Stobinian spring

[David Paterson]

I haven't had much opportunity recently  - nor the weather - for new photography, but managed to get out today with a camera. The mountain is Stobinian, more than 20 miles (32 km) from my position on the Ben Lawers hill-road.

I used my D800 and the 200-500m zoom which I get more and more impressed by.

[Airy]

well, 200-500 m , now that's a focal length...

Joke aside, you captured a nice set of clouds.

What impresses you most about the 200-500 ?

[simato73]

I love the shadow of the cornice on the right side of the mountain.
Very moody... this is the look of Scotland I know best, given my limited sampling of it.

[Akira]

That's a grandiose landscape!  Do I see the downburst between the lower part of the cloud and the mountain?  Glad you enjoy shooting!

[David Paterson]

Thank you, Airy, Simone and Akira.

Akira - I don't think there was any particular downwards motion tho' the clouds were changing and moving very quickly. There are some smallish lighter streaks to the left of the summit - these are not precipitation of any kind but rather spindrift - loose snow blowing off the ridges of the mountain.

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Very moody... this is the look of Scotland I know best, given my limited sampling of it.

Me too, given my many decades of shooting the Scottish landscape.

What impresses you most about the 200-500 ?

I suppose it's mainly the fact that it is sharp right into the corners at all focal lengths and at apertures from 5.6 to 11; also the VR is the best I've encountered. It is heavy and cumbersome, but even that has a positive side - it slows me right down and causes me to think more about what I am doing.

[Akira]

Thank you, Dave, for the confirmation.

I realized that the mountain was spotlighted by the natural sunlight which made the mountain look majestic.

[Hugh_3170]

Yes it is moody, but this is part of its charm for me.  Love this image David - thank you for bringing Scotland closer to us.

[Mongo]

First, that is remarkable image quality for a subject that is 32kms away !
There is a lot of captured drama in those clouds and delicate light on the mountain. Must say, in all the years Mongo has played with cameras, he has never thought to use a long lens for landscapes (although is aware it is often done). Just goes to show you - even a Mongo can learn new and better things.

Sooner or later someone will no doubt mention that spec of dust of your sensor ( left border). Better hear it from Mongo as he has no problem with that sort of thing.

BTW - the Scottish thing - your images make some of us want to come and experience it personally. Mrs Mongo was bourn in Australia but is historically a “Wilkinson” (hopefully not a clan you are feuding with). She has threatened to take Mongo to Scotland many times and that would be a first visit for both of us.

[David Paterson]

First, that is remarkable image quality for a subject that is 32kms away !
There is a lot of captured drama in those clouds and delicate light on the mountain. Must say, in all the years Mongo has played with cameras, he has never thought to use a long lens for landscapes (although is aware it is often done). Just goes to show you - even a Mongo can learn new and better things.

Sooner or later someone will no doubt mention that spec of dust of your sensor ( left border). Better hear it from Mongo as he has no problem with that sort of thing.

BTW - the Scottish thing - your images make some of us want to come and experience it personally. Mrs Mongo was bourn in Australia but is historically a “Wilkinson” (hopefully not a clan you are feuding with). She has threatened to take Mongo to Scotland many times and that would be a first visit for both of us.

1. Thank you.
2. I learned to shoot landscapes with a long lens from Bjørn (nfoto) who once said his favourite lens for l'scape was the 300mm. I decided to investigate and was converted.
3) I noticed the dust after posting the image but was too lazy to re-do it. Er, sorry.
4) The famous Wilkinson-Paterson feud was settled in 1563.
5) I can do no other than recommend a trip to Scotland and a visit to Kiilin. However, it is as well to understand that though the Scottish landscape is unique and beautiful, the default weather condition is rain.