Bumps in the road come with the territory when you’re a bird photographer and blogger but that doesn’t make this pothole any easier to take.
Here’s a hint as to what’s going on. Can you guess?
Yup, it’s my 500mm lens (Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM) all packed up in its case and ready to be shipped to the Canon Factory Service Center in Irvine, CA later today.
I’ve been having intermittent focusing issues with it for many months now and with spring birds coming up I figured it was past time to send it in for cleaning, diagnosis and possible repair. I’m a member of CPS (Canon Professional Services) so theoretically at least I’ll receive expedited service and it won’t be gone for long.
I mention all this here because regular readers will likely notice a change at Feathered Photography while it’s gone. In its absence I’ll be using my smaller zoom lens (Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM) with attached 1.4 teleconverter which reduces my “reach” significantly for birds so I’m very likely to get fewer quality images. The result may be that I’ll be posting more older photos than usual for a while and it’s even possible that on some days I won’t be posting at all. If that happens subscribers (all 759 of them) shouldn’t be concerned if they don’t receive their regular morning email from Feathered Photography. You can still enjoy your morning coffee without Feathered Photography!
I’ll just have to see how it all plays out.
My lens isn’t even gone yet and I’m already having withdrawal symptoms. And I’m not kidding…
Ron
PS – The case I’m using to ship the lens in (the one in the photos) comes with the lens when you purchase it. If you own the same lens don’t ever lose or damage that case! At some point you’ll probably need it for shipping and the price for a replacement is……
$600.00!
Yes, just for the case.
I killed my 200 mm lens recently so am using a sony one piece thing. I am jealous that you can repair yours! Love your photography and stories!
Thank you, Beth. Sorry about your 200mm. Stuff like that hurts…
You are a man of many talents! The table is beautiful!
I hope that your lens is repaired and returned swiftly. Kinda wish you and Mia had decided to bring it in person, though. I’m about a half-hour from Irvine. 😉 Lots of estuaries nearby too.
Looking forward to anything and any time you post. You’re incredibly generous with your posting! If you want/need to take a day (or three) off, I’ll busy myself with poking through your archives. 🙂
Thanks, Marty. I’ve never been to Irvine and I (very) briefly considered bringing it myself (my folks used to live in Perris so I’ve spent a lot of time there). In the end it didn’t make sense for me though.
I’m happy to be your chauffeur if you ever change your mind and fly into SoCal. 🙂
Looking at the weather report, this might be a good time to send your lens off. John
John, that fact was actually part of my equation.
Ron:
I know this won’t ease the pain of your lens being in the shop, but you’re a good enough photographer I have no doubt you’d come up with some good images using an old Kodak box camera.
Jack Cowan
St. Louis, MO.
Thanks for your confidence in me, Jack. Gotta have light first and that’s not looking likely for the foreseeable future…
Technology is great but when it is not working it is frustrating and we wonder how we will survive without it.
Boy, isn’t that the truth!
You have been having troubles for a while now. Wishing you good thorough repairs and speedy delivery.
Thanks, Jane.
Ron, now you can show those of “us” that have the little lens on how it takes great photos. Maybe you can find your 40d and use the 100-400. My 100-400 is from 2008 and it has wore out one 40d body. I must baby it and use great techniques to have good photos. You are correct in the distance from the subject with the 100-400. I should have the 7d mark ii in July if work keeps going.
Being in Oregon a true “green” tea could get some of us through a morning with your “old” stuff.
jake schas
Jake, I know where my 40D is but it’s staying right where it is – on the shelf. It was a great camera in its day but I’ll be using one of my Mark II’s with the 100-400.
When you get your Mark II you should be able to AF using a 1.4 tc on your 100-400 if you choose to do so – at least I know you can with the new 100-400.
If you get really bored you can post your blog readers photos.
Now there’s an idea!
I ‘ll sue……YUK!!!
Just had a change of heart…I haveca nice csndid of myself eating a vole you’d be welcomed to post…..
Thank Heaven for Mia! It may seem like walking on one leg for awhile, but we’ll manage knowing it’s for a. good cause…I look forward to re-visiting some of your older stuff and will consider it a treat. I like what I see in today’s posting..the natural wood table, the soft, neutral colors in the sofa and the throw pillows…esp. Like the pillows…the camera looks too big and heavy for me…I hope they can REALLY fix it this time and get it back in your hsnds, soon….
Patty, back in the days before I took up serious photography I built furniture for a hobby. That cherry coffee table (it doesn’t look very good here because of differential lighting) was one of my projects. It looks like a simple design but it was very tricky to build. Those hardwood dowel joints you can (barely) see in the two corners suggestion only a tiny portion of the difficulty of building it.
