Charlie,

I tip the scales at 230 lbs. (or a little less on a good day. ) Getting in the kayak is easy, you just sort of fall into it. Now getting out is a different story. Generally, I put in and get out in a nice flat area. When returning, I start paddling like mad about 30 yards out and just beach the kayak. I can then climb out the front and not even get my shoes wet.

As for the 1/1000 sec shutter speed, I have found that at that speed I can be assured of getting sharp exposures. I have had to shoot as low as 1/200 of a second. Then I use a burst and hope one of the shots is good.

If I didn't have to crop most of the shots, it wouldn't be so bad. However, no one wants to see a full frame of trees and leaves with a little bird in the lower right corner or center. Rarely am I close enough to not have to crop.

When you crop, all warts and imperfections, like noise, mis-focus, and camera shake are magnified.

John

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