dr._steven_bein

Bob,

It seems as if you and the poster have an adjenda against Mr. Lee.

I would like to see what the circumstances were before coming down so heavy handed.Until then, even if a fine was paid, comments like this are heavy handed and smack of tar and feathering rather than intelligent communications. Unless someone has first hand information and is willing to state exactly what happened, then there is no reason for such anomisity! It seems like jelousy of a successful businessman rather than fair communications. Why was the fine given, was it an error,or deliberate attempt to circumvent specific regulations, which by the way, I am against. Were the regulations legall in the first place or an arbitrary regulation circumventing legal processes. Charging for use of public lands where all have equal access is wrong. We support public lands with our taxes. Those who make money from workshops on public lands pay taxes on income generated from those efforts and lands. Charging for permits and other fees I do not agree with and do not think it is in keeping with the concept of "PUBLIC" and is double taxation.

Steven Bein

 

"Maybe they weren't tearing up the park, but it's like the president of Alcoholics Anonymous being found guilty of DWI. Not exactly the sort of behavior you'd want, expect or tollerate from someone in that position.

 

With actions like this it's not suprising that nature photographers are developing a bad name with the park service. It only takes a few bad apples to spoil it for all of us and comments like "what he did wasn't all that bad" don't really help the situation. "

Bob Atkins

Re Jeff's comment,"Stay in the car, and don't try this with bears. " Disregard this. Just go with another photographer, one you do not value, who can not run as fast as you. :-)

Two years ago, I went on a trip arranged through Andre. I was very surprised and satisfied with the trip even thoughthe driver did not like to get up for sunrise photos. Andre now has a different situation and is no longer affiaiated with the person who was driving at that time. I am sure the times for photography have expanded and anyone going would be very pleased. I would take this trip, but I am going to Western China at that time.

STeve Bein

I have seen the bs about not using the 2x considered as gospel by many. Look at the work of George Lepp who stacks a 1.4 and 2x and gets sellable photos. The keyis using good techniques and you also have to use lenses that are top quality. I do not shoot Canon, but perhaps a question to Lepp might help. You canuse a good 2x and get good results, it is just harder than using a 1.4x. the reason is that you lose two stops and have to use longer exposures, therefore making vibration control more of an issue. so, good luck. either will work if you do yor job, but it is easier with the 1.4x due to faster shutter speeds at the same aperture. Make sure to use a good enough tripod so you can optimize the effect. Also, try the Moose Peterson recommended technique of resting your hand on the lens above the tripod mount and also pushing your face againse the rubber eyecup. IF you do not have an eyecup, it is cheap and useful. have fun

Shun,

Have you not heard of geographic priority film??

:-). This geographic question comes up in one form or another time after time. The best answer is use the film you have had the best results with in the past, or experiment with a new film, before you go.

I will be leaving 5/12/01. Forgot to mention that. One week to plan. Not a problem really.

I will be driving from Islip N.Y to Los Angeles, despite gas prices.

Most of the eastern driving will be on I80 with side trips. One

location, Crane Creek, near Toledo has been suggested. I plan to get

into Utah, Arches, Canyonlands, and go south through Monument Valley

etc. I will be taking 35,,. super wide to 400f5.6, 4x5 and a small

rotating 35mm panoramic camera, plus a tripod

Suggestions would be appreciated, especially for the East and mid

west. i am not familiar with that area.

STeve Bein

An alternative , if buying a used camera body, is the Nikon N70, which can meter both with AF and manual focus lenses. They are not being made presently, but are fine. The only downside in comparing is that they have only one sensor rahter than the 5 points of the N80. I donot shoot Canon,though Canon is excellent also.

Narendra, you are right about extension tubes and close up diopters, however, if the poster wants to use flash, there will be a partial blocking if he uses the pop up flash on the camera, depending on the distance from the subject, the closer, the more of the subject is blocked. That is the logical reason for including comments on external flash and either hand holding it or using some type of bracket. The information is useful, even if not acted on immediately.Get real.

