Today I took a walk up to the CIBC Rail Deck Park, and I decided to go old-school. I left the newer cameras at home and brought my little Sony NEX-3 with the manual TTArtisan 35mm lens. That old sensor and that simple manual lens make you slow down, breathe, and actually look at the city. And Toronto always gives you something to look at.
Going Up the Escalator
My walk started with that long escalator ride up — the kind that makes you feel like you’re entering a different level of the city. I always like shooting these simple scenes. Clean lines, quiet movement, and that nice black-and-white look from the NEX-3. Sometimes the most ordinary moments make the best photos.
Looking Over the Tracks
When you step out onto the Rail Deck, the first thing you see is the whole rail corridor stretching east. Tracks going in every direction, construction everywhere, and condo towers rising on both sides. I love this view. The NEX-3 handles it beautifully, even with its older sensor. The TTArtisan 35mm gives you that “normal” perspective — it’s close to a 50mm on full frame — and it works great for scenes like this.
The CN Tower Over the City
No matter how many times you photograph the CN Tower, it always feels new from a different angle. Today the sky was flat and grey, which actually works well in monochrome. I framed it beside the cranes to show how Toronto is always building, always changing. Old camera or not, the tower still looks good.
The Silver Tree Sculpture
One of my favourite spots up there is that tall silver tree sculpture in front of the glass building. The reflections, the branches, the lines — everything overlaps. With a manual focus lens, you really have to take your time. But that’s part of the fun. It makes you feel like you’re actually making the photo, not just snapping it.
Nature Above the Tracks
I walked around the park area where they’ve planted new trees and laid down those curved wooden paths. It’s quiet up there, almost peaceful. You forget you’re standing above the busiest rail corridor in the country. Toronto hides these little pockets of calm in the strangest places.
The Royal York Watching Over Everything
On the other side, you get a great view of the Royal York Hotel with the modern office towers framing it. I always love taking pictures of that building. It’s a reminder that Toronto has real history tucked inside all this glass and steel.
Why I Love Using the NEX-3 Here
People smile when they see me shooting with a camera this old, but I don’t care. The NEX-3 with that 35mm manual lens has a look I really enjoy:
It’s small and light.
The grain in black and white feels almost like film.
Manual focus makes you slow down and think.
And the photos still tell the story.
You don’t need the newest camera to enjoy a walk like this. You just need something that makes you want to take pictures.
Heading Back Down
After I finished walking around, I took the escalator back down and headed toward Union Station. It was a simple walk, but the NEX-3 turned it into a great little photo trip. That’s why I still keep these old cameras around — they remind you that seeing the city is more important than the gear you use.
No comments:
Post a Comment