I'm keeping the 100-400, rather than the 100-500, because of the money involved. I can better make use of the funds for other photography equipment. I actually like the 100-500 better--more reach, at least as good image quality, lighter weight and more compactness. It actually works quite well for most uses in daylight handheld. But current budget constraints dictate that I can't justify the extra cost at this time.

I'll upload pictures.

I have a 3-week old Canon RF 100-500 L lens, in immaculate as-new condition, with all accessories (lens caps, hood, soft case, original box and paperwork from Canon). I paid $2962.73 from Canon, with tax and shipping. I will sell for $2900 and include an Arca-Swiss plate.

As I said, I'm keeping the 100-400, rather than the 100-500, because of the money involved. I can better make use of the funds for other photography equipment. I actually like the 100-500 better--more reach, slightly better image quality, lighter weight and more compactness. It actually works quite well for most uses in daylight handheld. But current budget constraints dictate that I can't justify the extra cost at this time.

This lens is on backorder from all suppliers, including Canon. So grab it while you can.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

I find just the opposite. Looking for images makes me see what is around me with a more focused and varied eye, looking for wider landscapes, intimate landscapes, abstracts, etc. And I'm always unfocusing on image-making to enjoy the surroundings as well. The combination makes for a very enjoyable hike. The only drawback to photography on a hike is that I get much less exercise, since I'm going slower and stopping a lot.

I should add that I find that learning something new makes life exciting for me. And in photography, there is no shortage of new things to learn, both camera techniques and processing.

I take pictures for several reasons. It gives me a good excuse to get out to places, both local and exotic, that I might otherwise not have gone to. Locally, I do hikes or go to local parks, gardens, arboretums, and they are more enjoyable for me when I'm doing photography. I SEE more that way, because I'm looking for image subjects. So I'm more connected to my environment, more childlike in my curiosity. I do a lot of Intentional Camera Movement photography as well as abstracts. These are fun just for the surprise of seeing or getting something unexpected. Landscape photography, which I enjoy, is in my view, more intentional and the results are often not unique. With more abstract images, the work is more mine, more artistic, hopefully. This is very satisfying. When I'm out doing photography, on a good day, I can be completely absorbed in it, and all my cares, all the world troubles, COVID, politics, etc., are gone. It is just me, my camera and what is in front of me. It is a joy when I can get to that state, and when I get an image I love.

My other hobby is music. With music, I don't particularly enjoy playing alone, in contrast to photography, where I can be quite happy going out on my own to do it. I prefer to play music with others. There, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When we click, something joyful can result. On rare occasions, if everything goes right, it is a high--something we all remember for years to come.

So I guess for me, hobbies are a way to find joy in life. Something that fulfills an artistic need in me. And they are a way to connect to other like-minded people, so there is the social aspect.

Stamp (and coin) collecting, which I did as a kid, doesn't have any appeal to me anymore. I don't see any artistic value to it, at least for me. It is just collecting--which I've done a lot of over the years, but for me, it is not something that gives me joy.

Thanks for asking the question!

Thanks, Pat and Dr. Nikon, for your kind comments. I don't inhale:)

Thanks for your kind comments, PAToGraphy. Yes, I do like abstracts. Sometimes the detail in a landscape makes for a good abstract.

Thanks, Roadrunner. Glad to share. ICM is loads of fun, with often very happily surprising results.

Reflections in yacht harbor, Astoria, OR.

(Download)


(Download)

Iceberg in Iceland.

(Download)

Iceland--Leaky Falls.

(Download)

Seaweed/Tidepool detail 2

(Download)

Seaweed/Tidepool detail

(Download)

This a detail of some sea foam at Point Lobos, CA.

(Download)

Here is a shot at Gold Bluffs Beach, in Northern California. It uses Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) (In this case, the movement was horizontal) to give more of an abstract/impressionist image. I had forgotten my neutral density filters in the car, so used f/22 at 1/50", ISO 100, with a very fast camera movement. Lots of results were horrible, as framing is quite difficult at this camera movement speed. Also, I wanted to get the surf receding, so dozens of tries were required.

(Download)