Another train, much like all the others

[Belmondo]

This train was going about 60 mph, when I grabbed this shot with my 20D using the 135mm f/2.0L. I was quite pleased with it because it was a particularly ugly day, and I had not taken the time to crank up the ISO, so I felt really lucky to get this.

I'm not entirely sure what I had in mind when I bought this lens, but I'm sure it was never conceived in my mind as a good choice for taking train pictures. I think I've possibly discovered that it really is a good use for it, however. Usually I'm using my 100-400 for these shots, and start snapping them a lot farther away.

http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/Hot-August-Nights/MG_0276.jpg

100% crop from the above shot.
http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/Hot-August-Nights/MG_0276_crop_jpg.jpg

[davidwegs]

Nice shot, I love that lens. IMO one of Canon's best. :)

[Olegis]

Don't you get arrested every time you take a picture of a train in US ? ;)
Nice shot, I like the colors very much !

[IanD]

That is damn sharp. Me thinks there is another lens added to my wish lit. And here is me saying that I'm not buying anymore stuff, damn........:):)

[Andy_T]

Very nice train, Belmondo!

What was the aperture? I'd guess at least f/5.6?

The notion 'didn't have time to crank up the ISO' suggests a large aperture, but then the DOF would be narrower, right?

Best regards,
Andy

[cmM]

it's good you stumbled upon the 135 :D. Nice shot

[marie]

very nice shot Tom
lovely sky too

the engine looks real chunky
it's a wonder the driver can see anything up there http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif
did he hoot at you ?
(if he saw you at all)
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif

[Belmondo]

did he hoot at you ?
(if he saw you at all)


Thanks, Marie.
As a matter of fact, he did. There is a standing order on the railroad for engineers to blow their horn and ring the bell whenever they see people or vehicles near the tracks (other than in depots). For years I thought they were just being friendly. :lol:

[marie]

Thanks, Marie.
As a matter of fact, he did. There is a standing order on the railroad for engineers to blow their horn and ring the bell whenever they see people or vehicles near the tracks (other than in depots). For years I thought they were just being friendly. :lol:


well that's great Tom.

makes your day

but I never knew there was a standing order for that kind of thing
I thought only the banks had those:confused:

:cry: now whenever I am standing on a bridge overlooking a rail track
and watching or photographing a train and I hear a hoot where the driver looks up and sees me up on high , I will know he is not just being friendly either,
if that ' law' has been passed over here :shock:


but I think, as there is no danger to me being hit by the train (being up on the humped back bridge) he is being friendly.

they hoot always when they see someone and it's really nice to hear it

interesting though to hear what you say .
they can't say there was no warning.

I'm sure they love hooting anyway
any excuse :lol:
everybody loves it, except I suppose where there are houses nearby
and that does not happen in areas like where you were taking the pictures

thanks Tom

[RJSorensen]

I love trains . . . please give me more.

[thomascanty]

Looks like that lens was certainly up to the task! Nice, sharp picture.

[stoneylonesome]

Ya done GOOD!! :) :) Very nice and I can't believe the sharpness and DOF that you got at f2 that's one sweet lens. Course I think the gentleman on the other side of the lens has a little more to do with the quality of the shot. :)

[freddycr]

WOW...tha's massive !!

And that is SOME lens too....low ISO.. mid-high speed (frozen 60 mph train !!)..and still good DOF ? :eek:

Great shot !!

[Tom W]

Nice shot, Belmondo.

I'm jealous that you have yellow engines while I have to deal with mostly non-photogenic black engines (even if they are fast).

Very good use of the 135/2!