A weekend in Shimla, 2014

Went to Shimla over a weekend, back in 2014. Wanted to take a break from July’s hot and humid Delhi.

Clicked few snaps and they were pending since a long time due to other commitments of life!

Finally came out with them. Hopefully you will like them.

See the high resolution images of this post here in flickr.

Please feel free to comment. All comments (criticisms & appraisals) are welcome. Please do not reproduce the images for commercial purposes without prior permission.

© Arunangshu NathSarkar | V-I-B-G-Y-O-R | flickr | 500px | Instagram.

Nikon/Nikkor AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

I got this lens as a kit lens with my D5100 (along with Nikon/Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens). This is not a technical in-depth analysis of this lens; only simple words for beginners.

I was (infact I'm) happy with D5100 and the 18-55 but this 70-300 truly disappointed me. This lens has no auto-focus and for the focal length range (70-300mm, on DX bodies it becomes 105-450mm effectively) - absence of VR makes it more difficult to handle. I tried to get rid of the VR issue at highest focal length (even I tried at lower focal lengths) by using a tripod and remote, but then many times the subject was out of focus.

This lens is AF lens, AF mount lenses do not auto-focus when mounted with entry level Nikon D-SLRs like D5100, D5000, D3200, D3100, D3000, etc. Amongst the DX bodies, D7000, D90, etc. (with in-built focus motor) are capable to perform auto-focus on AF lenses.

This is (absence of in-built focus motor) a major dis-advantage of D5100 (a superb entry level SLR), but at the given price range it is acceptable. Entry level DLR owners should make sure that, they are purchasing only AF-S lenses, which can auto-focus successfully on their cam.

This lens is bit heavy (more than 400 grams) and that makes it more difficult to handle - without a tripod there is always vibration issues untill and unless you really have a firm grip. So, even if with high end cameras (cameras with in-built focus motor) the auto-focus issue can be eliminated; but absence of VR will trouble alot at the given focal lengths [Nikon cameras does not come with in-built sensor shift VR/VC mechanism, that is one of the best attributes in SONY Alpha cameras]. 

May be professionals can make awesome snaps out of this lens but for me it was total disappointment. I will surely not suggest this lens to any beginner - the shops normally fools around by including this cheap lens in a package, the specification sounds big but in reality it is of no use. 

Therefore, out of 5, I will hardly give 1 point to this lens - NOT recommended.

© Arunangshu NathSarkar | V-I-B-G-Y-O-R.

"AT THE TOP"

If you ever visit Dubai and do not treat yourself with a luxury - luxury of being AT THE TOP of the tallest building on earth (to date) - Burj Khalifa then I must say, your visit was incomplete. 

I still remember very well my first sight of Burj Khalifa - a spectacular view combined with another beautiful man made creation: the fountain show in Dubai mall. 

When I first came in Fujairah (back in May 2010) with my new job, frankly speaking - the experience was pretty much frustrating. When you hear Fujairah, do not imagine it like other glittering emirates (i.e. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah) of UAE. After a month (or may be 45 days) I had to visit Abu Dhabi for some official works, way back to Fujairah I took a break and the magic happened! I saw the Burj Khalifa standing in front of me, that sight and a spectacular fountain show took away all my frustrations. All of a sudden I realized that, this is the part of the world where all construction professionals / civil engineers dream to work - to be a part of; I'm so lucky to be here and I should not be frustrated - Dubai is just an hour drive from Fujairah :). Cheers!! Believe me - it worked exactly like that  and I started to enjoy my stay afterwards.

But I had to wait another 6-7 months before I could explore this marvel from AT THE TOP - an observation deck at 124th floor of Burj Khalifa  is open for public (at a nominal price) who wish to be there and wish to enjoy the view of Dubai from the highest point. If one is lucky enough (if the weather is with you) then even can see upto Sharjah very clearly with naked eyes. March 2011 - for the first time I went to AT THE TOP. It welcomes all with a warmth gesture.

After entry through Dubai mall's lower ground level and security check, you will arrive in a dark corridor and you will find a nice animation  on the wall.

Now you know, who is Burj Khalifa. It's the time - embrace yourself for an unforgettable ride of world's fastest and smoothest lift which will travel 124 floors within a minute! Do not want to believe? Experience yourself!

Once you are there, you can please yourself with unrestricted views of the famous Sheikh Zayed road, Burj Al Arab, The World islands and many more. If you plan your visit time well, then you can make yourself lucky to watch sunset from there - a memory of life time.

Shadow of Burj Khalifa on Dubai mall

Fountain show from the TOP

It is hard to say, which is better experience of the fountain show - one from the gallery or the one from the TOP; from the TOP one can not hear the music but the view is simply superb. 

I went to AT THE TOP for the second time on November 2011 (actually, the above two videos are captured during my second visit). For me it was equally refreshing like my first time. And this time with my D5100.

Cam sketch of Dubai mall entrance (01)

Cam sketch of Dubai mall entrance (02)

Dubai mall from AT THE TOP, feats The Address Hotel (Dubai mall)

View of Sheikh Zayed road from AT THE TOP

And an unforgettable sunset from AT THE TOP 

Sunset from AT THE TOP, feats Burj Al Arab (on left) and The World islands (on right)

Sheikh Zayed road - after sunset

Somehow, Burj Khalifa is never a boring experience for me; may be I'll visit it many more time - lets see. Accordingly I will post the snaps here too :). You can find the snaps in My Flickr also.

Please feel free to comment. All comments (criticisms & appraisals) are welcome. Please do not reproduce the images for commercial purposes without prior permission.
© Arunangshu NathSarkar | V-I-B-G-Y-O-R | flickr | 500px | Instagram.