AGeoJO wrote:
Virtually all images posted here in this thread are of birds and ducks. They are wonderful and are our favorite targets. So, this morning I went out, hoping for a twofer, peregrine falcons and red foxes at this location but at the end, the peregrine falcons didn't cooperate but a red fox obliged and how it did!
I grabbed the wrong pouch and instead of bringing my TCs, I ended up taking my 14-24mm lens in that pouch. In the beginning the fox was fairly far away and I cursed that I didn't have any TCs but subsequently, I am glad I didn't because it got so close that it was almost frame filling with the bare lens.
The images before the sun came up were muted in colors. And somehow the shallow depth-of-field and the surrounding grass/vegetation, renders images on the softer side, a little "dreamy", if you will, with pastel colors. Bobby, a shooting buddy of mine, using a completely different system got similar renditions in the beginning. So, I ended up leaving the first images just like that with barely any adjustment. Later on, the colors became more intensified and when the fox approached closer to us, the first lights, although dappled, added to the vibrance. Here are two images, the first one before the sun was out and the second shows an increase intensity of the light, rendering punchier colors but yet, still soft. ...Show more →
RobAmy wrote:
^^ Outstanding Joshua, that first is so good
Hi Rob, I didn’t mean to skip your post but I did....I am sorry. Thank you very much for your kind words.
Primus wrote:
Thanks much Joshua. Actually I may have the original Aquatech lens hood for my Canon lying around, will try that for sure.
Do you know if the maker of the green hood would be willing to make another one?
Thanks,
Pradeep
His nephew visits several birding places on a regular basis. I do bump into him from time to time and I also have his number. I will ask him to ask his uncle. I am sure that he would be willing to do it. The design is there already and the material costs less than $10, so I was told by others. So, for him it would be a nice profit. So, why not. I will let you know of his/their response.
Primus wrote:
Joshua, amazing photos of the fox. This lens is indeed fantastic at separating the subject.
I am still working on my images from Kenya, hope to post some soon.
Pradeep
Thank you, Pradeep!
Ronny Olsson wrote:
Fantastic my friend !
Thank you, Ronny!
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An image from last November from Ecuador - I didn't know that it is a fairly rare HB species until later...
arbitrage wrote:
Just for fun....stacked TCs via Kenko ET to get 1680mm f/11....EXIF doesn't see the 2x so reads just like a 1.4 is on.
Click through to Flickr to see better resolution...
Went to the Dam late in the morning to see if any Osprey had returned. Ended up shooting Eagles who were fishing below the Dam. Yes, I know I have an Eagle problem. Probably stems from years of trips to National Parks only to see them in the far distance. Then to find out those DAM Eagles were right down the road from my house! No fishing shots today as the wind was in the wrong direction resulting in too many Eagle butts
Here are 2 additional images of the same red fox from the previous page. The first one was some 5 minutes later than what was posted previously and in a different spot. The second one was some 20 minutes later when the fox approached us closer and its head was in a sunlit area although the light was still quite soft and on the warm side. Thank you for looking.
After reading everyone's thoughts on the rolanpro vs the lenscoat, I too ordered one, already having the lenscoat. For others that read this in the future, there isn't a decision to be made. The rolanpro has a few quirks, but is the way to go. My observations are
1) Its thinner but more more durable. The edges are reinforced to not frey, and most is installed via velcro making removal for cleaning so much easier.
2) (quirk) The piece closest to the front element doesn't reach all the way so you will see a little white. I have no problem with this, and if you are using the lens hood nothing will hit you there anyway. This also solves a problem I had with the lenscoat which is that when reversing the hood you had to finagle it over the lenscoat as it protruded enough to touch.
3) Its thinner, I know, I said that already, but this means the stock lens cap actually fits. With the lenscoat it wouldn't fit well and would often pull off when I remove the lens from my trekker bag.
4) Switch access is smart! Velcro panel you open , change things, close.
After reading everyone's thoughts on the rolanpro vs the lenscoat, I too ordered one, already having the lenscoat. For others that read this in the future, there isn't a decision to be made. The rolanpro has a few quirks, but is the way to go. My observations are
1) Its thinner but more more durable. The edges are reinforced to not frey, and most is installed via velcro making removal for cleaning so much easier.
2) (quirk) The piece closest to the front element doesn't reach all the way so you will see a little white. I have no problem with this, and if you are using the lens hood nothing will hit you there anyway. This also solves a problem I had with the lenscoat which is that when reversing the hood you had to finagle it over the lenscoat as it protruded enough to touch.
3) Its thinner, I know, I said that already, but this means the stock lens cap actually fits. With the lenscoat it wouldn't fit well and would often pull off when I remove the lens from my trekker bag.
4) Switch access is smart! Velcro panel you open , change things, close.
Excellent report. I will be going with the RolanPro as it sounds like a winner. I found them on AliExpress for the best price and they seem to have everything in stock for my three lenses I want them for (500PF, 200-600, 600GM).
2) (quirk) The piece closest to the front element doesn't reach all the way so you will see a little white. I have no problem with this, and if you are using the lens hood nothing will hit you there anyway. This also solves a problem I had with the lenscoat which is that when reversing the hood you had to finagle it over the lenscoat as it protruded enough to touch.
Back to photos!
I left the front piece of the lenscoat on then put the #2 piece of Rolanpro on over it.
Any thoughts about why I got a sort of double image for some of the leaves in the background? I saw this on several of the leaves, this is just a crop.
Usually, as you all know, the bokeh is to die for.
You can say hi to the Tufted Titmouse, while you are looking
Primus wrote:
Thanks much Joshua. Actually I may have the original Aquatech lens hood for my Canon lying around, will try that for sure.
Do you know if the maker of the green hood would be willing to make another one?
Thanks,
Pradeep
Pradeep, I communicated with the nephew and my understanding is the uncle's 3D printer is not working at this point. I haven't heard anything further. But I will keep you updated as soon as I find out more about this.
"Who needs 20FPS" is often thrown around these parts....well in this case I could have used 30-40 FPS to nail the moment of impact. These are three consecutive frames at 20FPS....missed it....
Looks good on flickr 
