Some exotic birds were visiting Boston for the Fourth so I ventured onto the roof of my building to see if I could get a shot or two. That roof is about 90 meters above ground so I was pretty hopeful, but the birds kept their distance and the seeing conditions weren't good, with a lot haze and a bright diffuse sky. As a result, all of these images were heavily processed. All shot with the 7D.
Here's three straightforward TIF shots with a few common traits:
*1DsMkII + 400 f/5.6,
* Major enlargement crop,
* Birds in a high speed cruise mode.
(In fact, whenever you see a fast bird (a tern, a swallow) with its tail fanned out, that means the bird is banking, stalling or changing flight direction at which time their ground speed might become quite low.......that's when their photography becomes relatively easy.
As a general rule, whenever terns take fish to their young, the flight is a powerful and fast beeline. One reason for that is to evade feathery "skyway" robbers on the way to her nest, such as seagulls who might attempt to steal her fish.)
They were only about 20 to 40 feet away. The hawks like to perch on the many antennas on the roof while they scan below for rats (ground, tree, and flying varieties ). Sometimes I find some of their leftovers (including, sadly, mockingbird heads).
p.13 #10 · Summer photography with Canon equipment
Gary, that's one of the best IQ loons I have seen. Yes, people get them with chicks, etc,. but all too often, the birds are grossly underexposed, and frequently the background is photoshopped heavy handed.
Not so with yours. I guess, it would be superfluous to ask you now if you like your 800.
I am learning a new trick with TIF shooting: when baiting terns with live fish, even 300 f/4 non-IS lens (on 1DMkIIN) is too long and an overkill. I am clipping their wings and having a great difficulty tracking them point blank. Therefore, tomorrow I shall try my 180L Macro lens and see how that goes.
p.13 #12 · Summer photography with Canon equipment
Psychic, the flatiron has always been one of my favorite buildings, and it is too many decades since I've been there. Thanks for the view. Cries out for a shift lens, doesn't it, but you did a great job with 24-105 and LR.
Gary Irwin, beautiful, poetic loon, a standout among many beautiful bird photos in this thread.
Peter, I've seen you do fine BIFs with your 180 before, so I've no doubt you'll succeed with the terns. I just wish you left your pics up longer. Sometimes I find a post just one page back from the newest, and already your images are gone.
Bigcountry, nice. Even though this is a gear forum, would you tell us a little about the birds? Thanks!
p.13 #13 · Summer photography with Canon equipment
PetKal wrote:
Gary, that's one of the best IQ loons I have seen. Yes, people get them with chicks, etc,. but all too often, the birds are grossly underexposed, and frequently the background is photoshopped heavy handed.
Not so with yours. I guess, it would be superfluous to ask you now if you like your 800.
I am learning a new trick with TIF shooting: when baiting terns with live fish, even 300 f/4 non-IS lens (on 1DMkIIN) is too long and an overkill. I am clipping their wings and having a great difficulty tracking them point blank. Therefore, tomorrow I shall try my 180L Macro lens and see how that goes. ...Show more →
Thanks very much Peter. I do prefer visually interesting images, though I also have plenty of shots of cute loon chicks ... mainly for my wife!
Of course the challenge with loons is trying to get them exposed properly -- DSLR's allow you to expose for white or black, but never both at the same time it seems!
And yes I do like the 800L ... it's an awesome lens. I have no regrets choosing it over the 600, even though as an "environmental shooter" am finding I'm a little too close at times, but I figure that problem will be fixed when I move to full frame.
Truthfully I'm a little less enamored with the 1DMK IV than I thought I would be. It provides excellent IQ in situations with even contrast, but in challenging situations I find the DR to be rather narrow...by the time I drop EC in the field to preserve the highlights the shadow detail cannot easily be recovered in PP. Even my four-year old D300 seems better in this regard. I wasn't planning on getting a 1Dx but may have to rethink that if preserves more detail. If you have any better ideas other than don't shoot black and white birds I'd love to hear them!
BTW I'm impressed with your BIF shots -- you certainly have a knack for those. Always interested to see what you're up to....
p.13 #16 · Summer photography with Canon equipment
Gary Irwin wrote:
And yes I do like the 800L ... it's an awesome lens. I have no regrets choosing it over the 600, even though as an "environmental shooter" am finding I'm a little too close at times, but I figure that problem will be fixed when I move to full frame.
After a year or so of thinking about this subject, I believe that all of us wo have (re)opted for 800L over 600L MkII have done well. In just a few minutes of shooting with a borrowed 600 II, I knew 100% which way I needed to go first.......i.e., back to 800L.
However, there are a few caveats associated with 800L use. One is that an additional shorter and more agile lens becomes almost a neccessity, particularly for those who like to shoot fast action handheld, or who like to take a long hike carrying their wildlife photography setup. Such additional lens would ideally be 500 f/4, although even a 400mm lens could do.
The other consideration is lens support......I think 800L does best on a good pod, although limited duration hand-held shooting is feasible, depending on each individual's stamina, age, and such.
If I do get 600 II as well, it will be the collector in me who will have decided on it, definitely not the photographer.
p.13 #18 · Summer photography with Canon equipment
Jefferson, I think she is stuck in that glass.
Here are a couple of extreme gear shots. The beauty of having a good access to the same target type is that one can test and experiment nicely day after day, and compare results relatively meaningfully.
#1........135L on 1DMkIIN
#2.........400 f/2.8 IS MkI on 1DMkIIN (handheld ).
Both images are significant crops, more so the 135L shot.
p.13 #20 · Summer photography with Canon equipment
Well, Lars, with the quality you are getting out of your MkII of 1.4xTC, I guess you do not need to buy a MkIII 1.4xTC.
I was never happy with 1.4xTC MkII, but my 1.4xTC MkIII is much better, therefore I am not so reluctant to use it now.
Surprisingly, my 2xTC MkIII works also well on three of my f/2.8 lenses. Haven't had a chance to try it yet on anything f/4.
). Sometimes I find some of their leftovers (including, sadly, mockingbird heads).
I am clipping their wings and having a great difficulty tracking them point blank. Therefore, tomorrow I shall try my 180L Macro lens and see how that goes. 
).