A couple of photos from Alaska's interior (Anchorage, Lakes: rent, work)

[RayinAK]

I take most of my photos in North Pole (away from the city center, of course), around Chena Lakes, Chena Recreations area, and such. Use a Canon Rebel XT, with a Tokina 12-24 mm lens, and sometimes a Tamron 17-50 mm lens.

parking lot at Chena Lakes a couple of winters ago:


On my way to the flood project dam:


Chena River in late April, at the Chena Rec. Area (snow shown at the right corner):


A beaver at work, same spot at the photo above this one:

[MaggieZ]

great photos. Pity it's so remote or I'd come for a stroll there...it's so clean and pristine looking.

[boma]

WOOOW LOVE THOSE PICTURES....THANKS FOR SHARING.....

[cobolt]

Ray....do you use any lense filters? Also...how do you like the Rebel? I'm in the market for something more than my little cannon 450 powershot. It takes great pics, but I really want something I can use my detachables with (lenses left over after my Cannon T70 bit the dust---have a wide angle and telephoto...Vivitar and I think Olympus lenses). I used the powershot as a stop gap but I've really outgrown it. GREAT PICS, btw...(which is why I ask your input on cameras)

[Macrina]

Lovely photos, Ray....you have a great eye for framing the shot.

[Barkingowl]

You've got a great eye! Nice pics. Thanks for sharing.

[bardini47]

I was born in Anchorage 61 years ago and your pics are beautiful. Thank you.

Tlinqit Bardi

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Ray....do you use any lense filters? Also...how do you like the Rebel? I'm in the market for something more than my little cannon 450 powershot. It takes great pics, but I really want something I can use my detachables with (lenses left over after my Cannon T70 bit the dust---have a wide angle and telephoto...Vivitar and I think Olympus lenses). I used the powershot as a stop gap but I've really outgrown it. GREAT PICS, btw...(which is why I ask your input on cameras)

Cobolt,

Canon upgrades most of its cameras just about every year. My XT is over two years old now, and I will probably use it for another year or two before buying another Canon camera. I will probably buy a 40D, or maybe a 50D a couple of years from now. The XT has been one of the most successful sellers for Canon, but it has been upgraded twice now. The first upgrade was the XTi, and now there is another one coming. The XT-series uses Canon EF, and I believe, EF-S lenses. You can use some of the older lenses with it, but they are not fully automatic with this camera. The XT is an excellent entry-level camera, and a new one (unused) can be had for around $300.00 (without a lens) from reputable dealers.

I used a circular polarizer on the last two photos, but on different lenses. The first lens is a Tokina 12-24 mm, and a Sigma 70-300 mm zoom lens on the beaver. I still had to zoom into the beaver's image with PhotoShop, and then crop the photo. This provided me with a closer photo than it would have been at 300 mm alone. One of the reasons why the beaver looks clearer is because the filter stops some of the light reflections from the water's surface. Also, that's why the sky looks bluer and the clouds so clear.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by bardini47

I was born in Anchorage 61 years ago and your pics are beautiful. Thank you.

Tlinqit Bardi

Thank you, Tlingit Bardi, not only for your complementing my photos, but for taking the time to do so. I am certain that you have seen a lot in your years of living in Alaska. It's I who would like to sincerely thank you.

Ray

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Cobolt,

Canon upgrades most of its cameras just about every year. My XT is over two years old now, and I will probably use it for another year or two before buying another Canon camera. I will probably buy a 40D, or maybe a 50D a couple of years from now. The XT has been one of the most successful sellers for Canon, but it has been upgraded twice now. The first upgrade was the XTi, and now there is another one coming. The XT-series uses Canon EF, and I believe, EF-S lenses. You can use some of the older lenses with it, but they are not fully automatic with this camera. The XT is an excellent entry-level camera, and a new one (unused) can be had for around $300.00 (without a lens) from reputable dealers.

I used a circular polarizer on the last two photos, but on different lenses. The first lens is a Tokina 12-24 mm, and a Sigma 70-300 mm zoom lens on the beaver. I still had to zoom into the beaver's image with PhotoShop, and then crop the photo. This provided me with a closer photo than it would have been at 300 mm alone. One of the reasons why the beaver looks clearer is because the filter stops some of the light reflections from the water's surface. Also, that's why the sky looks bluer and the clouds so clear.

Thanks for the response, Ray. My research regarding cameras/lenses confirms what you said about the older lenses not being fully automatic and also differing a bit in range.

I've heard good things about the Tonika lenses. I take it you shoot in the raw?
Great pics!!