Tick, tick, tick...a couple days later...
Well, after the camera shop I ended up with a teleconverter lens. It makes the zoom lens I've got extend it's "vision" by about 40%. I got one and like it so far. I'm still thinking of getting the expensive Canon lens Sis told me about. After looking at myriads of photos people took with this lens and after talking to the guy at the camera shop, ...or should I say "guru" (WOW! he knew a lot!! Could even do the math!!) I'm really leaning heavily on going for it and getting the Canon lens. I hate not to buy it from guru man, but if I do get it, I'd get it from Amazon. They have it for $1,200 less than list price and as much as I appreciated the guru and all his knowledge, I don't feel so obligated to spend way more of my money at the camera shop than it would cost online. Besides I got the teleconverter from him, so he made a sale! And I'm taking his advice and going with a Canon brand lens instead of Sigma. He said "You DON'T want a Sigma!" And the photos posted on the Amazon sites for those two lenses show quite a difference to my eye, anyhow...with the Canon shots being much superior in clarity and crispness! The nice thing is, I can use the teleconverter on this big Canon lens if I've a mind to. I'd probably feel like I was sitting right up in the tree with the birds I'm shooting, with that set up!!
Here's kind of a cool shot I took at our post office when we stopped on the way home from the camera shop. There's a mulberry tree just south of the parking lot...this little beauty was pigging out!! It's not the clearest shot because I was not using a tripod and was in kind of a hurry to snap because she was flitting around so much, but it gives you an idea of the shots I could get, given this opportunity again. Actually upon looking at it again, I think the camera was focused more on the leaves at her feet, rather than the Lady Cardinal. That could account for the lack of crispness in the bird's image. The nice thing with the big Canon lens (the one I'm thinking of buying) is that it has an Image Stabilizer mode that helps in taking clearer hand-held photos.
My sister and I are going birdwatching/photographing on Friday. I should get a better idea of how this teleconverter works with a tripod and remote shutter-snapper thingamabob. Ooos...sorry, hope that wasn't too technical for you. I'll try to tone it down in future posts!
I'd like to be a photographer in my next life. Or maybe the next chapter of this life. OK. That's more likely. I'm so excited about your new purchase and the one to come. Can't wait to see the results.
ReplyDeleteIf that photo was taken on the run, I can't wait to see photos taken with care!!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing what you get on your birdwatching trip today, Gin. Be sure to post!
ReplyDeleteAbout the Sigma lens - please let me clarify that I have no experience with Sigma lenses, and do have experience with Canon ones. I have several good photographer friends who absolutely love the Canon you have linked above. But that's not to say the Sigma isn't a good lens too. :)
Can't wait to see it in action, whichever one you get.
XOXO
Yes, it does tend to take the breath away -- lens prices, that is, especially when one is a hobbyist and not making money from them! Glad you're taking the time to review the lenses. I've only experience with Sigma's 18-50mm macro and have been fairly happy with it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more time to hang out with Sis and try out her lenses. One thing for sure, those L series lenses weigh a ton!
Anne, I wish I could hang out with Sis too. I'd love to pick her brain and yours too!! LOL I need all the help I can get when it comes to photography. One thing about lens price, I do have a little hope of recouping some of the money I spend. It would take years to get it all back, but I make between $200 - $300 at the fairs where I exhibit every year. That's kind of a drop in the bucket, but it does help me justify the expense a little bit. Just a little bit. :))
ReplyDeleteSis, my sis and I had THE best time....we were in bird heaven! We went to a perfect place and saw all sorts of birds. The highlight of the entire trip for both of us was seeing Eastern Bluebirds!!! I knew we had them around here but have never been lucky enough to see them in person before. One male even sat and posed for us...not too far from us...and we got a few good ones. I'm in the process of working on a blog post with some pix in it. We got a few photos that weren't very good but we were able to bring them home and I.D. some of the birds we saw by manipulating the photos (cropping, enhancing) so we could see the far off birds much better. I'll even post a few of those!
Kathy and Cheryl. I'm excited about this new hobby of mine too. Well, it's not exactly new but renewed is a better word. It's going to be nice to have the time to take more bird photos. I don't have the new big lens yet but I've decided I'm going to get it for sure but I have to wait just a little more until I can get to the bank and transfer some $$. Cheryl, you would be a great photog!! I love your pictures!
Bird pix to come soon. I just have to find time to get the photos edited for the blog.