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scott_vogt1

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Posts posted by scott_vogt1

    Bird Photography using Film

    in Nature

    Posted

    Hi Paul,

     

    I missed the other thread on this and just decided to answer on this one. Anyway I do bird photography with the canon fd system. I have a t-90 and F-1N. My lens is a 500mm f 4.5L and normally use the canon 1.4 converter with it. I use a 200mm f2.8 with the 1.4 converter for shorter shots. My tripod is a gitzo 1410 and I use the RRS ball head (wonderful head). I usually use Provia 100F film and sometimes Sensia.

     

    I got into this about 6 years ago when I decided to write a book on the flora and fauna of the Mariana Islands (Guam, Saipan, Rota, Tinian and some other that are not inhabited) and this was the most economical choice for me (and still is). I'm a wildlife biologist and was working on Saipan at the time (I live in Hawaii now). After 6 years of working on it with some very steep learning curves the book was finally self published. Some of the bird photos turned out quite well and some are not great but work for the field guide.

     

    So, now bird photography has developed into this very expensive hobby (kind of like owning a boat). Yes I would much rather have a nice canon digital camera with a 500 f 4.0 IS. For me this is a good system as I don't want to invest that much money for a hobby. However, your motives and finances might allow you to do this.

     

    Good luck!

     

    Scott

    400 2.8L

    in Canon FD Mount

    Posted

    Hi Jeff,

     

    I have an fd 500mm f4.5 L that does the same thing. I just deal with it. It is just a little bit of play but I don't like it either. I just make sure that I have the camera body pushed one way or the other when shooting, not in the middle of the "play". I would definitely be interested if this is fixable or not and how much it costs.

     

    Scott

    Botswana and South Africa

    in Travel

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    I travelled a bit around Africa in the early 90's (Peace Corps) and Botwsana's Okavango delta was the best safari. Did not get to South Africa but did a safari in Tanzania at Serengeti and Ngoro Ngoro crater and I much preferred Okavango delta. Just you and your guide on foot. Incredible place.

     

    Scott

    A-TTL Flash with T-90

    in Canon FD Mount

    Posted

    This is a follow up question that fits in with this thread (IMO).

     

    So, would you still have the flash button set on A-ttl? I have used the t-90 and 300 tl combo for bird photography. I usually have the camera set on shutter priority and the aperature selected manually on the lens and do not have any of the buttons selected/pressed on the flash. To decrease the output of the flash I'll change the asa rating on the camera (e.g. for 100 film set the asa at 200 or 400 or whatever). However when I have tested this there does not appear to be any difference between the exposures at the different asa ratings. Am I doing something wrong?

     

    Scott Vogt

    kodak UC 400 in Bangkok

    in Travel

    Posted

    Hello everyone,

    thanks for the suggestions. I'm in BAngkok now and there is no 400 UC to be found. But, as was mentioned I have found NPH and Reala in addition to slide film. So I'm ready for Hanoi and north Vietnam tomorrow.

     

    Scott

    Automatic flash for bird photography

    in Nature

    Posted

    Hello everyone,

     

    Does anyone use an automatic thyristor flash (e.g. vivitar 285,

    sunpak 433d etc) for bird or wildlife photography? I've searched the

    archive and find mostly TTL flashes used. I use the canon fd system.

    I am curious if there are any special "tricks" one needs to know or

    do you just set the flash dial for the normal exposure with the

    appropriate aperature on the lens and blast away. My primary use

    would be smaller forest birds at distances of up to 30 feet under the

    canopy where it can be fairly dark. Film will be Provia 100f pushed

    one stop (if needed) or Provia 400f. I live in Hawaii but travel

    frequently (every month) to the Mariana islands (Guam, Saipan and

    Tinian) for work and mostly photograph in the Marianas.

     

    Thanks in advance.

     

    Scott Vogt

    Canon t90 and cable release

    in Canon FD Mount

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    the cable release for the EOS system (remote switch 60 T3) works on the T-90. That's what I use. It is kind of expensive though. You might be able to pick up the special attachment so that you can use a regular screw in cable release (the release screws into the attachment which then screws into the camera) on ebay or KEH.

     

    Scott

    Wildlife and flash

    in Nature

    Posted

    Cobras and Mambas are both very visual, alert snakes that are active hunters. They are generally well aware of their surroundings. They were probably reacting to the light flash. They don't have the heat sensitive pits. Rattlesnakes and vipers (in general) are more ambush hunters and don't appear to be as aware of their surroundings as the cobras or mambas but they do have the heat sensitive pits. Rattlesnake and viper defense is often to just freeze and stay still relying on their coloration to hide them which might also account for their lack of behaviour to the flash. Interesting comparison for those that are into snakes.

     

    Scott

    Sunpak 444D flash and T-90

    in Canon FD Mount

    Posted

    Hello,

     

    Has anyone used the Sunpak 444D with the T-90. Wondering how well the

    TTL worked. I have a T-90 and an F1N and this flash could be used on

    the T-90 for TTL and also in auto or manual mode on the F1N. Any

    comments would be appreciated.

     

    Scott

    Advice for a trip to Kamchatka, Russia

    in Nature

    Posted

    Hello,

     

    I am planning on a fishing, backpacking and photo trip to Kamchatka

    Russia this August. Any advice on just about anything for this area

    would be appreciated. Would love to get some decent bear photos but

    since I will be backpacking I don't think I will be able to carry a

    500mm lens. I use the canon fd system and was thinking about the

    200mm f 2.8 with 1.4 and 2.0 converters. Also have the 300 mm f 4.0

    (non L). Not sure if 400mm will be long enough for good bear shots,

    although I guess you always want a longer lens especially with bears.

    I plan on using fuji velvia, provia 100 f and then maybe 400 print

    film. What other wildlife in this area would I be able to photograph

    with this setup? For scenics and people I will probably have 24mm

    50mm and 100mm primes. Yes, I have backpacked with all of this

    before. Like most amateurs my version of what is acceptable quality

    is probably lower than the pros but just want something that looks

    good on the wall.

     

    Thanks in advance.

     

    Scott Vogt

    Places in Georgia and Florida to photo Eastern Diamondbacks

    in Nature

    Posted

    Get in touch with some of the local herpetologists. Contact the local zoo for info on any herp societies. The herpers should be able to help you out. I don't beleive this species dens up in large numbers during the winter as do other rattlesnakes. This makes it easier to get photos if you know where the dens are. If you have not done anything with venomous snakes get some advice from these people. Diamondbacks are big, have a toxic venom and can inject a large dose of it due to their size. That being said there should not be any reason why they cannot be safely photographed in field.

     

    Scott

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