Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/01/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Well I guess it is confession time. A number of years ago I got stars in my eyes after looking at too many of Doug's images. I began to fancy that I too could be the bird world's equivalent of Avedon. Birds would flock around me just as they obviously do for Doug. To make sure, I even bought Doug's old 400/6.8! Yep, the very lens that made so many of his early images. I next procured an SL2 (a camera also blessed by Doug), a rare SL/2 2x converter, 14182 extension tube and a few other odd bits and pieces. So there I was all set. I mounted the 400/14182/2x on to the SL2 and waited by my bird feeder. Soon a likely suspect appeared -- a young cheeky twit I soon found out -- and I framed and focused carefully. Just before I pressed the shutter release, I thought I saw an odd expression appear on the bird's face: sort of the beginnings of a smile. The mirror slapped down, the shutter did its stuff and the mirror dropped back into position. The bird was still there and hadn't moved a bit. Though now the darn thing seemed to be laughing! Oh well the film went off to the lab and here is what came back: http://gallery.leica-users.org/album139/getting_the_bird Sure it is sharp (not bad for a handheld 800 f:gawdknowswhat) but I knew right then and there that I was not going to be the Avedon of the bird world. A higher feathered power was gently telling me to get back on the viewfinder track and leave SLRs and birds alone. I sold the lens to another local chap on the list, warned him about the cheeky twits. I sold the SL2 to Doug where I hope it is finally doing a bit of good. John Collier On Jan 6, 2005, at 2:42 PM, Douglas Herr wrote: > John Collier <jbcollier@shaw.ca> wrote: > >> I know it's not true bu it looks to me that the birds are lining up to >> get photographed by Mr. Herr. His photos are, as always, some of the >> best of their genre. > > Thanks John. With the big 400/2.8 I somethimes thing the opposite is > true. It has two (count 'em, 2) flat protective plates in front of > the front element and I'm beginning to think it's reflecting an image > back to the birds 'cuz as soon as I point the lens at the bird it gets > this freaked-out expression on its face and leaves in a hurry. Cedar > Waxwings especially do this, even if only have to move the lens > slightly to aim at the bird. I haven't noticed this with the 280 f/4 > APO, which has a single flat protective plate in front of the front > element. Maybe size does matter.