It’s certainly been a year for change. My previously trusty Nikon D800 started having focus problems with my 150mm-600mm lens. I had it cleaned twice, but made the decision at the end of last year to buy a back up body in the form of a second-hand Nikon D810. Thinking I could use that for bird photography with the long lens, I could continue using the D800 for macro images. That lasted a few months and then I remarked to my husband about three weeks ago that I was getting a feeling of deja vu. I had been out looking for robberflies and having found a pair, the focus seemed to be struggling. Initially, I thought I would carry on until the camera gave up, but my next trip was to one of my favourite reserves and I didn’t want to take any chances. Sadly, I put the D800 back in its original box and it has officially been retired.
So… I took the newer body to Woods Mill with the macro lens, but found nothing to photograph. It was a tad too early for the willow emerald damselflies and so I left after just one hour. Stopping at another reserve on the way home, I did find a stunning tachinid fly and I will share those images another day. The camera/lens combination worked very well though, as even on a blustery afternoon, the D810 was able to focus quickly and accurately.
Driving back home a while later, my poor little Smart car appeared to be struggling. We managed to get her into a garage yesterday to find it would be an uneconomical repair. I’m heartbroken, as I’ve relied on my car to take me all over the country for the past nine years. We are going to see another little Smart car tomorrow.
In the meantime, this is a photograph of the Milky Way over Hiorne Tower taken at the beginning of last month.
Steve
22 Aug 2024Shame about the D800, but thankfully you have the 810 which is producing some stunning shots 🙂
Zooey
23 Aug 2024I used the D800 a LOT! It has literally been all across the country and to pretty much every reserve in Kent, Sussex and Suffolk 🙂
Sid
24 Aug 2024Yes, it’s that time of the year changes are mode on! A new season is coming: for cameras and for cars 😜
My little car, 18 years old, is saying me every day it wants to retire, too 🤭😏
Fantastic photo!
Ciao
Sid
Zooey
24 Aug 2024Oh Sid… I hope your little car can keep going for many more miles. We brought my new car home today. It has only done 15,000 miles, but I intend to increase that as soon as possible! 😀