Many thanks for the kind comments.

There is a story to go with the photo. We had watched this leopard for an hour. It sat first under a tree and it was at that stage I (very fortunately, as it turned out) fitted the 1.4x extender to the 300mm f.2.8L lens I was using. After jumping into the tree (and disappearing) it then jumped down again and went to drink at a nearby lake. Following that it climbed on to a small, grassy mound near the lake. I never considered that provided sufficient cover for stalking but a small herd of spotted deer approached the lake to drink, quite oblivious to the leopard's presence. The leopard took 16 seconds from starting stalking to impact with its victim. (The impact itself was behind a bush that obscured my view so I did not photograph that.) It was then another minute until I took the final shot (attached) - which is why we did not see the leopard eating.

I hope this answers all questions but if you have others just let me know.

Stephen

ahhh good to know thanks

I love disney, we live right in Florida, so we go over for a day or 2 just about every other month. I find it to be a really good street shooting places, and that is where I always test drive my new gear . I never carry lots of stuff, because then you just miss the Disney atmosphere. I never bring a gimp, but I dod bring my 75-300, sometimes just to go light.

If photography is all all about the photo and the mood, why not
Use a prime, it turns into a run and gun style for me, and I get some stunning photographs.

Save up a bit longer and invest in the 70-200 2.8 non IS if you can. The extra stop of light will come very handy.

Stephen_C said:

What an extraordinary coincidence: I think we were at the same sighting!

(Canon 1D MkIV, 300mm f/2.8L, cropped)

Stephen

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This is more or less the same composition. Shooting Date/Time

15-01-2011 09:44:21
Tv 1/500
Av 7.1
ISO Speed 800

I don't shoot Golf myself (well, photograph Golf), but I had this page bookmarked from another thread.

I thought it may come in a handy one day, and hopefully today is that day. 8)

http://blog.photoshelter.com/2009/07/fore-how-to-photograph-golf-li/

Thanks all for your replies, The cameras fine, and is one of the new generations models, the focus is spot on normally, this conference wasn't so bad, as in light, but it would hang, Im wondering if the AF is too fast and has to wait for the as illuminator off the flash to make contact to the person, Im honestly not dreaming this up, and I am surprised no one has noticed this, one thing I did notice is that the main Illuminator wasn't as bright as I used to remember, maybe a combination of things, I have my 5d3 set up so the cross points illuminate when its dark only and when it achieves focus, I wonder if anything like that would cause a problem with the flashes illuminator? hmm

Really nice shot. Thanks for sharing

Do upgrade your 5d II to III - I'm really happy with mine. 1Dx will be an overkill and you can use the £s towards more glass.

I'd suggest 135 since you mainly shoot family and travel etc where as i'm not sure how often you'll use the 400 5.6.

Happy shooting.

Thanks or sharing

Re: Polar bear and the 70-200

Gives you a good idea of the polar bear's size - HUGH!

hitobito said:

Yesterday, October 13, 2012, I checked my B & H Photo back ordered Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II (USM) lens and learned that the lens I ordered is available and the order was fulfilled and sent to their warehouse for shipping! I ordered this lens with a credit card guarantee for payment in mid July, 2012. It took three months to fulfill. I expect to receive this lens by Tuesday, Oct. 16th or Wednesday the following day. I am eagerly looking forward to using this lens. I purchased a Tamron AF 28-75mm F/2.8 II F macro (new for $500) and it was a good lens but not the quality of the Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L II lens, so I ordered the 24-70mm II lens.

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Wow, local stores have had them going in and out of stock for quite a few weeks. B&H seems to be having issues getting their quotas from Canon. I had heard that there was some friction that caused this, but heve no specifics.

smithy said:

I'm going to be honest though: the photos didn't seem to have a particularly unique look to them. I expected more, considering the lengths to which he went to be able to use the M lens on his Canon.

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Have to agree.

neuroanatomist said:

BPO said:

When I hit the test flash button it makes a loud noise and light comes out but it's not in a flash like its supposed to be.

Click to expand...

That sounds like modeling flash, which can be set to fire with the Pilot/Test button with C.Fn-02.

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It is, but on my 430ex2 it's more like a gentle buzz like from an electric shaver. Can't help you with the pw, but if the noise from the modeling flash is indeed loud something could be broken.

enraginangel said:

I shot a wedding a couple a weeks ago with my Sigma 70-200mm OS for the first time and I had like 90% keepers. It really is a great lens. Yes, AFMA works and yes, TCs work. However, lens profile autocorrection within the 5D Mark III will not work, but you can still do that in Lightroom.

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Cool, I was scouring the net to see what's the difference in sharpness. So far I found center sharpness is great, but the corners/edges tend to be soft. Have you felt this in your images, or are they just overstated. Personally for me as long as its not too obvious I guess its fine.

Hi NA

Knew the GN part - no questions there, thanks for the estimate on Ws

KimH

paul13walnut5 said:

Use a monopod for support and smooth panning, manfrotto video monopod is actually perfect.

Use Ai Servo, select a point that can rest over your subject throughout your pan, tweak ai servo to hold tracking for longer so that foreground interuptions dont distract focus, track subject with half shutter depress ideally for a fee seconds before a burst.

Shutter 1/30th for most background blur, 1/60th for least subject blur without losing effect.

This will give you a smaller aperture which will also help, especially if the subject gets quite close.

Forget IS but use your AF limiter if you have one on lens.

T R A C K

burstburstburst

T R A C K

burstburstburst

Etc.

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Great advice

Rabbit sounds yum

if selling 24-105mm for more than $900, then sell it; otherwise, sell 24-70mm for probably more than $1300. it is all about money right either lens is good. sell 24-70mm, you will miss f/2.8. but if sell 24-105mm, you will miss its range and is

I shot my first wedding for a friend this summer, same situation as your first wedding was, money issues, so I volunteered. It was a very small wedding, with divorced parents that didnt get along. My group shots weren't the best. Reception was in a small room, so for the cake cutting to have an audiance the bride and groom were pretty much backed against the wall, with a long table infront of them. No good angle. In the end after PP work was all done and I gave them the shots, they were so ecited about how great the shots were and that I am so talented yadda yadda. Im sure they will love them. Also being a mechanic for 9 years i know what it is like to work a whole day for crap-pay. gotta love the family's broken stuff. If they insist you take the money dont hesitate lol.

TexPhoto said:

I need a zoom lens that covers that range. (Plus I'd like circular fisheye on the wide end.)
Very cool, thanks.

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Thanks. I just told a friend the other day that my dream walkaround lens should be 14-500 F2.8L IS II USM, and that the weight should not exeed the 70-200 II, and the price should not be higher than the latter lens, lol

Do you do much post processing on your images as PP can add that extra punch / pop you might be lacking. Also, I hope you shoot in RAW to get maximum benefit from PP,

Cheers

I like to keep both hands on my camera, left under the lens and right on the grip. I hate that lock button on top. Maybe I'll look into remapping. Thanks for the hint.

These are amazing... well done guys

adhocphotographer said:

Hey,

Arrived in India and thought i would let you all know i ended up with the 70-200.. in fact my Wife surprised me with it as a late wedding gift...

Bought it in India from a Canon store for 2014 Euro... so cheaper than in France!

thanks for all the advice!

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Really? Wow! Some lenses just went up in price in India by about 33% some 10 or so days back! I think it was due to changes in exchange rates. I am sure you will enjoy it.
Have fun! Do go to the Mysore palace if you like palaces...