We bought a new lens this week.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

Our recent trip to Maui convinced me that I had to find a lightweight, long zoom lens for my wonderful wife Legger. She has serious shoulder issues, plus she hates to change lenses. We got our new Tamron 18-400mm zoom on Tuesday, which is the same lens that Peggy has used quite a bit. I was wondering where we could go to test it out when the neighborhood Cooper's Hawk obliged us by visiting his favorite tree. I did quite a bit of work on this file, but I am thrilled with the results.

[SheltieLover]

1. Wow!

Gorgeous! Ty for sharing!

[Grumpy Old Guy]

2. Thank you!

[Philosophizing Fool]

3. Exquisite detail

That is an amazing capture. Talent and timing indeed. Thank you for sharing.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

4. Thank you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. A great capture, my dear Grumpy!

Your wife sounds like me, lol! My shoulders hurt too, sometimes, and I HATE to change lenses. AndyS is curing me of the latter!

This is an excellent lens. Here's a photo that I used that lens on, recently:



It's been great. It really spoils you for almost anything else, or so I have found.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

10. That's a great shot Peggy.

I think we'll get a lot of use out of this lens.

[Diamond_Dog]

6. What a great shot!

I like the way you framed it with the pine branch that “points” at the subject… really nice.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

11. Full disclosure...

That branch waa a happy accident. I was just glad to get the shot.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. I have that lens and used it for my shots of African wildlife.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

12. We hope to do that someday

[Sherman A1]

8. I believe you will like it

I have had it a couple of years now and find it nice to have on my Canon T2i. I do have a Sigma 150-500mm but that is a tripod only lens as it is too heavy to hand hold. I did get some great pics of the solar eclipse a few years ago with it and it is handy to use for lunar photos.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

13. I have it mounted on a Canon T6s.

I think it's a great combo, perfect for my wife. It's also going to be my walk-around camera. I also own a Sigma 150-600mm, which is a terrific lens but it weighs five pounds! I may sell that one.

My wildlife rig these days is a Canon R5 with an RF 100-500mm.

[Sherman A1]

15. I've thought of trading in the Sigma 150-500mm

For a 150-600, but just not sure on it being worthwhile. I did get a macro lens in 2020 during the spring sales but haven’t come close to mastering it yet.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

19. I don't know if it would be a good trade...

...just to pick up an extra 100mm.

I have two zoom lenses that have some macro capabilities, plus a set of macro extension tubes. They come in handy.

[George McGovern]

9. Great shot Grumpy Old Guy!

[Grumpy Old Guy]

14. Thanks George!

[HAB911]

16. Ah yes, the long reach

I love it!

[Grumpy Old Guy]

17. Me too.

You just can't beat a long lens. The new software, e.g. Topaz, seems to make the lenses even longer.

[HAB911]

18. Absolutely. Topaz has saved many of mine

for various reasons. Looking at Andy's post "The future of Photography", I expect most corrections and refinements could be resident in camera one day.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

20. That would be great!