The all new Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens

The all new Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens!
Well my friends at Tamron have done it again! Today marks the official release of their newest lens, the 17-70mm f2.8, for APS-C cropped sensor Sony mount cameras. I was able to take it to the Tetons with me and put it to the test. It is the same size as their full frame lens, the 28-75mm, and the weight is about the same as well. I found the lens to be very sharp, extremely fast focusing, and the perfect length for the majority of my landscape, and portrait work that I did there. A unique feature of the lens for those who do video is if you are using it on either the a6500 or a6600, the Vibration Compensation uses Ai features to combine the VC with the camera’s in body stabilization to record smooth video. When used with one of the other a6xxx series bodies, the lens Vibration Compensation feature offers image stabilization. Like all of the other Tamron lenses released for the Sony line, it uses a 67mm filter. I found that in combination with the Tamron 70-300mm Di RXD lens it was an incredible travel kit. The a6600, the 17-70mm and the 70-300mm together weigh less than 4 pounds and would cover the equivalent of 25.5mm to 450mm. Another great addition to their line of mirrorless lenses. Way to go Tamron! I will be releasing my unboxing video in the next day or so.
Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens on a Sony a6600, Manual Exposure mode, f11, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/80th of a second, Sirui SR 3204 tripod, Acratech Panoramic head and leveling base, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #tamron1770, #newtamronelens, #SIRUI, #Acratech, #BearWoodsPhotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops

Brisk

Brisk.
When people see my images of Wyoming in winter a common response is “cold”, but in reality it is warmer than you think. People seemed to get turned off at the idea of photographing in the snow because they immediately assume it is bitterly cold. Honestly it doesn’t bother me that much when I am there. On the morning I made this 7 image panoramic, it was -10 degrees, and my toes were a little chilly, as were my fingers, but that was due more to wearing thin gloves and socks that were more for the plane ride home that day vs standing outside. Good wool gloves and socks make it more than tolerable, they will actually make it pretty comfortable. Merino wool is getting to be our favorite.
To me the Tetons are beautiful any day of the year, any season of the year, but winter is special. The landscape is pristine. Wildlife is easier to spot because it tends to gather closer together. One big advantage is there are so many less people out there. All that being said, if you would like to join us next year for our annual winter workshop, here is some information. http://www.natureinfocusworkshops.com/photo-workshops/2022-winter-in-the-grand-tetons
This image was from the Snake River Overlook the last morning we were there. It is 7 frames stitched together in Lightroom Classic. I of course used my Tamron lens on a Sony a6600, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/8th of a second, Sirui SR 3204 tripod and my new favorite landscape tripod head, the Acratech Panoramic head and leveling base. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #SIRUI, #Acratech, #BearWoodsPhotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops

The TA Moulton Barn from a different angle

The TA Moulton Barn from a different angle.
Most of the time you see images of this barn from left of where I am standing. Why? Because the peaks of the Teton Range line up perfectly from that angle. So on a day when you can’t see the peaks, why not find other elements in the landscape and use them for elements in your composition? I usually don’t like to visually block the viewer with a fence line, but in this case I thought it worked.
Cecil Holmes and I finalized our Winter in the Tetons Workshop yesterday and got it posted for registration. I always look forward to visiting and photographing the Tetons in Winter, it is such a special place. The details: http://www.natureinfocusworkshops.com/photo-workshops/2022-winter-in-the-grand-tetons
Tamron lens on a Sony a6600, Manual mode, f8, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/100th of a second, handheld utilizing the Vibration Compensation of the lens and Image Stabilization of the camera body, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #BearWoodsPhotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops, #winterinthetetons,

Hunter, all fluffed up.

Hunter, all fluffed up.
By now it is obvious that I love the Jackson Hole area, and I love doing our workshops out there. I also love working with the Teton Raptor Center’s educational department when we do our programs there. One of my favorite ambassadors is Hunter the Peregrine Falcon. He loves to show off his beautiful tail and feathers by fluffing up. He was born on a building in Omaha, Nebraska, but had an eye infection and didn’t learn to hunt like his siblings. He isn’t able to be released into the wild and will live a great life with the TRC.
Tamron 70-300mm Di III RXD lens on a Sony a6600, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 400, shutter speed of 1/640th of a second, handheld. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #tamron70300, #BearWoodsPhotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops, #tetonraptorcenter