A comment on the films. Arthur Morris, the noted bird photographer uses as his 100 iso film, velvia pushed one stop. He uses 100F pushed either one or two stops. This is for birds, I have no personal experience as to what it does for landscape

There is no problem with using an extension tube and the included meter, if you use one which will withelectric connections. Focusing manually is normal with macro. I use an extension tube and sometimes a Nikon 5 or 6T close up. YOu can get great quality that way easily. I would suggest you get an external flash and use a "butterfly" mount for it. The results should amaze you. A friend who takes world class underwater photos uses an N50. It will do good things for you. For macro wih my lightweight system, I use an extension tube with a 70-300 Nikon lens. The greater working distance helps,since you can use the on camera flash without shadowing due tothe lens. With that , a full power flash will be better, though. The decision is based on your desired results and your budget. My recommendation is for a lower cost and lighter weight. There are macro lenses at 60mm, 90mm, 105mm, 200mm and others.

Good luck.

Walmart also has some material

I have owned all three of the cameras you mention. I find the

Tachihara to be very easy for very wide lenses, the rear standard

comes forward so there is no bed interference. I sold the Crown and

also my Linhoff Tech V. I now have a Canham DLC45 and the Tachihara.

I find the Tachihara easier to use with the wide (I have a 65 Super

Angulon) than any of the other camera bodies I have used. They can

all be used, with the compressed bellows, movements are restricted,

but with the wides I use, so is the circle of illumination, so it is

an acceptable tradeoff. If hand holding is a needed feature, as

another poster mentioned, then just get an attachable grip. There are

many on the market. Some may have to be modified, but that is easy.

The Tech V was the reason I bought the Tachihara. The cost of a wide

angle adapter was about the same as buying the Tachihara. Never

regretted the purchase. I do not like to push brands since most of

the cameras will do an equivalent job, but in the price range, the

Tachihara seems like a good option to chose.the wind effect is

monimized with the compression of the bellows. I found that the

Linhoff was the most rigid of the cameras I used, but I chose not to

shoot LF in heavy wind anyway.

You can push Velvia, as Arthur Morris does to 100. He uses Fuji 100F at 200 or 320.The faster speed film will compensate somewhat for the slower lens. Make sure you tell the lab if you push the film one or two stops. Many people use 320 as the second stop instead of 400.

Contrary to your opinion, your effective aperture, rather than what the camera or indices say is 2 stops slower than your indicated aperture as far as light transmission is concerned. That is why you have a "noticeably slower shutter". What tells you that your aperture is still 4? You lose one stop with a 1.4x and 2 stops with a 2x. It is just the physics of lenses and teleconverters. Ignore what the camera says and pay attention to the true facts. there is no free lunch. IF you double the power, you lose two stops, period.. Your opinion or observations not withstanding.

Best answer as to most effective techniques with your existing equipment is to use the best tripod and head combo plus technique you can get. rest your hand on the lens over the tripod mount to dampen vibration. Remember, there are many brands, many will give the same effective use and results. When you get to pro quality, brands become relative and it is best to try different ones to see which yo like the best. Another good thing is to learn habits and behaviors, which will allow you to get closer, thereby offsetting the 300mm lens for smaller birds. Also, a blind, or some other means to allow closer photographing position is recommended.

Good luck.

I was there a few years ago and an overzelious armed enforcement officer tried to harass me. Said I was in the herd of seals, which I was not. I informed her of that and continued taking my 4x5 shots. She accepted my explanation. She stated that just the animal looking at me was enough to confirm harrassment of the seals, which is false. She seemed happy to show off her stainless 357 S&W, but did not make any threatening motions or comments. She did give me her card when requested. We had no further problems.

I was there when some tourists put their kids on top of the seals. I told them it was a dangerous thing todo and risked their kids. They stopped. It is a wonderful place.

 

The eco- fanatics overdo their stance. The fact is that that colony is thriving in spite of early harrassment shows that humans do not always affect animals with our behavior. sometimes we do, but not there at this time.

There are now some docents and some signs which is educational and a good thing.

Hi, Taking delivery of a 4x4 in San Antonio and driving back to Los

Angeles, so far via Big Bend, White Sands, Bosque Del Apache,

Monument Valley, Canyon De Chelle, Sedona, perhaps also Chaco Canyon

and a few others. Lots of places, so little time. Any suggestions as

to a few others to add into the list? No time this time to get into

real depth, just lots of places and try to be there at the

appropriate times.

