Nordisch Nobel 2019

September 6, 2019

Whenever I Travel, I always have the mental task of deciding which kit to bring.

My Travel Lens of choice is the XF 18-135mm.

I love that Lens, it came as part of the Kit with my XT1 and I will not part with it.

I recently returned home from Leubeck in North East Germany. This was a Zauber Conference for Magicians. I decided to document this trip and chose the 18-55mm along with the 55-200mm.

I couldn’t have been more delighted with the combination. If I could add one thing to it, it would be a second body to avoid changing Lens - otherwise this was and will be the perfect set-up for my Travel Photography.

I started creating images from the moment I arrived at the Aiport. I ended up performing some magic for the waitress and came away with her portrait. The 18-55mm proved itself to me as a very capable Portrait Lens at 55mm.

When I landed in Hamburg, it was late evening and my driver told me we had to wait for Miguel whose flight was delayed.

This meant another forty minutes.

When he arrived, we headed off to the oldest Magic Club in Germany. This was a short ride from the Airport.

These images are a perfect example of the low light capability of the XF18-55mm.

The Zauber Theatre was dimly lit which added to the atmosphere of this very old club. It featured very dark reddish colours with warm lighting. I kept my Lens at 18mm f2.8 with a very generous ISO to keep my shutter speed decent - I was delighted with the mood and rendering of this Lens.

By the time I got to my hotel it was close to 03:00 am I was one hour ahead and my lecture was at 12:00 noon.

This timing messed up my system - being the Professional I am, I had to steel myself and just get on with it.

These images were created by a fellow Fuji Shooter Gerald Huber©️. He was using the XT2 paired with the XF50-14mm, what a dream set up. I love the XF50-140mm it’s on my Christmas Wish List.

Most Magic Conventions are a busy and chaotic affair. The Convention Hall looked like a Beer Festival Hall which is quite popular in Germany.

The stage area where I lectured was sectioned off on the other side of the building.

The ground was cobbled stone, it added something to the experience. It was certainly different to other conventions I have experienced.

I was very excited by the images above - they feature Miguel Munoz, a wonderful magician and Artist.

These images were created using the XF55-200mm.

I am thrilled and delighted to share that this Lens is a keeper in my kit bag. Colour rendition, contrast was perfect.

I was at the back of the Lecture Hall creating these images and they came out great. My next stop would be to test drive this Lens in a Theatre with low lighting.

The XF55-200mm is a slow Lens for low light which means pushing my ISO.

Take a look at Miguel during the performance of his signature act, “Water & Crystal Balls”.

The only light available was coming off the stage. This greatly enhanced the images of Miguel in action.

My ISO came in at 3200.

I accepted this because I was inspired by Flemming Bo Jensen’s work shooting Music Festivals. I embraced the grain which is concealed by the spray of water.

These images are magical.

Here are a few more of celebrated Mind Reader, Max Maven.

This was a short trip - after my Lecture, I had to present my show under very difficult circumstances. It was a very hot weekend and there was no air conditioning. I survived thank God and was able to rescue my show from dying.

Before flying home, my friend Andre, a fine Photographer in his own right took me for a walk around Leubeck. This was lovely, I used my XF 18-55mm. I was very happy with the images I created.