Sometimes I pine away for a nice pricey prime zoom. You know, the one that causes lens envy?
The kind you see pros walking around with? Those monstrous long lenses that weigh so much and are so big that they need a monopod or a handle on them? I'd need a pack mule just to carry one. Yet, in the back of my mind I keep thinking...
wouldn't that be fun???
And then I think about how I hike through the woods and my goal is to carry much less than much more.
I brushed the 'dust' off a lens I hadn't used in quite a while. I got it with my old Olympus camera, the one that is dying a slow but sure death. I purchased the lens over 7 years ago. It's the cheap $99 zoom kit lens. It works 40-150mm which translates to 80-300mm on a 3/4 mirrorless Olympus.
I had at one time in my life visions of becoming a famous wildlife photographer.
Okay, not visions really, just a passing moment.
I don't have the patience to sit for hours to photograph a trophy buck, awesome turkeys, or even regular wildlife. Sure, they interest me, but I'm not one to sit still for too long.
I walked out with some hot coffee in my little travel cup and started towards the blind I'd set up just after sunrise. I'd fed the mules, the dog, and set things up for hubby. As I came over the rise I could see a doe and her fawn far off in the meadow. Too far off to photograph. See?
I needed the pack Llama and that super big lens! Nah....
I got in the blind and got comfy. I sat on an overturned bucket that I'd placed one of those miraculous warming seats. You know the kind you sit on and it warms up? I guess they work as my rear end got toasty warm.
What can I say about that morning sunlight? Just.
Wow.
What could be more perfect than to have a couple of beautiful deer walk into the scene? So this was the cheap kit lens.
I got a bird! I got it! I was so tickled that I didn't curse at my now wet coveralls with coffee seeping into my clothes under my old coveralls.
The dude on the 4 wheeler would scare off critters. I must admit, he was not like the 4 wheelers that trespassed earlier this year. His machine was fairly quiet.
I was happy. The lens proved to work just fine. It got me close and personal to the twins.
I'd photographed a bird, I'd taken some nice late season shots of the meadow.
I'd say it was all good.
Sunday? We are supposed to get snow. I may have to take out one of the weather proof lenses and enjoy some more fun.
I hope the first snow is a ‘ground defining’ snow and not a ground obscuring one that makes it difficult for you to get to the meadow. So nice to see the deer and the bird.
ReplyDeleteThe first snow wasn't drastic, but it will stick around I think as it is supposed to be cold this week. Charlie loved it and we did go for a walk in it!
DeleteEven in the worst winters, I do get around. I have snow shoes which are great for breaking trails!
Lucky you! At least you were able to capture the deer in focus. My shot today is a blurry white tail disappearing in a harvested soybean field. And he STARTED less than 10 yards in front of us! It is a balancing act for me on whether to invest in a "good" camera or keep using the one I don't mind abusing... I feel like I can at least get more shots with the crappy camera because I have it available. And every now and then I get lucky...
ReplyDeleteI carry a little pocket camera at all times. My first Olympus was purchased fairly cheaply, I got a model that was going to be discontinued. It came with a kit lens. It has survived drops out of my backpack, sub zero temps, and all sorts of offenses by me.
DeleteBut you are right, the best camera is always the one that is handy.
Deer are very hard to get if they are moving!
I think your shots are wonderful.
My father taught me so much and let me use his prize Pentax K1000 [film]. He was always asking me to compose and figure out settings. It was like a game for us.
Great photos no matter what lens you use...I have had lens envy too at times:)
ReplyDeleteOh some days I dream of taking a long trip to some place wonderful [back to Hawai'i? or even just around the state of Wisconsin]...and just take my camera gear and lots of time with no time or date to have to be back home.
DeleteI can dream right?