1000 D and going strong

This is not a review but my diary
The Canon 1000D was my choice of the first DSLR, and i am happy till now with it.

After extensive reserch and countless changes in mind i chose this over the 450D majorly due to budget issues. The difference i feel is not at all huge. the only thing i think i should have had, is the 9 AF points. I do realize now that how useful they are.


DOF experiments, multiple shots


Ive started using RAW but its bloody cumbersome, but gives excellent control.

After my P&S which did pretty much what my 1000 D does how do i fare after a month, do i regret it? absolutely not. I love it. I am still not there but learning. I could have clicked better shots with my S3 but when i do get it right from this one..its a good shot.

I have a shady kit lens 18-55 not IS the old one.Strange that only in India they sell 1000D with that lens, everywhere else its the new IS 18-55 IS lens. I'm still getting used to the aperture differences from my P&S.The smaller P&S gives much more DOF and i'm still getting used to a larger lens. I got a fell of the few other lenses, the nifty fifty and the 55-200 and i got excellent results. DSLR is definately about the glass.


The 18-55 is not to bad and i loved the DOF i got in this one. I call this Tete-e tete


A portrait from the 50mm, no PP, i would love to work on this soon.


from the 55-200 canon.
another one from the 55-200 gets me real close to the action


Now i need to find my sweet spot for Focal lengths, to decide my next lens. Though i loved the nifty 50 but the APSC sized sensor makes is 80 mm for me and i was somewhat uncomfortable. I like getting close to the subject so i guess i will have to try some wide ones as well. This is the biggest issue in India why the hell cant we rent lenses, i would love to use a lens to decide whether i like it or not, ive done enough reading and its of no help to choose a lens. You have to use it to know if you like it.

SO what i like about my DSLR vs MY P&S


- I love the level of control i have (shutter ,aperture, styles etc etc)
- I love the fact that it kicks back if i am not carefull
- Lenses, each new lens will have a new learning curve, i'm sure of that, and thats where the fun is.
- 10 MP of superfine image to crop if needed
- I see my frame through my lens..how can i forget that :)



What i miss from my P&S

- Carry it easily
- Video


I will do a bit on lenses once i get my calling sorted out, i have enough to write on that and i cant wait :).

Rio Paragliding : One heck of an experience

I have been harping in my previous post about how beautifull Rio is and have been shunned for writing just a few lines like a schoolboy, so i thought i should do some justice and write about at least one of the things in detail. One week is a short time for any place to see all the sights, explore all the facets, but there are somethings that you just have to do. Hand gliding was on the top of my list. Unfortunately the place where its done, Pedra De Gaeve, the mountain, was a fair distance away from where i was staying, Copacabana beach. While in the first weekend i had decided to do the other "must do" sites of Christ the redemptor and sugar loaf, i wanted to save the best for the last.
I was to fly out of Rio on Sunday afternoon, so saturday i planned to jump. Thanks to my colleague (Luiz) in office who helped me fix up the pilot who could take me for a flight (its a tandem jump), and drove me to this place at the base of the mountain. I was all excited and ready. The drive to this place was wonderfull through a road going along side the sea. We passed Ipenema beach enroute and also a few tunnels. It was like a discovery channel travel show with smooth tarmac to drive, sea on the left with waves crashing on the rocks just a few meters from you, and huge towering lush green mountains on your right offering terrefic views as well.The weather gods had different ideas though. The launch pad high up in the mountain was covered in clouds. It wasnt possible to jump. I was heartbroken. I was flying back to Delhi tomorrow. Marcelo (my guide), the guy who was the pilot however said that we can try again tomorrow, i wasnt too optimistic though looking at the weather, He told me that he will pick me up from my hotel the next morning.
Click on images below to enlarge
The road along the coast in the bottom right of the image

