Foto Friday - A $50 savings bond causes excitement!

I have been saving for what seems like forever for a new lens. There are actually two that I would
really LoVe to have - 105mm f/2.8 macro and the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR - both are faster glass and both
are quite expensive!!

Over the last several years I have been tucking away my birthday and Christmas money in hopes of saving up for a new lens. But after 80,000 clicks I have been noticing some things that made me feel it was time to upgrade to a newer camera. And in 5 years a lot of new technology has come out in the way of digital cameras. But, I was still only a little more than half way there . . . until . . . I had a light bulb moment and remembered that I had a $50 E Series savings bond that my grandparents had given to me when I was a year old. I have held on to it for so long because there wasn't anything that I felt was worthy until now. Well, much to my surprise it's worth a lot more than $50 now, and was the key to my new purchase!!

A new Nikon D7000!
An upgrade from my Nikon D80, the D7000 offers the second highest resolution of any Nikon DSLR. And although it is still considered a mid-level entry DSLR it rivals the semi-pro D300S. It has a magnesuim body usually reserved for the higher end cameras that allows for more durability in harsh weather. The AF and metering system is new (39-point AF system with 3D tracking) and I went from 3 fps (frames per second) to 6fps! It even allows for mirror lock-up to prevent vibration, which I didn't even know was a possibility. Okay, I think I just lost a few of you . . . .
(I'm kinda excited) so on to what you are here for - some pictures!


My savings bond - I know that my grandparents would have absolutely approved of this purchase!! In fact if you knew my grandpa, he might have had a tear or two.

I was also able to get a 40mm f/2.8 macro lens (for a fraction of the 105mm), the only problem is you have to be inches away from your subject unlike the 105 mm. It will be great for still life, flowers, even jewelry.

But that's okay, I'm not afraid of bees and I have had a lot of practice stalking things (just ask my neighbors).

Linking this with favorite photo contest at Through a Photographers Eyes,

fabulous friday at Mcdougal photography,

foto friday at La-La's Home daycare.

Let me tell you though, trying to track a bee that close is quite tricky!! And yes, occasionaly they did

the get a little annoyed.

 The shutter speed was just a bit too slow on this one, but there is still something about it I like.

I was really amazed at how close the dragonflies let me get

 - remember I'm only inches away at this point. It's going to be a little frustrating but I'm having fun trying.

Sorry, couldn't help but pop a little spider in here. 

He's only about a 1/4" long . . . .

And this little guy, just watching my every move  . . .

 

Another green anole - as long as I move verrrrry slowwwwwly I can usually get a few shots off.

Should have stopped down the lens on this one so more would have been in focus.

Now butterflies with only a 40 mm lens are tricky, but I should have tried the 3D tracking - next time.


I love macro - I'm a detail person - it's fun, exciting, interesting, definately addictive and requires
a great deal of patience.  I mean just think, there are a million little worlds going on all around us, before us, that we just don't see. And maybe that's what I love the most about photography - it helps people to see.

But as much as a picture is worth a thousand words and a photograph doesn't lie - it doesn't always tell
the truth either. The photographer shows you what he wants you to see and sometimes many truths
simply go unnoticed because we don't see them or because they are not revealed to us.

Have a great weekend!
Love, Kim
XO

Linking up with the hollie rogue for photo friday

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