Drawn in by the colourful stuff

Whilst I wouldn't normally stress the value of one piece of camera gear over another, there are times when what you carry makes all the difference. This was the case on a trip to the coast when I found that for the most part I had taken the right bodies and lenses but there were some drawbacks that affected the final result.
In the end it's always going to be a compromse unless you are lucky enough to have someone else carry all your equioment for you can take your pick whenever the mood takers you!
Equipment Used
Nikon F80 and Tamron 28-300 VC
Olympus EM5.3 with 14-140 MkII Panasonic
Velbon Luxi Tripod
Ilford XP2 Super
Preview App
Mark II Artists Viewfinder (iOS only on the App Store)
Vlogging Equipment
GoPro Hero 10
iPhone 14 Pro
Rode Wireless Go II Microphone
Incidental Music (Epidemic Sound)
The warmth of the sun on her skin
Against a paler sun
Etsy Shop
steveonionsphoto.etsy.com
Contact Details
Email: [e-mail] Twitter: Steve_ONions / steve_onions Instagram: steveonions1 / steveonions1
KZbin: / @steveonions

[@MpenziYako]

Loved every minute of it. The horses and cranes is a prize winner. Mark

[@SteveONions]

Cheers Mark.

[@montycraig5659]

This is by far, some of the best work I have seen on this channel. In my opinion. Absolutely beautiful. I know you must have froze yourself solid, so thank you so much for giving us this great video!

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Monty. It certainly was cold but thankfully there wasn’t a northerly or easterly wind, that would have finished us off 😊

[@oudviola]

Love the b&w frosty dune images!

[@endreherczeg]

That image with the horses and the compressed background is sublime! Well done Steve, I really enjoyed this episode.

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@photolubos]

Amazing pictures and the video😍🤩

[@deanlawrence3744]

Now that you are warm, hopefully, I hope you can look at the wonderful images and just remember the good bits. A cracking video to watch and I'm sure I will view it again.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Dean, I do enjoy watching the videos years after the trip, I’m often surprised by how many photo opportunities I missed!

[@utekopka7920]

Fantastic images Steve! I love the abstract pictures of the frozen sand. Thank you so much for this very inspirational video. Wishing you all the best for 2024!

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@DizinEire]

Its been many years since I was up to Formby. Some belting shots from there Steve. The Bottle @ 2.05 , Horses @6.24 Windfarm@9.43 stand out. The one for the wall would have to be the Horses, superb. I made a small fold out stand (similar to a fold out camp stool) which fits over the side and top of the rucksack. It gets deployed on wet sand and mud to keep the bag dry. Also saves the back when waiting for the light😁 Cracking vlog Steve. Cheers Diz

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Diz. Sand has always been a challenge for me and the equipment.

[@oldfilmguy9413]

You are shooting video with a new camera, yes? Very crisp and vibrant. Fascinating graphic studies. The Infrared is also beautiful!

[@notme1998]

That ektar shot was amazing

[@SteveONions]

Hmmm, I know, it has grown on me a lot in the four years since I took it 🤔

[@danncorbit3623]

Anything can be improved. Loved the 'moonscape' at three minutes. The N75/F75 is a great spare or ultra light camera, and very capable. I have bought them at thrift stores for less than ten dollars. My favorite was the horseback riders with cranes in the background.

[@RickMahoney2013]

I have 3 of them that’s all I use now for film.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Dann, the F75’s are delightfully compact and a step up from the F55!

[@catey62]

I loved the horseback riders too.

[@terrymartin9598]

Hi from Canada, Steve I have been watching your video's for many years and I have to say this ranks as one of the best, great content, wonderful images and fabulous conditions. Great stuff.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Terry, glad you enjoy the outings 👍

[@jsbphotog]

Thanks for another great video. Your work has pushed me to start getting out and shooting film again- a hobby I very much needed!

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoy the videos 🙂

[@nigeldawson5960]

Watching this video, I can’t help but think of a bygone era when sailors would have been hauling their lines as they tacked along that coast, icy salt spray scalding them for hours. Hearty souls that lot. Thanks for another interesting and honest video.

