Monday, December 3, 2012

Autumn's Coming!

I was thrilled to see so much color at LSU Lakes. Hope it lasts for my daughter's visit this week! I will be immersed in everything AUTUMN (and Jason, her boyfriend) from Wednesday through Monday. Autumn is my daughter's name, btw. Just wanted to clear that up. :)






In other news, I am so frustrated with my Canon 5D Mark II. While I love shooting with a high ISO and a full frame sensor that lets in a ton of light, what good does that do if the camera is so slow to focus or the focus is off completely? I googled, and unfortunately, these are known issues with this camera. I miss out on so many shots because Bertha can't get her act together. Yep, I named her Bertha. Just now.

Breathe, Gail, breathe. You could have worse problems. Oh, yeah, you do. :/ Bertha does manage to take nice landscape shots. But that's not what I love to shoot. I now have to decide whether to trade her in on the 7D which is more suited for the action shots I love or give Bertha more time. Sigh. Any ideas or suggestions?


Sharing with


48 comments:

Holly said...

These pictures are AMAZINGLY beautiful! Love them!

Patrice said...

So unusual to see fall color there, Gail!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Maybe a week enjoying your daughter's company will help shed fresh light on your camera decisions. On the weekend I passed up an opportunity to buy a new-beaut (expensive but half price) sewing machine figuring I'd rather work with the limitations of my 27 year old one than be disappointed (maybe) with the limitations of the new one. Hard choices.

Your autumn colours are delightful.

TexWisGirl said...

sorry bertha's got issues! :)

glad your daughter is coming to visit (and jason, too). i know you'll have a grand time together - especially if the weather is as mild as it has been!

Lisa Gordon said...

Gail, be sure to check and see if you have the latest firmware for the camera. You can just Google to find that out.

These photographs are so nice. It looks like you still have lots of color.

Have a wonderful visit with your daughter!

xo.

Hilary said...

Love the cormorants in the tree.. so cool.

Sorry you're having problems with your camera. Without knowing the specific issue, all I can suggest is that you visit some photography forums online and see what others are doing to resolve the issues.

Deanna said...

these colors are lovely and I am sure your daughter is as beautiful as your fall colors. Can't give you any advice on your camera, I am a Nikon Gal. Hope you resolve your issues, that's frustrating.

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! You still have beautiful foliage ~ Love the last photo of the birds ~ wonderful photography ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh enjoy the time with Autumn (Love the name) and her boyfriend your photos are beautiful. I bet Autumn is a glad to come home to this beauty as you are to have her home. B

Amy Burzese said...

Beautiful shots. I hope you have a great time with your daughter. I have the 7d and love love it. I too, recommend checking for a firmware update. I know how frustrating it is to buy something expensive and it not focus properly. I had to return a lens last year because of that. Good luck with your decision.

Mary said...

Oh..look at those birds...lovely. Your autumn is gently later than here... Enjoy sending those Christmas cards...they will love to get them.

Shug said...

Beautiful name! How exciting..to spend the week with your daughter...I hope you all have the best of times.
You are such a great photographer and I know you will SOON have it all worked out. Your pictures are always the Best!
hugs,
shug

renae said...

Gail! huh?! (just kidding). Camera issues are not fun. I need a camera. I need a camera badly. I've going thru old pics to see what I can post and we have slim-pic-kins. I am so glad you cleared up the fact that Autumn is your daughter. I was really confused there for a couple of seconds. hahahaha.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

How exciting to have Autumn coming. Will she be there for Christmas? You still have lots of beautiful autumn colors.

As for Bertha...since you say the issues you are experiencing seem to be common for her and her siblings, I'm guessing that firmware is probably already updated. Probably the best thing to do is go to the Canon website and compare her features side by side with the other camera you are considering. Also, though I no longer buy from Amazon, I do like to use their site to get user reviews of items I'm considering. You might get answers from Canon's Technical Support folks, too. Just some thoughts.

Kerry said...

I'm in the market for a camera, so this is interesting. I like Canon, but I've just begun using hubbies' fancy Nikon. Nikon is really discounting during the Christmas season. I'm tempted.

Anonymous said...

Wow - fabulous colours. Love that second shot.

Sorry to hear about your camera problems. If you like taking action shots, then perhaps you ought to think about swapping in your camera for a 7D?

Stewart M said...

Splendid pictures - and I like the pelican post as well!

I suppose you can look out of your window and say "Its looks like Autumn is here" at any time of the year!

Stewart M - Melbourne

The Cranky said...

Gorgeous photos! Hope you have a wonderful time with your daughter. =)

My suggestion? Change her name quickly! One of my grandmothers was named Bertha (Bertha Alice to be exact) and although I loved her dearly she was as stubborn and cantankerous as they come!!!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Gorgeous pictures! Sorry Bertha isn't living up to standards!

Anonymous said...

Such pretty color. I love the birds (cormorants?}in the top of the dead tree. Enjoy your time with your daughter!

Linda said...

Amazing colours in your photos.

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail, sorry Bertha is giving you fits. I wish I knew what to tell you.
Your photos are gorgeous though.Enjoy your visit with your sweet daughter.

Charlotte

beth said...

love the tree shot with those birds in it...what are they ?

isn't' it great having adult children who come home to play and be loved on....i swear it's one of my favorite things EVER !

and now the camera....i'd check for a firmware update first and if that doesn't' fix it, i say "trade up" to what you want. we camera girls need to be happy and totally in LOVE with our cameras and their abilities !!!
xo

Unknown said...

