Super Zoom

Discuss cameras, settings, composition, or anything related to photography - cactus or other subjects.
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leland
Posts: 266
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:55 pm
Location: North central Nicaragua

Super Zoom

Post by leland »

Super zoom, also called ultra zoom, refers to a lens that goes from wide through normal to telephoto. I bought a used Canon 18 to 135mm IS USM lens as a walk around lens. I love my prime lenses but I have been getting too much camera shake on handheld shots and wanted something in the 85mm range with stabilzation and this fit the bill. Having so many options in one lens also does away with changing lenses in the field.

Here are 4 photos to show what the lens can do.

18mm
IMG_2639.jpg
IMG_2639.jpg (91.67 KiB) Viewed 2570 times
35mm
IMG_2640.jpg
IMG_2640.jpg (96.36 KiB) Viewed 2570 times
85mm
IMG_2641.jpg
IMG_2641.jpg (97.84 KiB) Viewed 2570 times
135mm
IMG_2642.jpg
IMG_2642.jpg (99.83 KiB) Viewed 2570 times
This gives an idea about what an ultra zoom will do. I find I use it mostly in the 35 - 85mm range but it is nice to have the extra range when needed. In this case I think the 135mm is the best because it brings out the details in the Nolina blooms.

Needless to say, the lens will do better quality, just bring better light and a tripod.
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leland
Posts: 266
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:55 pm
Location: North central Nicaragua

Re: Super Zoom

Post by leland »

This is not rated as a macro lens, but for field work hand-held in full sun I am happy with these photos for spine count and flower ID. This happens to be a medium priced Canon crop-sensor lens but other manufactureres make equivalent lenses for their mounts.
These photos are cropped but not otherwise edited.
IMG_2780r.jpg
IMG_2780r.jpg (69.09 KiB) Viewed 2515 times
IMG_2787r.jpg
IMG_2787r.jpg (114.11 KiB) Viewed 2515 times
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7george
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Re: Super Zoom

Post by 7george »

Image

Image

Image
:D 8) Rawson Lake, Canadian Rockies.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
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