[@SteveONions]

How people used to live and work years ago is beyond me, I even struggle with all the modern gear and comforts we have to assist us.

[@nigeldawson5960]

@@SteveONions Good point. We are fortunate to have more comfortable lives with many more opportunities to achieve our own goals. Cheers!

[@jebbytunnelcoats1182]

Loved the dusk scene at the end and also the horse riders. All good compositions in the video.

[@SteveONions]

Thank you 🙂

[@veivoli]

@SteveONions Loved the *real* (sand) grain in some of the shots! 🙂 Like you, I have had problems with an F80 in low temperatures. I recall one when I was waiting for a bus and there were four people on a bench, out in the cold, all focussed on their cell phones. The camera refused to function. Luckily I had a spare pair of batteries in my pocket and the lady standing beside me, who also saw the funny side of the situation, provided an extra pair of hands while I swapped them. Unfortunately the photo was rubbish due to the poor light and my camera being loaded with FP4+. Oh well... Oh, and the batteries recovered once they warmed up when I got home and I shot several more rolls with them, so it was clearly a temperature-related issue. My preferred black and white film has been FP4 and its predecessors, going back to some FP3 in the 1960s. Happy New Year and I look forward to much more of your content.

[@SteveONions]

I tend to favour the 400 speed films, not only to allow hand holding but also for the generally lower contrast. I used to like FP4 in the 80’s for the tremendous tonal range but now use a lot of XP2 Super and HP5+.

[@bobharris3002]

Liked the shot with the horses. The grain gave the image an interesting feel.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Bob.

[@genegoranov5865]

Gosh , Steven, everything is so lovely ! Eximium.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Gene, the conditions were excellent.

[@carls.2649]

What wonderful images to start the year!

[@SteveONions]

Thank you 🙂

[@raybeaumont7670]

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda Steve! Some very pleasing imaged there - especially along the frozen beach. Lovely. The storms have kept me firmly indoors so far but I have plans. The Glamorgan Coast beckons. Best wishes my friend.

[@SteveONions]

Same weather here sadly, weeks of wind and heavy rain. All that time stuck in has lead to some rash equipment purchases 😲

[@raybeaumont7670]

Oh dear! You can't buy yourself out of the boredom Steve - but browniepoints for trying.

[@petermaddern6653]

Superb video Steve. A lot to think about. Love the sand dune images. That horses on the beach image is exceptional.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Peter.

[@Larpy1933]

Peter: I agree completely. Steve’s detail work of the footprints in frosty sand make me think he was working with much larger format than 35mm. What masterful prints.

[@PeterJenkins-lr8tz]

Great show! Thanks Steve!

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Peter.

[@CalumetVideo]

Thank you for sharing. I really enjoy your videos. Very inspirational. Happy New Year!!!!!

[@SteveONions]

Thank you 😊

[@thenutter2003]

never seen frosty sand like that they do look like shots of the moon great video.

[@SteveONions]

Thank you 😊

[@RobertVE3VPL]

Frost on sand, very neat. I've lived in relatively cold eastern Canada my entire life, don't think I've ever seen that.

[@SteveONions]

Pretty rare here too, persisted nearly all day which was a bonus 🙂

[@michaelmiller641]

Yes, thanks for that Steve, I did enjoy that video. Happy new year.

[@SteveONions]

Same to you Michael 👍

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Love the ir images, Happy New year

[@SteveONions]

Thanks, you too James 🙂

[@johnmarriott9166]

Pow! And he does it again, another superb video of inspiration, information and wonder. Thank you Sir 👍

[@SteveONions]

You’re very welcome John.

[@The_Hero_Is_Back]

Happy new year, Steve. Yes, I’d be interested in a future video about the scanner, when you’re ready.

[@SteveONions]

I’ll get the scanning process into shape before doing a video, I hate putting something out there until I have it sorted.

[@pdp11]

Lovely start of 2024, Steve!

