gduffy

<p>Later on yesterday Red-Tailed Hawk. Both photos hand held.</p><div></div>

<p>Just an experiment on a Cow Bird in poor lighting.</p><div></div>

<p>Osprey on the Hunt</p><div></div>

<p>Robert, great shots! I took my new 7D2 out for some shooting yesterday and was pleasantly surprised at its performance at iso 800. Did not have to do much noise reduction at all in post, quite different from my 7D1 at 800. I will push the iso up to 1600 today and see what I get.<br> As far as the tripod goes I ran across this review where Art Morris uses a GT3532 on lenses up to 800mm. Check it out:<br> http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2012/10/02/gitzo-gt3532-ls-review/<br> Thanks,<br> Gary</p> <p> </p>

<p>Ok, just to be clear I already own the 5D MkIII and 7D Mk1. My 7D MkII will be delivered tomorrow. All three cameras have Canon battery grips, which is my preference. I have decided to purchase the 1.4X III TC based on recommendations here and elsewhere.</p> <p>Robert, I choose the 500mm over the 600mm because of over 1.5lbs weight difference and $2,500 in price. As mentioned above I already have the 5D3, but did pay more than $ 1,900. That is a good deal!</p> <p>Ilkka, I am taking your comments into serious consideration. I just have trouble getting past a tripod rated for 46 pounds not being able to handle 13 pounds! The tripod choice is probably the most confusing of all. Many out there swear by the Gitzo 35xx series for 500mm or 600mm set ups and many insist on 4000 or 5000 series tripods. I am aware of the Gitzo rating system as far as that goes, but I don’t really want to lug around a beast of a tripod either. Still mulling this one over and will do more digging. I will likely end up shooting a lot without a tripod so that tips me towards the lighter one as well. My funds arrive to me in less than 2 weeks so I will make a decision soon!</p> <p>David, I have pretty much the same thought process as you on camera selection, lens selection and shooting style. I am with you on the handholding. I have been hand holding with a 300L non-IS and 70-200 f2.8L for years and more recently with my 100-400L 4.5-5.6 II which is in the 3.5lb range. Now I move up to 7lbs! I try to keep the ISO on the 7D mark I in the 800 iso range as IQ falls off at anything above that. I have shot the 5D3 at iso 3200 with great results. I purchased the 7D mark II for two major reasons, the ability to AF at F8 and for the AF system. The AF on the 5D3 has spoiled me and the 7D2 is reportedly as good if not better. I look at the noise reduction claims as an added bonus. If I can shoot at iso 1600 or more, all the better. Even with the 7D1 I get good results if I “shoot to the right” along with some good post. The added reach is a major deal as well.<br> I do have birding locations where I am in one spot for hours on end and I also sometimes sit in blinds for hours for other wildlife. In these cases I prefer to use a tripod as I am pretty much focused on one area. For BIF if my shots turn into overheads I can remove camera and lens from the tripod pretty quickly.</p> <p>Since I posted this I have read that the construction of the 1.4x III tc is stronger as well as the factors you mentioned. I will try the pieces needed of the lens coat as you suggest. I got a chuckle at “we are not shooting film anymore” Great photos btw!</p> <p>Thanks everyone for the great advice!</p> <p>Gary</p> <p> </p>

<p>A nod from a sparrow in the apple blossoms.</p><div></div>

<p>Mark,<br> That's the magic question "if there is a demonstrable difference in IQ between versions I and III" isn't it? I am willing to spend the money if there is a compelling reason. Yes, the 7DII will give more reach, but there are times where the 1.4X would be in order I think.<br> Alan<br> It isn't that so much as I am wondering if the Canon lens cap will fill well over the lens coat.<br> Ilkka<br> I will revisit this, but note that the GT3542L is rated at 46.3 pounds. My heaviest combination would be the 5D3 with battery grip, (2.57 lbs) TC1.4, (.5 lbs) lens, (7.03lbs) gimbal head (3.15) for a total of 13.25 lbs which is only 28% of the rated weight of this tripod. Also I noticed B&H recommended it to a Nikon user with a 600mm F4. It's not that I wouldn't purchase a series 4 or 5 but I would like to keep the weight down a little bit!<br> Thanks all for you input so far.<br> Gary</p> <p> <br> <br> </p>

<p>I am in the midst of a major equipment upgrade and will be purchasing this lens shortly. Along with the lens I plan to purchase a Gitzo GT3542L Mountaineer Tripod, a Wimberley WH200 gimbal head and P40 plate. I am also looking at LC500M4 lens coat as well. The camera bodies I will be using are my 5D3 and soon to be purchased 7D2. I use Canon battery grips on all my camera bodies. I have done considerable research and have a few questions for users of this lens.<br> 1. Any comments on my choice of Tripod/Gimbal head?<br> 2. I have a first generation 1.4X Canon tele-converter and am not sure if I there is any advantage to upgrading to the 1.4X III. I suspect that I will be using a converter in a lot of situations. I do use it some on my 100-400 II, but not with my existing 7D as I lose autofocus. There are lots written about the 1.4XII vs. the 1.4X III, but not much about the original version. My take from what I have read is that there is not a huge advantage between the II and the III. AF seems quick enough on the original version with my 5D3 or the 7D for that matter on my 70-200 f2.8. Don’t want to spend the $450 if there is no big gain. Thoughts?<br> 3. Lastly as I shoot a lot of birds/wildlife I am looking to get the lens coat mentioned earlier. I have read some negative comments including accessibility to lens controls, lens hood not fitting well, lens cap not fitting well and difficulty getting lens back into the case with this installed. As this only cost $ 99 I do not mind doing a little surgery with an exacto knife to gain access to controls as camouflage of the big white lens in my main goal with it. Comments?</p> <p>Your thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated.</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>Gary</p>

<p>Eastern Gray Squirrel</p><div></div>

<p>Lots of red.</p><div></div>

<p>Every year the Steelhead Rainbow Trout migrate to the falls in Orleans Vermont. Caught a few jumping.</p><div></div>

<p>Backyard Birds</p><div></div>

<p> Backyard Birds</p><div></div>

<p>Michael, the "plasticky" feel of the EOS 3 is not my impression of the camera. I just compared it to my 5D3 and it is very similar exterior build. (Unless you consider the 5D3 plasticky as well) Both have PB/Battery grip which is always required equipment for me.<br> If you do consider the EOS 5 (A2E) be warned that this camera was notorious for having the Mode dial break. I have one somewhere that just spins in circles. Other than that it was a great camera.<br> I forgot about the 10S, always liked that as well. Mine is buried in a closet somewhere!</p>

<p>My favorite film camera was my EOS 3 with battery grip. (or motor drive... whatever they called it back then) It has an autofocus system that still rivals some of todays DSLR's IMO. and ECF which you don't see anymore. I no longer shoot film, but still have this body sitting around. I suppose I will sell it someday, but some sentimental value to it. This was my workhorse camera for many years and never let me down. Going even further back I also had a soft spot for the A1 as well. </p>

<p>Backyard birds.</p><div></div>

<p>I am on the same page as Ellis on checking cameras and lenses. I always carry on all lenses and camera bodes and check tripods etc. My gear is fully insured also, but getting to a location and having lost or stolen gear ruins the whole trip. Despite published size limitations on carry on luggage I have seem some amazingly large packs allowed as carry-ons. To be safe I always make sure my carry-ons meet size restrictions however.</p>

<p>From a spring walk in the woods.</p><div></div>