[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

http://www.andyrouse.co.uk/index.php?page_id=174

That would definitely be a better review to read.

Yes indeed, that's a real review, by a real photographer.

Notice that he's hand holding almost everything, but keeping the ISO high enough that he's got good shutter speed. That takes full advantage of the 1DX, but you can do close to as good with a 5D MkIII or a 1D MkIV. (The 7D and 6D can't compete, due to AF issues).

Perfect safari lens.

Dave

[druu]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Yes indeed, that's a real review, by a real photographer.

Notice that he's hand holding almost everything, but keeping the ISO high enough that he's got good shutter speed. That takes full advantage of the 1DX, but you can do close to as good with a 5D MkIII or a 1D MkIV. (The 7D and 6D can't compete, due to AF issues).

Perfect safari lens.

Dave

The things I would do for that lens. Glad they finally announced it!

[Itsed65]

Yes, I'm going to the San Diego wild animal park later this week and would have loved to rent one of these. Instead I will use my 1d4 with the 100-400 and let my buddy use my 7d with the 70-200+1.4. I'm afraid the 400 or 300 prime could be too long in some situations, but I've never been there, so I don't really know

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Yes, I'm going to the San Diego wild animal park later this week and would have loved to rent one of these. Instead I will use my 1d4 with the 100-400 and let my buddy use my 7d with the 70-200+1.4. I'm afraid the 400 or 300 prime could be too long in some situations, but I've never been there, so I don't really know

I've been there. That 200-400 with 1.4x TC would be perfect for that park. On your 1D4 it'll be blazing fast.

You might be able to manage the AF a 1.4X TC on your 100-400mm and your 1D4, particularly if the light is strong. I'd carry a TC for that. The 70-200 +1.4 will be a nice, easy to manage rig, for your friend. The 100-400mm, bare, is going to cover most of your needs.

Dave

[Itsed65]

Good to know, thanks!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Good to know, thanks!

BTW, you can rent from Calumet locally can't you? I'd be all over that for these kinds of trips. It's too early to rent a 200-400mm I'd bet, but you could pick up another 1.4x TC. A 300/2.8 is the AF champ this type shooting. I know a couple of guys that prefer that as their African safari kit. (Of course, prior to the 200-400mm being an option.

Dave

[Itsed65]

I can rent from a couple of different places, so I'm anxious to try one of these out when they show in the wild. I have a 300 2.8 and love it, but it's a beast for hand holding, and I'm not sure I want to drag it all over the park all day, and then find it too long for a given situation. If I was on a real guided safari in Africa? No question. In San Diego, I can always go back if I'm not happy with my kit the first time.

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

http://www.andyrouse.co.uk/index.php?page_id=174

That would definitely be a better review to read.

Thanks for that link. That made for a great read! Now I just have to work a few hundred hours of overtime!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

I can rent from a couple of different places, so I'm anxious to try one of these out when they show in the wild. I have a 300 2.8 and love it, but it's a beast for hand holding, and I'm not sure I want to drag it all over the park all day, and then find it too long for a given situation. If I was on a real guided safari in Africa? No question. In San Diego, I can always go back if I'm not happy with my kit the first time.

I respect what you're saying, but doesn't the IQ and the AF speed of the 300/2.8 simply blow you away? I lug around a 500/f4, TCs, a second body with a 70-200/f4 because I'll kick myself if I get a good opportunity and the shot isn't all I can make it.

I'm lucky in that I'm physically strong, but I'm 65-years old and I ache and the 500mm isn't all that great for my joints, but I'll carry until I can't lift it anymore.

That's it, I won't say anymore, but just can't understand giving up IQ when you've got the tools.

Dave

[Itsed65]

Oh I hear you Dave, trust me. You obviously have no way of knowing, but I am a wheelchair user most of the time due to a motorbike mishap a number of years ago. So my arms are occupied with propelling me, and that big cannon hanging off my neck for 8 hours is just not a good thing for me. I use it when I can park my car and set up my tripod, but for a moving environment, I just can't carry that much gear with me.

I am looking into a modified Segway that may significantly change things in the future, but for now, it is what it is.

And yes, the IQ and speed of that lens are totally amazing!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Oh I hear you Dave, trust me. You obviously have no way of knowing, but I am a wheelchair user most of the time due to a motorbike mishap a number of years ago. So my arms are occupied with propelling me, and that big cannon hanging off my neck for 8 hours is just not a good thing for me. I use it when I can park my car and set up my tripod, but for a moving environment, I just can't carry that much gear with me.

I am looking into a modified Segway that may significantly change things in the future, but for now, it is what it is.

And yes, the IQ and speed of that lens are totally amazing!

Sorry to read about your difficulties. Lenses in that range demand full attention, so trying the propel and deal with that weight and size would be a huge factor. I hope you can ultimately get the Segway type device and perhaps develop some attachments to carry gear. More power!

Looking forward to seeing some images.

Dave

[M_Six]

Some folks have asked about my stacking the Kenko 1.4x TC and 2.0x TC on the 400 5.6. We finally got some sunshine, so I have some pics shot today from outside my office in good light. These were shot handheld. The first is the shot using a 50mm lens, just to give you an idea of the scene as it looks to the naked eye. The next is the shot with the 400 5.6 and stacked TCs, just reduced in size to fit here. The third is a non-reduced 800x600 100% crop from near the center of the image.



50mm Shot


Stacked TCs (1120mm, f16, ISO 1600, manual focus)



100% Crop

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Some folks have asked about my stacking the Kenko 1.4x TC and 2.0x TC on the 400 5.6. We finally got some sunshine, so I have some pics shot today from outside my office in good light. These were shot handheld. The first is the shot using a 50mm lens, just to give you an idea of the scene as it looks to the naked eye. The next is the shot with the 400 5.6 and stacked TCs, just reduced in size to fit here. The third is a non-reduced 800x600 100% crop from near the center of the image.



...

Pretty darn good hand held shots. Is this entirely MF or is AF working, but slow?

Dave

[M_Six]

Entirely MF (VF with Eg-S screen) with both TCs stacked. With the 1.4x TC, the 400 5.6 becomes f8 and AFs fine. With the 2.0x TC, it becomes f11 and will AF occasionally, depending on contrast. Both stacked gives f16 and it won't AF at all.

This was for a quick test. If I were to go out with the stacked TCs looking for birds or whatever, I'd use the monopod and Sidekick as a minimum.

[druu]

That is some impressive sharpness for handheld + 2 TCs. Thanks for the testing!

[Chewy734]

Outdoor Photography of Japan: Through the Seasons [Kindle Edition] for FREE!

[Chewy734]

Isn't it Memorial weekend??? Why the hell was it nearly snowing outside this morning while I was walking the dog? Ugh...

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

Isn't it Memorial weekend??? Why the hell was it nearly snowing outside this morning while I was walking the dog? Ugh...

Yep, sunny here, but only 45F.

[Chewy734]

I think just 3 days ago it was in the high 80s... I was complaining how hot it suddenly was... bad idea.

[Chewy734]

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for Windows & Mac - Full Version

bundled with:
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[Chewy734]

ugh... so sad...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,4361142.story

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

ugh... so sad...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,4361142.story

Yeah, and we're part of the problem. They'll just buy our images off Getty and other stock agencies. I'm amazed at how many news photos that I see attributed to Getty.

I have a friend that's a full-time wildlife photographer. Without seminars and guided expeditions he couldn't pay his mortgage today. 10 to 15-years ago he did okay with just photography and books.

Dave