I’m glad I (mostly) quit carpentry before I cut off what would become my shutter finger! I had a few very close calls – table saws are very unforgiving…
My husband was a carpenter/cabinet maker…luckily, he still has all his fingers…glad you still have yours…I wondered if that was cherry…such a beautiful wood! You may be having withdrawal problems, but I’m looking forward to seeing some “oldies, but goodies”… Might even temper your brutal culling tendencies a little…:-)
I agree.. all your stuff is worth the wait..I usually don’t get to read your blog ’til the afternoon so my afternoon green tea will not be the same..Your older photos will be fine though…your portfolio is pretty expansive so I’m looking forward to some of your earlier photos that came before I discovered your blog…It’s all good…Thank you
Thanks, Steve. Hopefully it won’t come to that (no posts for a while…).
Ron, I am curious. Sooner or later we all need to send our gear in for rehab. In the case of these big lenses, I assume you pack the case in the original shipping packaging, not just the suitcase, and appropriate insurance. Thanks for the insight.
Frank, Last time I sent it in I had FedEx box it up (the lens inside the case) for me. This time I’m using the box that it came in when I bought the lens (yes, I saved it…). FedEx covers your “declared value” for what I thought was a reasonable fee.
Thanks Ron. Yep, saved my 600mm box as well. Considering I use full frame cameras, the 600 I think was a better choice for me, but its big and heavy compared to the 500 so I understand. And, it is tough to use inside the car with a bean bag, but can be done. Therefore typically on a tripod with a gimbal. Have to say however it is a fantastic lens, as is the 500.
What? Coffee without you? Nooooooo 🙂
You can do it, Arwen!
But hopefully you won’t have to.
I’m sorry you’re having lens problems. If you have days when you don’t post, I’ll just look at them as practice for the two months I’ll have to go without them because of travel (which means extremely expensive Internet service). I’ll be happy with whatever and whenever you post. I hope that the service for your lens is quick and effective. And I hope that FedEx is way kinder to your lens than they’ve been to our luggage…
“And I hope that FedEx is way kinder to your lens than they’ve been to our luggage”
Dang, that gives me the heebie-jeebies, Susan. Fingers crossed!
Have a great trip!
Just for a moment I thought you had splurged for a 600. Yes, I can still have my coffee in the am, but it won’t be the same. Trust the lens will come back like new.
Frank, Actually, I’ve never had “600mm envy”. For my situation the 500mm is the best option available – especially at the price of the 600mm!
Sorry to hear about your 500! But……
Gee, now we are on equal footing, not quite, my 100-400 and a 1.4 is old. However, for comparisons sake I’m looking forward to your images. I may have to buy a new 100-400!
Dick, I actually like the new version of that lens a lot. It gives me flexibility with subjects I’m too close to for the 500mm and the zoom feature is often very helpful. On the other hand most birds are difficult to approach and the reach of the 500 is often indispensable.
I understand, I would buy the 500 or higher if I had the bucks. But, unknown to most people, teachers (or at least this teacher), didn’t have the best school retirement plan.
I hear you, Dick! I’m hoping to be able to retire…someday. 😉 California is one of the Social Security offset states, so even though I’ve put in, I won’t get anything back. 🙁
Man that sucks!!
Yes, it certainly does!
Good grief, Ron! You scared the crap outta me! After reading the ominous header and scrolling down to the image of the lens case on the coffee table, I thought the next shot was gonna be one of the case opened up with….no lens inside and a horror story of broken glass and hoodlums. Did you do this on purpose? 🙂 If you did, it worked. Paybacks are hell…Mitch 🙂
Nope, never even thought of anyone thinking that, Mitch. Sorry for the scare…
Deep Breath! Deep Breath! This gives you a new challenge – get those amazing captures with your ‘wee’ lens! Hope your baby comes back soon.
Your comment made me smile, Cindy. Thanks for that!
Sorry to hear about the camera problems Ron. I can only speak for myself, but I suspect most if not all of your subscribers are grateful for all that you do in posting great photos and are completely understanding if you occasionally have to send out older photos or none at all. All of your work is worth the wait. Thanks for everything you do.
I appreciate the empathy, Jeffrey. And your flexibility!
Good luck I’m sending mine in too finally but they are having me send it to New Jersey ????? It’s Gotton to the point that I don’t even want to shoot anymore .. it’s like what’s the point .. and I’ve been talking back and forth with them I’m done trying this or that and changing settings geez… so the scary part is UPS …. the second scariest part is lens comes back the same.. no that’s the worst
Marina, I’m using FedEx. Good luck with yours!
Good luck!Hope you get it back soon. I know first hand how frustrating it (can be…).
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte. I’ve edited your comment because somehow your email address was inadvertently included in it.
Sigh………… 🙁 Always a bummer when camera equipment isn’t performing as it should particularly given the price of it! 🙁 Wishing a quick fix and speedy return! Older photo’s are fine with me as many will be new to me. 🙂
Thanks for the good wishes, Judy. And for your flexibility (with older photos). “Sigh” is right…