[@SteveONions]

Thank you 😊

[@stevebarnett5048]

Great photos, love the graphic quality, and an interesting technical roundup, we live and learn as they say. Thinking about equipment can lead to new ideas so it's worth reviewing every now and again even for the least gear conscious photographer.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Steve.

[@Larpy1933]

Steve, whatever it is that motivates you to do the photography that appeals to you and share it here… I’m grateful for it. This video is one of the most inspirational ones yet. Good luck eh! (Victoria, BC).

[@SteveONions]

I appreciate that, thank you 🙂

[@azfactor7875]

What a fruitful outing it was for you, in spite of the chilly temperature. At least it allowed you to have the beach mostly to yourself and Robin. So many images that elicited "oh, my's." I was wondering if you ever consider using a full ND filter at the beach to smooth out the water.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Bob. Although I do own a few full ND filters I’m reluctant to go down that route as the over smooth B&W look has been done to death in recent years. I should consider a more subtle use though, just to remove some of the unnecessary detail that the likes of water motion adds, perhaps a 6 stop maximum.

[@azfactor7875]

I was thinking that as well. Not the frosted glass look of 15+ stops, but perhaps just enough to lessen the rough texture and move it closer to the appearance of the clouds that were present at the time. And I forgot to mention how much I loved those images of the frost on the sand. The abstract and textural elements reminded me a bit of your urban decay shots you took in Liverpool a while back.

[@lensman5762]

Loved all the photos. Happy new em5 mkiii, Steve. Come to think of it the only time we had frost up here in Manchester was the first week of December for a couple of days. It has been a horrid, unseasonal wet and windy affair. On a more positivenote, I recently gave Kodak Vision3 250 D, which I processed with ECN-2 chemicals at home. Suffice to say that I am bitten. I am sure you'd love it, Steve. Take cate.

[@SteveONions]

Same time for this shoot, early December and I count myself lucky to have had those conditions. The rest of the month has been awful over here in West Cheshire with just the odd day free from wind and rain. I’ve got a few new Vision 3 films to try in 35mm and the Cinestill equivalents in C-41. I’m keen to see how they compare to Portra 160 in particular as I find that film fairly decent yet less convincing than the 400 and 800.

[@lensman5762]

I think Cinestill remove the Remjet layer so the film could be processed in C41, but you do get halo around the bright highlights. Will look forward to seeing your photos, Steve. I am sure they will be great.

[@jhenline7813]

What a super day out you and Robin had, with amazing conditions, well worth the cold hands and feet. I absolutely love the first few images of the very unusual frosty sand 👌

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@davefaulkner6302]

Steve -- especially enjoy your ramble. Very important to think about your last experience to make the next one better. Your mix of digital and film is enlightening inspiring me to do the same. Also I usually put the camera down for the winter but this has inspired me to do more winter shots. Thank you for sharing your skills and thoughts as an artist in these many videos. Great shots, love the use of XP-2 Super. Please continue your rambles. Also -- thanks for being brave enough to say that equipment matters -- the easy way out is very popular these days and it annoys me to no end.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Dave. I doubt I’ll ever find the perfect combination of camera and lens, there are just so many options to explore. Likewise film & digital, both are great and I’ve never seen the point in excluding one or the other from my options list.

[@jeffreystulin8130]

I don't believe that the argument is that equipment is unimportant, rather the argument is that one does not need the latest greatest most expensive equipment! I believe that you have proven that, for many use cases, amply over the years.

[@jimgraves4197]

On a bitterly cold day I find a manual camera to be my favoured option. Batteries do not like the cold, it saps the energy out of them, so I leave my digital camera, a Nikon D610, and my film cameras with electronic shutters at home. I take my OM-1, 35RC or Spotmatic, all of which work just fine without batteries, or my FED 2 Ukrainian rangefinder. No batteries required for that one. Metering is done with my Gossen Trisix selenium light meter which still gives reasonably accurate readings despite its age.

[@SteveONions]

Very true Jim, I just wish I could use the stabilised lens with something less dependent on batteries! I find the older FE/FE2 types to be quite solid in cold weather despite the need for a battery, but then again the FM/FM2 would be even better.

