Past travel with my old trusted Canon

I've been browsing my photo library and found some shots I took which I really haven't reviewed. Some of them I've posted on my facebook and some not.  I miss the Canon 5dmkii coupled with the 24-70L, one of the finest lens I ever had. These images were taken a couple of years back so I was still developing myphotographic skills and still learning until now.

Taken in Aleppo, Syria before the ensuing civil war. A beautiful and historic place. I let the pictures speak.  I wonder how the people are now if they are still able to smile or with the current conflict the place that I had been is now but a memory of its former self.

A young man selling his grapes on our way to Krak de Chevalier.

An Aleppian House. I love the architecture of this old styled home with this balconies and kind of Greco-inspired roof (correct me if I'm wrong).

Canon 5dMkii with 24-70L. 1/30 F/2.8 ISO at 2500

I cannot recall where this is but probably in one of the entrances to the old city.

Canon 5dMkii with 24-70L. 1/30 F/2.8 ISO at 800

I found the ceiling pattern very nice and the doors to this room looked so ancient.

Canon 5dMkii with 24-70L. 1/25 F/2.8 ISO at 800

These two boys were eager to be photographed. Selling so late at night inside this old citadel. 

Canon 5dMkii with 24-70L. 1/30 F/2.8 ISO at 800

I got up close and they posed. 

Canon 5dMkii with 24-70L. 1/25 F/2.8 ISO at 3200

Nikkon 50mm f/1.8 D

Another lens I'm testing. Nikkor 50mm f/1.8d. The most affordable that I have purchased through a used online website that sells anything and everything.  Had the day off today and did some street photography with friends/colleagues at work.  Went to the usual site in Bur Dubai and did some shots.  The RAW files from Nikon comes out well but I did some PP on these shots. Some presets that I've applied.

The patterns under the pigeon looks like his or her nest. 

Taken at Al Bastakia Nikkor 50mm at f/9 ISO-400

At the Souk in Al Bastakia (Al Fahidi Street).  The shadows and lines pointing to 

the sleeping man makes this shot interesting. F/5.6 at 1/160 sec. ISO-125

There were lots of these pigeons inserting themselves into the designs of the walls. 

Probably thinking it's their home.  F/9 at 1/320sec ISO-400

Saw this guy counting his money and got lucky he didn't look up when I took the shot.  

The D750 is light, small and with the 50mm 1.8D was really great for walking. 

A favorite shot. F/13 1/60 sec. ISO-400 

 One of the sellers. He was just waiting for buyers and then he turned around and smiled 

(I didn't take that shot, bummer). f/5 1/640 ISO-640  I love the how the light fell on his 

salwar khamis or whatever that is called.

I didn't use any flash on this but the light was reflecting from somewhere and it looks like

 this young seller had a reflector.  f/5  1/30sec ISO-640.

I was following this woman and she got into the light path. The curls of her hair and the 

light hitting her face was very interesting. f/5 1/400 sec. ISO-640 

This is a favorite place of my friends to take this shot. I'm not the first one to have done this but the moment was there when the shadows of the pedestrian made this pattern. f/9 1/500sec. ISO-125

On the Abra and just passing through these dhows. I like how the blue lining jumps out of the old wooden hulls. It was a cloudless day as usual in Dubai.  Wish there were clouds to make it more dramatic. f/9 1/125sec. ISO-125

I cropped this shot as I was only interested at the man sitting on his Abra. Probably he's resting and waiting for his turn to pick up passengers.  f/5.6 1/125sec. ISO-125

Happy to use this economy lens.  Very sharp, amazing to use, lightweight, handy and cheap!

The Gift of Nikon D750

Been looking at DSLR's again and my hand was itching for one. Either the D810 (too costly) or the D750.  My friend bought a Canon 5dMiii but I wasn't going back to that back breaking, compressed cervical disc inducing heaviness.  Almost opted for the mirrorless Fuji XT-1 which I was salivating when DSF came as the package was so tempting but I held on and my wife wasn't convinced.  My old Oly EP-2 is now on standby as my lovely wife gave me a huge surprise on Christmas day...ta-da! a Nikon D750.  I was also lucky that one of my colleague was selling his Nikkor 105mm Macro with VR so I gladly accepted the charity gift.

So, I've taken some sample shots with the new cam while we were showing a friend the famous Dubai creek.  I've applied a few PP to these shots as it was all hand held but the light on that day was pretty good.  This is not a review but after using a handful of DSLR's and range finders, the camera is lightweight. I'm still familiarising myself with the controls and found it really easy than my previous. I've used a Leica prior (M6) and kind of miss the simplicity of it but this camera is small compared to the pro's and delivers stunning shots and I will get a smaller lens probably a 28mm and have fun walking the streets with it.  24MP is already pretty good plus full frame!

All these shots were taken with a Nikon D750 with a 105 macro (the only lens I have for now)

Dubai Creek. At f/10 and shutter at 1/2000 with ISO-800. I was just getting off the abra when I saw the birds.  The light on the wings of the birds made me took the shot.

Dubai Creek.  f/3.5 at 1/60 ISO-4000.  A little blurry as the abra was swaying but still I think the VR on the lens helped steady it.  The architectural patterns made me shoot this.

It looked like the bird is about to crash into the airplane. Taken while on an abra. f/11 at 1/800 with

ISO-800

Night shot with Nikon D750.  The auto ISO is fairly helpful while the VR of the 105mm helped me take this hand held.  This was at f/2.8 at 1/500 ISO4000.  Loving the high ISO and night shot capabilities of this camera.

At F/3.5 1/60 with ISO4000  I love the colours this camera has rendered specially with the high ISO, it still delivered really well.

Until my next sojour in the early 2015, will be posting more pictures!