Brass.

Another Sunday. Another second line parade. I wasn’t going to go. I thought I was needed at home. I thought it was too cold. And, too foggy. But, I was nagged into it. How was I nagged into it? I was asked. That’s a riff on a line from the old M.A.S.H. television show. Henry Blake, “How did he find out?” Radar, “He got it out of me.” Henry Blake, “How did he do that?” Radar, “He asked.”

There you have it. I’m pretty easy. Apparently.

This parade is one of many that are held on just about every Sunday once the weather cools off in October and through the months we like to call winter. This one was held in Central City. It was run by The New Generation Social Aid & Pleasure Club along with the Nkrumah Better Boys. The theme for this year is: “Last Chance to Dance.” I’m not sure what that’s about since there will be another parade next Sunday. In case you’re wondering, these parades usually start at noon or 12:30 so that many of the folks who participate can attend church services.

The picture. F8 and be there. I haven’t written that in a long while. I just means to put yourself in front of the action and take the picture.

But.

There was more to it this time. I was testing a brand new camera. A Sony A7. It is mirror less, just like my little NEXs. But, it has a full frame sensor, and a lot of other upgrades that make it an excellent professional working camera. It’ll take some getting used to, but it felt natural and comfortable in my hands. The focusing speed is very, very impressive and even with a somewhat lesser lens, the images are sharp as a tack. Why is this camera important? The full frame sensor. It’s the size of an old 35mm piece of film as opposed to what most DSLR cameras use, which is an APS sized sensor (smaller) or the size of the sensor that most compact cameras use, including the newer Nikon J series, which has a sensor the size of your pinkie fingernail. Why is this important? The bigger the size, the more light the sensor can capture and the better the quality of your picture. Simple. Or, something like that. Combine that with a small bodied mirror less camera and you have something very special. Yeah. I know. That was all pretty nerdish.