Airstreaming and big bucks

[Boondocker]

OK, so maybe the title was a little misleading , but this is just the reason I Airstream. This image was taken last night at the Washita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

[Stream 1529]

So, you're enjoying your new Nikon. Great pic. My DW has been talking about the new one with a little drooling. I told her that when I learn to use the Nikon she now has, 2nd generation to yours, she can give me hers and look at the new one - by then it won't be new. Has yours been easy to work with, or does it take another degree?

_________Tom

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by Stream 1529

So, you're enjoying your new Nikon. Great pic. My DW has been talking about the new one with a little drooling. I told her that when I learn to use the Nikon she now has, 2nd generation to yours, she can give me hers and look at the new one - by then it won't be new. Has yours been easy to work with, or does it take another degree?

_________Tom

This image (and the majority of the ones on my website) were taken with a D50. The D50 is (was) a low end digital SLR. I love it and will be keeping it as a backup body. For me the advantages of the D300, which I am getting tomorrow, are in the faster frames per second, better focusing, and better performance at higher ISOs. In my opinion, the entire line of bodies is outstanding and the main limitation is the person using the camera, which in my case is a big limitation some days (I won't even start to tell you about yesterdays disaster ).

on edit: the D50 is super easy to work with the more automated you go. Frankly, most folks are going to be hard pressed shooting manual to do better than the programs. Shooting manual is a bit clunky but I figured it out and do fine even shooting wildlife.

[Boondocker]

Some more images taken at my temporary home. Full timing at my age is odd, but I sorta like it.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

(and the majority of the ones on my website)

I love the "Sushi Bar" picture on your website!

[Garfield]

Very nice shots on your website Rodney! I hope I can be as good some day. I'm still learning my way around my D200, but I agree these Nikon DSLRs are fabulous.

Of course, up here in Canada, instead of "bucks" we have "loonies"



and moosies...

and beavers...

[Stream 1529]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

In my opinion, the entire line of bodies is outstanding and the main limitation is the person using the camera, which in my case is a big limitation some days (I won't even start to tell you about yesterdays disaster ).

on edit: the D50 is super easy to work with the more automated you go. Frankly, most folks are going to be hard pressed shooting manual to do better than the programs. Shooting manual is a bit clunky but I figured it out and do fine even shooting wildlife.

I plan to audit several photography classes to see if I can learn to go manual. I'm interested in B&W shots, but after looking at yours I'm not sure. We have one of the less expensive telephoto lenses, but it just doesn't get as close as I had hoped. I don't want to spend the really big bucks to get what I want, so I just enjoy what I have.

[Boondocker]

Thanks Sean, I'm glad you enjoyed that one .


Superb images Garfield! What glass do you have on that 200?

Stream, just dive in is my advice. You will find plenty to shoot with any lens. Why not grab a camera and come up to the refuge for a day of shooting. I would love to show you some of the tricks to shooting manual.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Thanks Sean, I'm glad you enjoyed that one .

I'd even like to BUY that one and frame it in my office if that is an option.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by Sean Woodruff

I'd even like to BUY that one and frame it in my office if that is an option.

I think it is. I would have to check on what sizes it would print to and find a new local printer. Let me know how large you are thinking.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

I think it is. I would have to check on what sizes it would print to and find a new local printer. Let me know how large you are thinking.

The two on my office wall are 24x36 but anything up to that size would work.

I'm not really in to eagles much, am I?

This is a picture from sitting at my desk and looking left.

[Stream 1529]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Stream, just dive in is my advice. You will find plenty to shoot with any lens. Why not grab a camera and come up to the refuge for a day of shooting. I would love to show you some of the tricks to shooting manual.

You know, I just may take you up on that offer - which is mighty nice of you. When does Lawton thaw out in the Spring? I'm going to be on a 3 week caravan to Big Bend from the middle of April. If I can make it, it would be closer to the third week of March. That would get me set for Big Bend & California this Summer.

______Tom

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by Stream 1529

You know, I just may take you up on that offer - which is mighty nice of you. When does Lawton thaw out in the Spring? I'm going to be on a 3 week caravan to Big Bend from the middle of April. If I can make it, it would be closer to the third week of March. That would get me set for Big Bend & California this Summer.

______Tom

March 15 (ish)-23rd I plan to be at Big Bend, April and May look good as well. You could come earlier as well. Winter shooting can be a blast and the elk will still have their racks. Early spring the buffs and elk and deer will all be calving so thats good too. So pretty much, I'm game

[westernviews]

Great photos. I have been looking into digiscoping with my D70 body. You just need to buy the digiscope and an attachment. So often the animals I want to photograph are too far off to get a good picture, at least with my lenses.

What is the weather like in Oklahoma this time of year? I am planning to head toward Texas in the next couple of weeks.

[Silvertwinkie]

Wow great shots! Thanks for sharing 'em.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by westernviews

Great photos. I have been looking into digiscoping with my D70 body. You just need to buy the digiscope and an attachment. So often the animals I want to photograph are too far off to get a good picture, at least with my lenses.

What is the weather like in Oklahoma this time of year? I am planning to head toward Texas in the next couple of weeks.

The weather here varies quite a bit. The temps are bouncing between highs of 50-80 and lows of 22-50s. You pays your money and takes your chances. I really like the refuge here and recomend it as a stop. I will be at the refuge untill I head east for christmas. Come and visit!

[Garfield]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Superb images Garfield! What glass do you have on that 200?

Hi Rodney, thanks for the kind words! Like you, I'm having a lot of fun with digital photography. I personally find it much more interesting than film as you can see and enjoy the results almost immediately and it's possible to try dozens of settings to get the "right" one without worrying about the expense of film and developing.

I also started with a D50 but traded up to a D200 fairly quickly. You'll LOVE the D300's capabilities. I'd like to get a D300 myself but I'm not sure the difference between the D200 and D300 are worth it for me. Besides I still need more glass!

As for lenses I started with the 18-200VR and then 70-300VR, but then made the mistake of trying some "pro" glass and since acquired the 70-200VR and 300/4 which I use with a the TC14EII teleconverter. I particularly enjoy shooting wildlife and have learned to relish sharpness and image quality that the best glass can deliver...




I also recently picked up a used Sigma 10-20 as a super-wide angle lens - very cool. On my very short list is a 17-55DX and 105VR Micro. Eventually I'd like to pick up a 500/4 or 400/2.8 for bird shots but that's going to take some saving.

Anyway, best of luck with your new D300, I know you're really going to enjoy it. Just keep in mind the D300, like the D200, demands really good glass to get the most out of it.

Cheers!
Gary in Ontario

[TomR]

That is a great picture!...and other posters have some really nice stuff also...I am jealous. We live on 80 acres in Northern Minnesota and my wife says I don't need an AS to go find pictures...just go sit out in the woods!

I have(had) a Canon 30D...which has now been sold to my son and DIL after only six months. I bought it in anticipation of likely buying a 40D when they were released as I wanted to get started with my "learning curve" last summer and didn't want to wait.

I have some film SLR experience and found the basics not too difficult. I am now at the stage of trying to figure out the "computer" and printing part....and I am creatively "disadvantaged".

These new DSLRs are great...only limitation is the "eye behind the lense"... .

Thanks for sharing...Tom R

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

OK, so maybe the title was a little misleading , but this is just the reason I Airstream. This image was taken last night at the Washita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

[Jaxon]

Gary,
What a fantastic photo! I can almost hear that bird talkin'...!

[Garfield]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

Gary,
What a fantastic photo! I can almost hear that bird talkin'...!

Thanks Bill! Yeah, he was happy with all the peanuts I was feeding him LOL!

Gary