[@trevorbrooks813]

Wow, frost on the dunes,,, I've never seen that, brilliant. Another thoughtful video Steve, many thanks. Cinestill may have proved interesting on some of those shots. Great day out, thanks for taking us along.

[@colintraveller]

Very common sight tbh . I guess you don't stay near the coast . Hence why you've never seen it much

[@SteveONions]

Glad you liked it Trevor. I’ve got a few Cinestill and Vision 3 films to try in 2024.

[@sophietucker1255]

Gear isn’t important until it is. When the gear you have keeps you from making the images you want then that is a problem. I also agree that a good bag or backpack makes the whole experience more fun and that makes it easier to go out and stay out. Love the content and have a wonderful 2024

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Sophie, carrying the right gear and having the right clothing can turn a potentially bad day out into a good one.

[@hachewie]

Some very interesting compositions. I did like the infrared image very much. The three horse riders image looks other-worldly.

[@SteveONions]

Thank you, those 3 horses were a gift, any more and the scene would have been cluttered.

[@izzyleicanut9190]

2024 is here. Nice shots especially the riders with the cranes in the background and rounding off with the lovely lights at sunset. Tricky one - bringing the right camera. My choice would primarily be dictated by weight and convenience.

[@SteveONions]

The weight is usually the limiting factor for me too, having batter backpacks helps too and is something I’ve invested more in lately.

[@AliasJimWirth]

Dog on, Steve, what a great start for 2024. If this is indicative of what you will come away with in this New Year, what a fantastic year it is going to be. I like the shot with the horses, and I am not seeing your negative points about the shot. Is it KZbin or something else concerning how I see it at home? One of several things you have helped me with is seeing photos from the artistic side of the equation, not only the technical side. It makes a very big difference; really. Also, if you are referring to your new Mind Shift 26L bag, I am very interested in what you have to say about it. Thanks so much.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks James. I couldn’t properly convey the distortions on the video, when editing in Lightroom the pincussion was awful and almost ruined the shot. When it comes to backpacks I’d always got secondhand stuff off eBay and whilst they were good quality the two recent Thinktank purchases are a step up and offer noticeably better features and comfort.

[@AliasJimWirth]

@@SteveONions I have been looking at that backpack for two years, but can't justify the expense without feedback from actual users. So, I really do appreciate your comments. Many thanks. Oh, and thank you for explaining the issue with the image.

[@erichstocker8358]

Got some very interesting and great shots. I won't have thought to look at the frozen footprints (I'm always missing things on the ground). However, those turned out very nice in monochrome.

[@SteveONions]

I’m painfully aware of how many potential shots I’ve been missing due to my focus on the big scenes. Often the most satisfying images are those ‘never to be seen again’ small scenes of everyday arrangements.

[@impressionsoflight9263]

4:35 “Some hot drinkage” :) Must be an English thing :). The first two shots, stunning!

[@SteveONions]

😊

[@charmerci]

Some great shots! However, I was really surprised you didn't take any(?) shots of the high contrast of the early morning light falling across the ground. Second, when it's really cold and the battery gets low, I just switch batteries and keep the first one in my pocket to warm it up. Then I get use it again in a while after the second one gets cold. Repeat as necessary.

[@SteveONions]

Thank you 🙂. That first set of batteries were quite well used and I knew they go at some point so I expected to need the new ones. I’ve often swapped out batteries into a trouser pocket, especially rechargeables 👍

[@TristanColgate]

I bought the same valoi setup (and am also using an em5 mkiii, and I got the Oly ED zuiko 30mm macro). I absolutely hate scanning, and I shoot a lot of half frame to make it all twice as bad, and I've found the valoi to be a huge improvement over the last 3d printed lump of garbage I was using. In particular, the fact that I can get exactly the same registration on an entire roll means that my conversion out the other end is a lot easier. I was using an adapted lens with extension tubes before, and having an proper autofocus'ing macro saves a bit more time too. Wish I'd done it all sooner

[@SteveONions]

Same here Tristan, I’ve spent a few years swapping between the dedicated scanners and a bodged camera scanning setup. I found it a delight using the Valoi and I’m now comparing the M43 + 30mm macro against a Nikon D810 + 60mm macro.

