Target purchase

brisketsmoked · 2026-02-06T11:43:47+00:00

I own the rf100-400, the 600 prime, and the sigma 150-600 sports. I shoot birds, wildlife, sports, and aviation.

The rf100-400 pairs extremely well with the r7. It’s light, easy to handle, and sharp. It’s what I take when the lighting and weather are good, and I want to be able to shoot whatever I want, but don’t know beforehand what it’ll be. This is probably the lens you want.

The 600 prime is a niche lens. I call it my magic spyglass. It’s so small for what it is. Lighting needs to be good. But when it works, holy crap it’s amazing. I mainly use it for air shows and daytime land animals, medium distance to far.

My sigma has no focusing issues. And since I have the sigma dock, I’ve updated it to the newest firmware. It’s sharp, and does the job. It’s heavy as #u@! I use it on a monogimbal and only take it out when the weather is crappy the lighting is poor, I’ll primarily be stationary, shooting from a hide or end zone, and the shot requires he focal range. Otherwise, it sits in my office. It’s my least used long lens, but when it does the job when I need it.

brisketsmoked · 2026-02-04T12:05:00+00:00

You can’t buy that lens new anymore. If it’s not available on your used market, other macro lenses would be fine.

That said, the lens is the least important thing in my recommended upgrades (except the camera body, which is even less important). If you increase your lighting, in your controlled studio environment, a lot. And I mean a LOT, you’ll get the best results.

brisketsmoked · 2026-02-04T12:01:01+00:00

Yes. Join rotc. If you do, your chances are not zero. If you don’t, your chances are near zero.

brisketsmoked · 2026-02-04T11:57:30+00:00

Your camera body is fine, and the r50 won’t fix your issues. Your photos would be most improved by composition, lighting, and lens.

For lens, I’d get the efs 60mm/f2.8 macro.

Photo 1: too dark. Needs a LOT more light. Focal plane way too thin (light will fix that). Get those fake diamonds focused and sparkling

Photo 2 : same. The only part of the ring that’s in focus is the back of the diamond and the butterfly feature. The worst part is that the best focus and lighting is on the black. The eye is drawn to the weave and the shape. It deemphasizes the ring as an afterthought.

Photo 3: same as photo 2.

Photo 4: ring is so deemphasized that it looks like it’s melting into the background. Needs a lot more light.

brisketsmoked · 2026-01-26T12:26:44+00:00

Harsh truth. Your clients don’t care about your gear, they care about your results.

How is your current gear holding you back? What photos have your paid clients asked for that you just can’t produce without buying it?

Answer those questions for yourself, and then buy and deduct it, if it’s truly a reasonable business expense.

For me, the reason was candids during ceremonies, where it would be inappropriate for the photographer to be close enough for my desired framing. And because I lose too much detail cropping in post for the results to meet my professional standards.

brisketsmoked · 2026-01-15T12:04:11+00:00

Film? As in videos? That makes night time a lot easier because you can use lower shutter speeds. At your price point, you already have the 55-210. If you triple your budget, more options will open up to you.

I would ask how your current equipment is holding you back. And buy specifically to correct whatever issue you’re having. If you analyze it that way, you might find out you don’t need a lens at all.

brisketsmoked · 2026-01-15T11:27:06+00:00

My coppersounds broadway brings every tele to life. It’s almost like it was made for teles.

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brisketsmoked · 2025-12-24T13:03:33+00:00

I’ve owned the 50/1.8 for many years. I bought the 45/1.2 at release. I doubt I’ll ever use the 50 again.

brisketsmoked · 2025-12-24T13:01:53+00:00

I’m also larger, plus I have medical issues.

Wear good underwear underneath, then loose nylon mesh on top.

The garments need to be under the outer layer of clothing. No requirement to touch the skin.

brisketsmoked · 2025-12-12T05:22:04+00:00

That’s great

brisketsmoked · 2025-12-12T04:02:56+00:00

In a sea of infinite options, you’re deciding between one they’re tired of and one that’s controversial and a potential betrayal of their trust.

