Budding Trees at Pond - Salisbury NC
I’ve commented before on how Nikon’s 24-70mm f/2.8 is one of my favorite lens but I have to say with time and a lot of use I’ve also become a fan of Nikon’s 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens.
It’s not the fastest Nikon zoom lens in this range, the “professional” 70-200mm f/2.8 holds that honor, but it’s a decent “consumer” lens for any situation where you don’t need the extra speed. The fact it cost about 1/3 the amount of its faster “professional” brother doesn’t hurt either.
The following impressions are from using the lens on a Nikon D700, full frame camera. I haven’t used it enough on my D300 to say how it performs on a DX camera but I would expect similar results.
The 70-300mm is sharp at almost all focal lengths. It’s only as you approach the maximum (300mm) that it loses a bit of sharpness around the edges — however the center remains sharp. The Vibration Reductions (VR) function works as designed allowing hand shooting at lower shuttle speeds, making the slower speed of the lens less of an issue. When there is sufficient light auto-focus is fast and accurate, however as you approach the minimum f/5.6, 300mm, under lower lighting it will often “hunt” for focus — it’s best to switch to manual focus under these circumstances. I’ve found the lens to have a pleasing Bokeh, a minimal vignette and seldom exhibits lens flare.
While initially I was wanting the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, I’ve found the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR to be a wonderful compliment to the D700. That extra 100mm of reach is often well appreciated in a full frame camera and there’s not much to fault with the lens performance.
Considering price, features, performance, quality, I’d have to say this lens is a winner — at least it has been for me.
Trees Blooming - Spring Almost Here
There was a hint of trees blooming in yesterdays photo but todays image certainly confirms spring is within sight, and I can’t say its arrival is any too soon.
This winter was the coldest and wettest winter recorded here in 30 years. So even if spring brings along with it my spring allergies, which I’m sure it will, I’m still glad to see it come.
I made sure there was some green in todays photo for those who are Irish and celebrating St. Patrick’s day. According to wikipedia, “Originally the colour associated with Saint Patrick was blue. However, over the years the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick’s day grew” — I didn’t know that.
Here in the U.S. there are parades with certain cities painting the traffic stripes along the route green, some waterways and fountains are dyed green for the day, and of course there is green beer to enjoy. It’s also a tradition if you’re caught not wearing green today you may get pinched.
I use to think perhaps I was part Irish, the red hair made that seem possible, but after some ancestry research it doesn’t seem I am.
Still, Happy St. Patrick’s day to you!
Image post-processing in Adobe LR2, CS4, Nik Color Efex, Nik Viveza 2
Reflections on Still Water - Salisbury, NC
I was on Google Maps a couple of days ago and found this delightful pond less then a half a mile from my house. I had no idea it was there until I began exploring the area using the satellite view. Then it was a simple matter of locating a close road and a short walk.
It seems to be part of a housing development that has been less then successful. There’s only one large home in the area and hopefully I’ll be able to access this pond freely as it would provide some beautiful seasonal shots. I may stop at existing house to introduce myself and see if they have any problem with me being back there.
It just goes to show you never know what you’ll find when look at things from a different perspective.
