Crazy to shoot Toronto this Friday???

David_Manning

David_Manning

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Hi everyone,

I'm coming up to Toronto, one of my favorite cities, for work and staying over Friday (11/28) and leaving Saturday morning.

I'm staying out at Pearson airport, but I'm considering venturing out via train to downtown to wander around and shoot Friday during the day.

First question: Am I crazy to wander around on Friday with the cold? Forecast high is -1C (31F), overcast but no snow (pretty good light, I think). I'm thinking it's Fuji X-T1 weather plus Ricoh GR in the pocket.

Second: Even though it's short notice, are there any hearty souls in Toronto interested in meeting to join me for wandering, shooting, and coffee?

I hope to see someone!!

----David.
 
you should be fine weatherwise. I wear thin leather gloves and get away with it just fine.

Just make sure you get here no later than noon to start. I find on overcast days it starts to get noticeably dark from 3:00 onward.

I may be around during the day shooting myself. Beware that the downtown core is actually fairly small. It's too bad you arent coming on a weekend, much better street shooting when people are out.
 
Oh...good info that I totally forgot. The days will be much shorter than I'm used to, even for winter. If I DO take the X-T1/GR they'll probably be ok for the lower light...my M9 might struggle (and I'd worry about the batteries in the cold, too).

If I had a car, I'd cruise the lake front, which I've done in the past after snowfall...it's nice. Too much to walk though. I'll probably stick to right downtown (near Ryerson) and expand out from there.
 
Walk fast, stay warm. And go inside very now and then. I've shot in the mountains with -10c weather and as long as you keep moving you'll be alright.
 
I cant speak about digital but Ive found that batteries in light meters only start becoming a problem around -15c and below.

-1 isnt anything to worry about. However windchill is a factor so compensate and realistically expect to be shooting in -5 to -8.

Depending on where I am during the day I may be able to meet you at Yonge and Dundas.
 
BLKRCAT...it would be great to meet up sometime. My email is david.manning@me.com and if you leave me a contact #, I can text when I'm in (it's U.S. text though...it's a bit pricey, but what the hell).

Same goes for anyone else. Impromptu photo walk :)
 
David, Toronto doesn't really start to hurt temp. wise until January or February. -1 is like a tropical vacation day up here in the winter.

i will send you an email if i can make it out.
 
emraphoto...John...pretty funny...I fly out of Miami (live in Texas)...parkas are out of the closet at 60F! I'll write down your contact info...be happy to join you too.

I'm now thinking M9/50+35 and Ricoh GR for 28/hardcore street. That's probably what I'll go with.
 
I was in Toronto during the Remembrance Day observances (Nov. 11th), but I'm back in Baltimore now. One place that I've always liked is the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) grounds. Still a number of very interesting buildings there (admittedly it was more interesting about 30 years ago!), and I always try to pay a visit when I'm in town. It seems that the waterfront is becoming a condo jungle, but that's just my personal perspective as someone who comes into town 1-2 times per year to visit family. St. Lawrence market is always fun to walk through, and the surrounding area there has interesting things.

Depends on whether you want to be in a part of the city that's teeming with people (and that seems to be mostly everywhere in the city!). The CNE grounds would definitely be quiet at this time of the year. University of Toronto grounds have some interesting buildings too, if you're into older architecture.
 
I shot every time I'm in Toronto. All year around.
Like today. Took some in the morning.
Planning to take more after work with HP5 @1600 and Jupiter-3.
Is M9 so bad .) ?

Not here on Friday.
 
Hey David,

If you start from Ryerson you can walk down to Dundas Street, head west and you will see a bunch of interesting places.
Along Dundas Street you will see Bladwin Village, Chinatown, AGO(Art Gallery of Ontario), Kensington Market..etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Village
http://www.ago.net/
http://www.kensington-market.ca/Default.asp?id=getting-to-kensington&l=1

On you way back you can either walk up Spadina Street and take College street back or walk down Spadina and take Queen Street (Queen, Dundas and College are parallel).

Night time walk to Church street towards Bloor if you have the energy. It is the LGBT community, very friendy people :)

Start early as said before it will get dark after 3:30 ish.

Best of luck !
 
Kostya, the M9 batteries aren't the strongest...I'll be worried about cold-soaking the one in the camera (other will be in my inside pocket). Also, I won't shoot above 800ISO with it (but that's PLENTY for film, right?!). I'm taking the M9 :) Sorry I'll miss you this time!

Vince,

Sorry I'll miss you too...thanks for the info!
 
Ive emailed, I think you should be fine at 800. Tri-X @ 800 and the Voigtlander 50mm F1.1 is perfect for night shooting in the city. A summicron or Summilux would be perfectly adequate for some afternoon overcast skies.
 
-1C is nothing. When I travel to Lapland I shoot in temperatures well below -20C... It's ok, cameras can take it...
 
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