The $785 Shot
The $785 Shot. Let me explain.
While I was listening to the scanner waiting for 844 to head back into Denver, I heard this westbound leaving Denver. I have never tried the shot from Sheridan over the tracks, so I thought it was worth a go while I waited for 844.
While on the bridge composing the shot, I decided to swap the 135mm out for my FA 77mm. As I was doing that, some jerk laid on his horn and surprised me. In horror, I watched the lens fall to the bridge deck and roll off of the bridge to the ballast below.
Since the train was coming, I decided to wait to retrieve the lens until after he had passed. Since I had nowhere to go, and since I had paid a heavy price for this shot already, I somehow mustered up the motivation to bring the camera up to eye level and fire a shot or two.
After the train had passed (and two more jerks tried to scare me -- another with his horn and a third yelling out the window "Don't fall off the bridge!"), I hurried down the embankment and retrieved my lens.
Honestly, it did better than I thought it would. None of the glass had cracked and the aperture still worked. Unfortunately, the lens barrel was bent such that I can no longer focus the lens.
Any of you that have followed my stream know what my FA 77mm means to me. It's simply a lens I can't be without. Thanks to the generosity of a friend who loaned me some cash while I try to sell my Tamron SP 300mm f2.8, I've got another FA 77mm coming.
Additionally, since the glass is OK, I think I'm going to be on the lookout for a fungal or otherwise disabled FA 77mm and see if I can make one good lens out of two bad ones.
Oh yes...this is the last shot I'll be shooting at this particular vantage point...
The $785 Shot
The $785 Shot. Let me explain.
While I was listening to the scanner waiting for 844 to head back into Denver, I heard this westbound leaving Denver. I have never tried the shot from Sheridan over the tracks, so I thought it was worth a go while I waited for 844.
While on the bridge composing the shot, I decided to swap the 135mm out for my FA 77mm. As I was doing that, some jerk laid on his horn and surprised me. In horror, I watched the lens fall to the bridge deck and roll off of the bridge to the ballast below.
Since the train was coming, I decided to wait to retrieve the lens until after he had passed. Since I had nowhere to go, and since I had paid a heavy price for this shot already, I somehow mustered up the motivation to bring the camera up to eye level and fire a shot or two.
After the train had passed (and two more jerks tried to scare me -- another with his horn and a third yelling out the window "Don't fall off the bridge!"), I hurried down the embankment and retrieved my lens.
Honestly, it did better than I thought it would. None of the glass had cracked and the aperture still worked. Unfortunately, the lens barrel was bent such that I can no longer focus the lens.
Any of you that have followed my stream know what my FA 77mm means to me. It's simply a lens I can't be without. Thanks to the generosity of a friend who loaned me some cash while I try to sell my Tamron SP 300mm f2.8, I've got another FA 77mm coming.
Additionally, since the glass is OK, I think I'm going to be on the lookout for a fungal or otherwise disabled FA 77mm and see if I can make one good lens out of two bad ones.
Oh yes...this is the last shot I'll be shooting at this particular vantage point...