Nothing particularly earth-shattering here--just a couple more gulls in flight coming to some chum--but the difference here is I shot the 400DOII w/wo 1.4X TC and I found that the Hoodman was completely reasonable to use. I found that using the shorter focal length (compared to the 840 or 1200mm with the 600iii), it was really easy to get the birds in view. It was actually surprisingly easy. Weight was no concern.
KINGOFKNGS wrote:
Nothing particularly earth-shattering here--just a couple more gulls in flight coming to some chum--but the difference here is I shot the 400DOII w/wo 1.4X TC and I found that the Hoodman was completely reasonable to use. I found that using the shorter focal length (compared to the 840 or 1200mm with the 600iii), it was really easy to get the birds in view. It was actually surprisingly easy. Weight was no concern.
KINGOFKNGS wrote:
Nothing particularly earth-shattering here--just a couple more gulls in flight coming to some chum--but the difference here is I shot the 400DOII w/wo 1.4X TC and I found that the Hoodman was completely reasonable to use. I found that using the shorter focal length (compared to the 840 or 1200mm with the 600iii), it was really easy to get the birds in view. It was actually surprisingly easy. Weight was no concern.
Ryan I tested the lens using the OVF at 1200mm with IS on and handheld at 1/160th. It did very well at that speed and distance for moving birdies. Not every one was sharp but more due to the bird moving than the lens in my opinion. I did not get a chance to test the bare lens.
I managed another shot of this guy. Looks like he is surviving the winter just fine. I see him at the feeders from time to time. I first seen him in early January. Amazing how they adapt and overcome.
Just for fun, you might take some pics of a tree trunk at 1/250, 1/200, and then 1/160 and see what happens. I typically get 100% in focus at 1/250, 90% at 1/200, and then a sharp drop off at 1/160 to the point that I might get one in ten sharp and it’s usually the first pic if it is sharp.
RobAmy wrote:
Ryan I tested the lens using the OVF at 1200mm with IS on and handheld at 1/160th. It did very well at that speed and distance for moving birdies. Not every one was sharp but more due to the bird moving than the lens in my opinion. I did not get a chance to test the bare lens.
arbitrage wrote:
What your not shooting in Florida?? Have a good trip.
No no I am shooting just not posting A quick trip with a couple boat tours. The weather looks iffy for the osprey tour and that may be canceled but we will make the best of it. Hopefully I can get some flight in.
We had a flock of approximately 200 American White Pelicans take stop by our local reservoir, Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis, IN, in the past 4-5 days. I was hoping to get some close shots, but the birds were across the reservoir and I didn't even think to take my kayak out because they'd been at a completely different part of the reservoir that wasn't terribly accessible. At any rate, I was chumming some gulls in when all of a sudden the pelicans came in and flew the half mile or so across the lake to come see what was up. Within a minute I had about 150 Pelicans within 100 feet of me. They stayed for about 30 seconds and then started flying off. So basically there was time to take about 400 pictures. ;-) All photos are with the 1DX3 and 600iii without TC. Still not particularly challenging birds as they fly quite slowly and are the size of a 747, BUT I did get long series of pictures with sharp focus on the face/eyes which was quite encouraging. These photos I'm sharing could have been taken with just about any camera, but the fact that I had so many photos in a row in perfect focus was the real improvement.
Interestingly with the creation of Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in southwestern Indiana about 15 years ago, there has been a notable increase in these birds migrating farther east in higher numbers than before. Previously we would get just a few birds here and there, but now in spring and fall there can be several thousand birds at Goose Pond FWA. We usually get a few stopping over at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis which is a couple hours driving north and east of Goose Pond, but the numbers seen there have been slowly increasing.
I am back from the short Florida trip. Weather was not good for almost the entire trip. The winds where very strong, had an Osprey boat tour cancelled due to the wind. Overall we made the best of it. The 1dx Mark III performed very well on the trip. I did have two freeze ups, quick pull of the battery and good to go again. The biggest improvements I have noticed is how well the 2x on the 600mm tracks now. The 400mm DO also is much faster with the 2x on it over the 1dx Mark II by a lot. I did not use that lens much but when I did it performed very well. The AF hands down is improved over the the 1dx Mark III. Here are a couple many more to come.
RobAmy wrote:
I am back from the short Florida trip. Weather was not good for almost the entire trip. The winds where very strong, had an Osprey boat tour cancelled due to the wind. Overall we made the best of it. The 1dx Mark III performed very well on the trip. I did have two freeze ups, quick pull of the battery and good to go again. The biggest improvements I have noticed is how well the 2x on the 600mm tracks now. The 400mm DO also is much faster with the 2x on it over the 1dx Mark II by a lot. I did not use that lens much but when I did it performed very well. The AF hands down is improved over the the 1dx Mark III. Here are a couple many more to come.
A quick trip with a couple boat tours. The weather looks iffy for the osprey tour and that may be canceled but we will make the best of it. Hopefully I can get some flight in. 
