edward_caliguri1

Consta is a great photographer, person, human being and

friend. He lives in Boston, and I have been lucky enough to have

visited him a number of times. I have seen him AT WORK, and

as David stated, he is a minimalist in terms of equipment. He

also uses a R6 and the old 90mm f/2 for his older b+W work. At

one time experimenting with a 6x9 Arca Swiss View. I love is

older work, especially his Greek Portfolio and BSO portraits. But

what I admire most about him is his work ethic, and his

consistant nature. For perfect consistancy, weather in B+W or

Cibachrome, or making contrast masks, he is ruthless with

consistant temperature and conditions (He even wraps his

stainless steel roll film tanks in plastic so the temperature of his

hands do not change the developer temperature one iota! But

just look at his results -- (www.constantinemanos.com -- for a

few) or try to get to see some originals from A Portrait of a

Symphony or American Color. He deserves the award 100%.

Even if his work does not move you, his work ethic will.

Edward

Hi!

For flash I suggest the Ellinchrome "freestyle" - an outdoor - all -

weather rechargeable unit, with durations as little as 1/3600th I

understand. It's a great ubit - a friend of mine has used it to

shoot Owls exiting and going back to nests. Beam triggered of

course.

A 6x9 view camera with a roll back would be great for this, but the

only electronic shutters I can think of are in Mamiya cameras or

Rollei 8000 series (there you have a 1000 second synch on

some lenses I think). But I can vouch for the flash set-up and the

View camera - I've seen it work! Hope this helps.

Hi!

This is just a fleeting thought � but why do the truly GREAT

nature photographers never post? Lanting, Rosing, Angel,

countless National Geo folks, Middleton, Fitzharris, Dykinga etc.,

etc. never post here (or in other forums for that matter)? Oh � a

couple have here and there � but not the ones you see in

Nature�s Best or high end publications on a regular basis. Why

is that? Are they too busy actually working? Don�t give a flying you

know what on what others think? Just a thought �not meant to

infuriate anyone, honest. But ever wonder that? Why?

Peace,

Ed

Hi!

Do try the new Kodak G series films. I just had a number of rolls

developed, shot in overcast late winter weather. Usually, I use

Provia 100F BUT these G films will rock your world! The new Fuji

had better be good ... or many will go back to yellow boxes. One

thing this shows, though, is that film is here stick around for a

long while :-) I hope!

Ed

Hi!

Haven't posted since the Art M. Thread -- made me a tad nervou

about accidently hitting a nerve -- sorry! Actually, I have an Arca

B2, Large FOBA, Small FOBA, Kirk's large head, a full Wimberly,

and I used a 'Sidekick' for a while. I collect heads like others do

bags, I guess. If I had to live with one, it would be a tie between

the 'top three' for me - Large FOBA, B2 ARCA, and full size

Wimberly (for long lenses - I use the Leica Modular System from

400 2.8 - 800 5.6) The larger lenses weigh in at about 13-15

pounds - not light! And now Wimberly is making what IMHO are

the best plates and clamps, for long glass, bar none. Take a

look at their site. The full size Wim is the oly one I feel safe with

with these. But it's a tough choice (guess that's why I have and

use them all I suppose). But if you have a sunroof and railson

your truck or car -- I've been able to adapt a Bogen super clamp

to hold these heads with the help of a machinist, and it's great to

pop out of covered in netting to shoot from. Otherwise, I use a

self modified ( with hose clamps and duct tape)Gitzo BIG OLD

monopod clamped to the inside door handle and lowered to the

floor to shoot out the window. Nothing rests on the glass of the

(Small) SUV.

Just something to think on!

Have fun!

Ed

Hi!

If you do want to 4x there, don't go it alone unless you are

experienced. There are Jeep tours and Photo op tours that take

you out of the way. A photo shop right smack dab in the center of

town has all the info you'll need. There's so much there it's easy

to get over stimmulated! Sometimes it seems you can make

hundreds of exposures in 20 square feet! You'll have a great

time. Ed

PS - Don't forget the birdlife there!

Hi!

If you can drive a bit - Joshua Tree is east near Palm Springs. It's

very unusual and unique! If you can camp (or even motel nearby)

sunrise/sunsets are great!

