Using my Nikon Z6 with 70-200mm lens, my intention was to expose a trailing view of Cape Cod Central’s outbound midday passenger excursion as it passed the Sandwich, Mass., station.

As the train rolled by, I framed up my photograph, but unexpectedly, my Z6 locked onto an imaginary focus point. The image in my viewfinder was completely out of focus. My rapid repeated efforts to get the camera’s auto focus to work were unsuccessful. In a few instants I would be out of time . . .

So, I reached for my Nikon F3 loaded with Ektachrome E100 and exposed this color slide.

Saved by the slide! Although I was frustrated with the Z6, my stalwart Nikon F3 saved the day.

The film came back last week and I scanned the slide for presentation here.

Tracking the Light explores railroad photography!