My summer with the Nikon Z8 ...and Lyme Disease!

[Kjellis]

After much thought and consideration I bought a Z8 as a second camera to my Z9 in early June. Or so I thought. It turned out to become my main camera this summer.

At the same I got my new camera I also got a bug bite on my thigh that was growing in size. About 4 days after I first discovered the bite I got really sick with headache, muscle- and jointpain and fever. That was on a thursday and I went to the E.R. around 10 pm and got antibiothics for an infected bug bite as the bite didn't look like Lyme Disease. The following saturday the bite has grown to about 11 centimeters in size and even though my fever was gone I was really sick, so I went to the E.R. again and this time Lyme Desease was a fact. After a hevy antibiotics cure over two weeks my somptoms was gone but I strugled with fatigue since.

So that brings me to the Z8. Well to make it short, the Z8 has been my main camera this summer because of the weight. Even with my strenght and and energy gone, I have managed to haul my 600 TC araound and the Z8 with it's lighter weight has made it so much easier to handle. As I've gotten used to the Z8 I really love it, and I prefer it over my Z9, even with my 600 TC.

So what is my point with this story you might think? Well I'm not sure. Maybe to share my story and advice folks to take precaution when it comes to ticks. Or maybe how good the Z8 is, even paired with a big telephoto lens

To add to the story I was at the doctors again in early September with a new insect bite that was growing and I've got Lyme Disease for the second time since June. How is it possible you think? Well, I have taken precautions with my clothes impregnated with permethrin and insect repellant on my skin. And never saw the ticks, I just had these bites that just growed in size.

Hope this babling make sence. Be careful out there and remember that good health isn't guaranteed.

Here is some images made with the Z8 this summer.

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[Abinoone]

Quite a story! So sorry for your troubles. I am phobic about ticks, and always take precautions, but of course luck has a lot to do with it too, as you well know. Anyway, very nice images, especially the first one, which is spectacular. Well done!

 

[ButlerKid]

Stunning images! I, too, love my Z8+600mm TC combo! I can't carry it around very far, though!

Sorry to hear about contracting Lyme Disease, twice! Both hubby and I have been bitten in the past, but thankfully did not get Lyme. Take care and don't over do it!

 

[Jmaes]

Sorry to hear that; hope you'll feel like normal again soon.

Nice shots! I use the Z9/Z8 combination as well; there's definitely times where the Z8 gets the preference.

 

[Kjellis]

Thank you so much @Abinoone, @ButlerKid and @Jmaes!

I’ve read somewhere that about 2% of all tick bites cause Lyme Disease so I have been very unlucky I guess.

I have loved how the Z9 balances the 600TC, but after using the Z8 so much I really like how it balances too.

 

[ajrmd]

So sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling with Lyme disease and I had no idea that it was prevalent in Norway? Is the vector the same as it is in the US, namely deer ticks? They are quite small and easily overlooked. https://www.wisducks.org/tick-borne-disease-and-your-dog/deer-tick/

 

[Kjellis]

Thank you @ajrmd! The deer tick you linked to looks to be the same as here, at least similar if not the same. The population of ticks has exploded the last 20 years here where I live. Guess climate change with warmer winters and more rain is a big reason.
I have always been spending much time in nature and as a kid in the 80’s and a teenager in the 90’s we didn’t see any ticks at all, Todays situation is another story.
So now both my youngest daughter and I have had Lyme Disease, she was pretty sick and had to stay a week in hospital.

 

[Lee R]

After much thought and consideration I bought a Z8 as a second camera to my Z9 in early June. Or so I thought. It turned out to become my main camera this summer.

At the same I got my new camera I also got a bug bite on my thigh that was growing in size. About 4 days after I first discovered the bite I got really sick with headache, muscle- and jointpain and fever. That was on a thursday and I went to the E.R. around 10 pm and got antibiothics for an infected bug bite as the bite didn't look like Lyme Disease. The following saturday the bite has grown to about 11 centimeters in size and even though my fever was gone I was really sick, so I went to the E.R. again and this time Lyme Desease was a fact. After a hevy antibiotics cure over two weeks my somptoms was gone but I strugled with fatigue since.

So that brings me to the Z8. Well to make it short, the Z8 has been my main camera this summer because of the weight. Even with my strenght and and energy gone, I have managed to haul my 600 TC araound and the Z8 with it's lighter weight has made it so much easier to handle. As I've gotten used to the Z8 I really love it, and I prefer it over my Z9, even with my 600 TC.

