Photos from 200-400. Also any comments...

[Eldar]

First real shoot with this lens and I get to shoot a Lynx. Fantastic. The lens performed very well, but I must admit that i find it more difficult to handhold this one than the 600 f4L IS II. The reason being the zoom ring. But mounted on the Gitzo monopod with RRS head, all worked well.
1DX, 200-400 1.4x at 560mm, f/5.6, ISO400, 1/2000s

Hi Eldar, do you know who puts together Photo expeditions to Photograph Norway Lynx ?? Did a search on the Internet but found nothing, Polar Bears loads, Lynx nothing.

I don´t believe there are any. They would not have many customers. The problem with Lynx is that it hides in daytime and hunts at night and seldom move in open areas. And it is not fond of people. So unless you know exactly on the spot where you can find it, you probably won't. I just got lucky. I was out to see if I could shoot some moose with the new lens and was sitting in a natural hideout when it came.

 

[eml58]

I don´t believe there are any. They would not have many customers. The problem with Lynx is that it hides in daytime and hunts at night and seldom move in open areas. And it is not fond of people. So unless you know exactly on the spot where you can find it, you probably won't. I just got lucky. I was out to see if I could shoot some moose with the new lens and was sitting in a natural hideout when it came.

Great stuff, Beautiful Animal & Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Eldar]

I don´t believe there are any. They would not have many customers. The problem with Lynx is that it hides in daytime and hunts at night and seldom move in open areas. And it is not fond of people. So unless you know exactly on the spot where you can find it, you probably won't. I just got lucky. I was out to see if I could shoot some moose with the new lens and was sitting in a natural hideout when it came.

Great stuff, Beautiful Animal & Thanks for the feedback.

If you're really interested, I would suggest Finland. There are some companies organizing photo safaris up north. Normally it is wolf and bear, but they also have a much larger population of lynx and wolverine, than we have here in Norway, so I would assume you could make them organize something that would suit you.
Check: http://www.insidenature.se/ostra-finland/ (you'll have to run it trough translation first though)

 

[CarlTN]

First real shoot with this lens and I get to shoot a Lynx. Fantastic. The lens performed very well, but I must admit that i find it more difficult to handhold this one than the 600 f4L IS II. The reason being the zoom ring. But mounted on the Gitzo monopod with RRS head, all worked well.
1DX, 200-400 1.4x at 560mm, f/5.6, ISO400, 1/2000s

Like this one even better than the one on the 1Dx thread, just a completely Beautiful Animal.

I agree on the 200-400 handling, I think the weight on the 1Dx is about perfect, around the same as the 400f/2.8, but you almost need an extra hand when your trying to Zoom, and flip in/out the 1.4x, I use it probably 40% hand held, rest of the time it's on a Monopod, or if on Safari in a Vehicle, on a Monopod that's fixed to the Vehicle.

Last trip I used it mostly on a fixed Bean Bag, worked well.

Rarely shoot the Combo at more than f/5.6, at this the backgrounds just blur out Beautifully, have to get up to Norway at some point for some serious shooting, so far I've only been there for stopovers to Svalbard, place looks lovely from the Air.

Could it be that Canon meant for the lens to be primarily supported by a monopod or other device, and not hand-held? I mean, it is over 7 pounds and very long...

 

[Eldar]

Could it be that Canon meant for the lens to be primarily supported by a monopod or other device, and not hand-held? I mean, it is over 7 pounds and very long...

I´m sure they did and of course it makes perfect sense. To me it is just a habit I need to change. I´ve gotten used to walk around with the 600 f4L II, with no support, even with the 1.4xIII extender on. It takes some practice, but gives very good movability and ability to shoot high and low. As Edward said, with the 200-400 it feels as if an arm is missing, to control the zoom and the 1-1.4x switch. But I´m sure it´ll work with a bit of practice. I have also tried to work with the monopod supported against my body. That way I´m less sensitive to the length of the monopod matching whatever ground condition I find myself in. The cup on a boy scout type flag harness should work, if I only could find a place to buy it.

 

[eml58]

Have me thinking Now.

Something like this with a short Monopod, might work.

Look like someone who can't make up his mind, Take Photographs or Go Fishing.

 

[kaihp]

Eldar & Edward,

Maybe the Manfrotto Belt pouch is the right thing for you?

Should be available from several sources like Amazon, B&H, ...

Regards,

Kai

 

[Eldar]

Two good suggestions. I tried to figure out what "flag harness" would be called and finally came up with "bandoleer". The Norwegian Flag Factory had them in white, brown and black. I ordered a black and will see how it works.

