Polar Bear Nikkor 80-400vr

[KerryPierce]

Nikon D70 ,Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF
1/250s f/10.0 at 145.0mm

[Onyx]

Kerry, how many lenses do you have in your arsenal? I ask only because you've earned yourself quite a reputation around these parts having posted numerous shots with the Sigma 70-200.

This Nikkor significantly overlaps the range (or at least I feel it does) - do you carry both when out shooting or choose only one? What criteria do you set for choosing the lens to shoot with on the day? eg. on this instance, what made you pick the 80-400 instead of the 70-200?

As for the photo - it seems more to do with the observers of the polar bear rather than the bear itself. And the people are rendered wonderfully contrasty and sharp, with surprisingly no hint of chromatic abberation on the guy's blown shirt.

[KerryPierce]

Kerry, how many lenses do you have in your arsenal? I ask only because you've earned yourself quite a reputation around these parts having posted numerous shots with the Sigma 70-200.

Hi Onyx,

I have quite a few lenses, many (most) of which overlap. I melted down a couple of credit cards to obtain them.... Here's the list;

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF
Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D AF
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG ASP HSM
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D AF
Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX HSM
Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO IF
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 II APO Macro Super
Nikkor 70-180mm Micro
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC
Sigma 50-500

This Nikkor significantly overlaps the range (or at least I feel it does) - do you carry both when out shooting or choose only one? What criteria do you set for choosing the lens to shoot with on the day? eg. on this instance, what made you pick the 80-400 instead of the 70-200?

When I'm going on a specific photo shoot, I choose the lenses that best fit the shoot. On a daily basis, I generally carry the 80-400, the 24-120vr, the 50 and the 18-50.

As for the photo - it seems more to do with the observers of the polar bear rather than the bear itself. And the people are rendered wonderfully contrasty and sharp, with surprisingly no hint of chromatic abberation on the guy's blown shirt.

Yes, the photo is about the people, not the bear directly. The lens is a wonderful lens. It's my favorite, most used lens, by far. [/url]

[mic]

Kerry, this is an interesting Photo

Only one thing, I don't know why it is

At first I thought just a Polar Bear swimming and people looking at it, but the more I look it grabs me that the people are more of a story in it.

Interesting, you keep me guessing, I give you that much There is always a story to your So So Shots as you put it.

I think they are Great Great Shots, you have a very busy mind that shows in your photo's and the way you explain things in them.

Keep em coming, maybe one day we might meet & have a beer at a Dog Show Woof ! Woof !

Mic.

[MHD]

I like it!!

Is it a big zoo??
That would make a great promo photo!

[KerryPierce]

I like it!!

Is it a big zoo??
That would make a great promo photo!

Thanks for the kind comments, MHD. This was shot in the Lincoln Park zoo in Chicago. I guess it's a little on the small side, as zoos go. I don't have much experience with zoos, so can't really say.

[sirhc55]

Every picture tells a story - and this superb shot does just that

[KerryPierce]

Kerry, this is an interesting Photo

Only one thing, I don't know why it is

At first I thought just a Polar Bear swimming and people looking at it, but the more I look it grabs me that the people are more of a story in it.

Interesting, you keep me guessing, I give you that much There is always a story to your So So Shots as you put it.

I think they are Great Great Shots, you have a very busy mind that shows in your photo's and the way you explain things in them.

Keep em coming, maybe one day we might meet & have a beer at a Dog Show Woof ! Woof !

Mic.

Thanks, Mic. That's a very great compliment. Most of my stuff like this, has subtle meanings, like a private joke.

I would very much like to be able to tip one or two with you. Perhaps it will happen some day.

[KerryPierce]

Every picture tells a story - and this superb shot does just that

Thanks for the kind words, Chris.

[dooda]

Terrific detail in the polar bear's front leg and the bubbles on his snout. I've seen several similar pictures but the people are usually silloetted. Yours really jumps out because they aren't. Your pic makes me think about how interesting humans are that we just want to sit and gaze at something out of sheer curiosity, where the bear is probably just looking for food.

[KerryPierce]

Terrific detail in the polar bear's front leg and the bubbles on his snout. I've seen several similar pictures but the people are usually silloetted. Yours really jumps out because they aren't. Your pic makes me think about how interesting humans are that we just want to sit and gaze at something out of sheer curiosity, where the bear is probably just looking for food.

Thanks for the kind words, Dave. I really enjoy watching people. They're very interesting critters to me.