First Substantial Winter Storm + More Zeiss Images on Canon 5DS R
Get Canon 5DS R and Zeiss for Canon EF at B&H Photo.
The morning was hard to shoot: rain and sleet made it hard to keep gear free of water. And Zeiss ZF.2 and Otus lenses are not water sealed. I dealt with that by placing a rag over the lens to soak up the precip.
Patience paid off, with rain turning snow later in the day (much easier to deal with), and starting to accumulate down to the 7400' level (probably down to 6000' later in the day), turning the area into a winter wonderland.
At times like these, the constant thought is that chances like this come along once or twice a year at most. So I shoot all day and try to make a few good images. At the same time, I have the pressure of shooting a variety of lenses, since I have to cover and review lenses, not just make images for show; I need to not only compose well but make images that show lens capabilities (that’s why sometimes dolls get shot at home!). When a winter wonderland arrives and I have a capable 4WD to retreat to when my hands numb up, then I’m game for nonstop shooting with everything I’ve brought.
The Canon 5DS R exerts a not so subtle pull: those 50 megapixels coupled to Zeiss glass deliver images beyond any other camera, particularly with the Otus lenses. And lenses like the 15/2.8 delivers the goods, as does the 21/2.8. The 5DS R falls short on dynamic range, but it does just fine for scenes like this.
If I could shoot only one lens on a DSLR, it would probably be the Otus 55/1.4. Outstanding imaging, and a reasonable size and weight. Nikon mount can be shot on Nikon or Canon or Sony mirrorless.
No Virginia, there is no Santa Claus and the Sigma 50/1.4 Art is an excellent lens but it is not an Otus, even at f/8. But enjoy your lab-test lens booklets by the fireside.
Tonight’s camp won’t be toasty, but it has the convenience of producing all of the image above within a radius of 30 meters! And a very large pine which affords protection from snow and rain. Beautiful little spot!