Go-Buy: Canon 2x Extender

So, as you know, I finally got my paws on a beloved Canon 2x Extender on Friday. I've been longing for this piece of gear for a while now, and have finally worked enough jobs to justify it's purchase.The Canon 2x Extender essentially doubles the focal length, or "zoom", of a camera lens. So, my Canon 70-200mm, when combined with the Extender, becomes a 140-400. It is a common misconception that the baseline focal length stays constant. For instance, that my lens would become a 70-400mm. This is incorrect, if you get double the length on one end, you've gotta take it on the other.

The only drawback of this lens attachment is that you lose a few f/stops. Now, I understand that the majority of the readers of this blog, all three of you, are not photographers. So, we'll keep it simple. What this means is you loose your lenses' ability to function as well in low light. With my lens becoming an f/5.6 instead of it's typical f/2.8, most indoor shooting is out the window. This attachment is great, but impractical for anything but the great outdoors.So, it's all settled. I now have a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens, that, when combined with my new extender, becomes a 140-400mm f/5.6L IS lens. Pretty sweet, considering the extender runs under $300, and I still have the option of simply removing it, to gain my original lens back.

Note: a Canon 400mm f/5.6L lens, not Image Stabilized, by itself, is over $1000. Also, this lens is a "prime" lens, meaning that it does not zoom at all. So, by going this route, I really get two lenses, for only adding $300, and both lenses can zoom, Image Stabilized.

I understand that this probably means nothing to most of you. But, it's really important to me, and it's a really big deal that I finally got it.

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it.

uFeature: OBU Wind Ensemble - Bugs

YouTube mini Black Logo
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

Last night was the OBU Wind Ensemble's concert. I captured a little piece of it to share with ya'll, and uploaded it to YouTube. The piece is called "Bugs". It has an intro and 5 additional parts, for a total of six movements. I did not do the intro, but all five movements can be viewed below.

Dragonfly

Praying Mantis

Black Widow Spider

Tiger Swallowtail

Army Ants

2008 Arkansas State Cross Country Championships

I got a call Friday from a photographer friend of mine, asking me to help him out this weekend. He needed to be in two places at once, so it was my job to make that happen. Between the two of us, the State Dance competition and the State CC Meet had to be covered. Of course, he managed to assign himself to the dancing girls, leaving me with the short-short-wearing high school boys.

Fine with me, I had just got done learning the tricks of making running look good.

I had never been to a Cross Country meet before, so I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was this was the perfect excuse for me to give myself the go-ahead on my next gear purchase. I had been pining for the Canon 2x Lens Extender all football season, and had just decided to hold off.

I don't spend money on photography, unless I make money on photography. It's a self-funding hobby. For instance, with the football coverage I did this season, PLUS this job, I now have enough "saved" up for my heart's desire.

I picked it up Friday afternoon, giving me plenty of time to have no idea how to use it for Saturday morning. :)I got to the locale, Hot Springs' jewel, Oaklawn, at 7:45am on Saturday morning. There was a nice building in the infield, with a desk with my "name" on it. What I mean is, at 7:45am, it's pretty easy to put your "name" on just about anything. :)

I set up my 12" Powerbook G4, which would be a workhorse for me today, and got to work metering the field. Races started at 9am, with races beginning every 45mins, all day long. I quickly got my plan of attack, and began a long day behind the lens.

My new toy worked like a charm, and I shot 5583 photos, in just over 7 hours. That's an average of one photo, ever four seconds, all day. I would stop every two races, for a 4min break. My memory card, when full, takes 3mins to transfer to my Powerbook. I would fill it and dump it every hour and a half.I had an absolute blast. I worked tail off, and got results that show it. I am proud of the photos that I was able to give my friend, and I hope that he will remember me the next time he gets in a pinch.

A sports shoot is just what I needed. The LORD provides. I was wanting some sports photos Wednesday, when he gave me the Soccer game to shoot. It was through this Soccer game that I was prepared for a photo assignment that did not exist yet.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Another Fun Arkadelphia Weekend

Welp, it's Monday night, time to recap what has been an exciting past few days.

Thursday was the Battle of the Ravine, as you know, and the parents came into town.  They managed to make it here by 3pm, no doubt hauling it full speed all the way down Highway 7.

But, they made it by Praise Hour time, and got to sit in the booth with me for the show.  It was really great having them here, and I can't believe they were willing to make the 4hr drive, without any fuss.  That's a long way for a football game, but something tells me that's not really why they came.

I got a new piece of gear on Saturday, making the drive to Little Rock to pick it up.  But, it was definitely worth the trip, because I got to eat Luby's with my parents, and Macaroni Grill with the Elliott women.  Which, is going out of business, apparently??

Best of all, we dropped by TCBY to finish off the evening, fulfilling my     White Chocolate Mouse with Reese's Shiver     desires.  Wow, that is some good yogurt right there.  Maybe even the country's best.

I also got to shoot the Arkansas State Cross Country Championships on Saturday, in Hot Springs.  More on that later.

Aubrey and I visited 2nd Baptist again, trying to make a decision soon about our future church home here in Arkadoo (now you've got ME saying it, Mrs. Elliott!).  We've got it down to two choices, and I feel like we'll have it in the bag after just a few more visits.

OBU beats HSU

OBU-Football_7
Originally uploaded by CameronMagee

The Battle of the Ravine was Thursday. Henderson State got beat by it's rival, Ouachita Baptist. I actually enjoyed the game from the stands, next to my parents. Usually I'm on the sidelines, next to my lens. This photo is actually from an OBU game I shot a few weeks ago. The Battle was hosted on Henderson soil, with the Tigers making the walk across the street. Henderson started strong, making the first half a significant lead with ease.

After halftime, OBU came out strong, with a great crowd backing them. The Tigers tied the game up, and then took the lead with minutes left.

With six seconds left in the game, Henderson snapped, and threw over 30 yards into the end zone. With time expired, and the ball in mid air, this was it. An HSU receiver jumped, with heavy coverage. The OBU defender's fingertips intercepted the ball, winning the game for the Baptists this year.

Great game. I hope we can redeem ourselves next year.