If I could have only one long lens, that would have to be 500 f/4 IS MkII.
Not 400, 600 nor 800........they are a bit too heavy and unwieldy, especially the 800.
The new 500 II is relatively light, thus I can move around and shoot with it handheld for several hours without experiencing much physical strain and aches. That is the key virtue of 500 II. In fact, to me the lens feels somehow lighter than its declared spec of 3.2 kg.
If in need of more FL, 500 II and 1.4xTC MkIII perform very nicely together, and that 700mm f/5.6 combo is still not over 3.5 kg in weight. Lastly, for very long range shots, the 1000mm f/8 combo is OK too, although it is much less than ideal for fast action such as BIF.
However, if I couldn't have 500 II, what would be my 2nd choice lens for wildlife (and more) ? That's easy too: 300 f/2.8 IS (MkI or II) with the MkIII TCs.
Here are some dark pijuns in excellent light (for my taste of exposure), done with handheld 1DX + 500 f/4 IS MkII + 1.4xTC MkIII, at ISO 3200.
Thank you, gents, glad you like those.
However, I have lottsa dark pijun pictures, taken in different light, and with different combos.
This is not a "one lucky shot" birding forum.
kaycephoto wrote:
great shots as always! only have the mk1 500 but can't wait til i get out there again this summer..
Thanx KC.....but I thought it was summer already ? In fact, better than summer, because there is no humidity and the air temperatures are comfy.
However, 500 MkI is a great lens too, but its key disadvantage wrt the MkII is its weight....a bit heavy.
So that you wouldn't think the lens can only do dark pijuns on 1DX body, here's a couple of white pijun shots on different cameras.
Given the limitations of what Canon has to offer now, the 500 II is good choice. (A 500/4 has always been a good choice for me ever since the 500/4 P Nikkor.) I can't help but think that the IS II series optical performance is somewhat wasted on the relatively low-res sensors they use.
p.1 #10 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
EB-1 wrote:
Given the limitations of what Canon has to offer now, the 500 II is good choice. (A 500/4 has always been a good choice for me ever since the 500/4 P Nikkor.) I can't help but think that the IS II series optical performance is somewhat wasted on the relatively low-res sensors they use.EBH
I would agree with that........I also feel 1DX sensor size/density is the limiting factor in the entire system resolution at present. I think 36 Mp would start to do these lenses justice, even if they dropped FPS to 8 or even 6.
p.1 #12 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
Beautiful shots Peter, all crystal clear n sharp...seems you've a pijun rich environment these days...the black/blue pijun n pink is fantastic and you've served up two more wonderful Common Tern's...impressive!
p.1 #13 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
Thank you Jerry, ole bean.
Despite very strong winds, went to the lake tonight to shoot m'self some pijun in flight.....a torture test, I tell ya. The pijuns were shaking one way, and my lens vibrated the other way. Even 4 stop IS was of limited utility.
Nevertheless, 1DX + 500 II + 1.4xTC III did OK. (We'll hopefully see soon the way 200-400L performs under such conditions.)
The last shot is of some stubby wee pijunlet that fluttered into a couple of frames by accident.
God only knows where it came from ?
p.1 #14 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
Excellent BIFs, Peter!
The last is not a pidjun but a speeding small caliber bullet, and only God knows how you were able to catch it (acquisition and focus-wise).
Our pidjuns here are of the slower variety, hence the older 500 + TC is good enough to catch them.
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
Canon 1D MIV + EF 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400, manual exposure in available light, 475B/516 support.
p.1 #15 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
A pijunlet, tooooo cute
The Commons are again really great, despite struggle against the elements you grabbed some keepers, very nice!
Today was a reading/writing day, no rolling, just changing out some lines, another week with IV in tow and I should be fixed. A rather stunningly beautiful vampiress at my side today, a good friend, making sure my crimson is back to normal, my mind level n steady, a healer no better!