That whole night i could hear thunder and rain from my hotel room, my heart was sinking.I slept watching CNN and the news about Mumbai. The next morning as soon as i woke up the first thing i did was look out of the window, it seemed ok, still a bit cloudy. I dressed up ASAP, packed up my stuff as i had a flight to catch in the afternoon, checked out of the hotel and waited for Marcelo. Marcelo's partner arrived in a rickety old car, older than our beloved premirre padmini, and with a strange contraption on top, which i later realized was meant for carrying the glider. As we reached the base of the mountain i met Marcelo who seemed upbeat. I signed the customary death warrant with a nominal fees and we started towards the top of the mountain in the rickety old car with the glider on top. The Journey to the top was fun, we went through the Tijuaca rain forrest, very dense and beautifull.I think it was a short ride up about half an hour or 25 minutes. As soon as the engine was switched off there was complete silence just the jungle sounds..amazing...i also saw a snake he seemed to be in a hurry as he swooshed past us just a couple of feet from us into the thick undergrowth. We were the second in line to jump, but just before we did, it was training time, a few basics about do's and donts and i was ready.I was'nt scared as the atmosphere was pretty relaxed.We practiced running together matching my left leg with his right which was crucial as we were strapped in a harness together.After this was done Marcelo told me "my life depends on you", and i thought, "what!!..did he not get it the other way around". He told me that during take off if i stop running even for a moment or hesitate we will plunge from the launch pad to the mountain side below. so whatever you do "DONT STOP". That moment got my heart racing a bit. this was for real. View from the top of the launch pad My Glider I have done parasailing (with a parachute) before in Bhimtal, for that you need a good wind so that you parachute pull up before you jump off, in hand gliding however you need to run to get momentum and lift. I was strapped in and we were ready to go. The view below was already amazing, i coundt wait to fly over this beautifull city. By the time we took off the sun was out, i enjoyed every second of the 15 minute flight. It was just "Awesome" flying like a bird. Intialy we gained more height, i could feel the air currents lifting the glider as we circled the top of the mountain, then we kept circling and decending to land on the beach far below. Launchpad below as we rise on air currents terrific views to sail over The Landing was when i was most scared, just before we landed the glider swooped down VERY fast and levelled out just inches from the ground, it was hair raising, but a perfect landing in the end.

Enjoy the video from the wingtip of the glider

Mount Everest :IMAX film

I'm so intrigued that this had to be a post. This is one in a 5 part posts of an IMAX film on mount everest by National geographic shot just a few days after the 96 everest tragedy. Climbing this behenoth is tough enough and achieving the feat of making a film in those conditions is really amazing. So enjoy..

Into thin Air -Jon Krauker -my thoughts

A chilling account of the tragedy that took place on the mount everest in 1996.the infamous year with the highest number of fatalities. I found it a very honest narration of the authors opnions without a bias, but it is a hotly contested one, with professional reputations at stake. The book gives us a glimpse of what Everest would be like, and enthuses in me atleast, a sense of adventure that i always want to pursue. Despite the dark side of fatalities, the sheer real life drama of people not making it safley and dieying only meters away from safety is chilling.

I can only imagine what summit fever must be like and what that altitude would do to the human body.

apart from the actual tragedy it gives a veruy clear idea on what such an expedition would be like, its almost like living through the climb with Jon Krauker.

i am gripped with everest fever now and reading up on the net about it, it is a and a must read for any adventure seeker

Rio De Janerio

I had a chance to visit Rio de Janerio November last year. What a beautifull place this is. The best part about rio are the people, very helpfull and smiling no airs about them.

Rio is very pretty with the mountains and beaches and the forrest all mixed together forming a gorgeous landscape. All the beaches needless to say are stunning, every 50 odd meters is a beach shack selling local beer SKOL and "capiriniha". I loved this drink, very refreshing cool and perfect for the beach setting, here's how you make it

Capiriniha
Add lots of crushed ice, not fully crushed to lemon wedges lots of then again and sugar, mull it together. Pour Casacha till glass is full :) (yes that correct). Give it a good shake and walla.

The national dish here is Fejuada, very heavy, actually its all parts of the pig, toungue, brain etc etc. I had it at a swank place in office. I liked it. Caution. It makes you sleepy. I had lots of other good food in Rio, pizzaz's filled with chocolate, girilled chicken varieties, fresh fish at the shaks and shrimps,crabs it was a very nice.

Sugar loaf and Corcovado offer terrific views of Rio and dont miss to jump from pedra de gaeva. one heck of a view and experience, not to be missed at any cost.

