Live View Canon 50D

"Selfie" - 1/15 sec. f/20, 100mm, ISO 400

This week I purchased a used Canon 50D for a good value. Some might ask "why?" if you already have a 40D; I guess the possibility of a slightly better camera at a good value and now having two 'good' cameras were factors.

With work and cold weather I've not gotten a chance to wonder around and try the 50D out, but it feels good in the hands, just like the 40D does. I think I'm set on camera bodies now. The next purchase will likely be a full frame sensor, but not for a while. These may be considered 'old' cameras, but they still take very good pictures - especially behind a good quality lens (no matter it's age).

1/60 sec. f/5.6, 117 mm, ISO 400, Canon 40D

I've discovered the Live View and hope that there will be the opportunity to take some macro shots using the enhanced focus option in Live View this weekend .. post's will follow.

"Differential Grasshopper" found out back

There are lots of different species of Grasshoppers, but I think this one is a Differential Grasshopper. It also was found out back.

1/200 sec. f/14 100mm 400 ISO

1/6400 sec. f/2.8 100mm 400 ISO

1/500 sec. f/10 100mm 400 ISO

1/200 sec. f/14 100mm 400 ISO

1/125 sec. f/16 100mm 400 ISO

Another bug out back ... a Western Green Flower Beetle (Cotinis mutabilis)

"Selfie" - how I look in my wife's eye.

After walking around out back with my camera, just about to come and put it away I saw this beetle. The colors were very amazing and looking through the viewfinder it seemed like I could see through the translucent into the eye of this beetle - which made photographing this beetle more personal (as seen in the second photo).

This photo is where I found the beetle. And after a brief photo shoot in the setting sun, the beetle was returned to the same location .. and soon crawled away.

1/6 sec. f/22 100mm ISO 640

1/30 sec. f/16 100mm ISO 640

1/30 sec. f/16 100mm ISO 640

Katydid (Leaf Bug)

My daughter found this "leaf bug" out back this evening .. it's very cool - the leaf portion looks so much like a leaf!!

1/20 sec, f/20, 100mm, ISO 400

1/15 sec, f/13, 100mm, ISO 250

1/30 sec, f/29, 100mm, ISO 400

1/30 sec, f/32, 100mm, ISO 250

1/30 sec, f/32, 100mm, ISO 250

Citizen Eco-Drive H144

Over the last couple of years I have taken a liking to Solar power and that has spilled over into my choice of watches. I like Citizen's Eco-Drive watches and REALLY like that they are solar powered and never need a battery.

Below is a picture my favorite watch: It's a Citizen H144. It's simple, but does what it supposed to do very well - it always has the correct time (to the second) and always has the correct date! When I travel the watch can be adjusted to where ever it's at and continue to give correct information. It's also nice to look at, has a sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 200m.

125 sec f/2.8 100mm, 800 ISO

My first 1:1 Macro lens: Canon Macro 100mm 1:2.8 USM

Up until this posting, all the macro photos I've taken have been with my Canon PowerShot A710IS. It has taken some amazing macro shots - enough to let me know I enjoy taking them and would like to take the next step at some point. Just this week was that point when I purchased the macro lens used, with out even having a camera to host it.

my thumb nail

The lens (Canon Macro 100mm) purchase, or what my grandpa would say was "putting the cart before the horse", put me into the market for a horse. After considering a contemporary digital SLR, I found a good old horse that I think still has some life in her - a Canon 40D with a Canon 28-135mm IS lens attached.

This weekend I was able to put the cart and horse together and start taking photos again .. WOW .. what a Great camera and lens!! The take away was I need to manage my motion and I need to get a flash rig. There were some images I didn't capture due to blur, but, it was still fun and I have a few decent shots to show for the learning and fun process.

Here are some of the highlights - taken with my new horse and cart!
(There has been no editing to the originals other than cropping them is size.)

Little spider taking in some Dr. Seuss

Spider exploring the kitchen table .. and keeping an eye on me too!

Water droplet on a flower leaf

Some type of small bee visiting a flow I was taking pictures of