Messages

16

Canon General / Re: Seabird colony - change lens or not?

« on: June 02, 2013, 06:06:14 AM »

Paul - thanks again for the info. From what you say, I should take my crash helmet and keep the visor down at all times.

I'm booked up for the end of June so hopefully the sun might shine and the water will be just above freezing. The trip is by the Scottish Seabird Centre and they supply waterproofs for when you're on their RIB. I don't want any crap on my Billingham so it'll be the Tamrac that gets the abuse. Of course the sensible thing would be just to take my camera and sandwiches in a poly-bag from the supermarket and keep it on my lap during the journey. Light, cheap and disposable!

Sounds like the 70-200 is the way to go.

Glad to hear staff were on hand to take care of your eye.

17

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: June 02, 2013, 05:44:42 AM »

Since this thread started off as bird portraits, here's a family portrait.

Duck shots added too for the heck of it.

5D3 and 300mm 2.8 IS

The lighting in the "family portrait" is exquisite.  Very intimate

Thanks for the comment. I have to thank nature for the lighting, I just stood there and pressed a button!

The original image was a crop of the image below as I thought it maybe worked better.

Regards.

18

Canon General / Re: Seabird colony - change lens or not?

« on: June 01, 2013, 08:42:19 AM »

Thanks Fussy, I'll keep that in mind and certainly won't go chasing the wildlife (too much like exercise!)

19

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: June 01, 2013, 06:21:53 AM »

Serendipidy - thanks, maybe I'm not practised enough but I find birds in flight are so hard to do well. I wonder how many keepers the real professional guys get from a trip. No doubt they have a way higher hit rate but it would be nice to know they miss shots too!

20

Camera Body Gallery / Re: Birds, Birds...with EOS 1Dx and 5D III

« on: June 01, 2013, 06:00:31 AM »

Excellent shots Frederic!

21

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: June 01, 2013, 05:55:28 AM »

Since this thread started off as bird portraits, here's a family portrait.

Duck shots added too for the heck of it.

5D3 and 300mm 2.8 IS

22

Canon General / Re: Seabird colony - change lens or not?

« on: June 01, 2013, 05:45:50 AM »

Thanks to all replies for the advice.

Paul - actually it is the Isle of May I intend going to. You reckon the 70-200mm is adequate? Do you think the 17-40 would be of any use? A monopod might just be one more thing to faff about with.

The folk doing these tours supply waterproofs and I was going to take a hat anyway.

Must remember never to look up with my mouth open.

23

Canon General / Seabird colony - change lens or not?

« on: May 31, 2013, 03:18:32 PM »

Wasn't sure if this was the best place to post this query but I'm sure we'll cope!

I intend going on a seabird safari in the next few weeks and wondered what the consensus was on changing lens in a "salty air" environment. I suspect the few seconds it takes to change a lens (done within the confines of my camera bag) wouldn't be much of an issue but wondered what experiences you've all had in similar situations. The island is rocky/grassy so I don't expect sand blowing everywhere but wanted to know how sensitive contacts could be to brief exposure to salt air.

I intend taking my 300mm 2.8 IS, 70-200 f4 IS and maybe 17-40mm for seascape type shots if I get the chance (body is a 5D3). I'll get a waterproof jacket for the body/lens combo just in case the weather is poor but mainly in case of bird poop landing on it 

Depending on the weather I won't change the lens at all but want to go prepared - the one bit of gear you need is always the thing you left at home.

Any advice gratefully received.

24

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 29, 2013, 11:58:23 AM »

Not exotic but we can't all have humming birds and flamingos on our doorstep!

5D3 and 300mm f2.8 IS mk1 - f5 1/1000th ISO640 +2/3rds

Pigeon with anti-gravity belt! I like it!

Yup, seems like the birds are onto something - must've borrowed it from him:

25

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 28, 2013, 08:27:31 AM »

Not exotic but we can't all have humming birds and flamingos on our doorstep!

