Last year we bought a new camera. Well actually, my Southwest Airlines Chase credit card bought us a new camera. Traveling a good bit for work equates to a bunch of points that can be converted to just about anything from cash to gift cards to just about anywhere you can imagine. A good portion of those points have been converted to amazon.com gift cards which in turn have fueled what I believe is my new hobby. Melissa always jokes on me because I don't really have a hobby, but recently she looked at me after I had been researching about camera stuff and talking on and on about camera stuff and said, "I think this is your hobby" and after I thought about it for a bit I gladly said, "well....yes it is." We've got a few trips coming up this summer, one of which includes San Francisco, so I decided we needed a lens that could get us a little bit more reach than the two lenses we currently own. After researching and reading all sorts of reviews I landed on the lovely lady you see below. It's a 70-300mm and I've included some of the first shots we've taken since it arrived on Wednesday. Enjoy and be nice. We're still getting used to it.
A lens like this can get you closer to objects that are far away, like a chimney for instance. I like the simplicity of this shot.
One of the first accessories we got for the camera was a good tri-pod, which is essential for slower shutter speeds and/or when you're shooting something that's 100 yards away. The moon is a little further than 100 yards away, but I'm excited to get some more shots like this of the moon and stars this summer.
Not a super in focus shot, but birds that are easily scared when people get close are no longer an issue with a longer reach lens like this.
I just like this shot and the one below once it was inhabited.
The lens is a lot quicker than I thought it would be. This was taken using auto-focus. I got Charlotte on the upswing and again, not super sharp, but I was happy with the auto-focus speed.
This lens is going to be great as Charlotte grows up and moves even faster and as more kids are added to the Hess house. You can be a ways away and still catch things even though you're not up close.
I bet Charlotte is thinking "I didn't know there would be paparazzi at the park today."
And just a fun shot of myself taken in the front storm door. We're loving the lens so far and can't wait to get some shots this summer as we travel. Get out there!
-jay