FUJIFILM X-H1 (55mm, f/8, 1/75 sec, ISO200)

Another beautiful and sunny morning in Croatia. On todays “to do list”: the waterfalls of Krka. Beautiful!

We have been here before some time ago. The Krka waterfalls are the little brother of the much more famous Plitvicer lakes. Those are fantastic too of course but recently overcrowded like all major Instagram spots in Europe. 

But first two images from our very nice hotel room in Skradin. My wife checked out the pool the day before but I didn’t. I guess I got spoiled by our warm swim spa. This pool was not heated and summer already ended here too.

FUJIFILM X-H1 (16mm, f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (55mm, f/8, 1/180 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (29.2mm, f/8, 1/80 sec, ISO200)

Not only the summer has come to an end here, some of the souvenir shops already closed for the season too. But we didn’t come for souvenirs. We came to see the waterfalls. 

Because we stayed here overnight we got on the first boat which was great because it meant that we had a lot of space to move around. The last time we visited the place it was still allowed to swim in the pools next to the waterfalls. But because of the many visitors this is no longer an option. Not a big deal for me, this is Croatia not some tropical island.

FUJIFILM X-H1 (36.5mm, f/8, 1/400 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (18.2mm, f/8, 1/110 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (16mm, f/8, 1/550 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (16mm, f/8, 1/500 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (55mm, f/7.1, 1/140 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (28.3mm, f/22, 1/15 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (33.2mm, f/8, 1/240 sec, ISO200)

Last time I was here was in 2012 and at that time I shot with the Sony NEX-5 and with my first Fuji X camera the Fuji X100. Very small and light but capable cameras. Nine years later I shot with the Fuji X-H1 plus the Fuji XF 16-55/2.8 WR. I quite substantial camera for mirrorless and a rather big lens too. So no more compact and light but on the other hand there is a superior EVF where the NEX-5 had none and of course the Sony 18-55 OIS is no match for the Fuji 16-55. The Fuji is so much better it is not even close.

A more compact option would have been my X-Pro2 plus the XF 10-24 OIS but of course the 10-24 is less versatile compared with the 16-55 and I would always feel the need to also bring a slightly longer lens. At the end the X-H1 plus 16-55 is hard to beat as a one camera – one lens solution. The optical quality of the 16-55 is truly great and the IBIS in the X-H1 lets you shoot at very low shutter speeds to slightly blur the water.

FUJIFILM X-H1 (40.1mm, f/8, 1/160 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (55mm, f/8, 1/75 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (22.7mm, f/5.6, 1/45 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (16mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (55mm, f/5.6, 1/70 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (19.4mm, f/5.6, 1/55 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (25.7mm, f/11, 1/8 sec, ISO200)

There is a really nice network of footbridges passing through the National Park. There are some stairs but it is easy manageable also for older or less fit people. The easy access reminds me on attractions in the USA. I think it is a great thing because it makes it possible that everyone can enjoy those beautiful places.

In below image you can see first signs of autumn. I think it would have been perfect to be here maybe 2-3 weeks later when the leaves have changed to yellow and red. We visited the Plitvicer lakes once a couple of weeks later when the leaves mostly had come down. It is really tricky to be there at the right time to see the scenery in full autumn colours. Like the blossom season in spring it is a time that lasts only for a couple of days. 

FUJIFILM X-H1 (41.4mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (16mm, f/5, 1/210 sec, ISO100)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (38.8mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-H1 (50mm, f/5.6, 1/1400 sec, ISO200)

After the walk we just missed a boat and needed to wait for the next one. So we had coffee and cake in the restaurant near the boat station. 

When we finally returned to Skradin we passed by another boat leaving for the falls. This boat was really crowded and even though this is outdoors after almost two years of Covid-19 it still feels strange to see so many people sticking together. I’m afraid it will take some time to get rid of that feeling. I wonder how I will feel in a crowded train station when I finally can visit Japan again.

But Japan is still far away and back in Croatia it was time for a late lunch.

FUJIFILM X-H1 (16mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec, ISO200)