Ed

Hi!

I couldn't agree less with george :-) I know - to each his own, that

I always agree to. For me, well I use Nikon D1x's, F5's and

another all MF brand. I don't carry a Jobo with me, nor a laptop

UNLESS I shoot Digita. Then everyone wants to see the shots

while I'm still looking for new moments to capture. At home, I

need a dual monitor PC, backup drives, printers etc. Crashes

happen now and then. Film is a lot less work for me, personally.

I'm a scientist by trade; use a computer ever day (even p-shop for

presentations). When I leave work behind, I don't want to scan,

pull up, futz with and print 9which sometimes encourages waste

because it's not in the dark, and you just 'press a button'). I love

to shoot Velvia, Provia, have it E-6'd in about an hr if I need to,

then toss 'em on a light table. If I know the craft well enough, I'm

pretty sure of what I got (even with digital, if you miss a shot - it's

still gone forever :-) ! Besides, I just saw LIKE NEW in the box

F5's selling for $750 to $900 dollars, depending on the store.

Also new D1's for $1000 as the technology becomes obsolete.

And, for me, I like to have 'that piece of film' that was actually in

the camera with me at that moment. I know-wierd but true!

Just snowed here - ought to be a great day outside. Have fun!

Hi all-

I just got a letter from Art, and I was hasty in commenting about

his relationship and sponsorship by Canon. When I was akid in

college, I ran races , triathalons etc, and had a buddy who was

sponsored by Saucony and they had him eat drink and sleep it. I

was misleadind in saying that Art HAS to do what Canon says

100% - I now know he is free to critique their equipment in any

way he wishes, anytime, anywhere. As he told me, I don't know

how much or what percentage, or how the wording of his

contract with Canon is - so that was pure speculation on my part,

and I was wrong to say that they control him 100%, and I am

sorry about that. Lesson learned - get the FACTS from the

horses mouth before saying anything! I still haven't changed my

stance what Art does - he's a great wildlife photographer.

Peace and Hapy Holidays to All!

Ed

You all have some salient points. I shoot with Nikon digital and

film (D1x and F5's) as well as Leica. Obviously, one could write A

LOT on this topic, but one issue I would adress is the "machine

gun" approach, and "trying new things" comments. First, The

burst rate isn't there with digital - even the D1H. Add to the fact

that you might wish to shoot RAW or NEF, or TIFF files and it

slows you down to a crawl. And sure - Bring the laptop along with

you in the blind - it's just one more distraction. As far as I can

see, for me, it's film all the way - unless the finished product is

for the Web or immediate use.

Just one guy's thoughts :-) Happy Holidays and Peace for the

New Year --- Ed

I agree Robert , and Patrick - It's not as if they are asking him to

use a real piece of junk. It's good equipment. He will 'reward'

Canon by going out and doing what he does best , with the

equipment they want to sell - now high end digital. Canon will

give all the help he needs to suceed fast, and look great doing it.

Ultimately, Art is the shooter, a great one (that's why they sign

him) and will deliver the goods, and more. That's why some of

these guys are CONTRACT photographers. It does limit their

choices, severely I would think at times, but the two "companies"

in the end, get what they want - great photos shot with the

equipment Canon wants us all to line up to buy. And as I said,

there is nothing wrong with that, if you are willing to work under

those constraints. Sponsorship and contracts like that are

strange things, especially if they decide to "cut the cord" later. In

other markets, some rough things have gone on in the legal

area. It's not easy.

I know Shun, and I agree .. But Nike knows that LOTS of kids in

the US who have parents with deep pockets will be lining up to

get them, or else hear their kids whine longer than it would take

Leica to make a DSLR :-) But, as we all know, gear is gear, and

a great wildlife photo can be taken with a number of different

cameras. It takes more than a good lens and camera (I hope!)

You're correct - he did ask for the1D because of the burst rate.

But..and I like the guy's work VERY much ... he's a Canon

CONTRACT photographer and I think he has to a large degree,

try out these things for Canon. Art advertises for Hunts on his site

etc., and that's FINE, it's the way he makes it work. Tom Vezo - a

Nikon shooter, is also as good as Art, and totally unsponsored.