Gear carried, F5 with 14mm to 500mm, Med format rotating panoramic

camera withlenses from 20mm to 400mm, 4x5 withlenses 65mm to 300mm.

plus film and a few tripods.

Any comments or suggestions, except for ride alongs, are encouraged.

The trip can be considered as scouting and play for now, but I expect

to get some great shots. Is there still snow on the ground at

Monument Valley at this time?

Steve Bein

There are good bird opportunities at Marina Del Rey, Bolsa Chica, the back bay at Newport, and others if birds are your thing.

I was a Snow Canyon a few months ago. itis an easy place to photograph. A pretty location, get above it and take some shots down the canyon. there are lots of other places accessable after the convention. YOu are not far from viewing the North Rim of the Grand Canyon via some interesting roads (dirt/rock/4x4 roads and better. Lots if interesting locations. Some areas of the North Rim are showing regrowth after the fires.

The above poster is correct for 120 film.If you use 220 film, more convenient at times, then the prices are about double, but you have to change rolls less..

If you are buying the head from Wemberley, why not buy the plate. I did. It is just mental masturbation to find which is better. They are all good. You have to do your part which is to take the photos after you put the gear together. You can mix and match all you want. I have used all. All work. Some have rounded corners, I like that better. It makes it slightly faster th change. Not enough to worry about though.

When looking at the options, consider what the weight is and where you will be carrying it. That is why I went to the extension tubes and diopters as a combo with my lightweight system. Also, consider the working distance. Many people love the longer lenses due to working distance. Like I enjoyed when using macro on a sidewinder in the California desert. Working distance helps. Also, with the longer lenses, it is easier to use flash.

I am a Nikon shooter, so some might not directly apply, but I had a lightweight set up (had, as in stolen last Thursday night ), and it was for travelling. I used a light AF body (N80), 24-50, 70-300 and for macro, I put a 35mm extension tube on for about 1 to 1, for more I used a dipoter filter. I could get up to 2 to 1, sharp as a tack, and, when I took a photo of a resting baby sidewinger, I used the macro with the lens as far out as possible. It works very well. That is just another approach. For my, though I have a 105 macro, it is too heavy for a lightweight travel set up. Since weight is relative, your choice is yours, but I think, if an extensiohn tube and diopter would work with the 100-400 IS, you would be blown away with the results.

Albert,

regarding the clamp,as the poet said, a rose is a rose. the design is fairly simply. I have the Gitzo head with an RRS clamp because I had one. I liked the looks of the Gitzo clamp. Just close your eyes and chose. i don't think you can go wrong. The only problem with my clamp, and I think it might be universal, is that the locking nut is not held on, so it can fall off. I lock the clamp whenever it is empty

The soft are better with areas that are not sharply defined or are irregular. The hard edge work very well with well defined and linear demarcations, like a horizon. If you can afford, get both. They will both be useful.

For anyone interested in joining me in South Africa next year (co-op

situation, share expenses,not a for profit), definitely geared to

rugged outdoor photographers, this is an update with the vehicle

info. I have approached a few naturalists who are involved in back

country travels also and hope to have at least one joining us.

Vehicle description below- Comments and suggestions appreciated. I

went on a similar trip in Kenya last year, found through this board,

and was inspired to try more, this time, organizing it myself.

Vehicle description- I want to limit it to two or three per vehicle.

should be less expensive and better than most photo tours, but more

rugged. Also, time to shoot, see behavior, etc.

Cape Town, North to the Namibia Dunes, then game parks in S. A. If we

have enough time, to Victoria falls, but that is doubtful. 3 to 4

weeks.

 

DESERT RAIDER 4x4 (4 Berth): Limited Edition Toyota Raider; 2.4

litre petrol engine; 4 seater double cab; air-conditioning; power

steering; long-range fuel tank; winch; wide tyres; spotlights;

hi-lift jack; shovel; radio/tape deck; 50 litre fresh water tank;

dual battery system; 12V/220V fridge-freezer; two twin-berth tents

(roof-mounted); canopy; side awning; bedding, towels; all

utensils and general camping equipment; maps, campsite guides. AA

Fleet Care Membership.