So what is my point with this story you might think? Well I'm not sure. Maybe to share my story and advice folks to take precaution when it comes to ticks. Or maybe how good the Z8 is, even paired with a big telephoto lens

To add to the story I was at the doctors again in early September with a new insect bite that was growing and I've got Lyme Disease for the second time since June. How is it possible you think? Well, I have taken precautions with my clothes impregnated with permethrin and insect repellant on my skin. And never saw the ticks, I just had these bites that just growed in size.

Hope this babling make sence. Be careful out there and remember that good health isn't guaranteed.

Here is some images made with the Z8 this summer.


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Lyme got so bad where I grew up (island off coast of maine) that the community has been trying everything to reduce it. You would get deer ticks literally anywhere including the front lawn. Right now they're working to treat the deer with insecticides to kill off the tick population. My father's had it, wife, brother and a bunch of people I know. The key is if you even remote suspect Lyme get on antibiotics immediately as waiting makes things very bad. And you don't always show any of the typical symptoms like the bullseye rash.

Permethrin clothing and taping your pantlegs and tucking in shirts is a must, followed by a tick inspection when you get home.

My dogs had it so many times we just started having them tested routinely, fortunately they both lived long lives uneffected by lyme being diligent about detecting it.

I would do the same living in a lyme area or if you visit, be aware.

Also fantastic shots worth the risk of Lyme!

 

[Kjellis]

Thanks @Lee R Staying indoors isen’t a option for a nature photographer! LOL

 

[Lee R]

Thanks @Lee R Staying indoors isen’t an option for a nature photographer! LOL

*deploys 20 Z9s in auto capture in a tyvek suit*

No staying indoors for sure limits the keeper rate!

 

[Nimi]

After much thought and consideration I bought a Z8 as a second camera to my Z9 in early June. Or so I thought. It turned out to become my main camera this summer.

At the same I got my new camera I also got a bug bite on my thigh that was growing in size. About 4 days after I first discovered the bite I got really sick with headache, muscle- and jointpain and fever. That was on a thursday and I went to the E.R. around 10 pm and got antibiothics for an infected bug bite as the bite didn't look like Lyme Disease. The following saturday the bite has grown to about 11 centimeters in size and even though my fever was gone I was really sick, so I went to the E.R. again and this time Lyme Desease was a fact. After a hevy antibiotics cure over two weeks my somptoms was gone but I strugled with fatigue since.

So that brings me to the Z8. Well to make it short, the Z8 has been my main camera this summer because of the weight. Even with my strenght and and energy gone, I have managed to haul my 600 TC araound and the Z8 with it's lighter weight has made it so much easier to handle. As I've gotten used to the Z8 I really love it, and I prefer it over my Z9, even with my 600 TC.

So what is my point with this story you might think? Well I'm not sure. Maybe to share my story and advice folks to take precaution when it comes to ticks. Or maybe how good the Z8 is, even paired with a big telephoto lens

To add to the story I was at the doctors again in early September with a new insect bite that was growing and I've got Lyme Disease for the second time since June. How is it possible you think? Well, I have taken precautions with my clothes impregnated with permethrin and insect repellant on my skin. And never saw the ticks, I just had these bites that just growed in size.

Hope this babling make sence. Be careful out there and remember that good health isn't guaranteed.

Here is some images made with the Z8 this summer.


View attachment 96830

View attachment 96831


View attachment 96832

Get well!

When I lived in Eastern Pennsylvania, every bite + mild symptoms was treated as Lyme Disease as soon as a doctor got a look because the long term effects are so severe and permanent. Contracted it twice.

 

[BillW]

Deer ticks and Lymes disease are also an issue in Minnesota where I live. Fortunately, I’ve not had it. There is a veterinary vaccine for dogs (which our dog gets every year or two), but none approved for humans in the US. I’m hoping for a human Lyme’s disease vaccine one of these days; I’ve read that there is one in testing that might be available in the US in a year or two. I recall hearing that there was a Lyme’s disease vaccine available in Europe.

During tick season, I wear permithrin-treated clothing, including socks. I tuck my pant legs into my socks. I treat the shoes I wear for photography with a permithrin spay. And of course, I do a tick check at the end of the day. It’s a risk worth taking seriously.

 

[Lance B]

Sorry to hear of your troubles with Lyme disease. I hope you fully recover soon.

Great photos with your new Z8 if that's any consolation!

 

[mathjak107]

is a good idea to get a sticky roller for lint and go over yourself when out in the woods

 

[JoelKlein]

What a story!


Those images are beautiful

 

[Kjellis]

Get well!

