gduffy

<p>With apologies to Van Morrison. "It's a wonderful day for a Loon dance"<br> 7D2- 500 f4 IS II +1.4X TC III</p><div></div>

<p>Very kind David. So many great photographs by so many great photographers. I am just happy to be in the mix.</p>

<p>Orlando,<br> The 17-40L f4.0 only weighs 4 oz more than the 10-22. That would be my choice.<br> Gary</p> <p> </p>

<p>I was camping last week in a remote area and ran across this rather large family. </p><div></div>

<p>Benjamin,</p> <p>I prefer unique filenames for all of my photo's as I sometimes export for web usage or submissions. With each camera I change the in camera file numbering to the camera model and alpha on the iterations. I.e. 5D3A-xxxx for first time around, 5D3B-xxxx for second time and so on. Light Room allows you to easily change to this numbering on existing files as well. Not a big deal but it gives me the added bonus of not having to look at EXIF data to see which camera was used. If you have identical models of cameras all you have to do is get creative with the first 4 alpha-numeric setting allowed by Canon cameras.<br> Hope this helps.</p> <p>Gary</p>

<p>7D2, 500 f4 IS II, f4.0 @ 1/2500 ISO 800 hand held.</p> <div></div>

<p>David,<br> Love Colorado! My youngest son used to live in Aurora and my oldest in the Breckenridge area so needless to say I have spent some time there. Way back I was stationed at the now defunct Lowery AFB for 7 Months. If I get back there I'll be in touch.<br> Just returned from a 2 day wilderness tenting trip primarily to get some shooting time with the 500. Starting to get used to it. Most shots (but not all) were from the Gitzo and Wimberly head combo. I didn't mention it, but my left wrist is in a splint for 6 weeks due to torn tendons so hand holding is a bit difficult, but not impossible.<br> Been playing around with some settings like shutting off IS from the tripod, no in camera noise reduction (I'm changing that back!), micro adjust which wasn't needed and a few other things. Ramping up on the shutter speed helped a lot.<br> If I fly again I will definitely look into the roller bag, but I'm kind of liking this Lens Coat thing. It is very quick in and out and offers good protection from all the other stuff like tripods, camping gear etc. For drive around shooting I don't use the square stabilizer thingy that comes with it. I find that if I put the lens/camera combo in the case with the camera rotated 90 degrees onto it it's side, it is pretty stable.</p> <p>Here is a Common Loon photo from my trip. 7D2, 500mm F4 IS II, 1.4x TCIII, Gitzo and Wimberley. F5.6 at 1/3200 - ISO 1600.</p> <p>Thanks,<br> Gary</p> <p> </p><div></div>

<p>Robert,<br> Thats the one I have right now, except the 3X works for the 500mm + camera +tc. Just came yesterday so I will try it out.</p> <p>Thanks,<br> Gary</p>

<p>David,<br> I guess I was trying to think of a good use for that really nice Canon case! These days I normally drive to any photo destination as photography is my only "work". I hate to leave anything behind and I do not like to check any photo gear. Plus I have the time. I did fly to California on a pleasure trip back in January and had to stash a 300mm lens in my checked baggage. I drove to and tented in the Everglades back in February and break-in's were a real problem there. I have a pick-up truck so obviously no trunk, though I do have one of those big locking tool boxes in the back. The rear windows are heavily tinted so with a little creativity I can hide a few things, plus the alarm system is really loud lol. (not that that helps). Also I try to be discreet when leaving the vehicle. I ended up carrying way more than I wanted on hikes because of this. Everything is fully insured, but it can ruin a trip. I am trying to come up with something I can lock down in the back seat or on the floor as I am headed out west to Yellowstone and the Tetons etc. in a month or so.<br> I have a center console so carrying the 500 all ready to go in the front would be difficult, however I can reach around to the back seat without getting out though.<br> Right now I am on the learning curve with this lens. Having some trouble getting good IQ on long distance shots. Up to a 100 yards or so is fine but beyond that not so good. No sure if it is IS being on from the tripod or what. Hopefully operator error as both camera's do the same thing. (Yes I do have the focus range on full!) Will do some more experimenting.<br> Got the Lenscoat case from B&H yesterday. Still in the box, I will check it out today.<br> Thanks,<br> Gary</p>

