A Camera Update

Remember that lens that rolled out of my pocket, bounced off the trail and in to the water?  I sent it in to Canon the next day and it came back with a note that said it was not fixable.  The good news is I got my prices mixed up and it was not the more expensive lens that I though it was.  I can't find the invoice but I probably paid between $350-450 and not $600 like I originally thought.

My wide angle lens, all I had left after drowning the other one
Canon 10-22mm from 4 feet away

With nothing to be done about it I decided to use it not only as a learning opportunity to keep my equipment a little better secured but as an opportunity to change up my lens selection.  The one thing I did not like about that lens was its weight, and I decided to order replacements that were lighter.  After an hour of research online I ordered a Canon EF 50mm F1.8 lens for "everyday" shooting that weighs a remarkable 4.6 ounces and cost only $115 and I also ordered a Canon EF-S 55-250mmm F/4-5.6 IS STM lens that only weighs 13.2 ounces and cost only $299.  I got two lenses for the same combined price and weight of the last one with a longer zoom range.  For my purposes I decided the lower weight and cost was probably more of a priority with all the distance I have to carry them on my back as well as the grubby situations I get myself in to.

Canon 50mm from 4 feet away

New Canon zoom lens from 4 feet away

All of the above shots I fired off hand held and took only shot.  They turned out pretty good, right?

While I was looking at lenses, I decided I might as well order a macro lens and at least give it a test run to see if it was something I really needed or not.  Spring wildflower season is an ideal time to do that, don't you think?

First attempt with macro lens, hand held!

I went with the Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG OS lens.  Research indicated it was comparable to Canon's model and it came in at $300 less!  I got it online from Best Buy for $669 and if I decide I don't need it I can return it within 30 days.  I hate to support big box stores usually, but camera stores are few anymore and they don't let you trial a lens before committing to buying it.  If I like it I am more than happy to shell out the dough, but for something that expensive I want to try it out in the conditions I would be using it, not just inside a camera store.

I call this one "Pumpkin Wants His Breakfast", Canon 50mm

It's a lot of money to spend all at once, but with all the extra hours I've put in since my boss had her baby I've made enough to cover it and feel guilt free.  I should get something to compensate for the exhaustion and foot pain I've been experiencing the past week!

We were supposed to take the RV out this weekend but rain was forecast for all day today and tonight so we cancelled the reservations.  Of course that means it now looks like it's going to stay south of us in Illinois.  I'm packing up my new lenses and driving to Janesville to check out the Devil's Staircase on the Ice Age Trail.  I can't wait to see how my new lenses handle a hike!