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Calissa ([personal profile] calissa) wrote2014-01-21 07:35 pm
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New toys

I mentioned almost two weeks ago that I had ordered some new toys. At lunch with my sister yesterday, I was bemoaning the fact that they were unlikely to arrive for at least another couple of days--and more likely a couple more weeks. So, of course, when I got home, I found a package waiting on my doorstep.


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This is my new friend. It will likely be travelling with me wherever I go.

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This is what is inside. The row of dark circles on the blue background are my lenses--fisheye, macro/wide angle, polarising filter and a telephoto (2x zoom). The thing in the top right corner that looks like a vial of something is actually another telephoto lens (8x zoom). The black square to its left is the case you need for your phone in order to attach the big lens (but which, unfortunately, is incompatible with the other lenses) and there's a tripod to help keep it steady.

The big lens is a pain in the butt to keep steady freehand, as you can see from the photo below (just my second taken with that lens).

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The black shape is an Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides). A bit below its tail, sporting a white breast is a Willy Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys). The wagtail had been harassing the raven moments earlier.

Bird photography is primarily what I wanted the lens for, so the shakiness is something I'm going to have to work on. I may even have to succumb to getting myself a proper camera later down the track.

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Above is a shot with my new polarising lens. It really makes the lens look impressive, but I suspect there were some additional factors at work. We've had a bit of smoke from interstate bushfires hanging around which seems to diffuse the light just that little bit more, aiding in the formation of crepuscular rays. Nevertheless, I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

I foresee much fun ahead.