I'm fairly knowledgeable as to what gear can do the job. However, I'd like to know how you've used gear to obtain some of your remarkable Bald Eagle shots, and hopefully ask you to shoe some samples of the outcome. My assortment of gear as seen in my profile I think is acceptable but to optimize my experience, I know something a bit longer than 300L + 1.4X might be desirable, then again, that's all I've got for longest shooting.
I've also posted a thread in Member Meetings for the possible of a member meet and outing to a local "hotspot" for the lack of better terminology. I'm very new to the area, and maybe some can find the time on a day to get out and have a Bald Eagle Watch and Photograph outing. I've only in my few years of shooting had one encounter and opportunity to capture one of these "wild" magnificent birds on camera. I'd like many more!!! Here's a link to my post on the other board also...
Here's my only encounter, and 1 of 3 shots I've been able to get... What I'd love to see/read are some of your images, the gear used (Camera, Lens/Lens + TC, Tripod/Mono - Support w/ Head, Flash/Better Beamer...etc.) And possibly the location of the country/world the image was taken, if you can remember.
Reno; If I still lived in Missouri I would be all over this.. But, alas, a moment of senility brought me to SW Texas.. When I did live there I used the 600 - 4.. Can not post images as I am a pathetic bird photographer.. Good luck.. Jim
Peter (PetKal) got me to pony-up for the 500mm f4 L around this time last year...GREAT lens, but the eagles were not so great in CT. My next big adventure is back to Alaska, with some new gears .
You might shoot a PM to Herb Houghton, as he hangs out on the other side of the ranch, in Nature & Wildlife forum.
In any case, Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Gear: 1D Mark III, 500/4, EF 1.4x II, Gitzo 1325 tripod, AS-B1 + sidekick. Shoot around quad cities as you know Here are a few, first two bare 500, last 2 with 1.4x TC. More at
I would recommend a 1D series, 500/4 or longer + TC, Gitzo flat base CF tripod, and a full gimbal mount like the wimberly 2. Ans lots of warm layers of clothes.
I would say, it all depends how far away they are from you.
If you can get close to them or there is a chance, that they will fly close to you, 400mm lens is enough:
Jeff Nolten wrote:
Reno, excellent compliment to my non-bird thread. Too bad we don't live closer together, we could time share a 500 f4.
And just today one of the online lens rental groups began a "WeekFree" type promotion. Rent a lens for a 10 day rental and they'll extend the rental an additional week at no additional cost!!! That's +2 weeks with a "new" toy !!! Arghhhhh !!!
Thanks for the info to all who've posted. Wouldn't mind seeing more Bald Eagle shots though...Can't ever get enough!!! And maybe detail the rig you used...Thanks again!!!
All taken with 500 or 500 with 1.4x, never use a tripod it's much too limiting for me. carry my rig (cam, lens and 1.4) on a black-rapid harness and then go walking. Numerous different bodies over the years, current being a 1D4. Most photos taken in Ohio and some in Iowa.........
I'm getting out this weekend if all goes right! I'll have my 300L + 1.4XII on my 7D and my 70-200L IS II on my 1DII. 7D rig probably on a tripod and 1DII rig on a mono or hand held for the most part. That'll all be left to chance though !!!! Here's to hoping!!!
I'm very new to the area, and maybe some can find the time on a day to get out and have a Bald Eagle Watch and Photograph outing. I've only in my few years of shooting had one encounter and opportunity to capture one of these "wild" magnificent birds on camera. I'd like many more!!! Here's a link to my post on the other board also...
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