“Vision comes from shooting from the heart, from making images more about how you feel than what you see.” Darwin Wigget
About a week ago Paul made the suggestion in his comment to my comment to I let him use my Nikon 80-400m lens so he could find out for himself if it was any good. Well, I would but first there’s a story about that lens that has to do with this image. Another photographer and I spent a week in the Smoky Mountains back in October of 2003. I think it was day 4 that I picked up my tripod and dropped my camera and the lens to the forested floor. That happens when you get excited and forget to lock it on the tripod. The front of the lens took the impact and buckled which saved the camera body. As I picked it up the lens and camera I quickly realized I now had a tilt-shift lens that would not focus. Total trash! I had to shoot the rest of the trip with a 24-85mm, an 18-35mm and 105mm macro and still had a great time using what I had. Even though I destroyed a $1,400 lens I brought home images I enjoyed. More importantly the experience of shooting those mountains will stay with me for many years. I took images with what I had and with my heart.Heck, Paul, if I still had that lens I’d just give it to you. There were no lose parts rattling around, solid as a rock and no scratches on the glass. 🙂
12 Comments
Tom Dills
Sounds like you are overdue for a return visit to the Smokies! Nice photo from one of my favorite locations, but a tough place to get something interesting unless the conditions are right. Too often it is either crystal clear or socked in.
A friend of mine busted a 200-400 recently when his tripod fell over, and another friend smashed – I think, don’t know my Nikkors – a 24-120(?) when he tripped over a root while carrying his camera and tripod on his shoulder while hiking. Expensive accidents. So far I’ve only dropped my X10, albeit twice. Several years ago I almost lost my N70 in Lake Norman when my tripod started to take a dive. Fortunately I was holding the cable release and managed to catch it and pull it back before it had too much momentum.
Monte Stevens
While fly fishing a few years ago I slipped and fell forward in the water with my Nikon FG-20 and 50mm f1.8 lens around my neck. A quick dunk for both of us but all was okay. I was attempting to get some images while on the water and was the last time I tried that.
Earl
Saying this will probably be the undoing of me, but so far I’ve not dropped a camera or lens…knock, knock, knock on wood. 🙂
Just curious, what did you end up doing with that 80-400 lens?
Monte Stevens
I’ll also knock for you. I don’t want you to go through that anxiety.
David Leland Hyde
Ouch. That hurts. Sad to hear of your lens mishap, but glad you salvaged the trip photographically. This image is a beauty.
Monte Stevens
It was interesting without that longer lens. I needed to approach all my images according to what I had. It was a good lesson for me.
Ken Bello
That’s a sad tale of the 80-400mm. I I certainly would be crying because I’ve never spent $1,400 on any single photographic item and that would break my heart.
I have to say this photo is outstanding, so at least you were able to get some great photos before the lens died.
Monte Stevens
Yes, I did come home with images I liked and some with the lens. I ended up buying the 70-300mm lens to replace it when I returned. After a while I sold that lens and bought another 80-400mm because it was a much nicer lens. I no longer have the 80-400mm, opting for the 70-300mm VR lens because it is much smaller and fits my style better. If money was not a problem I would still have the 80-400mm. The above image was taken with the 24-85mm lens so it all worked out for me.
Mark
I’ll bet there are all kinds of those stories around the Smokies. Last time I was there, some lady rear ended me down in Cades Cove and it turned into a big ordeal as she had no insurance and didn’t want to cooperate with anyone.
Monte Stevens
I almost would rather have to deal with a broken lens than deal with insurance problems and a noncooperative person. And, as Tom suggests I think I ned to make another trip out there, no matter what lens I take. 🙂 Maybe a group of us could have a meet-up out there. Spend 3-4 days shooting and getting to know each other better.
Paul
Well, Monte, thanks for the offer. 🙂 I would have gladly received it. LOL – It is an interesting lesson that we still get great shots using what we have in our possession, even if it’s not what we want to shoot with … if we just take a moment to readjust.
Monte Stevens
We have a tendancy not to let go of our pre-concieved ideas and enjoy what we have at the moment.