The joke going around is that I am now jinxed. I have the new lens that can get great photos and there is nothing around to shoot. I have gone out three times in search for hawks in areas where they frequent and have never had any real opportunities to get any decent shots. Hawks are tough. They always seem to know what I am trying to do and fly away.
Here's my only shot from my recent exploits. Not really great, but thought I would share.
One of the things that I didn't think would be possible with a 600 mm lens would be the ability to take photos from the car. However, I was wrong. Granted, it is not as easy as with a tripod, but it is definitely doable. I have a LensCoat cover on the lens and that offers a nice cushion when resting the lens against the edge of the window. This acts sort of like a monopod for me.
Here's an example of a shot I took while using this method.
I haven't gotten my new tripod (Gitzo GT5541LS) from B&H yet, but my friend, Jim, has that model and lent it to me. I took it for a spin yesterday to see if it would make a difference in the clarity of my shots. All I can say is, wow, what a difference!
First of all, that tripod is rock solid. It hardly moves. While it is noticeably heavier than my model I have now, the Gitzo GT3541LS, it is noticeably sturdier and beefier. When I have the lens on it, it really doesn't shake unless I give it a good tap. Combining the tripod with long lens technique and I am getting the shots, clarity-wise, that I have always wanted.
While this shot isn't a great shot, or even the best example, it does show some really nice clarity. Also, this shot has been heavily cropped so the clarity really does extend beyond full frame.
So, of course, my new 600 mm lens exceeds the weight load for my existing tripod. Therefore, another B&H purchase was in order. The tripod that seems the most "carry-on'able" and can handle the weight load of a 600 is the Gitzo GT5541LS tripod. It is really nice. My friend, Jim, has it and it is quite a workhorse.
I am very excited about a few things. First, I rented a 600mm lens. Right now I own a 400mm, but the 600mm is considered the lens to use for wildlife and bird photography. My plan is to rent it for the month and see if I find that the lens is worth purchasing.
With that said, the race is on to find places to photograph. The winter months in NJ are pretty good for winter photography as long as one can get to the shore. Last year, I went to Barnegat Light (Long Beach Island) in February and had great success. My friend, Jim, and I saw ducks, scotors, brandts, etc. So, I am going down again on 12/31 with the 600mm and see if I have any luck.
This isn't a great shot, but it's a shot of a harlequin duck I took last year at Barnegat Light. These guys were everywhere last year.
