Hanging Around

I really have to get one of these lenses, amazing sharpness.

And how is it obvious ? .......... please go into great detail.

the teets, Ken. I see teets or at least I think I do.

 

Knicki

Sorry, my internet was down yesterday so I wasn't able to reply right away, Ken. Knicki is right - you can see the row of nipples. At least she isn't as obvious as the male squirrel I took a picture of and couldn't post because...well, I guess I shouldn't go there with the obvious joke I was going to make. Let's just say he was a little bottom heavy and leave it at that.

 

Steven, the lens is great and I prefer it over any other lens I have, especially for bird/animal shots. It's very heavy, though, so you will either develop strong arm muscles or have to use a monopod or a tripod.

What a cute creature!!! Nice capture... and beautiful composition, Kim.....

Thanks, Brad. I get exasperated with these squirrels a lot of the time because they are gluttons and eat ALL the bird seed! I even leave them some dried corn out in "their" tree, but they still come and steal birdseed. I usually go out and holler at them and they take off (my dogs are useless squirrel chasers), but they come right back. Since I could see this one was a nursing mother, I let her pig out.

Without taking anything away from the photographer that is a superb lens you have there. As I'm going over to Canon digital I have been looking at lenses. Trouble is the Canon equivalent of this is the 'L' series lens (L stands for 'Life Savings') and needs a separate mule to carry it on long expeditions. But every time you post a shot from this lens I begin to think again....regards Colin

Colin, I probably use this lens 90% of the time. It's a big lens and very heavy, but takes great pictures. My husband bought it many years ago and I "stole" it and won't give it back! :) Yes, it's expensive, but well worth the bucks. Hubby has a cheaper lens, a 70-300, and it just doesn't do as well as this one.

Kim,the detail is amazing. I've been thinking about getting a sharper lens but I'm so afraid that I won't be able to lift it.

Donna, you can get a monopod that will help while your arms get strong enough for the lens. I started off with very sore muscles after using it for a few hours, but now I'm used to it. The monopod is good for supporting the lens, yet gives you the ability to move around better than a tripod.

Gave up chasing them off and took a picture instead. Comments?

Hi Guys:

 

Colin should probably know that I walk with a permanent starbord list from hauling Canon lenses around for 32 years. One place where I have saved a lot of dollars and little on weight is with the 80-200 f/4L. It's something like $700 less than the f2.8L and about half the tonnage. Like Kim, I'm a major monopod fan, so I don't miss the extra f-stops all that much.

 

Colin, if you are seriously considering the Canon 70-200 f2.8L be sure to look at the optically stablized version. Everyone I've ever known who owns one loves it.

 

As for this little bandit -- wow does this image sing when "viewed large." Beautiful detail. It's images like this that remind me how fascinating nature can be! --jim

Wow Kim! This is just great! How did you get this rascal to hold for the pose?

This is so clear, cropped perfectly and just sweet. Thanks for your comments about my bird shot and the tip about channels in PS. I don't know what they are, but I'll check it out. No, I wasn't far away, but the shot was taken through a glass window because I was too much of a wuss to go out and sit in the cold. : ) I love your bird shot too. Mary

Thanks, Jim, Thomas and Mary. Thomas, there are 3 squirrels who visit regularly. One of them is so brave while eating, I can walk right up to him and even touch him (although I don't). This one didn't mind me being about 8 feet away, but when I got closer, she did leave quickly. They definitely have a personality of their own.