He choose his way to make it work. Norbert Rosing, a Leica

shooter - unsponsored, does no workshops, but is one of the

top three wildlife shooters around. Vezo and Rosing are Film

guys (I know Rosing will ALWAYS be a film guy), and I think they

have more freedom to use what they wish and shoot what they

want. They earn their money via a slightly different route. But it's

just like an athlete who is sponsored by Nike (Jordan), if they

make a new sneaker, they'll have him wearing it on the court the

next day. They'l make certain they don't pinch his toes or hurt his

feet, but he WILL wear them. And there's nothing wrong with that,

and it takes nothing away from his greatness.

I think he HAS to ... Canon provides for all his needs. He's theirs,

and has got to respond to their wishes. Don't get me wrong; I like

his work a lot - but I do think when you are 100% sponsored, you

have to a large degree do what is asked of you. It's telling that he

even said he asked for a 1Ds, but his Canon rep said no, a 1D is

better for you!. Nikon has Moose (to some degree) Canon has

Art (to a large degree)

Hi!

I live about 8 miles direct west of Boston, so I'll try and stay within

an hrs. drive radius....

First -- Newburyport and Plum Island -- one of the best places in

the world for migrating shorebirds (migration is over for most by

now however), but the abundance of shorebirds there is second

to none in New England. Snowy Owls are almost always present

-check www.virtualbirder.com (there's a phone number there as

well). Plovers galore, as well as raptors (marsh hawks,

goshawks, Bald eagles are not uncommon) and accipitors.

There are swamp areas, salt marsh, wooded (Deer abound)

and qwls from the Snowy to Saw-Whet (which will let you get

quite close!), ocean side beaches -- almost every northern

ecosysytem is represented there. Get there early - sunrise is

best! It's about one hr from Boston - then warm up at The Grog in

Newburyport Town! Don't miss it.

Second - Concord/Bedford - Great Meadows off rt 62. Go through

Concord Center and ask directions - kind of tricky to get there as

a novice, but also a fantastic place, A ndike runs the center

betwem a freshwater marsh and a much wetter lakelpool area.

Another Must-See ! Again go early, it packs up quickly. SSmall

wintering birsds, woodpeckers abound

Third - Ipswich River Sanctuary - Run by Mass Audubon, a great

place for small birds (chickadees, titmice, cardinals etc etc,) You

can feed these chickadees by hand here!! Good fun, it's north of

Boston near Topsfield (closer to Plum)

Another is Broadmoor Sanctuary in Natick MA, and Drumlin Farm

in Lincoln - no Great Shakes here, but close to town and good

finds at times.

Write if you need help!

Edward

I don�t think there would be any perceived difference, not yet. The

light needs to pass through an anti alias filter, cover material etc.

then hit the sensing part of the chip. Except for the Foveon chip,

each Color Pixel "sees" a different part of the image. Much

happens after the shot in digital; algorithmically speaking. A lot of

image processing takes place after the photo is taken � and

then some in computer. I�d love to examine a real "RAW" file,

where you could magnify the image to a point where you�d see

what each RGB sensor recorded ( if you ever looked at

Polaroid�s instant 35mm color slide film, you can see the white

areas reproduced as RG and B lines when magnified! Yes � you

can see great frontier prints from a D100, but much of that print

is the result of mathematical algorithm use. That�s not a bad

thing, just the way it is.

Edward

Hi!-

By now, I think I can only second some of the things said already.

I have a good friend that uses Minolta AF, and had owned both

the Tamron 400mm f4.0 and the 1.4x converter -- he loved them

(but NO AF was possible) ... still, he and I are "manual focusers'

for most of our wildlife work (I'm a small bird guy - he's more of a

large bird guy!) .. he got the lens and converter w/adaptall mount

for around $600 dollars a couple of years ago in PERFECT

condition - a Bargain! - later he added a 600mm Minota prime,

since the images were a bit soft with the 400 and a 2x extender,

so he elected to use the new 600 with a 1.4x, although he added

that you can use the Tamron 1.4x with manual focus, and the

results are the the same - great!. He still uses the 400 since he

got it for a song and won't let it go - great optic!