; so prices can very quickly reflect that.
Nikon D200.
I have been asked by Dave of A Monkeyhanger’s motley medley whether the D200 that I have been playing with would be my Xmas present or was it just a passing fancy.
I am still not fully convinced that digital will give me any more than convenience. Film is so much more versatile, but maybe it is just an age thing, because I find technology getting in the way of just doing things.
Phones that do everything but make a clear phone call, not to mention being an intrusion: how many times do I get the comment “but I have been calling you” and people look so shocked when I say “but I did not feel like answering”
Every electronic item has ‘menus’ these days: what happened to well laid out buttons that were intuitive to use.
Cameras that just about do everything bar press the shutter……
And so it goes.
No the D200 will only be used when I have no alternative.
Sorry but he did ask!
Do go and look at his site as it has some wonderful images – see link above.
Abandoned Stone Dwelling.
It is hard to image with all the improvements in Oman’s infrastructure: housing, medical centres, Schools, roads, electricity in far flung places…… That this has all happened in less than one life-time!
This type of dwelling was still used by Jebel people until quite recently.
Nikon MF 23 for Nikon F4.
I have just ordered my Xmas present……
It is an MF23 multi control back for the Nikon F4 camera: I have been after one of these for years; they are very rare in good condition. Grays of Westminster has one (had one) in as new condition.
This adds a plethora of functions to the camera, I got one a couple of years ago in less than perfect condition but it developed a fault with the data imprint so had to be returned.
There are two functions that I like and a third that is useful now and then:
- In-between frame data print (F stop, Day month year etc.)
- Long-time exposure function.
- Auto exposure bracketing.
For more information see the Mir site on this link.
Jebel Akhdar.
It was a hard life!
Rock Art near Al Hamra.
I am not sure what is being depicted here: a table, box or enclosure?
I could spend hours (I have) searching the rocks in the Al Hamra area, there is so much rock art: some of it very faded. A pity because it just will not photograph and I am reluctant to use chalk, which has been used on some that I have found.
I will just keep trying different methods to bring out the detail; all part of the fun…..
Ras Madrakah.
Nikon F4 with AF 24mm F2.8 lens set on manual (hyperfocal distance focusing using F16) I cannot remember the last time I used a lens on AF!
T-Max 400 @ 320 and developed in T-max @ 1+4.
Now this is rare for me, remembering all this; but for sand it has proved a relatively trouble free method.
Jebel Akhdar.
These last few Akhdar images came from a very enjoyable camping trip a few weeks ago.
This abandoned village is hidden from view, so cannot be seen from any road or track.
You should see 11 shades from white to black.
