Grand Canyon and Star Party 2025 - Now with embeded images! Yay! Thanks CaliPeggy and George!

[CapnSteve]

First time posting photos, so be gentle!

An epic eight days on the South Rim - here are my favorite six pictures out of the 500+ I captured:

1) Mather Point view at "golden hour." 14mm Rokinon lens, my new favorite:


2) Scorpius and the Great Rift at Star Party 2025. 14mm Rokinon:


3) El Tovar View. 14mm Rokinon:


4) Yavapai Point. You can see the North Rim lodge in this one (upper right). 14mm Rokinon:


5) Trailview Overlook. 70-300mm Nikon Nikkor AF:


6) Female Bighorn Sheep with Baby. 70-300mm Nikon Nikkor AF:


7) BONUS! Moon 16% Waxing Crescent (marking the end of Star Party 2025!). 70-300mm Nikon Nikkor AF


Thank you!

[LoisB]

1. These are fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

[CapnSteve]

6. Thank you LoisB!

[George McGovern]

2. Great job CapnSteve! Real nice bonus!

[CapnSteve]

7. Thank you George!

[SheltieLover]

3. Beautiful!

Ty for sharing!

[CapnSteve]

8. Thank you for commenting!

[tazcat]

4. Beautiful shots!

Miss using Nikon FE2 - Got a Nikon D5100 can't figure the damn thing out!

[CapnSteve]

9. Thank you tazcat! I used a Nikon D80...

…got it used a few years ago and bought the 14mm specifically for this trip. Love that camera!

[NCgayguy]

5. These are amazing!

That moon photo is simple stunning! The reflective glow just beautiful! Well done!

Reis

[CapnSteve]

11. Thank you...it was impromptu...

…we were having a beer on the last night of our trip and looked up. Want to try again with the tripod to make it even sharper…

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. NOW you've got it, my dear CapnSteve! Congrats on your beautiful work.

I am so pleased that George could help you.

Welcome aboard!

[CapnSteve]

12. Thank you for your help and...

…the warm welcome!

[3Hotdogs]

13. #1 is perfection.

[CapnSteve]

14. I agree - can't beat the light at sunset!

Thanks!

[Grumpy Old Guy]

15. Great photos, thanks for sharing!

I have a 14mm Samyang, same lens as the Rokinon, just a different name. It does a great job.

I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[CapnSteve]

16. Thanks for the comment!

Once I figured out the focus - such a long movement and no relation between the distance indicators and reality - I fell in love.

Unfortunately, living in Missouri City TX does not present as many good subjects. I am going to ride RAGBRAI in a couple of weeks - still debating taking the good camera along.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

17. The depth of field at 14mm is massive.

You almost don't have to focus. Just set the f/stop to f/8, focus at fifteen feet and practically everything you see will be in focus. It's like the old box cameras from the fifties and sixties.

Good luck at RAGBRAI. I always wanted to ride it.

[CapnSteve]

18. Excellent point! It is very forgiving in that way...

And my sister talked me into riding. I rode in RGBRAI XIX, 34 years ago so buckle up for RAGBRAI LII! Older, wiser, in better shape and with a better bike. Just a few more days to get some training miles in….

[Grumpy Old Guy]

19. I'm older and wiser...

But in much lousier shape, with the same old bikes. I need to get myself an E-bike!

[CapnSteve]

20. They are allowing e-bikes now at RAGBRAI...

…and we did rent e-bikes for a couple of hours at the Grand Canyon. Awesome!

[CapnSteve]

21. And then on July 4th, the fire started that took out the North Rim Lodge...

...I am stunned and so sad, but happy that no one was hurt.

Picture #4 is now the before picture. {sigh}

[Deuxcents]

22. Beautiful photos for your debut and we will be looking forward to more from you 🤗

[CapnSteve]

23. Thank you Deuxcents!

Oh, I get it…2 cents! Lol