5D3 and 300mm f2.8 IS mk1 - f5 1/1000th ISO640 +2/3rds

26

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: 5D MK III Images

« on: May 26, 2013, 02:00:34 PM »

Some shots from this weekend:

The Elven king and his unicorn didn't want their pics taken in the enchanted forest - I argued they were in a public place but they were having none of it. For the record, he speaks like the Hooded Claw from Penelope Pitstop cartoons. (17-40mm)

Duck on final approach was 300mm f2.8 IS mk1 and Kenko 2x converter. Not overly happy with that combo - images seem to be a bit too soft but what should I expect with a cheap converter? Ideal solution would be to buy the 600mm mk2 but then I'd always be thinking of the versatility of the new 200-400. Of course I could go the cheaper route of Canon's own 2x converter...or walk/swim closer to the subject. Tough decision.

The clichéd impressionistic seascapes were a first attempt at panning during a 6sec exposure. Should've used a reverse ND filter to tame the horizon but there's never one in your bag when you need it. Not to everyone's taste but a bit different. (17-40mm)

27

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

« on: May 24, 2013, 06:08:28 AM »

Thanks to those who've commented on the +2/3rds exposure - I tend to keep that amount dialled in and occasionally adjust based on what the image itself looks like on the rear screen (histograms be damned!). The warranty is up very soon so might get it checked out.

For those taking action shots in silent-mode, do you find it captures most/all of the action? A few people on the forum thought that due to the way silent-mode works (a more gentle mirror open/close function) meant the camera wouldn't be quite as reponsive for faster action. What do you reckon?

Fine weather today so off to try some birds in flight after lunch 

28

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

« on: May 23, 2013, 01:55:21 PM »

My 5D III, pre-ordered before release so it was full price, initially under-exposed all shots by about 2/3 of a stop. It went off to Canon for repair/review, and came back within the week working fine.

Since then, it has very occasionally lost the will to focus, but turning it off and on again has cured that.

No other problems, and a real joy to use - particularly if you like low-light photography. I've certainly never regretted the decision to buy.

I keep it in silent shutter mode most of the time - the quietness is a real benefit. Sitting watching a school play when the official (commercial) photography snaps away with his noisy Nikon that can be heard across the room, and thinking I could do that so much more discretely has been a bitter-sweet experience.

Interesting that you say the exposure was under by 2/3rds of a stop - I also feel mine under-exposes too often by about that much but usually put that down to never picking the right metering for the subject! Joking aside, I've been taking pics for probably 30yrs so should've learnt about exposure by now and yet I feel the need to over-expose by half or 2/3rds of a stop almost all the time. I suppose this isn't a vast amount but it does make me frown at times. I wonder if Canon tweaked a software parameter or made a hardware adjustment. Any clues?

Anyone else concerned by their 5D3's metering? (I don't need anyone to tell us all to buy a 1DX instead, yawn.)

29

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: my new 5D3 battery life

« on: May 17, 2013, 01:49:21 PM »

Most shots I've taken in a day was about 1300 and I still had maybe 30% left in the battery.

I often wonder if recharging a battery from, say, 70% back to 100% prior to an important shoot (rather than allowing it to discharge to around maybe 15% or lower) significantly shortens the lifespan. Any opinions (with some techie background to back up your claims!)?

30

Portrait / Re: Post your best portraits(street, studio, candid etc...).

« on: May 16, 2013, 01:19:56 PM »

Some very nice portraits all around in this post. I am just getting started in portrait work and I have set up a simple Tumblr blog. Any feedback is very welcome. http://portraitsbyjavi.tumblr.com/

I am looking to break away a bit from the typical vertical portrait all the time and include more of the location along with the subject. Currently shooting only outdoors with available light, a 5D MKII 24-700, 85mm and the occasional shot with the pancake 40mm. Sorry if I have broken any rules by posting my tumblr. I am a newbie at posting here also but I feel like I have learned a lot from all of you.

Just a couple of minor criticisms:

The pic of Lukas (kid in front of brick wall) could have been framed better so the piece of earth in the lower left corner isn't seen. The lines of brick converging off behind Lukas looks pretty neat but the earth in the corner distracts the eye.

The shot of Avtandil would maybe be better if either the metal structure on the right of shot wasn't there or, better yet, Avtandil was interacting with it - maybe leaning his body against it or just having his hand on it.

Hope that gives you some inspiration.

Best wishes.