So long as we're on a duck theme . . .

So long as we're on a duck theme . . . · 05:27 PM

Here's a couple ducks of mine:

Maybe an egret (this is a egret isn't it? that's what my bird field guide says):

And finally the reason why I was where I was shooting water fowl (and other stuff too). Our boy here in the front left with the tattoo on his leg is my husband shortly before running a half-marathon. Being the supportive wife that I am I accompanied him to the race location to be there to cheer him on (and take pictures) at the finish. And gee, I had to kill time while the race was going on so good thing I had my camera with me!

All birdies were shot with an old manual Quantaray 135 f/2.8 from eBay. Hubby shot was with the DA 18-55.

Jimbo · 09-01-2008, 06:11 PM

Geat shots.. Really like #3 and 4... JIMBO

borno · 09-01-2008, 06:18 PM

Very nice bird shots mel

I like 3&4 also that's pretty good with a 135mm lens!

JMR · 09-01-2008, 06:28 PM

Yes, the shots of white birds are Egrets- and I like them. It proves you do not need expensive lenses to take good photos. Well done!

JMR

mel · 09-02-2008, 02:38 AM

Thanks all. And while yes it was only a 135, the shots are cropped (the flying egret more than the others). This lens is amazingly sharp and the focusing ring is nice and firm. My AF lenses, when I try to focus manually, the ring feels rather flimsly and easily moves off focus with the slightest touch. This one is nice and solid. It also renders the colors deep and rich. There is however, a significant purple fringing when shooting bright whites against a dark background. Oh well, for $17.50 I can't expect perfection now can I?

Thanks for looking!

gawan · 09-02-2008, 10:37 AM

I really like those with reflections on water!

mel · 09-03-2008, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by gawan

I really like those with reflections on water!

Thanks!
Here's the shot just before the flying egret one. I liked it a bit better because the bird was closer, thus bigger in the original, with a better reflection on the water, but unfortunately it's wing is obscuring it's face.

(not trying to give my thread a bump, my flickr isn't working properly from my home computer and had to wait until i was at work to add this)

Damn Brit · 09-03-2008, 05:01 PM

Good work Mel, I like the flying egrets with the crazy reflections best.

mel · 09-03-2008, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

Good work Mel, I like the flying egrets with the crazy reflections best.

What? And not the pre-run shot of hubby taken by devoted wifey?

just kidding. thanks gary!

Igilligan · 09-03-2008, 05:13 PM

I am amazed they were shot with a 135mm ... nice little ebay find there...

Now lets see a close-up of the Tattoo....

mel · 09-03-2008, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by Igilligan

I am amazed they were shot with a 135mm ... nice little ebay find there...

Now lets see a close-up of the Tattoo....

Um, yeah, well he balked when I tried to borrow his leg to get a tattoo shot. It's a green Chinese dragon.

It's a 135mm AND the shots are cropped quite a bit. AND manual focus. It's a wicked sharp lens. I've been shooting it like crazy to find the limitations and there defintiely are some. But I'm learning it's strengths too so I can know best how to use it.

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09-03-2008, 05:13 PM	#10
Igilligan Guest	Really nice bird shots I am amazed they were shot with a 135mm ... nice little ebay find there... Now lets see a close-up of the Tattoo....

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09-01-2008, 06:11 PM	#2
Jimbo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maple Ridge BC Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,368	Geat shots.. Really like #3 and 4... JIMBO

09-01-2008, 06:18 PM	#3
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	Very nice bird shots mel I like 3&4 also that's pretty good with a 135mm lens!

09-01-2008, 06:28 PM	#4
JMR Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 3,332	Yes, the shots of white birds are Egrets- and I like them. It proves you do not need expensive lenses to take good photos. Well done! JMR

09-02-2008, 02:38 AM	#5
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531 Original Poster	Thanks all. And while yes it was only a 135, the shots are cropped (the flying egret more than the others). This lens is amazingly sharp and the focusing ring is nice and firm. My AF lenses, when I try to focus manually, the ring feels rather flimsly and easily moves off focus with the slightest touch. This one is nice and solid. It also renders the colors deep and rich. There is however, a significant purple fringing when shooting bright whites against a dark background. Oh well, for $17.50 I can't expect perfection now can I? Thanks for looking!

09-02-2008, 10:37 AM	#6
gawan Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,400	I really like those with reflections on water!

09-03-2008, 02:24 PM	#7
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531 Original Poster	Originally posted by gawan I really like those with reflections on water! Thanks! Here's the shot just before the flying egret one. I liked it a bit better because the bird was closer, thus bigger in the original, with a better reflection on the water, but unfortunately it's wing is obscuring it's face. (not trying to give my thread a bump, my flickr isn't working properly from my home computer and had to wait until i was at work to add this)

09-03-2008, 05:01 PM	#8
Damn Brit Guest	Good work Mel, I like the flying egrets with the crazy reflections best.

09-03-2008, 05:03 PM	#9
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531 Original Poster	Originally posted by Damn Brit Good work Mel, I like the flying egrets with the crazy reflections best. What? And not the pre-run shot of hubby taken by devoted wifey? just kidding. thanks gary!

09-03-2008, 06:47 PM	#11
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531 Original Poster	Originally posted by Igilligan I am amazed they were shot with a 135mm ... nice little ebay find there... Now lets see a close-up of the Tattoo.... Um, yeah, well he balked when I tried to borrow his leg to get a tattoo shot. It's a green Chinese dragon. It's a 135mm AND the shots are cropped quite a bit. AND manual focus. It's a wicked sharp lens. I've been shooting it like crazy to find the limitations and there defintiely are some. But I'm learning it's strengths too so I can know best how to use it.