Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 5D Mk3 Reliability

« on: May 23, 2013, 06:45:04 PM »

wow an amazing camera
upgraded from the 5DC which is also a very good camera only lacking in the AF Dept for moving subjects.
the silent shutter mode is the best for not spooking wildlife on the 5DIII
The only improvement would be faster frames per second but that is what you pay for in a 1DX
6 FPS is still pretty good especially for 22MP
I have to say when I do my part right the image quality is excellent.
I cannot fault this camera and I have used it vigorously since it was launched.

2

Software & Accessories / Re: question for RRS/Acratech (high-end) ballhead users

« on: May 17, 2013, 05:41:23 PM »

I spent a lot of time looking into ballheads and reading various reviews before opting for the Markins which I have to say is awesome.
I was a little put off by the elliptical ball on the Arca swiss being prone to locking up.
I liked the simplicity, cost and weight of the Markins.
I have been using mine in the field now for some time and it has never missed a beat. It has a brilliant system for quickly setting the sweet spot on a camera lens combo and then locking it in on a small dial so you can turn the main knob to unlock / lock very quickly.
I have no experience of RRS but they certainly look well engineered
I would certainly look into Markins there is a youtube clip of a Nikon 800mm lens and camera being used with one.
I have to say mine locks absolutely solid when you tighten the main knob with the ball in any position.
There are different weight rated ones to suit most cameras & lens.
They even do a titanium one
I ordered mine from light n space on ebay from Korea as it worked out cheaper than buying from europe even with import duty. (I didn't have to pay any anyway as it happens)

3

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: March 14, 2013, 08:32:16 PM »

Mr. Few Shots, nice, I'm guessing a 600mm lens?

Here's a nuthatch of mine, done with a lowly 70-200 f/4 on my crop camera.

thanks
no i wish a 600mm    but out of my budget
its canons 400mm f5.6L
the trick is getting closer
Is yours an American Nuthatch?

You're quite welcome.  Cool, I've rented that lens, I liked it...congrats on getting stellar results with it!  Alas I chose to buy a softer Sigma zoom.  So far I like it considering the price (especially the color rendition), but I've only used it for an hour.  Here's an admittedly compromised shot below, done today through a glass window (the storms brought wind gusts to 40 mph today!)  ISO 2000, 1/200 with OS on, f/7.1, 400mm, 50% crop, then reduced from 2000 pixel width to 770.

I was told that other bird was a "brown headed nuthatch".  This one is quite small, not much bigger than a hummingbird.  I'm the opposite of a bird expert.  I just know there aren't much variety of the small birds here...or if there are more, they don't make themselves conspicuous.  I'm not much into using blinds or camping out in the mountains for a week to try to see the rarer species...especially when there are so many other people out there doing such great work already (most of them not getting paid for it).

I have never used Sigma but you got the shot with everything stacked against you by the sounds of it..nicely done
Its a bug that soon gets you. the trick is to start feeding them in your garden if you have one and get a good spot set up to photograph them without spooking them.
Here's a Blue Tit I shot in my garden which although a very common bird is striking when in the right light.
This was shot with Canon 100-400 L lens which some say isn't that sharp but I disagree if you shoot within its capabilities.
All I did was set up a perch next to the feeding area and with a bit of trial and error with the position and height of the perch they would land on it nearly every time before hopping onto the feed area.
Patience and observation are your biggest friend when trying to get wildlife shots

4

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: March 02, 2013, 03:04:54 PM »

Mr. Few Shots, nice, I'm guessing a 600mm lens?

Here's a nuthatch of mine, done with a lowly 70-200 f/4 on my crop camera.

thanks
no i wish a 600mm    but out of my budget
its canons 400mm f5.6L
the trick is getting closer
Is yours an American Nuthatch?

5

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: March 01, 2013, 08:21:10 PM »

Eastern Screech Owl

amazing camouflage looks just like the tree as several others have also commented on.....nature is a marvel
awesome photo
recent portrait of  Nuthatch shot with a 5dIII (loving the camera)
like the confidence in upping the ISO over 1000

6

Lenses / Re: what 5 lenses would you want (exclude factors such as buissiness and body)

« on: December 05, 2012, 04:53:46 PM »

If only money was no object haha
Lots of great choices posted so far
For me it would have to be the following:

Zeiss 21mm for landscape as Zeiss lenses are absolute class even if manual focus
Canon 24-70 2.8II for general purpose as an upgrade from my 28-70 2.8L
Canon 300 2.8 IS II for larger wildlife
Canon 600 f4 IS II for smaller wildlife
What the hell I would like the 17mm Tilt & Shift for wide angle as well

I have the following amongst others otherwise would most certainly include them as they are superb lenses
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II for people photography as allows you to keep a little distance for more natural shots
Canon 180 3.5L Macro as super sharp

We can all dream, as selling the wife isn't an option 

7

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your 5D Mark III Bird shots (cropped or uncropped) here

« on: December 01, 2012, 08:12:15 PM »

Hi Rev

Thanks for the tips and your right about the eye helping with the DOF I always try and focus on the eye when possible
It is a British / European Robin which I guess differ from the American one
I will have to try that 'share' method thanks

8

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your 5D Mark III Bird shots (cropped or uncropped) here

« on: November 30, 2012, 05:52:37 PM »

first post on forum but an avid follower, have picked up some great tips and advice as well as some amusement. love the heron and squirrel shots very unusual.
I cannot rave enough about the 5d III it was a carefully considered upgrade from the 5D Classic which I felt was an amazing camera capable of producing superb images when I did my part. The biggest drawback of the 5DC camera for me was the AF for moving subjects such as BIF but then it was in truth a studio / landscape camera if I was honest. great macro capability with the DLA factor though.
I don't necessarily think the images I take with the 5d III are a massive step up from the 5DC (although I feel they are better) when I get it right but it certainly makes getting the images a lot easier with the AF and menu systems / functions. I got the 5d III fairly soon after it came out and as a result paid £500 more than what I could get it for now.  Regrets.....hell no I just think of the enjoyment I have had learning about it and using it in the last 6 months.
I will attempt to post a link to my flickr page of a Robin taken with it. The DOF is probably a bit shallow but you take the moments you get!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoye_robert/8180129723/#