robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

For someone who hates spiders Debra was on a roll at the museum. And with a malfunctioning camera at that. I got it working, took two hours and did a factory reset and then reset all the preferences. As of yesterday her SX-50 seems to be working properly.
But she wants to be able to do rapid bursts so I may be "forced" to upgrade and give her my 80D (will have to share lenses).I hope the 7DIII comes out in the spring or a Canon R series version of it.

Debra saw this one posted on Face Book and pointed out this spider is missing one leg.

(Download)

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Jerry, Debra needs the 80D or maybe she should get a complete set of her own, her work deserves it.

Greg

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Thank you, she did very well that day - with a malfunctioning camera - no flash, no burst and a couple other things. I reset everything but she doesn't trust it anymore right now.
Buy her a set of lenses! I am a retired classroom teacher, not a retired District Superintendent or Politician. Now if I could win a large lottery draw!

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Jerry, I understand as much as anyone when it comes to stretching retirement dollars. We have given up on the lotteries, we were in the red when we still played them.

Take care good friend.

Greg

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Debra's family only bought a single lottery ticket a week when the prize was really big, so she tells me to do that.

We got our daughter through UCLA Pre-Med and when she found out I had cashed out and spent both my TSA's and over 1/2 our savings account to get her through she instantly applied for Federal Loans plus got accepted for a $30,000 a year scholarship at the University of Virginia Medical School. Jasmine did a research internship for a surgeon my wife used to work with and he wrote to two friends of his on the UVA faculty and got her accepted + the scholarship - so that is where she is now.

So between SS, teacher's pension, VA, Retail Clerks minimum pension from my 13 years in super markets part time and summers we now get by fairly well. Maybe I should learn how and try selling some of our work. A photographer friend has told me that my best bird photos are as good and in some cases better than anything he has seen at local exhibits and the LA, Riverside and Orange County fairs contests. But the only exhibit I have taken part in was a faculty/student talent show at the high school I retired from. I have entered one photo in a magazine's 2018 contest and have heard nothing so far. I have never sold a single print and wouldn't know how. I mount and give prints to friends as presents.

Just now when I passed on some compliments she said "I want a better camera." So I guess my VA disability (40%) that I get for my Mad Money* will go to a better camera for her. Maybe a small dslr like the SL2 or a mirrorless - she has a 5 lb limit on bad days due to loss of cartilage in her thumb joints. I will take her over to the Camera Store so she can try/hold them and decide what she wants.

*It goes for books, photo gear, family presents, computer stuff etc. Debra has an account from when she was working and a retirement account that is for her personal use when she cashes it in. She spends most of it on Jon and Jasmine.

Sorry to ramble on, today is one of those days I miss being in front of classes of students and teaching.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

You and Debra make a great team, Jerry! Another fantastic shot! My husband used to be terrified of spiders until he learned to appreciate them through guess what...photography! One time he backed off a ladder, because he met a spider at the top.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Thank you.
I resemble your husband in regards to spiders. Except I don't mind being close and looking at them, touching is not OK. Once I had a large one crawl across my work bench while I had a hammer in my hand, never did get the stain out of the wood. Now I use a fly swatter or flick them off on the floor and step on them. The concrete and tile cleans right up with Clorox and water.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

LOL

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Jerry, it is easy to ramble on with days like today. Been raining all day and also a little on the cold side. What maybe ideal for Debra would be the SL2 and a Tamron 18-400mm. Staying with the same lens mount would allow her to use any of your lenses along with a tripod on the heavier ones. You are fortunate to have a wife that enjoys doing things with you.

I got a call from my camera store today, my big Tamron came in and I will pick it up in the morning. I traded 2 L lenses that I have not used much at all so my out of pocket is close to zero. Looking forward to breaking it in on the weekend.

Take care friend and again tell Debra that I love her photos.

Greg

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Will do.
Here in Western Riverside County California (SE of LA) it hit 93 and sunny today. But our AC works fine - I did go out and water plants, fill bird feeders and bring in my little Jack Russell mix Tara. She had a lizard cornered under a tarp and the barking was driving Debra nuts. Now she and my wife's Shin Zhu Toby have a fresh dish of food, fresh water and are napping and listening to Country Classics on cable in the family room with me.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Greg

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

Good shot, Jerry.

Chuckwal Loc: Boynton Beach Florida

super pix wow
chuck

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

That's a fantastic pic, Jerry! So neat the you and your wife can shoot together! I was given a couple cameras; use the Nikon Coolpix P500 the most and Al shoots with me often. That's a wonderful spider pic!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I will tell her. She has announced "I want a better camera.".