Great Blue Heron

[ilzho]

Here are some I just took this morning at a lake here in Dallas, TX.

[ebiggs1]

I was in the formerly stop bath stained darkroom and found my old Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 Auto Focus APO DG OS HSM.

It has been discontinued some time ago by Sigma but I see them all the time used for $500 and even less.  If you find a good one, it will be very good.  They were a thousand dollars when they were new.  I used one on my 7D and got some really nice shots.

I will warn you the copy I currently have is the third one.  The first two were not worth keeping but this one is a winner.  Even Sigma couldn't fix one of them. If you didn't want to use IS, which Sigma calls OS, it was fine optically.  The IS would jump so bad it would remove the subject from the viewfinder. I sold if for a hundred bucks with the disclaimer the IS was junk.

Tamron also had a similar lens the Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 SP AF Di LD (IF) Lens.  Not as good IQ but it doesn't have IS so that is not a problem!  Both or either of these could be stop gap lenses until you can get a really nice lens.

[fatcat]

thats great advice, I was thinking Id need to drop at least 600 for a decent lens for what I want to do.  My frined gave me a pretty good deal on the camera, and having at least 500mm reach would be really great, and prob adequate.  Even on the crop frame the 300mm isnt enough at times.

[ebiggs1]

"Even learning everything possible, theres still more to learn on it."

Without actually having the software to try and play with it will be difficult to impossible to learn PS.  It is just too intricate.  Oh, yeah, you could open and do a brightness or contrast edit.  But yo udon't need PS for that.  The two most important features to learn are "curves" and "layers".  I don't simply mean you know how to click on it but really apply it to a photo.  Curves opens up luminosity and color setting and layers opens up masks and selections.  All extremely powerful controls.

I sell a lot of used gear mostly lenses but I don't buy a lot of used gear so I am not a good source for where to buy.  I have never used ebay to sell anything but I have bought some stuff, parts, etc. and it was OK.  I use Craiglist to sell stuff and most best are friends. I did buy a lens from KEH a long while ago.  It was better than advertised but it wasn't cheap.  B&H and Adorama, Roberts are top retailers and stand behind their stuff.  I would think any of them would be fine.

The examples I suggested were found on ebay so if you are not comfortable with buying there, I think finding a good lens in that type is going to be more difficult.  The couple things I have bought off ebay have been exactly as described and were fine.

But you must do as you feel is right and comfortable with.

[fatcat]

Interesting you said that about PS, I just watched a class on retouching  portraits w/ cuves and layers.  (and other adj within those) Way over my head but I can see what the adjustments do and understand why.  The key is learning the to see what needs correcting    

[ebiggs1]

"Let me know when youre ready to sell something ..."

I have just about unloaded everything I was going to.  When I retired I started buying and playing with lenses. Both Canon and Nikon. I tried Company brands and the off brands.  Some guys take up golf, some get RV's some collect stamps, etc, for a retirement hobby but I wanted to play with photography gear. All hobbies cost money so I bought the lenses used them for a while and sold them on usually for 1/2 price just so they moved quickly.  I suppose I got 50 or so.  I still have 20+ but I believe I have found the real jewels so I am not in the selling mood any longer.

I worked in the Graphics Arts department for Hallmark in KC.  I did photography on an as needed assignment. I was in private business for, well I retired but I still seem to do several jobs each year.  I started two people in the business. One is doing great the other found out it isn't as easy as she thought and has given it up.  If you think it is all push the button, click, click, and fun for all, you need to think about a different career. 

[fatcat]

I thought they dc.d my acct but I think it was just a glitch or something. ANyway, I sent a PM/

[ebiggs1]

It looks fine.  Keep posting!  

[ebiggs1]

EOS 1Dx, Sigma 120-300mm @300mm, f8, SS 1/1000, ISO 800

[ebiggs1]

EOS 1Dx, Sigma 120-300mm @300mm, f8, SS 1/1000, ISO 800

[fatcat]

One wildlife photographer told me that its better to catch the bird with their beak closed, that it becomes distracting with an open mouth, and he shoots for Nat Geo. Id love to hear your thoughts on that Biggs. These are really fabulous shots. I cant get over how close you were able to get to them.