ajaytyagi

<p>How about a total lack of background as from a AF-I 400 2.8!</p>

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<p>I balance my AF-I 400 2.8 behemoth on a Benro Carbon (Get the highest weight for your gear) for Golf shoots. Highly recommend from B&H.</p>

David,

I am on a long assignment in Copenhagen since January 2007 and will be there till November 2008. I had raised this question earlier around Nature photography w/o much response. Either way, I would be glad to team-up and explore. I use a D200 and a D70s with the 18-70 and the 70-200VR aside from the 400/2.8 AFI.

I can suggest Kabini area near Mysore and ofcourse the Periyar in Kerala.They are both very popular so are getting touristy and pricey. http://www.karnatakatourism.com/wildresort/kabini/

Just a quick remark on the lens selection: The 70-200 2.8 is definately worthwhile especially if you already own it. All your lenses are however inadequate for birds and most small mammals but probably more suited for the 'village coastal life' snapshots. Either way you will have lots of fun and gain experience.

I am travelling to Bandhavgarh in late November and will be in Mumbai early December. Drop me an email and maybe we can do some off-roading around Mumbai in my friend's Land-Rover. I am based out of Orlando, FL.

ajaytyagi7@hotmail.com

I've had similar problems when shooting with the D200 in continous mode with one specific CF card. I had to use a recovery software to for some of the pictures. I have discarded the CF card since then and not had any issues in the CF mode yet. So hopefully this is a CF card issue and not the D200.

I am currently on an extended assignment in Copenhagen far from home in

Orlando. I have weekends and thanks to the extended daylight a lot of time in

the evening and would like any advice on Birding hot-Spots around Copenhagen.

Did find some birding sites after Googling' but will be very interested in

some local photographers' input.

Equipment: In the interest of weight and Airline issues, I am only carrying my

70-200 VR 2.8 & the 18-70mm Zooms with a D200 and a D70s body. I have a 2X

converter and SB-800 with Better Beamer. Left the mammoth 400/2.8 AF-I but can

bring it on my next visit if the need arises.

Appreciate any responses...

Ajay

Take a picture and drop the RAW or JPEG in the "exiftool.exe" which will open a command window in Windows with all the data including Total Shutter Count upto that image. The Tool is free to download.

Good to hear that nesting has begun.

I got a photo pass at Gatorland in January which allows visits an hour earlier at 8:00AM. Was a great opportunity for close-ups and mating sequences. Unfortunately, soon after that I got sent to Denmark on an assignment. Hope the nests are still there with chicks during my short visits back.

I was there for New Year's and it was slower than usual for bird sightings. Few Roseate Spoonbills, White Pelicans but nothing spectacular. I travelled from Orlando but Ft. Lauderdale should be closer and may justify a peek. Venice Rookery was another disappointment. I am waiting for the nesting season on Alligator Farms like Gatorland and St. Augustine for better luck.

Ajay

Hey Joshua,

Couldn't find your email but I would be interested in finding out about Fort Desoto. I live in Orlando and will probably bring my wife and children who can be dropped off at the beach.

I have a 400/2.8 AF-I (a Beast) and a 300/2.8 on a D70 body and a mediocre Tripod.

ajay@tyagi.net

thanks

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I have the Lens Scope Converter which I bought (surprisingly) new from B&H 2 years ago. It has since disappeared from the market. Amazing device, but like any accessory it is dependent on the quality of the lens used (Aperture for brightness and Elements for sharpness). I carry it everywhere and have used it with my 400/3.5 and AFS 300/2.8 to observe craters on the moon. You can also use a teleconverter. I wish there was a easy way to take pictures with.

It cost $135 which is hard to beat. Hope you find one.

I own the 400 3.5 which is not as bulky as other 400's. The problem I face with panning is not the tripod but Autofocus!!

Most of my great shots are ruined cos of this especially shooting at 3.5!

"The Nikon TC-14,17 and 20E TCs can only work with AF-S lenses"

The TC-14E and TC-20E will maintain AutoFocus with AF-I lenses besides the AF-S. It does not apply in this case but just FYI.

Ajay

Read silhouettes.

Unless shooting silhouttes, the matrix meter is rarely off by +0.3/-0.3. That is how good the F5 is!!!!

I stand by that statement anyday.

Yeah, I am 'chipping' my 400 3.5 for the same purpose of using it with a DSLR in the new future. I have the PN-11 and would rather get an inexpensive incident meter or something to keep it usable (and ofcourse add Shaw's formulae for macro, reciprocity etc). BTW, I am still attached to my trusty F5 but the lure of a 600 3.5 (1.5X)is just too much temptation. Rolland Elliott is currently converting my lens.

Well glad to hear you are enjoying your stay. I can send you some good links for Bird Photography in Florida. Let me know or Google it.

AT

Arnab, I didn't think you cared that much about Matrix metering?? I remember you saying that you almost always found middle tone subjects?? Does the FM3A have matrix?

Is this for your new swanky D70 for Spot/Focus area combo?

Anyway how is the US treating you?

Regards

AT

I sent a 400 3.5 lens mount to him 3 weeks ago. He has been fairly responsive and has answered his phone everytime I called him. It is still under the 3-4 weeks turn-around time and will update you when I receive it. So in short he is still doing this work and as far as I know the only one who does it.

Regards

I finally bought the AIS 400 F3.5 with the TC-301 which should be ample to result in a decent 800/F7 . Cannot wait to try the combo with my F5 even though I lose the matrix metering. I usually prefer Spot anyway especially for the white birds with a +1.3-1.7 compensation. The last time I took the 80-400VR which was great for the 'boat ride close-ups' but lacked the isolating power of a faster lens. I kick myself for not getting the 400 3.5 earlier.

Thank you all.

Making another trip to Bharatpur, this time to coincide with

the 'Best time to visit'. Inviting any Photo-netters in the area

around October 20-21 2004. Hope to apply lessons-learnt from the

trip in March like not take the 'versatile' 80-400VR for lack

of 'Ahh' factor resulting from too much clutter in the background.

One prime telephoto should do it but still looking into it.

Considering the 300 2.8, 400 3.5 or a bargain 400 2.8 AF for use

with the F5.

Any suggestions welcome.

AT

Wilfred,

The results are quite good and looks like the D70 and slide duplicator combo may work for a while for me. Yes the whole ICE issue is big but the option of another body (digital) to add to my only body (F5) is very appealing. Currently I use a Sony DSC-P1 for extremely mediocre shots of my 2 year old.

 

Thank you everyone.

 

AT

Wilfred,

I would love to see some images if you have a chance.

Thanks.

Yes ICE is a huge factor!

2 good points Spencer, but I am still confused by the whole pixel count thing. The cropping factor is definately an issue though you could find lenses to compensate? Or else instead of scanning some good slides I could scan the good parts of my slides (;-)