Nostalgia & History > SP SD40R: the details are in the angle...

Wide angle, that is.

I don't know why so many railfans seem to eschew, snub, abhor, reject, or otherwise ignore the wide lens. None of the first seven shots would have been possible without one.

I had a lovely Nikkor 24mm f2.8 in the kit, and used it a lot. Especially this day, when I was out gathering data for a diesel detailing kit in HO for a model manufacturer.

We'd gotten permission and waivers from the UP to climb upon, measure, and photograph one of their SD40-2s at Seattle's Argo Yard. When that was done, I couldn't help but turn a little leftover attention to a relatively fresh Southern Pacific SD40R rebuild. It helped ease the sting of homesickness.

The 24mm made it possible to get in close and still capture details. I think railfans don't like the strong convergence, and there's also the problem of 'barrel distortion', which makes straight lines seem a little curved. This varies with lens quality.

But after I discovered this lens, a door opened for detail photography, interiors, and general landscape railroad shots. I wish I'd been using one back in my earliest shooting days, but wouldn't we all like to retro-improve? :-)

Climbing on top happened after the morning gloom had broken. Stepping back down, the final shot was taken with a mild telephoto lens. Still useful. But the wide angle view is just crazy-dramatic, and gets you up close and personal.

Southern Pacific SD40R, rebuilt by Sacramento Locomotive Works, Serial 31563, built 1966 as SP 8403.

~ Bob Z.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/12 14:30 by Notch16.

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More...

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All photos taken 1980, Seattle WA.

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Wonderful, Bob.

Please accept 25 points.

Brian Moore
Plymouth, UK

Thank you. Brian. I will credit them towards complimenting the great stuff you do!

~ BZ

With all of the photos on Trainorders, it is hard to find something that is truly unique and not seen before. These pictures fit that bill! Great job.

Bob, GREAT series from a multitude of angles! That last shot really strikes me though. Thanks for sharing. LONG LIVE THE SP............

Kent in Carmel Valley

What was the use of the Red light, thank you.

coaltrain45

Warning. It actuated automatically on an emergency brake application, and electric shunting would also kill the oscillating headlight.

It could also be used as a rear warning, and could be turned on manually.

coaltrain45 Wrote:
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> What was the use of the Red light, thank you.
>
> coaltrain45

Railfan Death Ray.....Kidding. It was an emergency brake light. It would come on if the brake pressure dropped below a certain threshold, indicating the train was in emergency.

Mike

Hey Bob, one of these would look good with the KM in Niles Canyon. Even better would be a tunnel motor.

Joe Mann



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/12 16:28 by wingomann.

Notch16 Wrote:
> I think railfans don't like
> the strong convergence, and there's also the
> problem of 'barrel distortion', which makes
> straight lines seem a little curved. This varies
> with lens quality.
>
See... It makes those tracks in pic #6 curve away from the loco!!!

Seriously, great photos! Thank you, sir!

Don't know why others don't like 'em but I've always LOVED having a wide angle- just wish I'd had a wider lens back in the day! I appreciate your perspective Bob!

Ohhh Cannon Fans

DH

Excellent!!!

A feast for the SP fan! Thank you so much for posting these!
Only one question, when were they taken?

That answer's hidden just above the Cannon fans. :-)

~ BZ

What Pinecliffe said X 10 !!

Thanks, all! It was a good day, that day.

BZ

Great to see some shots closeup and from different angles. I always loved my wide angle lenses too and used them often. Thanks for posting these great shots.

C.C.Chas.