Sunrise on the Grand

Sunrise on the Grand.
We are back in Bear Woods after an incredible week in Wyoming. Yesterday morning was the coldest morning we had while we were there, but Cecil and I still went out for a sunrise shoot. It was the only clear morning, almost too clear, that we had all week. We decided we had to go to the Snake River Overlook even though we have been there so many times before. I think my favorite part of sunrise is when the tip of the Grand lights up signaling to me, the start of a new day. We had a great group with us for the week, we saw some great wildlife, some beautiful mornings and evenings. We are looking forward already to our workshop in May, and we will do our Winter in the Tetons Workshop again in 2022. We hope to have the link set up in the next day or two. We have already booked our dates at the Triangle X Ranch and look forward to getting back there next January.
Tamron lens on a Sony a6600, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/30th of a second, Sirui SR 3204 tripod, Acratech Panoramic Head and Leveling base, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #SIRUI, #Acratech, #BearWoodsPhotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops

Roadside Eagle

Roadside Eagle.
While in Wyoming, we have seen several animals, typically Mule Deer that have been victims of cars. Typically the remains are just moved away from the road and local wildlife is allowed to feed on the carcasses. We were driving down the road yesterday and saw this beautiful Bald Eagle sitting on a post in great light. We stopped and did a few images. We realized it was sitting over a deer carcass and it was obvious the Eagle had been feeding on the deer. Currently there were a couple Magpie and Ravens feeding. Sadly these collisions happen, but at least the local wildlife is able to get some much needed food in winter. Hopefully the carcass remains far enough from the road no car strikes happen with other wildlife.
Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z7 via the FTZ adapter, Manual Mode, f8, ISO 200, shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second, handheld, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #tamron150600g2, #BearWoodsPhotography

Standing out in a landscape

Standing out in a landscape.
Yesterday our group took a little time off from chasing wildlife to go and spend some time with a friend, Ane. She was so very kind enough to take Dollar out for some images for us. Ane is so incredibly kind and patient with us. Her story with Dollar is a testament to her abilities as well. She started him and has worked with him for his near 3 years now and it shows when she rides him through all conditions. Thank you again Ane Mommsen!
Tamron 70-300mm Di III RXD lens on a Sony a6600, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 800, shutter speed of 1/800th of a second, handheld. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #tamron70300, #BearWoodsPhotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops

Moose and the Tetons

Moose and the Tetons.
Our group had a great day of photography yesterday. It started out with whiteout conditions, but opened up for us late morning. We photographed some incredible Elk in the morning, and found a group of 7 Moose near noon. They were bedded down, but we waited and our patience paid off when at some point all of them stood up, fed and walked around. Our group never got closer than 40 to 50 yards, but we watched a couple idiots at one point get within about 10 feet of one of the moose. The Park Service requires minimum of 25 yards distance from animals like moose. I decided to zoom out to about 150mm and include the mountain range in the scene.
Tamron 70-300mm Di III RXD lens on a Sony a6600, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 800, shutter speed of 1/3200th of a second, handheld. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #tamron70300, #BearWoodsPhotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops

Vestrahorn

Vestrahorn.
One of my favorite locations in Iceland is Vestrahorn. It is amazing place to see where the sea meets the mountains. The black sand dunes add a contrast in texture that I love photographing. I am pleased with the images I have captured of it over the past 2 years, but I still look forward to getting the “perfect” image at some point in the future. Both visits there have been in very windy conditions and you can feel the sand hitting you as you walk and photograph. It is one area I definitely recommend using a UV filter on the front of your lens to protect it from the sand hitting the elements.
Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD lens on a Sony a7Riii, Manual Exposure mode, f16, ISO 50, shutter speed of 1/15th of a second, Sirui tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron1728, #siruiusa, #acratech, #bearwoodsphotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops

Dyrholaey sunrise, Iceland, February 2020

Dyrholaey sunrise, Iceland, February 2020.
Sometimes to capture great images, you have to brave rough conditions. This was one such morning. We photographed from the cliffs of Dyrholaey looking over the coast towards what is referred to as the Black Sand Beach or Reynisfjara. Our guide, Thor, continually joked that all the beaches had black sand so why designate this one as “the” one? Winds were about 30 mph, and the temperature was bitter. Our group braved the elements for their images, holding their tripods or using their camera bags to weigh down their tripods. All of that was normal though, the rough conditions came when I needed to use the restroom and had to pay 200 Króna to enter! That works out to about $1.50! The things photographers do to capture images!
Tamron 35-150mm Di VC OSD lens on a Sony a7iii via the Metabones adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f11, ISO 50, shutter speed of 1/40th of a second, Sirui W2204 tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, Shimoda Explore backpack, processed in Lightroom Classic. #withmytamron, #tamron, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #tamron35150, #SiruiUSA, #Acratech, #shimodadesign, #BearWoodsPhotography, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops