USA

After a disappointing experience with a “highly recommended” breakfast restaurant in Chicago we were on the way back to our hotel as we crossed the Lincoln Zoo by accident. Outside you can explore a big biotope and inside animals of all kind. Even I have seen a silverback gorilla the first time in my life. The good thing, this zoo is absolutely free  🙂 For this shot I tried my Sony Fe 10-18 F4, which is my preferred wide angle lens.

• Camera: ILCE-6000
• Aperture: ƒ/9
• Shutter speed: 1/200s
• Focal length: 10mm
• ISO: 100

I would recommend to take the boat tour on the Chicago River, the sights are unmatchable. You start with a longer wait at the watergate, then you enter the part of the river which lies within the city. You get surrounded by buildings with cool architecture, can have a look at the bridges and have an entertaining guide which tells you stories and anecdotes about the city.

• Camera: ILCE-7R
• Aperture: ƒ/6.3
• Shutter speed: 1/1600s
• Focal length: 70mm
• ISO: 200

Really cool, renting a bike via credit card in Chicago, I can recommend this to everyone. I took some big laps in the area of Shedd Aquarium, over rail bridges and on the Michigan Avenue, suddenly I saw that fountain and stopped immediately to take some shots. Chicago is a great city  🙂

• Camera: ILCE-7R
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/4000s
• Focal length: 53mm
• ISO: 100

The day before my visit at the Microsoft Executive Briefing center I had a stop at a shopping mall in Bellevue. There was also a Microsoft store. These stores look similar to the Apple stores, big glass fronts, wooden floor and dozen of flat tables with the products on it. And very nice and helpful employees. For me a must see …

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/80s
• Focal length: 26mm
• ISO: 100

After arriving at the shopping mall in Bellevue via Uber my first way was into the Apple store, followed by the Microsoft store. I even saw a Tesla and a Mini store between clothing and cosmetics stores  🙂 . But then I was surprised that there was also a Leica store, from which I took a photo immediately.

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/60s
• Focal length: 27mm
• ISO: 100

For a tourist the Willis tower provides cool views from the top all over Chicago. I went some rounds to explore the views more often, every time I could see new findings and interesting buildings. A must for all Chicago visitors.

• Camera: ILCE-7R
• Aperture: ƒ/9
• Shutter speed: 1/200s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 100

In Chicago you can rent bikes with credit card, take the bike immediately and drive around. I used this for a photo tour where I stopped now and then to take photos then  jumped back on the saddle to continue exploring the surroundings. Then I entered this bridge where I liked the motive with rails and the train and the buildings in the background.

• Camera: ILCE-7R
• Aperture: ƒ/11
• Shutter speed: 1/160s
• Focal length: 24mm
• ISO: 100

For visiting a bar the usual time is later afternoon or evening but at this hot day in Cleveland we took a seat before noon to get a cold beer. I like the view of the dozens of bottles glaring in the light and reading the labels  🙂

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/5.1
• Shutter speed: 1/50s
• Focal length: 32.8mm
• ISO: 800

By visiting relatives in Cleveland we went to the docks at lake Erie. It was very hot that day. Since it was Monday morning there were only few people around and I took the opportunity to take some photos with my Leica X Vario.

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/5.6
• Shutter speed: 1/60s
• Focal length: 18mm
• ISO: 100