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I had three versions of the 2x TC and finally gave up on them; softer than a (insert your own painfully obscene euphemism here). I've heard rave reviews on the new version and it is on "the list" for acquisition. I do have the 1.4 TC and use it regularly with minimal softening problems (but they're there).

Due to a recent change in policy a couple of choice spots have opened up at my local aerodrome that are especially nice since they don't involve crossing a busy Japanese highway or standing on that rung of the ladder the sticker says not to stand on. This image is at 55mm on a 40D (crop sensor) with no cropping at all.


National Airlines Boeing 747-428(BCF) N919CA "Murali" RJTY/OKO by James O'Rear acc1341 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr

Looks like the A-10 community will all/mostly pass through AMARG for installation of the SCORPION system at D-M. Good chance over the next 12 to 18 months to bag a bunch of different Hawg tails?

http://warthognews.blogspot.jp/2012/07/47th-fs-debuts-new-technology-at-rimpac.html

According to my Avitaion Ordinance brother it is the LAU-7 launcher rail for the AIM-9X (good on you Joe) but he couldn't tell if it was a D/A or the newer E/A or F/A version without looking at the data plate. Used because the X doesn't need external coolant for the seeker heads like the older missiles.

Any one have a bead on what the left wing tip pod is?

F/A-18D from VMFAT-101 Sharpshooters at Willie back in January, 2010...

I remember seeing this on the Discovery Channel documentary on the fly off between the two...

It hasn't gotten any better looking, has it? 

Beauty is skin-deep but ugly goes to the bone.   

One of 4 C-12J Hurons in AF service, 3 of them flying with the 459th here at Yokota.


USAF Beech C-12J Huron 86-0078 RJTY by James O'Rear acm3032 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr

I use Gary Box's Ultimate Gray Card. One of his books included the file and it had color gradations built into it to help zero in your color balance in post. We printed them out on one of the big Epson printers and checked them with the Eye-One color checking scanners so they were dead-on.

I like the 5x7 pocket solution though.

Nice Jay!!!!

If you want to get REALLY low consider building yourself a Frypod. Nigel Blake showed me his and I was amazed at how well it worked stalking wildlife and making time spent on your belly a little easier. Not something you want to lug around every day but when you need it it can be a very handy piece of kit. This setup with a set of extension rings makes a fantastic macro rig BTW.


FRYPOD examples by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr


FRYPOD examples by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr


FRYPOD examples by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr

Simple aluminum frying pan minus the handle, a spare ball head and a handful of stainless steel nuts and bolts leftover from a Boy Scout sled building project. Out-of-pocket cost was literally less than $20.

RAAF Wedgetail A30-005 leaving a rain-soaked Yokota AFB, Japan for the States to play in an upcoming Red Flag.


RAAF Boeing 737-7ES Wedgetail A30-005 RJTY by James O'Rear acm3026 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr

JASDF Mitsubishi F-15J 92-8912 912 RJAH by James O'Rear acm2993 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr


JASDF Mitsubishi F-15DJ 82-8091 091 RJAH by James O'Rear acm2992 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr


JASDF Mitsubishi F-15DJ 72-8090 090 RJAH by James O'Rear acm2990 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr


JASDF Mitsubishi F-15DJ 72-8090 090 RJAH by James O'Rear acm2989 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr

Many more in their own gallery http://tinyurl.com/85psggc

[know your equipment]

To help focus on distant subjects I have a high-intensity flashlight in my bag (Surefire C2 Centurion, about $90US, and uses the same batteries as my Sekonic light meter). It will blind you so don't look into the front of it... although that ability may make it useful as a weapon. In a pinch you can use the light from your phone to hit the correct distance mark in manual focus mode.

If you're going for near/far composition and maximizing DoF think about bringing a tape measure and a DoF app on your phone (or if you're fortunate- emblazoned on your lens barrel). Night photography is like shooting big film: it slows me down and makes me think. Having those neanderthal-esque tools help me get things right when I'm in a one-off situation.

Know your equipment, know your equipment, know your equipment. Nighttime at the A-bomb dome in Hiroshima is NOT the time to try and figure out where the handles are on your tripod or "that button" is on your camera body. If you have to, sit on the can with your owner's manual and get your switchology down to a science. The ability to switch focus points or metering/exposure modes/exposure compensation can make a huge difference if the situation is rapidly changing.

If you're stacking night shots think about an AC adapter. I've used literally hundreds of individual images to simulate the old single-frame star trail technique of the film days which would have been impossible with just the batteries in the body/grip. Additionally, if you're hanging your gear out overnight and it gets cold you might need to warm your lens with a chemical heater to discourage dew settling on the front lens element.


Saguaro star trails by James O'Rear cti0007 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr

Hope my ¥0.02 helps.

So does it look like access will be any easier than in the Evergreen days?

JASDF Aggressors came for their annual visit to Hyakuri AB.


JASDF Mitsubishi F-15DJ RJAH 52-8088 088 by James O'Rear acm2991 by James "JSlugman" O'Rear, on Flickr