jeffrey_sink

Okay I shoot wildlife but want to go back and shoot landscape also.

I do virtually 100% of my photography in East Africa and Alaska. I

want the sharpest lenses/system in the 6X6, 6X7, 6X8 or 6X9 film

format. Weight does not matter, and price is not a primary

concern. I have used the Mamiya 7 system and loved the optics but

do not like the rangefinder experience. I have the used Bronica GS

body and lenses but do not believe that the GS lenses are sharp

enough especially at infinity. I have used the Mamiya RZ system but

I am not familar enough with the lenses in this system to evaluate

the inherent sharpness in this series. So what do you recommend. I

want the image quality to be stunning. Okay Gurus - sound off.

Thanks very much for your replies. By the way, the sharpest medium

format lens (with which I compare all others) that I have ever used

is the Mamiya 7 65mm. Thanks again for all opinions.

Hey gang I just returned from leading a small photographic trip to

the four major game parks in Kenya (Amboseli, Samburu, Nakuru and

the Masai Mara). I spent a month in Kenya and this was my 5th

straight year in East Africa. I have for a change a positive report

from this most recent trip. With the change in government (the

ousting of Daniel Moi as president and the subsequent election of

Kibaki as Kenya's new president) things are really changing for the

better. Infrastructure is slowing being upgraded (especially in the

Mara) and there is a very obvious attempt by the Kenyan government

to protect their game parks and the tourists and photographers who

visit them. Delays this summer were virtually nonexistent and I

never saw any evidence of poaching or tourist harassment. Nairobi

is still a frightening place but with the improvements in travel,

one could fly into Nairobi and be on their way to a game park in a

matter of minutes. The migration is late this year due to a

minor "El Nino" effect occuring in Kenyan weather patterns. However

the game was plentiful and cheetah populations seem to be on the

rebound. We saw a pride of over 40 lions in the Musiara Swamp

region of the Masai Mara. Leopards were scare but were easily seen

in Nakuru. On a depressing note, the flamingos in Nakuru are

suffering from some undisclosed illness and thousands are dying.

Samburu was beautful as usual. Amboseli's elephant herds were

impressive and Kilimanjaro was visible every few days. In summary,

I totally recommend that Americans and worldwide photographers again

place Kenya back at the top of their destination list. You will see

more species of animals and birds in one day in Kenya than you will

see in an entire trip to most other wildlife destinations any where

in the world. I was pleasantly surprised by the positive changes

and plan to lead two more trips to Kenya during the summer of 2004.

Okay gurus, I am a sharpness freak. I need a landscape and a

portrait lens. I have rented the 17-40, the new 24-70 (which I

believe is Canon's sharpest zoom in the wide range) and I have owned

the 17-35 and the 28-70 lenses (both of which were not sharp enough

for me). So I am giving up and I am going to buy two primes. I

really only do wildlife photography in East Africa (and I use the 70-

200 IS - awesome, the 300 IS, the 400 2.8 IS and the 500 IS - all

unbelievably sharp lenses) but I need the wider lenses for grab

landscapes (as I use Mamiya 7 gear for pure landscape work) and

for "street photojournalism". I don't have time to test every wide

Canon prime - so give me your help and opinions please. Sharpness

and speed are the only two necessary requirements. Thanks so much

for your help.

Welcome to the real world. I use 2 1V's with long IS lenses and I find that 10 rolls is typical "if you constantly keep the IS engaged and the shutter 1/2 way depressed" as you compose the shot. If you turn the IS off and then focus and compose and then turn the IS back on, you will significantly increase your battery life. I had a hard time breaking myself of the habit of composing with IS and focus tracking engaged. It should also be noted that occasionally BP-E2's need adjustment. Why I don't know but one of mine drew power constantly and Canon fixed the problem. Hope this helps.

I went with Joe Van Os in 1998 on their Mara trip and it was wonderful. Since that time I have gone back to Kenya every summer. I now book all my trips myself (with a requisite saving of approximately 50%) with a wonderful company in Nairobi called Africa Expeditions. I am leading a trip this summer (August) for 12 people and even with the "War" and "SARS" our expectations are high. Kenya is a very safe place if you "follow the rules" and use great quantities of common sense. If you would like a more detailed answer email me at - Alaskakd@aol.com

Was anyone other than me surprised that Canon failed to announce any

new top notch DO or L series lenses at Las Vegas? What happened to the

supposed break through 500 DO 2.8 or the 200-600 DO 4.0? Any word on

things to come?

I would like to read opinions on the best locations for wildlife

photography in controlled settings (zoos, drive through parks, game

ranches, rehab centers and etc.) in the western United States. As a

typical photographer, going to Africa is not always feasible, so any

opinions on "poor man's equivalents" would be extremely helpful. I

especially like African wildlife and birds. I also enjoy shooting in

settings were the animals do not look like they are trapped. My

favorite zoo, that I have visited, is the San Diego Wild Animal Park in

Escondido, Calif. Thanks for everyones help.

Good question. I actually have the exact equipment you describe: EOS-3 and a new EOS-V1 and I have the 100-400 IS and the new 500 F 4.0 IS tele. I am not convinced that the focus tracking in the V-1 is faster than that of the EOS-3, however, it is easier to use, in my opinion. I really like the ability to designate a "home" focusing point and switch to it instantly when focus lock becomes variable at one of the other 45 points. I dial in the central focus point as my home and switch to it when I need quick focus confirmation on my given target. I do believe that the V-1 compliments the new IS technology very well. I also believe that the V-I meters more accurately than the EOS-3. Is it worth the extra $1000 dollars for the high speed model, well we will see. I leave for Africa in two weeks and I plan to try its 10 frames per second motor on cheetahs and such. One last comment, IS technology on long lenses is incredible. Enough said.

I am thinking of purchasing the new 300APO autofocus lens for my

Mamiya 645 system. I will be using it for wildlife and landscapes.

Has anyone used this lens yet? Any comments as to its relative

sharpness and performance? Thanks for your assistance.

I am sure this question is currently being pondered by numerous

serious wildlife and nature photographers: "I already have a Nikon

Silent Wave long telephoto lens, should I switch to Canon IS lenses?"

My personal situation is this: I own a 500 F4.0 S-Wave, used with an

F5 body. I am a total sharpness freak, who regularly blows prints up

to the 16"X20" size. I ONLY SHOOT ON A STABLE TRIPOD, with a Linhof

ball head attached. I am considering the Canon 500 or 600 IS lenses

with the most recent form of IS built in. I often times use the

matched 1.4 teleconverter with my S-wave lens. None of these lenses

have been tested by Photodo. Has anyone done any sharpness testing?

Will I see a qualitative difference in the new Canon lenses? Opinions

accepted. I shoot in Alaska and in Africa each summer.