Your pijuns, even 'lets keep a smile wide, can't wait to see your 200-400 exploits
...
LiquidStone, love the angle of that shot, great looking image
p.1 #16 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
Great informative stuff as usual Peter, even though I had to read (the pictures) between the lines except for the last set.
I do believe that the 500 + 1.4x = 700 at f/5.6 may be my threshold for acquiring a decent percentage of BIF keepers. I spent a couple of hours today attempting to take terns with the heftier 400 + 2X = 800 at f/5.6, handheld. It was quite a challenge.
First, if the birds are moving unpredictably within desirable range, locating them in the view finder is quite a trial. Secondly, and more importantly perhaps, quite often (seems like more the rule than exception) the setup seems to hunt a bit and lose the bird when the back focus button pressed. Very frustrating. Not sure whether it's me or the equipment. I haven't examined the images yet but the I am expecting a low percentage of keepers.
p.1 #17 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
Pare Romy, that is a beautifully done Stilt bird. As Jerry said it, the pose/attitude is very pleasing.
Take it easy, Jerry, in all recoveries there must always be a pause, or a stasis period, if you will.
Db, we all have days when things do not go so well. It is either the weather, or the light quality/direction, or we are indisposed somehow ourselves. If we leave tests and experiments aside, I believe that the closer you are to your BIF, the better you are off. That also means the shorter the lens, the better.
I think 400 f/2.8 IS II + 2xTC III is OK for larger and/or bee-line flying birds. Also, those that present a good contrast to the camera and are well lit. However, I believe for actively fishing smaller terns, such as Common or Forsters, one should stick to 500mm or shorter.
If you send me a pm with your camera & lens settings, I'd be happy to give you my feedback on it.
p.1 #18 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
PetKal wrote:
Pare Romy, that is a beautifully done Stilt bird. As Jerry said it, the pose/attitude is very pleasing.
Take it easy, Jerry, in all recoveries there must always be a pause, or a stasis period, if you will.
Db, we all have days when things do not go so well. It is either the weather, or the light quality/direction, or we are indisposed somehow ourselves. If we leave tests and experiments aside, I believe that the closer you are to your BIF, the better you are off. That also means the shorter the lens, the better.
I think 400 f/2.8 IS II + 2xTC III is OK for larger and/or bee-line flying birds. Also, those that present a good contrast to the camera and are well lit. However, I believe for actively fishing smaller terns, such as Common or Forsters, one should stick to 500mm or shorter.
If you send me a pm with your camera & lens settings, I'd be happy to give you my feedback on it....Show more →
p.1 #19 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
PetKal wrote:
Db, we all have days when things do not go so well. It is either the weather, or the light quality/direction, or we are indisposed somehow ourselves. If we leave tests and experiments aside, I believe that the closer you are to your BIF, the better you are off. That also means the shorter the lens, the better.
I think 400 f/2.8 IS II + 2xTC III is OK for larger and/or bee-line flying birds. Also, those that present a good contrast to the camera and are well lit. However, I believe for actively fishing smaller terns, such as Common or Forsters, one should stick to 500mm or shorter.
If you send me a pm with your camera & lens settings, I'd be happy to give you my feedback on it....Show more →
Peter,
Your comments certainly dovetails with what I am finding and described in my post. I did have a few keepers though which are included here - even though they don't quite match with your title - Apologies.
Exifs are checked.
I did send you a pm. Thanks.
Db
Black Skimmer. Interestingly the first bird I saw and the only one that day
Obviously missed most of this one. Sorry, but it is sharp! Have to use your imgination.
p.1 #20 · The virtue of 500 f/4 IS II + 1.4xTC III
Db, those are very nice and sharp...especially the dive shots are quite tough to capture.
And you get extra bonus points for doing it at 800mm.
I'll talk to you shortly.
The pijuns were shaking one way, and my lens vibrated the other way. Even 4 stop IS was of limited utility.