<p>Caspian Tern making a big splash. From my observations they do not have a very good hit rate as they seem to come up empty over half the time!</p><div></div>

<p>I ordered the lenscoat Xpandable 3X long to give it a try. I will send it back if I don't like it. I normally have a Photo Trekker AW on the front seat open with camera body and lens hood attached which works well with either a 70-200 F2.8L or 100-400 F4.5-5.6 IS II in the 100mm position. On the drivers side back seat I use a mini-trekker but not opened for other camera bodies/lenses. The front seat is in it's most forward position so everything won't dump if I have to brake suddenly. I have been thinking that the 500mm on the floor in the drivers side back with plenty of padding so it won't roll around might work plus it can be ready to shoot with. I do need a case for the lens anyway as the factory case is a real jam fit with lenscoat and tripod mounting plate attached. This lens case appeals to me in that the lens, camera and lens hood (not reversed) will fit in nicely. It has a shoulder strap and an optional backpack harness is available. I did not opt for the backpack harness as I likely would be bringing along other gear to my shooting location. If I were to fly I would utilize the factory case. Lot's of choices, I'll see how it works out.<br> Thanks,<br> Gary</p>

<p>I recently purchased this lens and I am looking to see what everyone uses for a field case (if any). The case that came with the lens is nice, but not to practical for me for field use. I am looking for something that I can have the lens and hood in the ready position with camera body mounted (7D2 or 5D3) and possibly a 1.4X tele convertor as well. I typically shoot at one location and then drive a few miles to the next location. Breaking everything down and returning to factory supplied case is not a good option for me really. I also sometimes travel old logging roads in remote areas where I run across moose etc, but need a camera at the ready. I am a little apprehensive at leaving the lens on the seat of my truck where it could go bouncing off if I had to stop quickly for some reason. For random hikes I would likely just carry the lens/camera by it's foot, but if I am hiking to say a pond thats a mile or two away for a long sit I would want to bring a tripod, extra body and lens as well in a pack I already have and carry the 500 in the purchased case. I am looking at the Lenscoat Xpandable 3X long lens case which seems like a good option. Comments?<br> Thanks,<br> Gary</p>

<p>I was lucky enough to come across the rare X-wing Canada Goose last week!</p><div></div>

<p>Update: I ended up going with the Gitzo GT3542LS Systematic Tripod (no center column rated at 55 lbs) with the Wimberley WH200 Version II Gimbal head along with the 500mm F4L IS II. I also picked up the 1.4X EF Extender III. Everything arrived today so I have been doing a little shooting to get familiar with it all. Haven't put the lens coat on yet. <br /> Thanks to everyone.</p> <p>Gary</p>

<p>Mallard against a white sky</p><div></div>

<p>I also own the 5D mk 3, 7D and more recently the 7D mark 2. I would concur with David on the 7D mk 2 for BIF. Relatively speaking the 7D2 has a lot of bang for the buck with its AF and frame rate. IQ isn't half bad either! The 20mp allows for the inevitable cropping if you are shooting a lot of birds.</p><div></div>

<p>Keeping with the theme. Please excuse the post and sign, but it is the actual road less taken! </p><div></div>

<p>David,<br> Duly noted. Many thanks for all your advice. I am pleasantly surprised at the higher ISO performance of the 7D2 compared to the 7D. The AF system is all that I had hoped for and more. Need a little more time with the camera to get up to speed, but the first 2 days have been good. You are right, once I get the 500mm I don't think the 5D3 is going to be on the other end all that much!</p>

<p>Colin,<br> Not sure what your intended composition is going to be. Are you shooting close ups, head-on's etc?<br> Servo mode and single point focus offset as required would be a good starting point. One thing about trains is you can get many do overs so that would be a place to start I think.<br> good luck,<br> Gary</p>

<p>Jan,<br> My best wishes to you and please stay positive as it helps tremendously. Beat this!<br> Gary</p>