The frog population is shrinking so I thought I'd do one more 'frog walk' for long lens practice. I saw these three happily sunning on a fallen log in a pond and was pleased stayed there posing for me. The shot that got away: a frog on the end of a branch reflected in the pond. As I lifted my camera, I stepped on a stick and the noise startled the frog who then leaped into the water. I'm guessing others have had this thought: "That would have been my best photo ever!"
Boy, you are sure getting nice sharp captures with your long lens. Bummer re the one that got away though...I have that feeling when I miss a sunset and see a beauty from home when it is too late to go somewhere with a better composition
You remind me, I missed a full flock of geese flying across a perfectly framed sunrise picture last week end. I had just relaxed for a second and they had been and gone. The good thing is, no one else knows about the ones you missed, only the ones you got. And these three are so well arranged together. Great colour and detail.
@leonbuys83 I have been practicing handheld as with animals, I doubt a tripod will be practical. I try to keep my hand steady but it gets hard after I've carried it a bit. I find it helpful to lean against something but that isn't always physically possible.
I notice your comment above, and just wanted to say that I have seen a few people with monopods for these long lenses. Much easier to carry and move quickly. A lovely froggy shot, they are all looking your way.
@redy4et It's heavier than my other lenses, but not impossible. I wouldn't do a long hike with it on the camera -- only in a backpack til use for example, but I can walk with it for about a half-hour and still be okay to take photos. I'm thinking it's best for use in a safari type situation, photographing from the vehicle, or in the city where I would be doing shorter walks and then hopping onto a bus or train to get back and forth to other spots. Do-able, but not something I'd use as a walk-about lens ever.
@888rachel My monopod is at Bill and Junko's in Chicago and I plan to pick it up when we are there next week and give it a try. It will mean using an adaptor for connecting it as the monopod is set up for Manfrotto and this lens has the slider type of connection, but I'm guessing I can sort that out. It will help with the steadiness of the shot, but then it just adds more weight to carry. To me, that's the major drawback to this lens -- the sheer weight carrying it about gets tiring -- not impossible, but just not comfortable after a while.
@taffy I agree, our own sherpa would be wonderful! I agree about the weight. It meant I only took the lens out when I knew I would use it, so it didn't get out often enough.
I had to take the train to the San Diego Zoo to get a photo of the likes of this! My backyard wildlife is plentiful for the suburbs, but limited in variety, so I had to travel to get some practice with my camera and lens!
September 11th, 2017
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