 

[Eldar]

Two good suggestions. I tried to figure out what "flag harness" would be called and finally came up with "bandoleer". The Norwegian Flag Factory had them in white, brown and black. I ordered a black and will see how it works.

Got this yesterday and it is just brilliant. The belt and harness is very stable on the body and by having the cup a bit down on the waist, it provides a very stable support. I use a Gitzo monopod with a RRS MH-02 Pro head. By adjusting the monopod, I can shoot straight, overhead and pretty much any angel I like.

When I´m walking, I simply tilt the lens downwards and it is well protected next to my body. It may be that the suggested Manfrotto belt pouch will do the same, but I believe that the straps over the shoulders are helping to spread the load. A 1DX, 600mm f4L IS II, with converter and the monopod with head is quite heavy over time. I will also try to get straps from the lens holding points to the shoulder straps of the bandoleer. If I get it right, the camera/lens outfit should be able to hang in a stable position, while I operate an other camera.

Just find someone who carries a reasonable quality boy scout flag bandoleer. Highly recommended!

 

[Eldar]

I don´t claim to be any good at post processing. What I normally do is just fairly straight forward stuff in Lightroom. Manipulation of images has never happened ... until yesterday.

Some of you may remember the lynx I posted a few days ago. I´m very proud of the shot, but it had one irritating flaw, which was the shadow of a branch over his shoulders. Elm58/Edward gave me some SW shopping advice and showed me what can be done and here is the result of my struggle.

Since I totally suck at this, any advice and comments will be most appreciated. The attached file has as much resolution as I was allowed to post, so hopefully you can see what I´ve done.

 

[Mika]

If you're really interested, I would suggest Finland. There are some companies organizing photo safaris up north. Normally it is wolf and bear, but they also have a much larger population of lynx and wolverine, than we have here in Norway, so I would assume you could make them organize something that would suit you.
Check: http://www.insidenature.se/ostra-finland/ (you'll have to run it trough translation first though)

Thanks for pointing this out. Eastern Finland has a relatively large population of lynx and wolverine, and if you are serious, these guys could help you with wolverines and bears. There are several other people you could ask about, this one is famous for his book documenting his life with wolverines, but he does other stuff too.

 

[candc]

First real shoot with this lens and I get to shoot a Lynx. Fantastic. The lens performed very well, but I must admit that i find it more difficult to handhold this one than the 600 f4L IS II. The reason being the zoom ring. But mounted on the Gitzo monopod with RRS head, all worked well.
1DX, 200-400 1.4x at 560mm, f/5.6, ISO400, 1/2000s

that is a really nice shot in every way, you made the best of your good luck

 

[eml58]

Shot Mala Mala South Africa, March 2013.

1Dx 200-400f/4, Shot @ 560mm f/5.6 1/200th ISO 200

It's interesting when I look at the stats on how I use this Lens, 70% of my Images shot with this Lens are at 560mm & f/5.6, considering I also have the 600f/4 II it's interesting that I don't use the 600 more often, but when I look at the stats on the 600, I find I mostly use that Lens at 840 (600 + 1.4x), can't beat the 200-400 when it comes to versatility.

But i do think I'll miss my 400f/2.8 II, fortunately I kept the 300f/2.8 II.

 

[Jim Saunders]

Shot Mala Mala South Africa, March 2013.

1Dx 200-400f/4, Shot @ 560mm f/5.6 1/200th ISO 200

Gee whiz! I don't think housecats with a 70-200 are going to cut it much longer at this rate!

Jim

 

[eml58]

Shot Mala Mala South Africa, March 2013.

1Dx 200-400f/4, Shot @ 560mm f/5.6 1/200th ISO 200

Gee whiz! I don't think housecats with a 70-200 are going to cut it much longer at this rate!

Jim

These Guys are like House Cats, only bigger, and meaner.

 

[Eldar]

Here´s one more from the Lynx encounter.

 

[eml58]

Here´s one more from the Lynx encounter.

Lovely shot, great experience, it's encounters like this that push me out the door, always looking for the out of the ordinary experience.

 

[Eldar]

Here´s one more from the Lynx encounter.

Lovely shot, great experience, it's encounters like this that push me out the door, always looking for the out of the ordinary experience.

Thanks Edward, I'm looking forward to your snow leopard

 

[eml58]

Thanks Edward, I'm looking forward to your snow leopard

Me too, but it'll be late 2014/15 before I can even work it into the schedule.

 

[patal05]

Has anyone used this lens in lower lighting conditions? There's a few shots in this thread that look like they were taken around dusk and turned out pretty well, but I'm curious about a bit more input. I'm looking into getting my first "big white" and am mostly interested in this lens vs the 400 2.8.