Feeder Canal and Tow Path, Schuylerville
Updated: Nov 2, 2022
Single Image — In Depth
The feeder canal and old tow path is part of the Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville NY, along with an old abandoned lock. The modern lock next to it is still in service and can handle much larger vessels on the Hudson River. This park is relatively new and lovely, featuring trails, a truss bridge now closed to pedetrians, and a lovely view of the man-made falls that feed the canal section and many old abandoned trestles from old roadways and trollies. Print by David Aimone, Medium format film, Arax/Volna 80mm f/2.8 lens, Pentax 645n. Recently, I switched my workhorse camera from a 6x6cm Hasselblad to a 6x4.5cm Pentax 645n. The Hasselblad takes absolutely GORGEOUS photos, when it works. It is a very complex mechanism which needs a lot of servicing. Think of a classic Jaguar automobile if it was a camera. So I sold it (for a very good price) and bought the Pentax.
The Pentax has a lot of advantages, but one big disadvantage is the comparable quality of most of the lenses for the camera. Some are wonderful, others not so much. The "standard kit" lens for it is neither super sharp or abounding in character. So I researched and bought an adapter for a Ukranian Kiev camera and a newly assembled (but not manufactured) "Arax" (originally Volna) lens. It certainly has more character and I will likely use it often with this camera. It has a nice quality in the 'in-focus' areas, and a lovely soft diffusion in the other areas, especially when shot fairly open.