They speak portugese here and the only word i survived with is "obrigado" ->thank you thats all you need, they help you out with the rest :). and also bon dia -> good morning, i forgot good afternoon and evening although i was taught.

Rio is such a stunning place that you should visit here at least once, forget Europe go to Rio and have fun

To DSLR or not to DSLR ?

everybody who is an anybody wants to own a DSLR these days. The economics of today have made it possible to own a DSLR by anyone.

And this is the question i get a lot from people who want a good Camera often, "I want to buy a DSLR, which one should i buy"


My advice goes as follows

1) Do you take photographs for fun to experiment? (not holidays or vacation)

2) Do you like Bookeh ? or does it ring a bell?

3) Do you know the difference between aperture and Shutter?

4) Have you ever changed White balance settings in your point and shoot?

5) Do you ever print your digital photos?

most commonors answer "No" to the above. And its not surprising, everyone clicks for fun, at occasions , to remember moments. Its not a hobby for everyone, then why on earth do you need a DSLR. Most point and shoots today have all these features built in, and no one uses even onr thirds of them how will you justify a zillion custimizable things on a DSLR

SO the choice is obvious, dont buy a DSLR unless you pursue photography as a hobby, and you know the basics. Of course there is auto mode and it will give you great pictures but whats the point, it like buying a ferrari and getting a chauffer to drive you around. duh!

Most people argue about picture quality, sure there is a difference but can you spot it on your computer screen ? try it if you think you can and you are serious about learning buy a DSLR, if not..just click and be happy.Dont splurge :)

Roop Kund Trek :2008

Roopkund it is then, i dont know how i decided on this, definately the photos and the blogs on the internet (although there ar'nt too many) but i am not a trekking guy but this trek was fun and "tough".

I did not know the guys i was to head out with, met them through BCMT forum on the internet, the plan seemed good and they needed a partner, i jumped in. Such trips are difficult to plan, not in terms of logistics, but if you are going with "KNOWN" friends: not everyone is free, some have wives ;), some tough jobs etc etc. and the window of the trek throughout the year is very small. June to September. And to reach Roopkund, is not gauranteed ... it all depends on how merciful the whether gods are at that point in time.

Roopkund is a tough trek, and the whether makes it tougher, we were prepared with an ice axe and rope. The guy who planned the trip was out at the last moment, thanks to the financial cricis in the US, yeah its a small world these days imagine the odds of that affecting my trek, and i was a bit uneasy, damm. When you are "part" of the plan you can only say ....damm ;-).

Day 1
Met the Other 2 guys (Suman and Sanket) at the station, and boarded the train for Kathdodam, in the morning at KGM the all too familiar feeling at the foothills came back, the smell of fresh Pines, the sight of the mountains and i was back in my element.
Enroute from our Taxi


we took a Taxi to Loharjung 250 KMS from Kathgodam, all the while prompting the Mumbai friends on how to pronunce kathgodam :).BTW we were 2 newbie trekkers and an experienced 8 year trekker amongst us Sanket ;-), this guy is like Mumbai don, all good stories of don friends and all, Mumbai rules kinda guy :).Suman on the other hand a Bengali, and too enthu for the mountains, a bit of Rum and he will go all out..even without it..lol, a true mountain lover at heart though.




Reached Loharjung at ~6:00 pm, through some bumpy roads terrific scenery and signs of torrential rains, all little rivulets along the way seemed like grade 4 rapids. Made us worry a lot: "are we even going to get halfway to Roopkund?".



Did some last minute shopping also this day, rice dal, ghee etc. We met our guide Narendra Singh who promised to be in early next morning to start the trek.

Day 2
A beautifull morning in Loharjung with fresh crisp mountain air and we were all ready in anticipation, Narendra was a bit late, the porters were arranged a few more last minute things to buy, A stove, kerosene, fresh vegetables etc etc and we were off. A straight walk till kulling about 4 KMS odd i think and then a desent towards Didna.
Crisp Morning at Loharjung


Ready for the first Day


Route:- we wanted to go Via Ali bugyal and hence the Didna route, a faster route is through Wan directly to Bedni Bugyal.

