My Trip to San Francisco

[dtchan]

During new year I traveled to San Francisco with my wife. Haven't traveled anywhere for 3 years due to a back injury, but that didn't stop my gear from growing =(. I currently have 7.5, 12, PL25, CV25, 9-18, 45, and 75. I also got an RX1 recently which made choosing what to bring even more difficult. I found often I really don't use more than 3 lens so in the end I brought the RX1, EM5 with 12mm and 75mm in a billingham f stop 2.8 bag. Try to keep it as simple as possible. Instead of using a laptop to backup photos, I also tried using the hyperdrive from Sanyo which allows me to put my sd card to the device and it would automatic backup the card to the device's hard drive. It also allows for redundant backups which I like. It has some annoying problems and very little instructions. It took me so long with their support to get it working. Maybe I'll do a review on it later.

We stayed at Union Square. We have never saw so many homeless people before. They were everywhere. We also got scammed twice. It wasn't a nice feeling. They would block your way and give you their CD. We said we don't want it but wouldn't let you go until you accept it. Once you accept it, they ask you to make a donation. I must admit they were really good. Other than this the trip was pretty good.


EM5 with 12mm - This photo was taken at the Cable Car Museum. I think it is actually running the cable cars there. See https://flic.kr/p/kHteJr. Best of all, this place is free. There were so many people lining up to go on the cable cars though. I don't know if it was worth waiting for 2 hours =(.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/12888845075" title="Cable Car Museum by dtchan, on Flickr">

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"1024" height="683" alt="Cable Car Museum"></a>


We also visited many museums. Here are two photos from the Museum of Science I think. A very nice place we found was this antique arcade place by the Piers. The arcades there were mostly mechanical. You can see some of the photos here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/sets/72157639999045274/


EM5 with 75mm - I was so glad I brought the 75mm with me. This lens always impress.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/11943497984" title="Butterfly Stance by dtchan, on Flickr">

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"1024" height="640" alt="Butterfly Stance"></a>


Sony RX1
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/12006276505" title="T Rex by dtchan, on Flickr">

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Sony RX1 - This was taken at Alcatraz Prison. I was taking a break... she was taking a break too.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/12918602894" title="Taking a break @ Alcatraz by dtchan, on Flickr">

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The next couple of street photos were taken at China Town. I really liked the China Town here.... so many people. Perfect for street photos. Unfortunately I didn't get to stay very long since wife thought it was dirty.
Sony RX1
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Sony RX1
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/11899498216" title="Man in the Alley by dtchan, on Flickr">

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"683" height="1024" alt="Man in the Alley"></a>

Sony RX1
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"1024" height="683" alt="Happy Man"></a>


Sony RX1 - Inside a very nice church.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/12044763075" title="Church by dtchan, on Flickr">

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"1024" height="683" alt="Church"></a>


We also rented a car for a day and drove down to Big Sur. Really should have allocated 2 days here. Driving there and back in one day was very tight. What really surprised us was how scenic the highway was. We stopped several times to take some photos.

EM5 with 12mm
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/11959580275" title="Highway to Big Sur by dtchan, on Flickr">

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"1024" height="576" alt="Highway to Big Sur"></a>

Sony RX1 - I especially liked this ones with the cows. You can also see the ground is all dried up with so little rain @ California
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/11973703664" title="Barren by dtchan, on Flickr">

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"1024" height="512" alt="Barren"></a>

EM5 with 12mm - We finally arrived at Pfeiffer Beach just when the sun was going down.The light was perfect. I wish I could of taken a better shot here but with 20 or so photographers in front of you and I got no tripod, it was very difficult. The lighting was very tricky too.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/12111167964" title="Pfeiffer Beach @ Big Sur by dtchan, on Flickr">

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EM5 with 12mm - Managed to do a long exposure by putting the camera on the camera bag.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchan/12020913013" title="The Landscape Photographer by dtchan, on Flickr">

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[GFFPhoto]

Nice shots. Big Sur and the California coast are pretty awesome

 

[penWS]

Very nice set, I love the butterfly photo and also the highway shot!

 

[duke]

really great stuff, enjoyed viewing the set in the order presented too

 

[RevBob]

Great set, looks like a really good trip! You got some great shots.

 

[RT_Panther]

Great series & hope you had fun! :smile:

 

[QualityBuiltIn]

Love your Big Sur sunset through the rock. Right place, Right time.

 

[dtchan]

Yah the California Coast was really a nice surprise since I didn't really plan much for it.

 

[jenbu86]

Well, the church one and the one at Pfeiffer Beach just look amazing to me, really good job you did there. At which hotel did you and your wife stay at Union Square? Seems like you had a pretty good location. :smile:

I'm asking because my husband and I will go to SF this summer, would love to have everything nearby, the location you picked seem great for a photo session :smile: We've been searching for one at http://san-francisco.hotelscheap.org/, but can't decide, we just don't know anybody who has been to SF yet, and it's our first time being there as well Any advice is helpful!

Thanks in advance!
Jenny