Don't get me wrong, I love my Canon 100-400mm L. In Canon's lens line-up you cannot get more bang for your buck in a lens to cover a wide range of wildlife photography. Sure the f5.6 is a little slow for low-light photography and the dof isn't as shallow as one might like, but with 300mm of zoom topping at 400mm it does a fantastic job without sending one for a home equity loan.
However there is a reason that wildlife photographers lust after the big primes. There is a reason that folks like me look at their prices and feel an empty pit in our stomachs; knowing that someday we won't be satisfied without one. And after saving for a couple of years I find myself sitting in front of the computer, the order filled out; feeling the upwelling of the dry heaves as the cursor hovers over the "place order" button.
A few days later the big box arrives. Almost hesitantly I open it and am soon fitting the beast into the Kirk gimbal head. It feels much heavier than the advertised 11+ pounds but swings effortlessly in the gimbal.
A couple of days later and it's show time at the feeders.
This little fellow mustered up a bushel of "Cute Factor" for my first 600mm prime-time shoot.
Okay it's official, I'm pasting a picture of Coy and Willard on my dart board and I'm flinging away. Ohh, I just got Willard right in the eye and hit Coy right square in the nose! Maybe tomorrow I'll break out the 9MM and do a ittle target practice at your pictures.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm just a tad jealous. That's not exactly true, I'm damn jealous. Anyone that knows me is very aware of how I've been lusting over a 500 Prime. Almost daily I talk about it or dream about it. I try to justify it to myself and almost convince myself to go for it. The other day at work I was talking to the girls in my office who are also into Photography. I was telling them how guys would buy a 4 Wheeler or Snowmobile without batting an eyelash. Or they would pay thousands of dollars for a Skeet Gun or many thousands for a hunting trip year after year. They commented how funny it was how I was trying to talk myself into it.
It's great lens Coy, I hope you enjoy the heck out of it. Now I hope Santa doesn't bring you and Willard anything else for Christmas.
holy smokes, coy! :)
ReplyDeletegreat shots! i know you're going to have some fun!
One word: fabulous. I wonder if it's too late to talk to Santa at this time. Maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteA Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Well worth it such wonderful shots
ReplyDeleteGlad you pulled the trigger on that one, Dad. You won't regret it, I'm sure. It's only going to allow you to take your art further.
ReplyDeleteThe image of the little guy holding the nut is my favorite in this series.
Wow - that's a great lens! Have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations
ReplyDeleteI know you are going to love the lens. The images you have posted here are awesome.
You will have to take a look at the support I made for mine to get rid of transient vibrations at low shutter speeds.
keep up the good work
Jim