Destination Unknown

20 years ago, I started a second career as a motorcycle journalist, and I’ve been lucky enough to see many of the beautiful places in the world and publishing stories and photos of my adventures. I’ve started documenting my bicycle adventures in a similar fashion, and will be sharing those stories here. Please join me.

“The idea is to die young as late as possible

Ashley Montagu

The Latest Stuff…


  • So the Pentax K-01 received a 69 on DP Review, and overnight all the K-01 photos that I’ve taken got 25% worse. Not.It’s a funny thing – we cheer on cameras these days like we cheer on sports teams. It’s like fantasy baseball, where statistics are the only things that matter. Never mind that it’s…


  • So I’m heading out to shoot an interview today. Just me and the subject, a Platinum Minds scholar and high-school senior. I wanted to travel light because I wasn’t sure of the setting. Initially, I mounted the Pentax DA*16-50mm F2.8 to the Panasonic GH2, thinking that I’d need the versatility of the zoom. I was…


  • It starts with the innocent reading of reviews. Then the casual price checks on Amazon, B&H, Adorama, etc… Then a deeper dive into specs and accessories, then viewing samples on Flickr. This never ends well. What’s the object d’Fascination this time? Pentax Q. Quick, someone talk me out it. [NOTE: This post is short because…


  • So get this, as a goof I started a Facebook Page – You Park Stupid – where people post photos of poorly parked cars. I know that it’s a silly idea, but what started out as a loosely connected group of Facebook friends turned into a story on a hyperlocal news site which turned into…


  • The release of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is being touted by bloggers, tumblers, tweeters, and word pressers as A VERY BIG DEAL. The online hyperbole store is actually running low on stock of Gushing Praises (available in limited quantities), Prophetic Proclamations (due next week) and Bold Predictions (now taking pre-orders) while Humble Opinions and Reality Checks…


  • Still from the Panasonic GH2 + Super Takumar 50mm F1.4, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:A fellow photographer and I are interviewing veterans for the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project (www.loc.gov/vets/). My friend is shooting stills and I’m shooting video with the GH2. This is my first use of the Super Takumar…


  • An interesting if imperfect comparison, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:While hanging out with my brother, I snatched his Olympus OM-D (+PanLeica 25/1.4), inserted my card and grabbed some shots. I then took my Pentax K-01 (+DA21/3.2) and tried to grab the same shot. Both JPGs. Both ISO3200. Both F3.2. I’m not going…


  • In a word – meh. Now I know why they have been discounted so steeply. Here’s a JPG still: It’s only 1080HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). This is not the most exciting shot, admittedly, but I’ve never shot 3D before so this is a new thing for me. At this resolution it’s not really useful…


  • In the lab – Panasonic 12.5mm F12 3D lens, originally uploaded by john m flores. Via Flickr:Heck, it was less than a dinner and a movie. I couldn’t resist.


  • The Pentax K-01 mated to the DA35 F2.8 Macro Limited takes wonderful flower pictures. Composing with the rear LCD opens up new viewing angles and I’m not afraid to push the ISO to stop down the lens and still get quick shutter speeds. The DA35 can be slow to focus because of its long focus…