The plateau in the middle of that Mountain is Didna and towards the top right of the photo on top of the mountain is starting of Ali Bugyal


the desent from Kuling to Didna was laden with large loose rocks very painfull, and then straight up the mountain on the other side to Didna, warm up for the first day (trekking parlons) was more of a burnout for us :).Reached Didna, gorged ourselves on aadu's, We had an option to camp out or stay in a old house for some money, i was keen to camp but on our guides suggestion and the others opinion we took the house, and a good decision an the heavens let loose at night, torrential rain throughout.Gorged ouselves on delicious Khichdi prepared by Narendra singh he is an excellent cook as well.

At Didna having aadus with Gajendra and dhan singh


The house we stayed at Didna


I was very pessimistic the whole night, coudnt sleep well partly listening to the heavy rains outside and fearing worst for our trek ahead, and partly because Sanket was snoring like a train in my ear.

Day 3
The morning however was brilliant and sunny, we started off early leaving the porters to collect all stuff and catch us up, oh yeah these guys are champions, 20 odd kilos or more in the back and they skip like gazzeles while you pant your way through, amazing strength.Me and Dada (suman) had worked out a pace though, we were walking at the same pace a decent one. We had to walk up the whole mountain today, straight up, the gradient was easily 40 to 45 degrees and i am not exaggerating. Today we first hit Ali bugyal, all three of us started out together but we bade goodbye to Sanket, he was really struggling, and Narendra stuck with him as we left him to conqure his own deamons. As we neared the top of the mountain throug some dense forrest we were almost drained out, but as soon as we left the tree line behind a the landscape changed from Dense forrest we were now in a Bugyal (meadow) and WHAT A SIGHT, i do not have words to explain, as if we got our second wind and were almost running up , the top seemed near but after every curve there was a higher one waiting. It was a tiring but a pleasent climb, about 3-4 hours am not sure, i had no watch no mobile and had lost sense of all time.

The climb through the forest


The gradient


The tree line behind us


The Snaking Path below is where we came from just to give you an idea


the porters
">

Me at Ali Bugyal


The porters had also caught us by this point in time, they left camp 1 hour after we did :).We had promised to wait for Sanket at Ali bugyal, so we did, we roamed around all of khopal top and ali for about 2 hours. All the while the clouds danced around below and above us presenting us some stunning landscapes of Ali.By the time Sanket reached the whether had closed in, that the norm at higher reaches is that it stays open till about 12 am then the clouds move in, maybe a shower and you might get a clear spot in the evening again. We started for Bedni from there still about hour and half away, after sanket had reached, but this time it was a straight (straight compared to what we had just climbed, straight path in mountains is a superflous term) path,half way throoug it started to rain and we jumped into rain Suits to protect ourselves, Bedni eluded us as we kept on walking and walking and walking. Since Narendra was behind us and the porters already ahead of us me and Dada took a wrong route,we almost started towards our fourth day destination, thanks to the whether gods who lifted the fog only momentarily to show us that we had missed our camp below. A teribbly cold night at Bedni followed, i was shivering in my sleeping bag with inner clothing on, The rain again continued throughout the nights we took
refuge in a district room instead of a tent. There are forest rooms also here, BTW room means something that has a roof on top here, nothing else, come prepared or else ;-).



Enroute Bedni Bugyal




Day 4
Exceptionally cold and beautifull, it was the first time we saw bedni in all its spleandour since it was all covered up last evening. and what a sight. We could see chaukambha far away, Nand ghunti and trishul were as if we could hug them. Truly magnificient views, again the whether gods seemed to be with us. In the meanwhile we had got to know from a group who were returning that there was too much snow up there, they could not make it to Roopkund, we were anxious and quizzed Narendra again and again on our chances, all the while he politely found one way or another to deflect our questions, he must have dealt with a lot of pestering tourists. I could gather though that for this time of the year it seemed way too much snow, we could see it from Bedni on out path, Narendra said it never snowed there this early. Anyways we had to start off, the group told us that there were two other groups up there in Bagua basa, and that Bagua basa is not fit to camp as there is too much snow, damm.
Trishul from Bedni early morning




