My wife allowed me an early Christmas present this year. A few weeks ago my new 70-200 f/2.8 arrived. Since then I’ve quietly been exploring its greatness. This shot from a few days ago was my first post using the new lens. It’s been a long while since I’ve shot with a larger lens and if you’ve ever lifted this bad boy you’ll know it’s pretty dang heavy. It has forced me to revisit photographic fundamentals.
For much of my early life as a burgeoning photographer my focus was wildlife. I loved exploring the woods around my home in Eastern Canada looking for little beasts. This new lens has given me the opportunity to re-explore my photographic roots and I’m having some real fun with it. I took this picture of a snowy egret (I think, right?) over lunch at a little water area near my work. I’d have had no chance without my new lens. Soon, I’m sure, I’ll move back to my workhorse 24-70 but for now I’m a kid on Christmas morning and nobody’s going to pry this new toy from my grip.
44 Comments
The result is quite impressive, very crisp indeed. And it’s interesting to see how this bird moves through the air like an arrow!
Thanks PixeLuz!
I here you can get some shake with a large zoom like that. Are you using a tripod??
Hi Sheila–No tripod with this shot. The image stabilizer is quite impressive. Still, it would have been better if I’d had a tripod; a whole bunch of the shots were off just a bit.
Nice shot Chris. I think I tripod would have hindered because you can’t pan and tilt really easily unless you hand hold.
Thanks Francis! I think you’re probably right. Maybe with one of those super fancy, super expensive tripod heads…
I shouldn’t push my luck with my wife.
Extraordinary..and perfectly exquisite grace and beauty! I was lucky enough to capture something similar this past summer. WOW!
Thanks so much Marcie! It’s such a good feeling to get a good crisp bird-in-flight shot…a feeling you’re much more acquainted with than I am!
Si tu croise par hasard le père Noël, dit lui de déposer le même objectif au pied de ma cheminée… Il a l’air super bien. Très très belle photo, un superbe arrière plan… Remercie ta femme de notre part.
Je vais parler avec le Père Noël sur votre nom! Merci RDL!
awesome! so elegant, so beautiful
Thanks so much yz!
Fabulous timing and you’ve captured some wonderful detail – I love his yellow feet!
Thanks Kala–I love those yellow feet too!
wwooww Chris, this one is just perfect in timing and wonderful in sharpness, perfect for me, compliments
Thanks so much Fabrizio!
spectacular shot…. and the bird is even more spectacular !!!!
Thanks Ken! I’m really happy you dropped by!
Really difficult shot and good result.
Thank you Pau!
Oh this is terrific, Christopher, love the suspended flight and the double touch of yellow echoing, and the dof is perfect, great lens & gift, bravo amigo !
Thanks so much k@!
I’m sure that you’ll have great fun with your new Crimbo present – great for wildlife and candid kid pix.
Well it’s definitely an egret; interestingly the (similar) Little Egret used to live in the British Isles, but they were shot to extinction for their feather (milliners love them). But over the past fifteen years they’ve made a welcome return to become a breeding species again.
Thanks George–I love photographing birds but I’m woefully bad at identifying them! Glad the Little Egret has made a comeback–I’ll stick to photographic shooting of these great little creatures.
I love the pops of yellow against the white on this bird. Great detail and great use of a Christmas prezzie! (I think my husband misses the days when my idea of a Christmas splurge involved ski gear!)
My wife too–alas we used to buy snowboard equipment like crazy for the Holidays. Thanks Corinna!
Hey Christophe, great to see you are putting that new lens to work! And what a brilliant shot.
I have the same lens, it’s my old faithful, although it has taken a back seat to my newer 50mm of late.
I’m a kid in a candy shop! I’m keeping it on for more than I thought I would so maybe it’ll replace my 24-70. It’s certainly great for portraits. Thanks Gemma!
Nice shot! It’s always interesting to see the shape and form of birds in flight and that lens definitely makes that possible. Enjoy!
Thanks so much d. k.!
perfect shot, love it. I’ have a nikkor 80-200mm, F2,8, very usefull even it is a bit haevy. You will enjoy this gift a lot, I’m sure.
Ahh, my friend has that lens and it was part of what drove me to get mine–beautiful thing. Thanks Michael!
superb capture and lovely focus
Thanks so much Krunal!
Great shot Christopher. Nothing like playing with a new toy to reignite the love for photography. Happy holidays!
Also, I can’t believe how crisp the image is for a zoom!
I know, the lens is amazing–I’m giddy really.
Thanks Mike–Happy Holidays to you and the family as well!
You have my respect for making this shot, because longer lenses do demand some skill. I like the photo. The yellow feet and facial markings are great emphasis points.
Good job!
Thank you so much Phil!
perfect timing and great details!
Thanks Joshi!
A dear “birder” friend of mine told me they call the beautiful yellow feet “golden slippers”!
What a magnificent creature!
Interesting–thanks Katie!
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