I'm just trying to organise a XC ski trip with some friends in the next
couple of weeks. I'll let you know if I'm down your way. The zuiko 500/8
is a fun toy, but I don't really have the use for it to justify much
more than what I paid. Even though it is a comfortable weight to
handhold, that sort of focal length needs a fast shutter speed, and
given that I usually use velvia...It's not exactly versatile either (no
close focus, even with extension), so for most of my photographic
excursions (bushwalking etc) it stays home and a 70-210 or 100-300 zoom
comes along instead. If I had a bit of sense I would probably flog it on
ebay, but it's nice to have at least one 'exotic' piece of glass!
I'm keeping it at least until I go back to Keoladeo-Ghana world heritage
area (Bharatpur, India), where there is just the most awesome birdlife
imaginable. My last time there was on a three-month backpacking world
tour, and my kit was reduced to the absolute minimum: OM1, 35-70/4, an
extremely floppy compact telescoping tripod, and el-cheapo 2xTC. Seeing
all the other photogs carrying enormous manfrottos and huge white lenses
like 350/2.8s (yes, one guy was shooting Oly, but I didn't have the
nerve to ask for a lend of it!) and C****/N**** 600/4s made me greeen
with envy, considering my 140/8 limitation! The best shots were of some
big birds (storks?cranes? all I know is they look nice) returning to
roost around sunset. I was down to less than 1/30 sec, and could hardly
see through the extremely dim viewfinder! What I would have done for a
fast prime and long tele that day! At least I have the tele covered now,
but I could still do with some faster glass - anyone have a spare 250/2
that is in need of a good home?<g>
[OT] Shortly after, darkness descended, and we were surrounded by a pack
of wild dogs on the bicycle ride back into town. Particularly scary
since I had already been bitten by a rabid dog (yes, literally rabid) in
Jaipur a week earlier. At first there was only one, in the middle of the
track in front of us. Then it howled, and from the thick brush on both
sides came answering howls from at least ten more, and when we looked
behind there were more there watching us. Shining my small torch into
the bushes showed bright orange eyes all around. Luckily they didn't
fancy their chances, as the one in front of us skulked off and snarled
when I charged it on my bicycle, holding my tripod like a club (or whip,
more likely - it really was flimsy!). It was really eerie riding along
with the howls echoing behind us in the dim moonlight - brought out
remnants of a primal fear of wolves.
[More OT] Later that evening, back in the village, I had possibly the
best curry on earth in a little restaurant with no menu or staff that
spoke decent english (it's only officially the common language, many
people are only fluent in their native dialects). Food was prepared
fresh from big piles of gorgeous vegetables sitting in the (glassless)
window, by the light of a (being generous) 20 watt bulb. [reminder to
self - learn the Hindi names of a few more savoury foods, knowing
"brinjal" means "eggplant [aka aubergine]" doesn't get you very far; man
does not live by Gulab Jamun, Kulfi and Barfi alone;-)]. Somehow we
managed to convey the general idea that we would eat whatever he
recommended, and got an assortment of delicious items. Apparently we
were guests of honour (they honestly didn't seem to know what to do with
foreigners), as the lady of the house berated her husband about
something until he got another light, hanging by wires, one of which had
cracking insulation (the other had none), draped it over a nail in the
wall and 'switched' it on by inserting the wires into a (live) socket. I
think they must have overcharged us though, as the meal came to "30 um,
no, hmm, 50 rupees". The other patrons looked on wide mouthed as we
gladly shelled out this outrageous sum of less than A$2!
Dylan
> Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 18:31:41 +1000
> From: "Terry and Tracey" <foxcroft@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [OM] Aussies for a Photo excursion?
>
> I'm interested, anything to combine surfing and photography. But we live in
> Khancoban in the Snowy Mountains. Still keen though. And Dylan, I want to
> see that 500 f8!
>
> Foxy
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