Lenses, transitions and buck$

[jyerxa]

We all set off to take good photos one day. My dream was to be able to take National Geographic quality photos myself. I just had this job where I got to go to see a lot of nature, I loved it. But……….. I was married and had my first born. My first GOOD camera was a Nikon EM that had an auto shutter speed. I leaned heavily on that feature. But I needed a good lens. So don’t laugh, I got a Sears and Roebuck 70x200 lens. (Ah go ahead and laugh I am) It was so chingky I had to flick it with my finger when I wanted to close down the aperture so it would loosen up enough to close.

I had to work the Holliday season on overtime to get the Nikon I got now with a 70x300 Nikon lens. (The kids are grown and out of the house)

What I find very good about that range are portrait quality photos of family get togethers. Lacking out doors stuff.

I have never tried it, but some camera buffs at work would rent a lens from KITS cameras. My idea is a 1500 mm Nikkor that costs the price of a Cadillac. Has anybody ever tried this?

[boneaddict]

I was always in to photos.  My mom was fortunate enough to get the Canon AE-1 when it first came out.  It was like the cat's meow of the day.  I loved the photos she took.  My parents could tell I loved photography so they bought me a Kodak 110.  Then I upgraded to a 35mm pocket camera.  I was 16 years old and driving home from my girlfriends when I spotted a monster buck up on the ridge.  I got home to find no one around.  I grabbed my moms camera (A BIG NO NO) and headed up the mountain.  I got to within 30 yards of the deer.  I took several photos but it didn't sound right.  I had no idea what speed or aperature it was on.  I just pulled the trigger.  Of course they all were blurred.    My parents figured I needed an upgrade I guess so that I wouldn't use their camera so I got a used AE-1 with a kit lens.

I was a diehard and spent a lot of time trying to get close with my 135mm or whatever it was. 

Finally I upgraded to a 600mm mirrored lens.  I thought I could just snap pics.  What they don't tell you is that the sun has to be shining bright to take pics with the thing.   I got a few good images but most bucks and bulls are out at what time of day?

I got married and finally convinced the Mrs that I needed something better.  I sold the AE-1 and the mirrored lens for what I paid for it.  (WISH I had kept the AE-1), and bought an A2-E with a 400mm sigma.  This lens was WAY better for light.   I took LOTS of photos with this outfit, but ti was film and this was the dawn of the digital.    Babies came and I was getting ancy.   I talked to Pope and followed the likes of Tony on MM.   Was I going to go Nikon now....I had the $1200 sigma lens.  Now I just needed a body that took digital.    I bought the Canon 40D.   
I get home and put my 400mm on it and guess what.   Though normally compatable, the chip doesn't work with the 40D.  I found out Sigma did refurbish the lens, but the time had run out.   Now I had the camera body but no glass....................
Long story short, I've invested in glass.  Its taken mea long time to aquire it as it isn't cheap. 

Thats my story.   I've now been taking pics since I was 5 years old.  I think I had a plastic camera before that.   Thats 35 years of experience.  It didn't just come overnight.   The glass didn't either.  A great way to try new lens is to rent them. REMEMBER bigger isn't always better when doing wildlife.  Its also a matter of honing your skills and getting CLOSE.  Even if thats learning and knowing your animal and figuring where they are going to go etc.   I learned my lesson with that 600.  There are big lens out there that take great photos, but the light they need or the lowest F stop makes them worth THOUSANDS and I mean THOUSANDS of dollars.       

[boneaddict]

The other thing to keep in mind is their size.   The ability to move with them.  The ability to set up on a deer or stalk close.  The ability to have a tripod that will hold them.  ETC.   Backpacks that will hold them, Also weather......   Throw my camera gear into a pack and its easily 35 pounds or more.   Thats with two lens.  Throw a couple more and its a ton.   

[Wazukie]

I started in High School Photography class with a Pentax k1000 and a 50mm pancake lens.  After that it was a A3000, a sears 70-200mm and 2x converter.  I tried one of the 500mm mirror lens and like you bone, it needed a lot off light.  THose sears lenes were actually pretty good glass made by vivitar.  In recent years I have gotten the bug agian and bought Nikon gear.  I love to ge out and shoot wildlife and I use it for my own enjoyment.  As said the key, I found out the hard way, isnt always long glass, its honing your stocking skills and getting close.  The closer you can ge to you subject, the better.  Renting really isnt an oppsion as the closest camera shop to me is in Portland and thats 2 1/2 hour drive.  Im not sure I would want to lug a 1500mm plus the tri-pod it'd need around int the hills.  My 500mm does well when I get close enough.  Get out asnd shoot, shoot shoot some more and have fun and share your results here.

[jyerxa]

My 500mm does well when I get close enough.  Get out asnd shoot, shoot shoot some more and have fun and share your results here.

Yeah, that is the real art and fun of it. Like hunting in the off season. I agree.

[jyerxa]

I bought the Canon 40D. 

Okay, we have the same generation cameras. Mine is the Nikon D50

[boneaddict]

Sometimes getting a 2x extender will help with your range.   It will drop you two f stops so you do lose that much light.  It will save you some coin though when compared to some of the big lens.   Generally they work better with prime lens, but for a hundred bucks you can double your distance.  Like everything though it will degrade your pic a bit.