I often wish for the simpler days of Leica Q or Q2. One camera and one great lens. Versatile, compatible RAW files (DNG). Image quality so sharp that close-cropping substitutes for telephoto lens. But in December 2024, I switched platforms and returned to the world of swappable lenses.
I seriously considered holding out for the then rumored Fujifilm GFX100RF. Like the Q series, the digicam is built around a single lens with leaf shutter—and it’s medium format, which I came to really love when shooting the Fujifilm GFX 50R. Everything about the rangefinder’s ergonomics and high IQ checked my benefits boxes. But the 50R was so big that it scared off animals and people, so I let it go. The 100RF should have been the ideal follow-on, but it shipped later than I needed and the massive file sizes are logistically unappealing.
I instead opted for the retro-styled Nikon Zf, which offers the kind of tactile controls as found on the Fujis and the Leicas. The sensor falls into what some photographers consider to be the sweet spot for IQ and usability: 25 megapixels. File sizes are more manageable, and the right lens gets great detail without massive cropping.
All of this brings us to the real subject of this post and showcase for why I returned to using interchangeable lenses; for the Featured Image that would be the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR. Vitals: f/8, ISO 320, 1/500 sec, 400mm; 9:36 a.m. PST, today.
Here’s the thing: I’m older and not particularly handsome, which complicates getting up close to shoot people; animals present a whole other set of complications. A good zoom lens lets me keep the distance and make moments that look intimate when in fact they’re far away. I could never have captured this kitty, nicknamed Whimsy, so intimately with any of the other aforementioned cameras.
Whimsy was in the second-floor window of an apartment building, not that you would know from the portrait. Location: Alabama Street and a few meters beyond Lincoln, which is North Park. Hence, the honorary designation. Among the 625 profiles (including this one) in this series, only 36 others are from outside University Heights: AI, Boo, Buddies, Charmer, Chill, Coal, Comber, Cotton, Envy, Esther, Fancy, Floofy, Guapo, Liberty, Lonesome, Jade, Kello, Mona, Moophie, Mousy, Mystic, Ninja, Oliver, Too, Promise, Queenie, Pussyfoot, Rascal, Raven, Sammy, Shakey, Stubby, Swarthy, Tag and Tig, Tempest, Timber, Tom and Jerry, and Tula.
Whimsy also is the one-hundred-forty-fifth feline found behind door or window. The shorthair is also the one-hundred-eighth kitty seen along Alabama Street.
How about another: Scruffy, Roly Poly, Woo, Skull, Biscuit, The Colonel, White, Chipper, Frisky, Stretch, Honey Bunny, Farfisa, Mates, Hunter, Pee-Pee, Blue, Blue Too, Bonded Pair, Patience, Fess, Jumper, Frenemy, Looker, Cozy, Scout, Lurks, Skit, Mini, Betty, Black and White, Stalker, Bell, Chill, Sammy, Scratch, Poser, Star, Grey and White, Watcher, Herman, Comet, Roman, Willow, Chub, Nimbus, Watson, Lilo, Kit, Pepe, Henry, Sebastian, Spot, Booger, Ash, Veruca, Riley, Mellow, Bonde, Cocoa, Glass, Black, BeBe, Fang, Bruce, Siamese, Pounce, Penelope, Haiku, Fraidy, Peso, Daniel Tiger, Dusk, Stride, Dainty, Spry, Tabby, Betty Too, Still, Levi, Shadow, Sophie, Wink, Ferals, Momma, Charlie, Tux, Cool, Benny, Bandit, Itchy Valentino, Goldie, Anthony, Amanda, Siesta, ChaCho, Charlie, Too, Mika, Crystal, Seeker, Mittens, Dancer, Smokey, Monkey, Captain Blackbeard, Johnny, Maeven, Tink, Chunk, Curious, Hanoi, Bella, Tarry, Guido, Maxine, Mr. Kitty, Peohe, Panda, Frankie, Moose, Twain, Willow, Too, Nelson, Reddy, Burglar, Laramie, Lupe, Bright, Norman, Charm, Buddies, Milo, Ohana, Seer, Fresh, Token, Lola, Carl, Bramble, Finny, Cal, Lilly, Zander, Mew, Penny, Charlie (the Third), Bob, Apple, Persepolis, Sebastian, Too, Holiday, Snow, Desire, Luci, Torbie, E.T., Bushy, Cali, Precious, Gracie, STAR, Sky, Amble, Aylin, Lucky, Herbie, The