Tag: Nikon Zf

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 19, 202610:20 pm

World Cup Sunday

This morning, my wife drove me to Pop Pie in South Park, where a Too Good to Go order waited. The haul? Two pies, one traditional chicken, the other Hog (e.g. pulled pork). I walked most of the way the home, proceeding to North Park and to University Heights—30th all the way to Meade.

Wow, were the streets packed with people. I have never seen Sunday like this. The majority of folks was destination bound, with local bars and eateries the primary destinations—basically anywhere with big screen TVs. Argentina and Spain squared off for the FIFA World Cup final match, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 5, 20269:15 pm

Bacari, North Park

The trek through North Park yesterday took me past a most European—and completely out-of-place—building along 30th Street. When I pulled out Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens to shoot the Featured Image, I thought the structure might be a single or multi-unit residence.

Instead, the place, Bacari, is a restaurant. Judging from public photos, the interior is even more ornate and old-worldly than the exterior. But the European allure, at least as a stock shot, is lost to the double row of recycle and trash bins below the balcony.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 2, 202611:03 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Pango

One-eyed Warrior and this blackie playfully chased one another on May 22, 2026. I have seen neither since. Both stopped and rested under the same car. They could easily be a bonded pair, for there was no territorial tension between them,

I used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/8, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, 400mm; 9:58 a.m. PDT. Nickname: Pango, which is Māori for black.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 20, 20269:18 pm

Letting Go

For several months I knew the day would come when the inevitable could no longer be delayed: Part with the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse purchased from Amazon in April 2013; price before discounts was around $130. I still use the exercise bicycle—several times a week, at least, especially during the colder season.

Letting go was a process of reaching a moment of absolute need for additional space. Our daughter is staying with us, and I have been slowly moving out things stored in my now former home office, which has become her bedroom. The day arrived when the space occupied by the stationary bike was needed for other things.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 18, 20269:39 pm

When AI Chooses for You

We lose our mailman next week. My street will no longer be on his route as of Thursday (June 25, 2026). He was informed that as part of restructuring, the U.S. Postal Service would adjust routes.

He warned us then his territory could change—and neither he, nor his direct superiors, nor others in the organization had a say in the decision. The Postal Service outsourced the task, so to speak, to an Artificial Intelligence.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 2, 20269:17 pm

Such a Long Neck

The Wilcox family’s San Diego Zoo membership may be expired, but unpublished photos remain—and there are still experiences for us to share together. For example: This lovely giraffe gazelle obscured by the foliage it eats.

What makes the Featured Image work for me, and may or may not for you, is the illusion of being in the wild—helped by the blurred leaf across the eye.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 27, 20269:39 pm

The Ultimate Political Authority

I wholeheartedly agree. Our ultimate political authority in the United States is the Constitution. However, while the sign is meant as repudiation of Donald Trump and his Presidency, I do not support the “No Kings” movement. The rallies stir up resentment and fan the flames of fiery, feisty anger that is violence-bound.

I used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens to capture the Featured Image on April 4, 2026. Vitals: f/8, ISO 250, 1/500 sec, 400mm; 1:42 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 21, 20269:13 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Darling

Stop a moment and reminisce with me. This series started a decade ago and arrives at its 639th profile, including this one. This kitty is from the more recent backlog (yes, others wait in yet a longer queue). I used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens to capture the Featured Image on April 8, 2025.

My guess on location: The cottages at Meade and Louisiana. Vitals: f/6.3, ISO 400, 1/500 sec, 200mm; 12:21 p.m. PDT. This is a close-crop that removes sunlit areas, which also explains composition choice. Drumroll. Nickname: Darling, for no particular reason.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 17, 20268:34 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Fab

I really should bang out all the felines languishing in the backlog. I expect to not recall some of the oldest beasties and where they were photographed. But I am at a loss about some of the more recent kitties, like this one from Aug. 26, 2025. The Featured Image comes from Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens, and there is no companion captures from Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which would have provided location information.

Vitals: f/8, ISO 250, 1/250 sec, 84mm; 10:04 a.m. PDT. Composed as captured. For plaid fabric collar, which might be GPS, this tabby earns nickname Fab.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 16, 20269:44 pm

Roses are Red

I initially treated the Featured Image as a throwaway. But on reconsideration, seeing the sharp detail of the rose petals and the shift in emphasis brought by using the dehaze control in DX Studio, I present this simple shot on a busy Saturday night.

This one comes from Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens. Vitals: f/6.3, ISO 100, 1/320 sec, 62mm; 5:48 p.m. PDT, May 9, 2026. Composed as captured.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 12, 20269:39 pm

Party on Park in Black and White

Among the many tactile features I find beneficial on Nikon Zf, the monochrome switch is one of the most useful. In about one second, I can go from capturing color to black and white, which is super handy when street shooting—no post-production tweaking required.

On Saturday (May 9, 2026), University Heights hosted Party on Park, which was billed as a community block party, with live music, various vendors, and specials from street-side eateries. I walked through twice, first with DJI Osmo Nano—my first outing with the action camera (footage not yet processed). Later, I hauled up with the Zf and attached NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 9, 202610:19 pm

Always Annette

I am not much of a poet, although you can count on me for song lyrics. Difference: One is more structured, set to melody, and tells a story—and I have a knack for the latter. That said, my beloved sister Annette passed away unexpectedly 10 years ago today, and I wanted to give something to her three children—who also lost their father—and to my two other sisters.

So, sitting in the back of our car, I pulled out Galaxy Tab 11 Ultra, opened Google Keep, and wrote them a poem over the next hour or so. The verse is written to be emotive for a select audience. However, thinking about Mother’s Day tomorrow, the poem could be used for any other mum.