Upgraded and a few new lenses from Wolf Photo, Nashville, TN

[Robin]

I am just grinning from ear to ear today. Thursday I upgraded from the camera I had used for nearly 2½ years, the Canon 10D, to the Canon 40D! I am excited to see what the differences are.

I was also able to purchase (from Wolf Photo in Nashville, TN) The Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 and also the Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.

There were so many lenses that looked nice. But, I had a certain amount of money to spend, so had to pick wisely. I enjoy photographing birds and the moon, so am looking forward to seeing how the 170-500 helps with that.

Along with the camera and two lenses, I picked up the Professional circular polarizer for the 28-135, new card reader, new neck strap and a Photo Multi Reflector 5 in 1 Collapsible Light Disc 24" Gold, Silver, White, Black and Translucent.

I am so thankful to have been able to get these!

[hw771230]

Sounds like Christmas all over again.

Caleb

[Bonish Photo]

Congrats, somebody must be spoiled in that family!!

Gotta love those days when you know you're headed to the camera store with money just burning a hole in your pocket

Enjoy and cant wait to see some of the new images

Pat
www.everymilesamemory.com

[Robin]

This new equiptment was courtesy of our income tax return. Sure wish I could stop freezing long enough to test everything out. One thing I have noticed is that with the 170--500mm, you almost have to use a tripod or nothing is clear. Hmph!

[gldiana]

Hi Robin.,

congratulations on your new purchase.
Yes, with that kind of focal lenght and small f/stop, especially without image stabilization, a tripod is pretty much a must, although the 40D has a great quality even at 800 ISO so in bright sunlight and full opening you might be able to pull out something decent with that zoom.

[Walczak Photo]

Hey Robin,
I know with my Tamron 70-300mm I usually have to have a tripod strapped to my leg most of the time. With good technique, I do get lucky sometimes as with the deer shots I just posted in the Wildlife forum, but even there, for the 8 or 10 keepers, I shot well over 60 other shots that didn't come out. Also it would have been nice to be able to shoot without having the ISO boosted into the stratosphere.

I'm guessing that Sigma's going to be the same if not worse. 500mm is a REALLY long reach, especially on an APS-C sized sensor...if I'm not mistaken, that works out to 800mm which for all intensive purposes is a small telescope! LOL!!! Heck...my little Bushnell rig is only 600mm! LOL!!!

If it's any consolation, I went thru the same thing when I went from my Sony H1 which was (is) Image Stablized, to my Canon Rebel with the Tamron 70-300 without IS...it was a little frustrating at first. I hadn't really realized how much I relied on the IS on the Sony until I didn't have it any more...in other words, I had to stop being lazy and start using proper camera technique! LOL!!! I've been shooting with that rig for close to a year now though and I really love it. Yea, I wish it had IS (and I'm eyeballing that new Tamron "VC" that's coming out) and yes, I wish it was a faster lens, but hey...as I've said before, for $90 I can't really complain.

It takes some time (and patience) but you will get used to it. For those times when you don't have the tripod with you, you'll learn pretty quickly how to use fence posts, windows, the roof of your car etc., to stabilize the camera. Believe me though, the extra reach you're gonna have with that lens is well worth the extra effort.

Anyways, I can't wait to see some pics...I've been thinkin' about that lens a bit too.

Peace,
Jim

[Robin]

Hey Jim! Thanks a bunch. Jim is my brother's name, so I always feel like I'm talking (camera) shop with my brother who could actually care less about such things.

I have the Canon 70-300 and have become pretty handy with it. I have taken all of my bird shots (yes, through the kitchen window on my sink. he he) with it. I guess I was just hoping that this Sigma would be like a longer version of that one. My next lens will be the Canon 100-400 with IS. I can't wait. Probably in the spring some time.

Thankfully I have a decent tripod and an awesome monopod - a Manfrotto one with one of those tilt head things on it as well. I got the sturdiest of the Manfrotto monopods - it is a walking stick and a half! I've used everything from old brick walls to fence posts to prop my camera on. Have to use what one can, huh?

Thanks again, Jim!

[gldiana]

Robin,

will all those lenses you'll need to take a trip to Costa Rica
Flights are pretty cheap and wildlife abundant.