it is the season of giving gifts after all...

... and this year I've given myself a couple of real Christmas Crackers!!

Before we get into those though, for as long as I can remember I've always enjoyed the process of giving at Christmas over that of actually getting gifts.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm in no way ungrateful for the presents I do get (even if the electric drill Lisa bought me one year was stretching things a little!), but watching people opening the gifts I've bought for them gives me much more pleasure.  I particularly enjoy leading people up the garden path so to speak before unleashing a surprise on them!

Anyway, now onto the gifts I got for myself this year.

When I shot Nikon full-frame cameras as my main kit (before switching to Fujifilm) I lusted after a particular lens: a 17-35mm f2.8 ultra-wide zoom.  When I did eventually buy such a wide lens, I opted for the newer 16-35mm f4, and immediately regretted it.

Now I shoot Nikon for fun, and use over, retro gear such as my D700 camera and 105mm macro lens, both of which are around fifteen years old or so, and when I spotted a mint condition 17-35 for a bargain price I snapped it

up immediately. And now I really couldn't be happier.

Here's a test shot made with the lens just last week:

My second purchase is nowhere near as exciting, but it is one that allows me to use my Nikkor lenses on my Fujifilm X-H2 while retaining full auto-focus and, more importantly, accurate control over aperture.  It's a Fringer "smart" adapter; smart meaning it has electronic pass-through contacts between the lens and camera.

I got it principally to use my 105mm lens (the GOAT) and give me a longer macro option to go with my 65mm Laowa lens.  And here's an example of the capabilities this combination affords me:

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You didn't think in all this giddy excitement I'd forget to post the penultimate batch of advent videos, did you?  Well, here they are, and they're only short ones I promise: