Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
In the time (one and a half years) I've owned this camera it hasn't put a foot wrong ... nothing untoward at all until yesterday ... when it mattered!
When I spotted the possum in the death grip of a large python on the floor of my shed yesterday I was mesmerised initially then thought photos ... I need photos! I raced upstairs and grabbed the 240 and got back to the unfolding scene in my shed as fast as I could ... I knew the camera was set to go and only needed to turn it on and start shooting.
The first pic I tried to take it locked up ... W T F!
It has never ever done that before and required a battery removal and refit to get it back to life. After that it was all good ... here are the results.
When I spotted the possum in the death grip of a large python on the floor of my shed yesterday I was mesmerised initially then thought photos ... I need photos! I raced upstairs and grabbed the 240 and got back to the unfolding scene in my shed as fast as I could ... I knew the camera was set to go and only needed to turn it on and start shooting.
The first pic I tried to take it locked up ... W T F!
It has never ever done that before and required a battery removal and refit to get it back to life. After that it was all good ... here are the results.
ferider
Veteran
These are very cool, Keith.
In a year, I had a couple of lock-ups, too. Not anymore since upgrading to the latest fw.
Roland.
In a year, I had a couple of lock-ups, too. Not anymore since upgrading to the latest fw.
Roland.
ChrisN
Striving
Good work Keith. I'll bet that snake won't be moving fast for a while.
ww2photog
Established
That cobra could make a nice half case, just saying
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
It actually surprised me Chris. Once it had rested for about five minutes or so it headed out of the shed and went bush .... last seen heading towards my darkroom at a reasonable pace considering what was inside it!
pagpow
Well-known
Understandable. I might lock up, too if I witnessed that at close quarters, Keith.
Giorgio
Giorgio
rscheffler
Well-known
The secret is to not let the M know it's a critical situation. Can't let it feel the urgency, the stress. Once it knows, it might play along or do its own thing. IMO, this was more the case with the M9. The M240 was usually better, but I've had my share of missed moments due to inopportune lock ups. Luckily not yet when money was on the line, though it's just as bad when it's for myself, because those are usually the images I care about the most.
After the latest firmware update I've had considerably fewer lock ups, but they still happen from time to time. In my case it often seems to be after i've used the camera intensively, let it rest for some time due to a lull in the action. Then on the first exposure after the break it locks up...
I suppose it wouldn't be a Leica if it didn't occasionally make you want to smash it on the pavement.
Love-hate and all that...
Cool sequence nonetheless. I would have thought the python was overly optimistic, but I guess it knows how much it can stomach in one sitting.
After the latest firmware update I've had considerably fewer lock ups, but they still happen from time to time. In my case it often seems to be after i've used the camera intensively, let it rest for some time due to a lull in the action. Then on the first exposure after the break it locks up...
I suppose it wouldn't be a Leica if it didn't occasionally make you want to smash it on the pavement.
Love-hate and all that...
Cool sequence nonetheless. I would have thought the python was overly optimistic, but I guess it knows how much it can stomach in one sitting.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The secret is to not let the M know it's a critical situation. Can't let it feel the urgency, the stress. Once it knows, it might play along or do its own thing. IMO, this was more the case with the M9. The M240 was usually better, but I've had my share of missed moments due to inopportune lock ups. Luckily not yet when money was on the line, though it's just as bad when it's for myself, because those are usually the images I care about the most.
After the latest firmware update I've had considerably fewer lock ups, but they still happen from time to time. In my case it often seems to be after i've used the camera intensively, let it rest for some time due to a lull in the action. Then on the first exposure after the break it locks up...
I suppose it wouldn't be a Leica if it didn't occasionally make you want to smash it on the pavement.
Love-hate and all that...
Cool sequence nonetheless. I would have thought the python was overly optimistic, but I guess it knows how much it can stomach in one sitting.
That was my first thought also ... but I was subsequently amazed at how easily the snake swallowed the mammal. I worked out that this python was between three and four metres in length and occasionally I see them twice that size. They are the ones that can eat wallabies!
dmc
Bessa Driver
Say, Keith, remind me where you live so I never accidentally move there.😇
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
They're funny things snakes. I'm not native to Oz and when I first moved here in my twenties the mere thought of encountering one freaked me out ... now I think they are absolutely beautiful creatures and even the venomous ones don't phase me too much. Unless you encounter a female during breeding season they are generally very timid animals. We also have a snake they call the rough scale in my area ... from memory it's venom toxicity is right up there with the taipan, somewhere in the top ten.
My son is definitely uncomfortable with them ... when the drama in the shed was going on he refused to set foot out of the house until the python was gone!
randolph45
Well-known
Wow great catch, kinda once in a lifetime experience. wish I had my camera when I spoted my frist evey red fox on the coast of calif
uhoh7
Veteran
Get a new memory card, Keith
And don't make me look at such things
And don't make me look at such things
pluton
Well-known
Nice sequence.
I envy the snake...it doesn't have to bother with food for about a month or so. That's easy living.
I envy the snake...it doesn't have to bother with food for about a month or so. That's easy living.
mcfingon
Western Australia
You could have thrown the locked-up Leica at the python, Keith. The shock may have brought the possum and the Leica back to life. All tiger snakes over my side of Australia. Not as big but very venomous, but like you say, usually very anxious to get out of your way.
jmilkins
Digited User
Who said nature photography requires a 600m f4 ?!
Wonderful Keith. Considered submitting to stock agency ( or digitally watermarking)?
Wonderful Keith. Considered submitting to stock agency ( or digitally watermarking)?
laurentb
Established
Great series!
mfogiel
Veteran
Hmm, how large do these pythons grow Keith ???
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
That one was close to four metres from what I could tell ... they've been seen in this area close to six metres.
k__43
Registered Film User
crazy cool shots
funny to see that the snake doesn't think of humans with cameras being predators for it. she just let you snap away and didn't mind you
funny to see that the snake doesn't think of humans with cameras being predators for it. she just let you snap away and didn't mind you
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Once a python latches onto a meal ... it doesn't let go, for any reason. Totally focused!