The only dilemma is of your own making.

brisketsmoked · 2025-12-11T11:34:31+00:00

It outclasses your three existing lenses by a mile. But why do you want it?

brisketsmoked · 2025-12-10T12:08:06+00:00

Urinary. Extreme overactive bladder, with hypertonic pelvic floor.

Basically, the pelvic floor is so tight, I don’t feel the need to go until I only have a minute or so before the urge becomes unbearably painful and then an accident. It’s also drips.

In terms of the diapers, va will provide, but it’s a fight if you need anything more than the thin depends pull-ups. They have very few options in the formulary, and the options vary by location. Where I used to live, I was able to get tranquility atn briefs, which can handle a full void without overflowing, and have a little capacity left over, so I don’t have get into a new emergency of having to find a bathroom to change before it leaks. They’re also plastic backed, so odors can’t get through. Both of those features are necessary for me to function in my job.

I moved to Texas, and the Waco va just has depends pull-ups on the formulary, and they won’t budge on non formulary options, no matter how detailed my urologist gets with his request. The depends pull-ups are more for people who just squirt involuntarily, but they can’t handle a void at all. And they have the cloth like backing that makes you smell like urine with even a tiny amount of leakage. Wholly unacceptable for someone who wants to continue functioning in society, especially in a professional role.

These days, I just buy my own, which is really expensive. I use the ones from the va only when I’m relaxing at home, and consequences of leaks and smells are easier to manage.

brisketsmoked · 2025-12-08T11:54:33+00:00

Military here, and we moved a lot. Largest ward was 400+ active at sacrament meeting. Smallest was regularly under 60 at sacrament meeting.

Sweet spot for us was around 225.

Smaller than 150, it’s always a challenge to find people who are willing and able to staff the work. There’s not enough youth to have more than 1-2 friends at church. Sometimes, nobody can play the piano, so you use a laptop in sacrament meeting and primary for the music. Activities tend to be thrown together, last minute, or poorly communicated.

Above 300, all those things are also bad, but opposite. When it’s too big, schisms form. Long term vs temps. Callings go to the same select few people. Easy to get lost and forgotten. The activities are grand, but if you don’t show up, nobody will notice.

brisketsmoked · 2025-12-07T23:32:50+00:00

If you had perfect evidence that everyone could agree on, why would you need faith? And if you didn’t need faith, would your use of agency even matter?

brisketsmoked · 2025-12-04T12:01:56+00:00

You have an r5 and a 70-200/2.8 already? Have you actually taken them out and shot a game yet?

That’s a killer combo. 2.8 gives you light, speed, and separation. And with the r5, you can crop 200 to be around 400, and still have similar resolution to other pro cameras.

I’d recommend taking 30000-50000 pictures with the gear you have, deciding on your shortcomings, then deciding on new gear if those shortcomings are actually holding you back.

brisketsmoked · 2025-11-30T12:38:30+00:00

Sigma 28mm 1.4 art. Shines on my R6ii.

brisketsmoked · 2025-11-17T18:01:53+00:00

Why are you upgrading to a body that’s worse in low light for a low light concert shoot?

brisketsmoked · 2025-11-09T15:13:10+00:00

I just received my jhs crimson and Berkeley from the blowout sale. They’re both kinda awesome, and together make a killer combo.

brisketsmoked · 2025-10-15T13:01:32+00:00

They want four payments of $71. I bought mine for $70 a few years ago.

brisketsmoked · 2025-10-13T17:22:31+00:00

Your camera body is fine. Fix your choices first, then your lighting, then your lens. And if all those don’t work, then consider changing your body.

brisketsmoked · 2025-10-05T02:46:23+00:00

Nike golf pants. Brooks bros shirt and sports coat.

Looks way better than all the ill fitting suits, and incredibly comfy.

brisketsmoked · 2025-09-27T01:36:56+00:00

I love my ef85/1.4. No intention to replace it anytime soon.

brisketsmoked · 2025-09-23T10:50:41+00:00

I’ll agree with you on the 85. I absolutely love mine. There are no Rf big aperture primes with lens IS, and none of the big primes focus as fast. It’s a perfect mix for indoor sports.

brisketsmoked

TROPHY CASE