Last Christmas I got my Flip Cam and was excited about the opportunity to shoot more home videos with it. I actually used the camera so much throughout the year that I began looking for ways to enhance it. I'd come across several wide angle lens adapters on Amazon, and this Christmas I finally got one.
The Rokinon lens comes with several adhesive magnetic rings that you can easily attach to your Flip Cam. The lens itself has a magnet in its base so attaching it is a breeze, and for any skeptics, the lens really does make a noticeable difference by increasing the field of view 0.45 times. The connection also feels very secure so there's really no fear of the lens coming off unless you want it to.
As far as simple upgrades for your video equipment are concerned, this is by far one of the most affordable options available for what's already a very consumer-friendly camera. Below I've posted a clip to give you a better idea of how the lens works and what the footage looks like. Pick up one of these lenses for a bit of added versatility when capturing your next home video.
After our ride on the historic 2816, my Dad and I took the opportunity to check out one of the modern Canadian Pacific diesel trains on display in the rail yard. As common as they are to see throughout the prairies, this was the first time I'd ever been inside one.
Stumbling onto all of these great pictures that I shot in 2006 has me thinking that I should do a bit more digging. There are a lot of stories and photo sets that I've never really shared with anyone, and I like the idea of posting them for posterity instead of letting them waste away on CD. I love rediscovering experiences like this all over again.
My fascination with trains has been apparent since getting my first train set as a kid. My dad actually built a giant table in our basement with a paper mache mountain and tunnel for me to set it up with. Countless hours were spent playing there. There's obviously a big difference between those childhood memories and seeing the real thing however.
In August of 2006 the famed Canadian Pacific 2816 Empress came through Medicine Hat, Alberta and I went along for a ride with my folks. The train is a 4-6-4 H1b Hudson built in 1930, and has become a prestige project for the Canadian Pacific Railway ever since they spent over two million dollars to restore and debut it back in 2001.
I recently stumbled upon my ticket stub from the trip and was reminded of the pictures I shot. It's a shame that traveling by rail isn't very economical in western Canada anymore as it's a really cool way to see the prairie. Someday I'd like to travel through the Rocky Mountains by rail, or who knows, maybe return to Alaska to ride the White Pass & Yukon Railway again.
.jpg)
