Today's Poppy Shoot

The poppies have returned to El Paso. It's our sure sign of spring. I have been counting the rainfall all winter and finally knew that we would have a bumper crop of poppies.

So, we packed up the dogs and the camera gear and headed out for the poppy fields.


I planned on using the Nikon D90, and Nikon D5000   with the Tokina 11-16mm, the Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye and of course old standby and do everything, the Nikon 18-200mm  zoom.


I think I got some really good results with the fisheye and it's this lens I want to talk about first.


It's aperture range is from f/2.8 to f/22. At f/22 you get an incredible depth of field.


This picture perfectly illustrates my point.

ISO 400 f/20 1/640 Click on the picture for a full view

What do you think about this picture? Awesome lens or what?

The lens is extremely small and light. It only weighs a scant 10.7 ounces and is 2.5 inches around and 2.5 inches long.


This is one fine lens and I'm still wondering why it took me so long to buy it.


Here is another picture:

ISO 400 f/20 1/500 Click on the picture for a full view

I initially visualized using the fisheye for car shows and for special effects but I have so warmed up to this lens I now use it on any subject that is close. It's minimum focusing distance is a scant 5.5 inches and it gives a true 180 degree view.


My final picture below was taken with the old standby, the 18-200mm zoom. I use this lens for everything. It was the first Nikkor I bought and for good reason. It's 18-200mm range pretty much takes care of 75% of the shooting.

ISO 400 f/11 1/640 112mm Click on the picture for a full view