First Day with the 500MM
Hey you'll,
I got the 500mm/f4 lens yesterday and gave it a test run today. That is one big hunk of glass. I never saw a lens that came with its own suitcase before.
The weather was overcast as per our usual down here lately so I took a quick run out to the wetlands. Using the lens was a real experience. It can be shot handheld but why you would want to do that is beyond me. I'm gonna have to upgrade my tripod and tripod head to accomodate this lens. It is one of the fastest focusing lenses I've had so far. I used it with the 1.4 TC today.
The first problem I had was that the birds were too close. This was taken from car window.
then I spied an osprey landing in a tree a good distance away. Taken using car roof for support
the osprey wasn't doing much so I drove around and found this feller at a reasonable distance. Taken from car window
I saw a Red Shouldered Hawk flying overhead. Taken handheld, that's why its so soft
Then I lucked out and the osprey landed at the usual spot and I was able to set up the tripod
I think I'm going to keep it.
I got the 500mm/f4 lens yesterday and gave it a test run today. That is one big hunk of glass. I never saw a lens that came with its own suitcase before.
The weather was overcast as per our usual down here lately so I took a quick run out to the wetlands. Using the lens was a real experience. It can be shot handheld but why you would want to do that is beyond me. I'm gonna have to upgrade my tripod and tripod head to accomodate this lens. It is one of the fastest focusing lenses I've had so far. I used it with the 1.4 TC today.
The first problem I had was that the birds were too close. This was taken from car window.
then I spied an osprey landing in a tree a good distance away. Taken using car roof for support
the osprey wasn't doing much so I drove around and found this feller at a reasonable distance. Taken from car window
I saw a Red Shouldered Hawk flying overhead. Taken handheld, that's why its so soft
Then I lucked out and the osprey landed at the usual spot and I was able to set up the tripod
I think I'm going to keep it.
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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or whatever it is the poor fellow is scratching
From the CAR????? Geeeessssssh! Yeah, I guess it "is" a keeper!
Must be nice to sit in the car, safe from gators, and just aim the camera and lens out the window and fill the viewfinder with a bird's head!
Congrats, and enjoy...
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That's one heavy piece of glass. I'm going to need two sherpas at Zion next year.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
It also looks like , while handholdable, the results are more consistent using some support. What a nice piece of glass and I'm sooooooooooo jealous
All the shots are up to your standards. Including the "soft" one that isn't all that soft
So did you get Linda something in a blue box?
Steve
Major Congrats on your Lens, certainly has found a good home
Oh Schucks there goes my nose bleed again :lol
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Amazing first shots.
I'm now anticipating a whole new wave of spectacular wildlife shots from you. What a great new tool for you to use.
You know, I was at Borders today at lunchtime, looking at photo magazines (that I didn't buy, shame on me). I was looking at one of the current outdoor photo mags (don't remember which one) with an article on bird photography. I was surprised at their examples of good bird photography - soft where they shouldn't be soft, low contrast, mediocre composition on a couple shots. I remember thinking, "Harry's average shots blow these away - they should have some of Harry's as better examples". True story!
I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
Edward Steichen
There is no such thing as too close.
I've seen D2H + 500mm used by a duck photographer here in AZ.
Talk about intimidating.
You must be one strong guy to be able to handheld that montrous combo
It will never fail you." - Frank Lloyd Wright
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shay.
Where does one apply to be your sherpa?
AJ
Eric
It's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not.
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“PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”
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....But Harry, now what will you be whining about?
Great Captures!
I wish I was there to capture the look of total satisfaction on your face as you finally got to shoot with it! From now on when we go on a shoot...we take your car...your liability is too high for me!
Have fun and if it ever stops being cloudy I'll meet you up at the WL
I don't do fleas. I leave the macro shots to Skippy and Dani.
I'll have you know that I stepped into a fire ant hill while shooting that hawk. Gosh those fire ants are nasty buggers. :hurt
Thanks.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
I think this lens and I will have along and happy relationship.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
It was one of those "you owe me bigtime" deals. I may be in big trouble.
This lens will sure change my style of shooting. I definitely will be getting a Wimberly head next. You can shoot it handheld but not for long. Its 2.5 lbs heavier than your Bigma and around 2" longer.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
You hired just so long as you work for gratitude and nothing else. After buying this puppy I am busted.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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Harry, your birds are MAG!
Now that they take themselves, the photos I mean, well you can just send the lens out to play, take photos for you, etc, can't you?
Anyway, what do you do with the rest of your life?
And us???? I give, capitulate............the crown is yours! Now can I just post crummy shots????
I had to laugh at the word "busted", especially after talking about some kind of tripod thingy, probably quite expensive, that I have no clue about. Are you all busted as in only going to the best restaurants? As opposed to?
HAHA. For some reason I think this is funny.
For the record, I thought you didn't like tripods...............do you like them now? I thought they were too "pricey" for you? Are they cheaper now?
Is all this none of my business ?...........I have some landscape orphans, maybe I will keep doing those. Put them on the landscape thread where no one knows me. Someone else posted the most god aweful gorgeous landscape shots, sharp as a tack.
And steve, I think it was, someone, I don't see stuff this sharp in the magazines, either, nor in the 50.00 books, the 100.00 books (I don't see the other books). I tried to work up a super sharp landscape before I went to sleep, I do remember that, it was a complete dud.
Harry, your shots rock!!!
Is this retirement?
ginger (Steve, I was going to tell you that I like my photography, am in culture shock right now!):D
Congrats, Harry.
(To anyone who thought I was being serious, I wasn't. I really do like the shots, Harry. That lens performs magnificently, but I was just kidding about it playing on its own, you have to be behind it, and, as someone else said, it opens opportunities for you. In any other post I made, if I was being sarcastic, or whatever, I was playing around, I am not unhappy myself, I am happy for you, Harry, that you got the lens. And I am also hungry.....that is true.)
And I was just kidding about my shots being crummy, too. As my daughters have said, "but mom, people are going to believe you".
I know what you mean about some of the shots I see in the magazines. I see better shots posted every day on the various forums I hang out in.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
I have been ignoring the discomfort: and I do use bug spray.
ginger again.
Have you moved on somewhere else?
Where are you good guys hanging out? I thought there was only one of you!
There are more?
g
I have bad news and good news
First the bad news. You'll be needing a better tripod head (and heck, get
sturdy tripod while you're at it--save yourself the anguish). Wimberely.
Either the full on head or Sidekick (if you have a suitable head already).
Now the good news. Beautiful shots for the first time out!
Ian
Sounds like the job I have now
Just so long as I can hook it up to my D2hs and show ya how it's done :hide
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Looking over these shots is like perusing National Geographic, but without risk of paper cuts.
I expect to be in the JAX/Orlando area in late September and hope to sneak a few days down to your territory if I can.
- Frank
I'm not that strong, just masochistic.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
congratulations on the new lens . Day 1 and it already looks like you have a handle on it.That first one is as good as any I have seen. Looks I know what my next expenditure on camera gear will be...
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"