[@stevenwhite921]

Nice thought provoking video Steve with good explanations and reasonings behind your process to creating some lovely work and if one considers the aspect ratio of a image is an important part of the composition then the camera and lens choice must be considered also, its a creative choice whether to use a Hasselblad or a Holga both a square format but with a very different outcome so if you don't spend a moment visualising the end result then maybe just use a phone:)

[@SteveONions]

I often struggle to mix aspect ratios on a shot Steven and would rather combine the Hasselblad and Holga then use the former with a 35mm setup. I even like to crop the M43 4:3 format down to 3:2 at times when I use it alongside 35mm.

[@stevenwhite921]

Wise words as usual Steve..@@SteveONions

[@dominey]

Lol - so true. There's no such thing as "bad" light until...oh LORD this light is AWFUL!

[@photog1529]

The wife and I took a trip to Yellowstone in late fall of 2023. Knowing this wouldn't be a "photography" outing so to speak, I decided to go light with a single lens and picked up a Tamron 28-300 to use with my Canon 5D4. The lens seemed to perform well enough...I wasn't overwhelmed, nor was I underwhelmed. Lightroom did a nice job in correcting for any distortion, and very few of my images were taken at the extreme ends of the lens so maybe that helped. I did manage to get a wall-hanger at sunrise with a full moon over the canyon at Artist Point with this lens. This could end up being a 'general purpose' lens for times when a plethora of gear isn't needed.

[@SteveONions]

It’s usually the case that convenience trumps quality for most of use, I’d love to go out with single focal lengths for most trips but swapping lenses can be a pain.

[@trevorbrooks813]

Actually Colin I'm slap bang right on the coast, in Australia ;-)

[@SteveONions]

🙂

[@JonathanCampDesigner]

Nice video mate... Just wondered what is the scanner you were talking about for your film? Would be interested to know what you went for in the end. Cheers. (BTW amazon heated vests are pretty good or the battery powered pads that you can add to your own jacket - dirt cheap and just stick em in the jacket ;) )

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Jonathan, I must check out the heated clothing options, got to be better than 10 layers of clothing! Scanning wise I’ve just about moved off dedicated devices to the DSLR/mirrorless approach. I’ve dabbled for years but now I’m going to take it more seriously and perfect the process.

[@eltinjones4542]

I've decided to take out my Nikon FM after many years and I've a Canon EOS (something) given to by a friend going digital at the time I'll shoot B&W on the Nikon and Colour on the Canon. I'll get them processed and scanned and then look at them in photoshop. It will be expensive but for the amount I'll shoot not too extravagant Since I got an eye stroke I would find developing and printing difficult with one fully functioning eye. Digital photography is hard enough for me now! But I'll give it a lash this way. I can always stop if it doesn't work out, with no expense on scanners and hoarding developers, fixers etc which I won't need My Son in doing film this way on one of my old point and shoots. It's a big fad with the younger generation 😂📷👍

[@SteveONions]

I hope your film outing goes well, I’m sure you’ll fall back into the groove in no time at all. Cost is a major consideration now and I’m glad I can develop most film types at home. Same for scanning, far too expensive to have the lab do it.

[@Sosinvestimenti]

As usual, one more fantastic video and a gift for me. Please, may I know which b&w films you used and with which developer you developed them? Thanks, Edoardo

[@SteveONions]

It was XP2 Super home developed in C-41 Edoardo.

[@Sosinvestimenti]

@@SteveONions Many thanks Steve

[@jimbob2861]

0:45 - light ..... I heard "lies", I replayed it a few times without reading the message at the bottom and was puzzled 😂 Was the video of the end sunset shot on the GoPro or the iPhone - the detail is quite remarkable ( and that's my remark right there) 😊.

