Back at it...

[Sconnie_Shotz]

Hello!

My name's Terry and I'm a hobbyist photographer. I'm in my early 50's, but learned the exposure triangle back in my teens on my Dad's Pentax Spotmatic. I used it to shoot a few car shows, but lost interest when I discovered girls.

After getting married, having kids, getting divorced, and the rest that comes with life, I decided to pick up a halfway decent camera again about 10 years ago. I'd been carrying point & shoot cameras for a few years, but nothing serious. That halfway decent camera was a Pentax X-5 bridge camera. My Dad talked me into staying with Pentax. After the X-5 came a Pentax K30 & a couple of lenses. I quickly realized Pentax didn't have the aftermarket support or lens selection that Canon & Nikon had. So, I jumped to Canon with the purchase of a used T2i & a couple of basic kit lenses. Shortly afterwards, I upgraded to a 7D Mark II & purchased 2 Tamron lenses - their 24-70mm & 70-200mm SP f/2.8 Di VC USD. With these I was hooked! I thought I'd struck it big and loved shooting with them.

When Canon introduced the RF mount, I traded in my 7D Mark II for an RP. I continued using my Tamron lenses using the EF to R adapter and loved the jump to full frame, but missed the speed of the 7DMkII. In February of this year, I decided to trade up to the R6. Wow! What an amazing camera! The subject detection & eye tracking are game changers. Shortly after that, I purchased the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens with their 1.4x teleconverter and started enjoying birding/wildlife photography. This is my "zen" now. One day each weekend - weather permitting - I'm out early in the morning with my camera walking trails and/or sitting by a pond or lake taking photos of whatever tickles my photographic fancy.

My most recent purchases are by far my favorite. The Canon EOS R7, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM, and the Extender RF 1.4x. The 100-500mm my first RF lens and it's definitely the best lens I've ever owned. I've used it on both the R6 & R7, but love the reach the crop sensor R7 gives me when birding. I picked up a second camera bag specifically to carry my "wildlife setup" - the R7, 100-500, & 1.4x - and it goes everywhere with me now.

Now, my girlfriend, friends, girlfriend's friends, and the rest of my family know me as "the photographer"! I've done a few shoots for family & friends - my granddaughter's newborn pics were one that I absolutely loved doing. Even thought I'm far from being a pro, I almost feel naked when I don't have one of my cameras nearby.

So... I'm back at it and will continue as long as I can!

Thanks for reading...

- Terry

 

[Tim Mayo]

Welcome Terry and thanks for taking the time to write such an awesome introduction!

I'm still going through the having kids phase, our second arrived just last week so I'm currently enjoying all the sleepless nights and shitty nappies that a newborn brings

The RF 100-500 is a cracking lens, I'm tempted by the 1.4 extender but need to pay for the R7 first if it ever ships! Thankfully the R5 keeps me busy for now although with a newborn I'm not going to be getting out much for a while!

If you have any questions about this site please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Sconnie_Shotz]

I'm still going through the having kids phase, our second arrived just last week so I'm currently enjoying all the sleepless nights and shitty nappies that a newborn brings

Congratulations on your new arrival! The sleepless nights and "shitty nappies" are completely worth it in the end! Mine are now old enough that we've been out for drinks and attended concerts together multiple times. Absolutely priceless!

The RF 100-500 is a cracking lens, I'm tempted by the 1.4 extender but need to pay for the R7 first if it ever ships! Thankfully the R5 keeps me busy for now although with a newborn I'm not going to be getting out much for a while!

That lens is stellar and I see no appreciable difference in contrast or sharpness with the 1.4x mounted. Once it's an option - especially with the R7 - I highly recommend adding it to your gear!

Thanks for having such a great forum and I hope to be here often!

 

[Kwazy]

Welcome! It's great to see the forum grow.

Other than the crop sensor allowing more zoom on the R7 than the R6, do you find that one is better for something than the other?

 

[Sconnie_Shotz]

I have to say the autofocus system in the R7 is definitely a step above the R6. The downside is the smaller size and controls on the R7. I use dual back button AF and find the * button a bit uncomfortable to use.

 

[Photofarmer]

Welcome Terry and thanks for taking the time to write such an awesome introduction!

I'm still going through the having kids phase, our second arrived just last week so I'm currently enjoying all the sleepless nights and shitty nappies that a newborn brings

The RF 100-500 is a cracking lens, I'm tempted by the 1.4 extender but need to pay for the R7 first if it ever ships! Thankfully the R5 keeps me busy for now although with a newborn I'm not going to be getting out much for a while!

If you have any questions about this site please don't hesitate to ask.

Don’t chew ya finger nails mate

 

[Tappa]

Welcome Terry, I too am a new member of just a few days. I enjoyed your introduction and have had similar experiences. Recently bought the r5 and lens adapter and I've been using a Sigma 60-600mm.