When I lived in Eastern Pennsylvania, every bite + mild symptoms was treated as Lyme Disease as soon as a doctor got a look because the long term effects are so severe and permanent. Contracted it twice.

Thank you so much! This second time I went to the doctors much earlier than the first time. I guess recognizing the symptoms gave me an advantage.

Deer ticks and Lymes disease are also an issue in Minnesota where I live. Fortunately, I’ve not had it. There is a veterinary vaccine for dogs (which our dog gets every year or two), but none approved for humans in the US. I’m hoping for a human Lyme’s disease vaccine one of these days; I’ve read that there is one in testing that might be available in the US in a year or two. I recall hearing that there was a Lyme’s disease vaccine available in Europe.

During tick season, I wear permithrin-treated clothing, including socks. I tuck my pant legs into my socks. I treat the shoes I wear for photography with a permithrin spay. And of course, I do a tick check at the end of the day. It’s a risk worth taking seriously.

I recently read that they are testing a vaccine in Sweden that is a year or two away from being available. There is a tick vaccine available, but it covers other diseases and not Lyme Disease. I will be first in line when it launch.
I have been takin precautions about the same way you do, I guess I have been extremely unlucky.

Sorry to hear of your troubles with Lyme disease. I hope you fully recover soon.

Great photos with your new Z8 if that's any consolation!

Thank you so much! I’m halfway through the cure now and I feel a lot better, still low in energy and strenght though.

is a good idea to get a sticky roller for lint and go over yourself when out in the woods

Good point!

What a story!


Those images are beautiful

Thank you so much!

 

[Ralph]

After much thought and consideration I bought a Z8 as a second camera to my Z9 in early June. Or so I thought. It turned out to become my main camera this summer.

At the same I got my new camera I also got a bug bite on my thigh that was growing in size. About 4 days after I first discovered the bite I got really sick with headache, muscle- and jointpain and fever. That was on a thursday and I went to the E.R. around 10 pm and got antibiothics for an infected bug bite as the bite didn't look like Lyme Disease. The following saturday the bite has grown to about 11 centimeters in size and even though my fever was gone I was really sick, so I went to the E.R. again and this time Lyme Desease was a fact. After a hevy antibiotics cure over two weeks my somptoms was gone but I strugled with fatigue since.

So that brings me to the Z8. Well to make it short, the Z8 has been my main camera this summer because of the weight. Even with my strenght and and energy gone, I have managed to haul my 600 TC araound and the Z8 with it's lighter weight has made it so much easier to handle. As I've gotten used to the Z8 I really love it, and I prefer it over my Z9, even with my 600 TC.

So what is my point with this story you might think? Well I'm not sure. Maybe to share my story and advice folks to take precaution when it comes to ticks. Or maybe how good the Z8 is, even paired with a big telephoto lens

To add to the story I was at the doctors again in early September with a new insect bite that was growing and I've got Lyme Disease for the second time since June. How is it possible you think? Well, I have taken precautions with my clothes impregnated with permethrin and insect repellant on my skin. And never saw the ticks, I just had these bites that just growed in size.

Hope this babling make sence. Be careful out there and remember that good health isn't guaranteed.

Here is some images made with the Z8 this summer.


View attachment 96830

View attachment 96831


View attachment 96832

Beautiful shots. Here in New Jersey ticks are everywhere. In May, while in a refuge, I just step out of my car on the road, made contact with some low lying grass on the side of the road. Couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. Before stepping back into the car, I pulled my pants leg up to check for ticks. There were 3 of them up my leg already starting to imbed themselves. You cannot step into the woods without making contact. Because of this fact, I do all of my photographing in my car, along the shoreline, along the sides of roads, etc. Even then, I check myself when I get back home, also have my wife check me and then I shower. Fortunately for me all the ticks I’ve been bitten by were not deer ticks. They were lone star ticks. While they don’t carry lymes, their bite is very painful.

 

[Kjellis]

Beautiful shots. Here in New Jersey ticks are everywhere. In May, while in a refuge, I just step out of my car on the road, made contact with some low lying grass on the side of the road. Couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. Before stepping back into the car, I pulled my pants leg up to check for ticks. There were 3 of them up my leg already starting to imbed themselves. You cannot step into the woods without making contact. Because of this fact, I do all of my photographing in my car, along the shoreline, along the sides of roads, etc. Even then, I check myself when I get back home, also have my wife check me and then I shower. Fortunately for me all the ticks I’ve been bitten by were not deer ticks. They were lone star ticks. While they don’t carry lymes, their bite is very painful.

Thank you, Ralph!