Bedni Bugyal in the morning



Narendra probably had planned already to camp us at Pathar Nauchauni. so we started off from Bedni after a small prayer. Soon after the ascent from Bedni to our path we found snow in our path, and it was terrific wealking though it. Just about a kilometer from our camping sight a beautifull place where we took a break, Ghora Lotani, we met 2 groups decending along this path, both count make it. My heart was sinking, all the while admiring the pristine beauty around me. This was and easy day, we camped at Pathar Nachauni, first time in tents i was excited and it was cold, bloody cold. Our plan was to start off early tomorrow morning 5:00 am, as we had good about 8-10 KMS of trek one way. leave only with small packs as we had planned to return to this base camp, 14-16 kms a day is a huge distance, trust me. and if you see the gradients you will say its huuuuugggge.

Bedni in the Background this climb as esily about 25 minutes i think


Nandghunti on left and trishul on the right..their reflection on Bedni Kund


Chaukambha from Bedni

Prayers at Bedni

Narendra Singh Bisht

Snowy trail to Pathar Nachauni

Ghora Lotani



Hailstorm at our camp in Pathar nachauni

Night at the camp


Day 5

We got up early today and started off around 5:30 am, it was nice and cold, the climb up to Kalu Vinayak was intimidating,and also snowed up. We had news that it was snowed up at baguabasa so we expected it. we reached kalu Vinayak and what a place it was, probably the best place in the whole trip, a perfect temple, snow all around and, terrific views 360 degrees. I could have spent all day here. Altitude was also showing signs here as we were breathing heavy. We had to wait for Sanket, as Narendra was with him and we could see snow ahead. Sanket was about an hour behind us a little less maybe. We needed Narendra to lead us from now on.
Early next morning

Look closely that zig zag in the mountail is the trail to Kalu Vinayak

Kalu Vinayak

Our tents are down there 2 little specs, and you can see the path we took, cant see? see them in the photostream

Trishul and trishul..and follow the trishul(man made) where it hits the mountain along a dip, thats where Roopkund is :)

Chaukambha from Kalu Vinayak



Our major concern was to get to Roopkund early lest the whether closed in. We carried on till chera nag with Sanket trailing. The steps at chera nag made treacherous by the snow. As we waited again at chera nag for sanket and Narendra, we took a break and it looked completely snowed out ahead. At this point Sanket was completely drained. He decided to return back with one of the porters as he just coudnt go on. With Narendra leading the way we started for Roopkund, the trail diassappeared after about a kilometer, but we kept walking on the snow, all the time carefull not to fall off the edge, there was no trail here. The Final ascent to roopkund was tough, it had started snowing, the skies were making a good amount of noise, the final slope seemed unassailaibe with 3-4 feet of snow, every step sunk in sliding us down wasting the effort we just made, it was very tough. We gave up midway as the clouds roared above us, at one point i was lying flat on my chest, my stick deep in snow and just holding on unable to even stand.
Bagua basa



struggling up

giving up in bad whether

Finally there

We climbed up there..that ridge beyond which is Roopkund



Just as we gave up due to heavy snowfall Narendra said, its just 50 meters, uptill now he had left all decision to us, this last piece of words from him "50 meter door hai itne door aa ke nahin jaoge aagey" made me gather my strenght and i almost crawled on all fours and we somehow reached the top of the climb. A small word of motivation was all i needed.

Elation gripped us and we were totally exhausted, it was snowing very hard, so we spent very less time there took a few snaps, the lake was frozen. Downhill was fun as we dug in our heels and and just jogged down..it was fun and dangerous also, many times we coudnt see rocks n all also but the fresh snow helped us, it was soft and we could dig our heels for a grip. It was the best experience of my life.

The walk back to our camp was tiring, snow throughout the way, my feet almost froze off. It never seemed to end. Surprisingly this day all ate was a chapati, did not feel hungry even when i got back to camp. and as soon as i got back, i got into my sleeping bag, it was cold and i was tired. I only got of the tent next morning.

Photo gallery best Viewed as a slideshow at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nitin_joshi/sets/72157607656574874/