The greatest pop culture event concluded one week ago today—and I was there for the second time in four days and for the first Sunday since 2017. I had been perennially unlucky gaining access to buy passes during one of two public registration sessions. After long hiatus, I purchased passes for Thursday and Sunday.
Quick recap: Day One (July 23, 2026); Day Four (July 26) Part One and Part Two. I primarily used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens, supported by Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for my first SDCC expedition. For the other day, I used the camera exclusively with NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) lens, which proved to be exceptional choice.
Let’s talk photos, starting with the Featured Image and companion. The lady with the chihuahua was friendly but shrewd. Before letting anyone take a photo of her and the dog, she presented a barcode on her phone that when scanned led to the animal’s Instagram page where she asked everyone to subscribe first. Bothersome: The dog was too docile, like he was sedated. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 3200, 1/250 sec, 28mm; 4:46 p.m. PDT. The other: f/7.1, IISO 6400, 1/60 sec, 28mm; 4:45 p.m.
Personally, this natural split-shot, between two booths, is one of my favorites. To the left, the women plays a blue, plastic, 12-hole Ocarina (e.g., potato flute). The instrument was featured in 1998 video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Vitals: f/8, ISO 6400, 1/60 sec, 28mm; 12:37 p.m.
Everyone waits in line somewhere during Comic-Con, anywhere from the show floor to the meeting rooms where gather the celebrity panels. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 1000, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 3:04 p.m.
When few retail stores sell Blu-ray movies and TV shows, these gents provided a great service—and ginormous selection. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 6400, 1/60 sec, 28mm; 1:15 p.m.
The gent dressed as Ren Faire Santa commanded attention and presence, and he had business cards ready for anyone wanting someone to play Santa Claus for the Christmas holidays. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 100, 1/250 sec, 28mm; 1:32 p.m.
Here a patron seeks information at the booth for Drawn & Quarterly, a Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based publishing company specializing in comic books and graphic novels. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 1400, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 1:22 p.m.
The Con closes earlier on Sunday, 5 p.m. Vendors start discounting goods about two hours earlier; better to sell than to ship back the stuff. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 4000, 1/60 sec, 28mm; 4:34 p.m.
At five sharp, the announcement boomed from hidden speakers that San Diego Comic-Con 2026 had officially ended. Attendees broke out cheering and clapping, which was unexpected. They enjoyed the event and expressed their jubilation. Within seconds, the booth takedowns started and one nearby started blasting “Closing Time” by Semisonic. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 900, 1/125 sec, 28mm; 5:02 p.m.