[@SteveONions]

Most of the video is GoPro footage with the odd clip from the iPhone 14 Pro when I need a longer lens. I can see a time when all I need is the phone, the technology is advancing so rapidly.

[@jimbob2861]

Specifically, I was asking about 7:40 and 7:57; do you recall which you were using for those two shots?

[@quite1enough]

Oh yeah, my Nikon F4s is really bad at tolerating cold. But I guess it's just old batteries, like from 2018-2019. But in warmer condition it works just fine, so idk ;c Upd. on the other hand, soviet rangefinder Kiev-4a works at -20c flawlessly 😅

[@SteveONions]

I wouldn’t want to lug my F4 out on a cold day either 🙁

[@101jumpit]

Come on Steve.Tell us what that negative scanner is !!

[@SteveONions]

Valoi 😀

[@jefferyargentine4453]

Odd question, Steve, but you seem a wonderful resource for the issue. I am considering a long-distance walk in England in late April. I have done most of the popular paths, including the Southwest Coast Path. But they have happened later in the year. These adventures, for me, are walking meditations with a camera. I can easily do 15 miles a day and am a decent climber. Scrabbling at my age (80) is something I would avoid. I have a couple weeks. Any suggestions? Is Northern Wales reasonable at this time? Thanks for any help you might offer. You are my favorite guilty KZbin pleasure. All the best. Jeff A

[@SteveONions]

Hi Jeff. I am not familiar with any of the longer routes in North West England, North Wales although I believe there are quite a few now. I limit myself to day hikes of which I’m spoilt for choice, I doubt I’d ever be able to complete even the full list in Snowdonia. I think it’s great to keep getting out on these long hikes and your age is clearly not stopping you, that gives me real hope for the future too. All the best.

[@SD_Alias]

Such beautiful coastal pictures! I think it's no problem to go digital for colour pictures. Colour film is now so expensive that I'm considering using my digital camera more often. Is this the east coast of England? I see so many similarities with our north German west coast and the Wadden Sea…

[@SteveONions]

Thank you. It’s actually the North West coast of England facing into the Irish Sea. It’s quite a lot more sheltered and warm compared to our East coast.

[@SD_Alias]

@@SteveONions Thank you very much! I've always associated the English west coast with rocky cliffs. I really must go on vacationy to England and Scotland one day...

[@valdezapg]

I like the picture at 2:45. Aren't you carrying too much stuff? If I'm not mistaken you had f80, f75, g15,em5 with you and also took pictures with iphone.

[@SteveONions]

All the cameras and lenses were fairly lightweight and I had them in a very comfortable bag so not too much effort on the day thankfully.

[@chromagraphphotoart]

There is also an argument for simplicity and sticking to one lens forcing a more disciplined approach??? (Discuss!) Ps. I did my own 'best of' and whilst I don't anticipate a lot of views, process of making it was very helpful indeed. Looking forward to your next videos Steve.

[@SteveONions]

Very true, I do like to keep to one or two lenses if possible. The problem with a location like this beach is you really can struggle unless you’ve got something wide and long, I tried last year with only a 50 & 85 and came away very disappointed. Even with the 300mm end of the zoom I needed to crop the negative to get a strong framing for the horses shot, by far the best image of the day.

[@jasongold6751]

Cold, dark, battery failure, difficult to even change lenses, film affected by cold! The Digital the answer. I know many with film, swear allegiance. I swear at it! The extra expense of developing color and scanning, not for me! Not all Labs are equal! Too many sad stories! Digital: Way more seeing into dark, more choices of ISO speeds! My faithful Leica 50mm freezes every winter! Rats on service people! My digitals more plastic keep going! A thoughtful video! Results are what count! Great images! Bravo! Happy new Year!

[@SteveONions]

If I was being logical I’d never shoot film, it doesn’t make sense on so many levels. That said, when it works . . . Oooh 😊

[@chriscard6544]

you misspelled 'was' in the description

[@SteveONions]

Arrrgh, this really hurts Chris, I hate any misspelling, not to mention grammatical errors! 😀

[@chriscard6544]

@@SteveONions honestly I dont mind :)