What better way to enjoy this lovely weather than to visit the beautiful Aberglasney Gardens in West Wales with the family. Although of course it was not supposed to be a photography walk, I had my trusty Z6ii and my 14mm wide angle and 90mm macro lenses with me.
Aberglasney Gardens, located in the beautiful Tywi Valley of Wales, is a historic and meticulously restored garden that captivates visitors with its unique charm.1 Known as “the garden lost in time,” Aberglasney lay in a state of ruin for many years before its extensive restoration began in the 1990s.2 The site’s centrepiece is the grade II* listed mansion, which now houses the remarkable and unique indoor garden known as the Ninfarium.3 Beyond this, the gardens boast a variety of distinct areas, including a cloister garden, a beautiful walled garden, and a yew tunnel, each offering a different atmosphere and a glimpse into the estate’s rich past.4 The blend of ancient architecture and vibrant horticulture makes Aberglasney a truly enchanting place, a testament to passionate conservation and a haven for plant lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
As I said, I had my Nikon Z6ii. I was really testing my 7Artisans 14mm F/2.8 lens, plus while I was there, the macro lens was handy for insects, flowers and portraits! All images were edited in Darktable.
I know I missed critical focus on the portraits with the 14mm lens slightly. It is a manual lens, and for some reason, I thought that affinity started at around 1.5 meters, but it is 3 meters! When I was very close, I focused ok because I concentrated, but further away I didn’t check my focus assist like I should have! My fault (and luckily only a couple of photos).
Anyway, you live you learn, and it was not a day really for taking photographs but for spending time with the family.
One Camera One Lens Photography 
Hey Mark, first off: stunning shots. The 7Artisans 14mm f2.8 looks like a pretty interesting lens. I actually like the idea of that switch to go from clicked to clickless aperture – super handy for video. But for stills, I kind of miss the clicks; feels weird without them. It’s a focal length I could see myself getting into as well, so your photos are useful for me too. I do have a Kamlan 15mm, but I suspect this one might be the stronger performer. Lovely series of your family, by the way, and what a gorgeous setting to shoot in. That cart with the veggies? Absolutely brilliant!
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Thank you Marc. It’s a lovely little lens, and after reading a few reviews I took a gamble. I’ll have a full review up soon (I’m going out later today to capture some cityscapes with it), but so far it’s living up to the hype that it’s sharp and zero distortion.
The cat with the veggies was there for visitors to help themselves to whatever was on it, for a little donation. A lovely idea! When we finished and came home, all the veg had gone.
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