Messages

1

Lenses / Re: 600mm lens - tripod

« on: April 20, 2013, 11:45:57 PM »

Agree 100% with Neuro's assessment.  In my view the only regret you will have is not having proper support and watching the big glass hit the ground.  I have used the Wimberley WH-200 and it is very nice.  I personally have the same RRS setup as Neuro describes, with the only difference being that I have the TVC-33S (the S stands for "short") which I prefer for travel convenience.

I'd definitely go with the 3 section' studies, especially this is new to you.  I have no trouble getting my Gitzo 3530LS 3 section on board a plane even a regional aircraft.

2

Lenses / Re: Using two Canon EF 1.4X entenders

« on: February 14, 2013, 09:21:54 AM »

Does anyone here use two 1.4X extenders? If so, can you tape one set of pins and say focus at f8 on a canon ef 400 L f5.6? 

Right now I use a 5d mk iii and I find it quite capable with the extender taped .  I guess I am thinking, when the new firmware comes in the spring, can I feasibly have a 800 f8(f11 reality)? I understand that the image may degrade, and it will be slower, but I was wondering if anyone with 1d series has tried this?

If you use two extenders, the max aperture would be f11, no matter what the camera says.  The 1DX does not AF at f11 when I tried to use the combo: 500f4 II, Kenko 1.4x, extension tube, 2x III.  Swapping the order of the Kenko and the canon 2x gives me an error.

3

Lenses / Re: Canon 2X extender : Mk2 vs Mk3 on 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM

« on: February 14, 2013, 09:12:02 AM »

I had the 2X II and the 2X III with a 300 f2.8 IS, the 2X III is marginally better.  Now I shoot with the 500F4 II and the image with the 2X III is quite good, perhaps as good as the 300f2.8 IS with the 1.4x II, which is quite good.

I have also shot with a borrowed 70-200f2.8 IS with a 2x II and the IQ is quite acceptable.  If you are trying to save money, buying a used 2x II is not a bad idea me think.

4

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 27, 2013, 11:54:09 PM »

I am seriously thinking about getting one of the Kenko tele's, but has anyone had any experience using the 2X tele's with this lens?

D

I wouldn't if I were you.  The 2X would rob you 2f stops and now you will ha f11 as the largest aperture.  Meaning you can't use AF.  Also, the 2X should be reserved for the very best, sharpest telephotos.  If you need more reach, the Kenko 1.4x is OK.

5

Lenses / Re: EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II + EF 1.4x TC III or EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II?

« on: January 27, 2013, 04:48:19 PM »

For birds, nothing compares to the 500f4 II or 600f4 II.  I had the 300f2.8 IS and 1.4x and 2x TCs.  The 1.4x works great, but you lose much details and AF with the 2X.  I now shoot with the 500f4 II and have no regret.  It's very handholdable, only 1 lb more than the 300f2.8 IS. 

6

Lenses / Re: Tips needed for shooting in the cold

« on: January 16, 2013, 12:33:17 AM »

I was in Yellowstone last Feb and Nov, extremely cold temperatures from -10F to 20s and was out for 6-7 hours.  First time I had a T3i with me, second trip had a 1DX.  I went thru 3 batteries on the T3i for may be couple hundreds of pictures.  The 1DX battery had no trouble for the whole day.

Unless it is snowing, there is no issue with condensation when your gear going from warm to cold.  I changed lens with no problem.

Going from cold to warm, I left my gear in a Lowepro 500 bag and let it gradually warmed up to the cabin temp.  We turned off the cabin better when we went out, so when we came back it took time for the cabin to warm up.  I did not put my gear in zip lock bags and it did seem to have any condensation issue.  The point is to avoid bring cold gear to warm room suddenly.

I wore a mitten with inner lining that I could keep warm when not shooting.  This was the ardent part.  And keeping my feet warm.  I wore Baffin boots, the kind people wore to Antarctica

Enjoy!

7

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 13, 2013, 09:11:08 PM »

Your kestral looks awesome, Lnguyen1203. Is that image cropped? If not, even with the 1.4x on the 70-300L you were able to get awfully close to that bird!

It is crop, but yes, I was fairly close to the bird, may be 15 yards or so.

8

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 13, 2013, 08:12:52 PM »

Thanks for availing the results of your experiment, Lnguyen1203, that's really helpful. But just to be clear, the Canon 1.4X III only fits/works on the 70-300L throughout the latter part of the zoom range, right? Zoom it in to far and glass meets glass--ouch--right?

Correct.

9

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 13, 2013, 07:04:45 PM »

I did a quick and dirty experiement today to check the exposure compensation.

#1 photo: 5D3, Kenko 1.4X TC, 70-300L, 0 EV, blown highlight is evidence, couldn't be recovered in LR4

#2 photo: same as above with -1 EV compensation, much better, some highlight on the bird is still blown.


These are quick and dirty experiements, so appologize to those of you who are purists

and just for kick, I swapped out the Kenko for the Canon 1.4X III.  AF is a bit sluggist and the lens makes a grinding noise.  I put the combo on my 1DX and the same noise persists.  My hummingbirs were not cooperating, so I went out and shot an Amerian Kestrel instead.  The IQ is fantastic, but I guess we know that already.  So, if Canon can fix the AF issue with firmware, this is in fact a viable option.

10

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 13, 2013, 07:00:55 PM »

I did a quick and dirty experiement today to check the exposure compensation.

#1 photo: 5D3, Kenko 1.4X TC, 70-300L, 0 EV, blown highlight is evidence, couldn't be recovered in LR4

#2 photo: same as above with -1 EV compensation, much better, some highlight on the bird is still blown.


These are quick and dirty experiements, so appologize to those of you who are purists

11

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 13, 2013, 03:59:04 PM »

Lnguyen1203, are you saying that whenever you mount your Kenko 1.4x to your 70-300L you set the 5D3's exposure compensation to +1?

-1.  You need to substrate light, which is a bit weird.

12

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 13, 2013, 11:50:31 AM »

Appreciate your confirmation, Lnguyen1203. I could never tell for sure, from what others all over the internet have said about this combo, until your definitive statement. I'll be ordering up one Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF Teleconverter. Thanks!

You're welcome.  Just remember to substrate about 1 stop of light.  I don't quite understand how the Canon light meter works, but that is my experience.  The 5D3 knows the presence of the Kenko and will give you the correct focal length and aperture setting, but the light metering is off by about 1 stop.

13

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 13, 2013, 11:40:05 AM »

Canon 1.4x TC won't fit with the 70-300L, so it is not a choice for this combo.  Folks will want to compare with the 100-400L, but the reason I got the 70-300L is it is a better, lighter, smaller lens than the 100-400 for a walk around and medium telephoto lens.  I don't use the 1.4x much on it, but have done some test shots with hummingbirds and they look fine (even in not so ideal lighting). 

14

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 13, 2013, 11:23:16 AM »

I put a Kenko 1.4x teleplys Pro on the 70-300L and the 5D3 works pretty well AF at F8.  No need for new firmware for this combo.

15

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II travel bag for Alaska

« on: January 08, 2013, 10:17:16 AM »

I have the Lowepro Flipside 500 and have taken it on many planes including the regional jets.  It will fit under the seat of the regional jet.  The overhead compartment of these jets is very tight.  If your destination is Anchorage, no problem.  But if you need to take something like a flat plane to Katmai, you have to hand over your bag, but the Lowepro is well padded and I have no issue.  I also put the gear into my regular roll on bag, wrapped with clothes on a recent trip when I didn't want people to know I was carrying camera gear.  The roller bag is nice and easy to wheel around the airport.