Love Bug, Roadie, Harley, Kit (Coon), Dizzy, Moophie, Lucy, Choontzy, Abby, Kitty, Stella, Tigger, Mimi, Sweet Pea, Donuts, Envy, Vivienne, Stripe, Smokie, Dare, Gipper, Little, Bushy Black, Princess Leia, Darth Mew, Phil, Maui, Patch, Royal, Sleepy, Spice, Dutch, Striker, Maxie, Fluff, Gazers, Georgia Twain, Friends, Cupcake, Caddy, Ginger, Shrub, Brumble, Junebug, Patriot, Backyard, Prim, Tuna, LilyTiger, Nala, Poise, Amazon, Night, Olive, Honey, Shine, Sugar, Clarity, Alfredo, SID, Bashful, maow maow, Sentinel, Grape, Usher, Serenity, Teach, Tocino, Stark, Huey, Tranquil, Storm, Mitsie, Monarch, Ruff, Shadow, Too, Calm, Brick, Shy, Mewl, Valentine, Siamese Twins, Tony, Mao, Starlet, Sly, Alley, Luna, Sphynx, Jake, Rocky, Peanut, Giotto, Swirl, Rosie, Smudge, Bliss, Charlie IV, Risky, Pinky, Patches, Ninja, Cat, Olive Oil, Toasty, Mandy, Ludwig, John Adams, Hawk, King, Fuki, Pace, Astral, Zeppelin Pom Pom, Forrester, Glow, Cricket, Lively, Gucci, Misty, Topper, Jester, Sable, Dragon, Leo, Sentry, Zephyr, Floyd, Jedi, Pedro, Namaste, Kitty (Oh, Boy), Chums, Spunky, Zero, Hero, Meadow, Dash, Savvy, Squint, Poinsettia, Sparkle, Gem, Kip, Ranger, Maceo, Sparky, Glory, Petri, Autumn, Buttercup, Huck, Ash, Too, Spy, Keen, Danger, Promise, Chum, Jolly, Shade, Shelter, Digger, Mercy, Mustachio, Tang, Pebbles, Sprint, Blossom, Birdy, Jingle, Bella, Too, Lily, Velvet, Scamper, Sylvester, Friday, Candor, Hope Tangerine, Rebel, Alvin and LB, Snowy, Cocoa, Too, Chancy, Frosty, Speckle, Whiskers, Spur, Charger, Houdini, Mona, Pepto, Sundown, Spirit, Prowler, Sadie, Puss, Domino, Sundae, Measure, Lovely, Angelo, Tails, Peek-a-Boo, Bubbles, Demure, Stern, Cobby, Grasshopper, Gleam, Weepy, Blueberry, Buff, Champagne, Pepper, Clover, Peach, Bello, Dido and Dodger, Paws, Goose, Olive, Too, Breezy, Alcatraz, Aisho, Curly, Mane, Gallant, Amanda Too, BonBon, Spooky, Leery, Mr. Frankie, Schroeder, Annie, Majestic, Tango, Suave, Smooth, Joy, Jasmine, Bear, Wary, Plush, Georgy, Carrot, Sweetie, Romper, Noir, Posy, Honcho, Loki, Samba, Gracious, Winston, Silver, Snuggles, Rick, Spalding, Mocha, Bold, Grit, Cookie, Delilah, Ozzie, Droopy, Cutie, Jax, A.C., Gypsy, Winter, Petey, Spartacus, Damsel, Jack, Pixie, Parker, Squeaky, Meowy, Springer, Scooch, Tinsel, Queenie, Cinnamon, Gazer, Happy, Smokey (Maine Coon), Kittens, Pudding, Mizu, Muncher, Cuddles, Saunter, Tucker, Dragon Claws, Solemn, Champ, Posey, Little Spunky, Mittens, Too, Bleu, Noire, Chicken, Regal, Creamy, Wilbur, Leo, Too, Rosie, Too, Kuro, Oreo, Scooter, Dagger Tooth, Coy, Conrad, Sheen, Tom and Jerry, Apricot, Sharky, Dreamer, Jade, Frost, Coal, Fabby, Juicy, Arrow, Chocolate Pan, Guapo, Defender, Doodle, Blackie, Solo, Jabba, Twinkle, Sneaky, Meegels, Forest, Lanky, August, Retro, Homey, Nugget, Tracker, Quizzical, Butterscotch, Oliver, Shakey, Lonesome, Boo, Mariner, Nutmeg, Jet, Fancy, Thin and Slim, Scamp, Tula, Sphynxes, Comber, Destiny, Pawky, Baron, Raven, Peeky, Aristocat, Scorpius, Timber, Sunny, Cotton, Bristle, Floofy, Oliver, Too, Firecracker and Dynamite, Cuddles, Too, Mouser, Mickey, Nickel, Liberty, Twilight Twins, Moonpie, Tsuki, Cheshire, Romeo, Muffy, Mochi, Marble, Marvel, Whisper, Milo, Too, Aura, Forlorn, Pumpkin, Esther, Silky, Priceless, Zoe, Gorgeous, Coalette, Oliver and Harvey, Peek-a-Boo Too, Puff, Diana, Peep, Rascal, Champion, AI, Blaze, Lavish, Pops, Mousy, Ivy, Kiko, Guy, Jot, Jux, Aurora, Smore, Vim, Bear Bear, Rainbow, Tag and Tig, Yuki, Mr. Norris, Pussyfoot, Chippy, Calicoo, Charmer, Oliver (the Fourth), Gummy, Red, Kitten. Creamsicle, Topcat, Blush, Tip and Tap, Mango Cat, Mystic, Sage, Kello, Brisk, Cowbell, Tempest, Spaz, Plump, Rusty, Stubby, Double Stuff, Buster, Tinkle, Batman, Brim, Peppers, Swarthy, KitKat, Christmas Cat, Bella (Ragdoll), Brier, Pretty Kitty, Teacup, and Mau.