So sorry that Bertha is not play well with you. If you do get the 7D I would love to here how it does. That is on my wish list..

But I do believe you photo here are Beautiful.

Hugs~

hootnonny said...

Bertha's a real babe...is it too late to return her?

Have fun with your daughter.

Jori said...

You are an amazing photographer! These are gorgeous! The birds in the tree is wonderful. Sorry, I don't know what to do about Bertha. I know you will whip her in to shape! :)

Evelyn S. said...

Sorry about the camera!!! I am a few steps down....and I'm disappointed with the quality of focus with the long kit lens for the EOS T3i, so I'm going to get a Sigma 70-300mm. I have one for my old Pentax and love it. Your landscape shots belong in a calendar or tour guide, perhaps. Have a wonderful Autumn time!

Anonymous said...

Oh, gosh, considering I'm still shooting with my ancient and pretty-worn-out Nikon D40X, I have no words of advice for you on your camera! I think your pics are gorgeous!! Have fun with your daughter!!

Joyful said...

Wow! Where do you live that you still have such beautiful Fall colours. Our have been gone for weeks now but I enjoyed while it lasted ;-) I hope your daughter gets to enjoy it too. Beautiful photos!

Kittie Howard said...

Hmm, I'd give Bertha a bit more time. Kinda stretch yourself as these photos are breathtaking. My heart goes pitter-patter when I see the LSU campus. We'll stop by after Christmas, replenish our LSU gear, smile at Mike, walk/drive down Memory Lane but otherwise the campus is quiet. Miss the activity.

Also stopped by to ask if you're having any luck with that Arnica. Back when I was a baby, my grandmother had a problem with a patch of psorious (sp) on her leg. Long story short, she got some cream from a doc in Hawaii via a farm mag. The cream worked. Think that cream was Arnica as the flower grows there. Hub says if you're not seeing any progress to let me know as he has unopened tubes from Europe that are probably stronger. He used tons in the beginning, but rarely so now as his weird rash is history, thankfully. That was a battle to get under control. Anyway, e-mail me at: kittiehoward@gmail.com if we can help out.

Dianne said...

if you can find what you need to do more then Bertha should be traded in
I love all your shots and think they have way more to do with your eye than with Bertha

enjoy your visit with Autumn and Jason :)

Nancy said...

I don't really know about Canons, but I do know about acquiring a lens that I am not happy with.

I generally blame myself for not being more knowledgeable. I don't have the finances to buy a more expensive camera -- so I try to figure out the one I have.

Good luck with Bertha. I wouldn't trade her in just yet.

Anonymous said...

I sincerely wish I could help, but I'm still workin on a Rebel! hehehe ; )

The fall colors are beautiful & those birds look like they have their eyes on something interesting =)

Anonymous said...

don't know what to say about Bertha. I love her (your) photos but you've to decide what kind of photos you prefer shooting and decide. happy days with Autumn and Jason :) xxo

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I dunno about the camera Gail..I'd be happy if my best shots turned out as well as your worst ones !!! Lovely to have a visit from your daughter, who I'm sure is is beautiful as her name!

LindyLouMac said...

Stunning Autumnal photos. Cameras can be a problem and it sounds like you find Bertha good for one aspect but not others. Sounds like an excuse for a second camera to me.

Joanna Jenkins said...

You and Bertha did a fine job on these photos. Fall looks gorgeous in your area.

Enjoy your daughter. I hope you all have a great time together.

xo jj

A Creative Grace said...

I do sympathise about Bertha Gail, it's always hard to decide, it's important to get your kit right to suit what you want to do though...it's supposed to be fun! Great landscapes there though :)

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Beautiful shots Gail- really love that last one!

Anonymous said...

I know you are having so much fun with your daughter!!! What a lovely name you gave her ;)

Suzan said...

Sorry to hear that Bertha is giving you a difficult time!! But thrilled that your daught is here!! We can never get enough of our kids!! Hope you've had a fantastic time and you get Bertha working correctly!

Georgianna said...

HI Gail,

I love your daughter's name! I hope your visit with her is just fabulous, as I'm sure it will be.

On the Mark II focusing, it is with all lenses or just one? My hubby used to have that camera. I can ask him about it.

xoxo

G

Optimistic Existentialist said...

These pictures are absolutely amazing!!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Poor Bertha and I'll bet she likes being in your capable hands! Beautiful photos and I hope your visit with your daughter is a blast! Have fun!

Bob Bushell said...

Lovely scenery and the Cormorants. Oh, I was told about you and your camera, I have the same one.

ADRIAN said...

Try a firmware download. Or ask your camera dealer to do it.

Anonymous said...

Greetings to you sweetness...I love these images! Definitely looks as though you found Fall here in our beloved Louisiana! Here in my neck of the woods we seem to have gone right from Summer - past Fall - and straight into Winter, though I hear we are in for warmer temps next week! Hope you are doing well, sending love & hugs your way! xoxo

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

I'm a Nikonian and don't know a thing about Canon. I use a D300, but it doesn't have a high ISO. I've looked at other high-end Nikons, but I lose speed with them (which is what I need with sports). I'm hoping they come out with an upgrade with the D300 that increases ISO. My suggestion is to go to Photo.net and pose a question in the Canon forum. They have great photographers that know a lot about Canon and can direct you. Good luck.

BTW, love the colors. I love the fact that the South gets to enjoy a little later autumn.