rob_sheneman

I think your rig should be able to handle flight shooting under most conditions, but there are several things to consider...

 

Since skimmers fly right along the water, it's likely that your A2 will miss focus when all 5 AF sensors are active. The same thing will happen when a landing bird goes from clear blue sky to trees in the background. Try shooting with only the central AF sensor active and keep it pegged on the bird. You might also try some flight shots of other birds against a clean blue sky. The A2 should be able to handle those without difficulty. My experience with the A2 and 1n tells me their AF abilities are quite similar. The newer EOS 3 will frequently be faster and more accurate with just the central sensor. With Auto Focus Point Selection (AFPS) it can be slower and less accurate than desired.

 

Is your 300/4 the IS model? If so, initial focus acquisition is a little slower because the IS has to activate first. Once you're locked on, it should be fine. I don't think a 2.8 lens is going to track focus any better than the 300/4 L...they're all USM focusing motors.

 

Finally, are the skimmers coming so close that they're too close for your lens to focus? Probably not with the 300/4, but something to keep in mind.

 

I'd also suggest you visit Artie Morris's web site (www.birdsasart.com) and look at the FAQs, you'll find that his favorite flight-shooting rig is and A2 body (now he often uses the EOS3) with a 400/5.6 lens. He's also quite fond of the new 100-400 IS...as I can agree with after spending a long weekend with him at Bosque del Apache in the fall. Both combinations are deadly for flight-shooting.

 

Best of luck!

I agree with Bob that you should take your lens/TC/camera to the local Canon service rep. They should be able to adjust the lens focusing. If they can't fix it in time, I'd rent rather than trying to rely on MF.

 

I was at Bosque just before Thanksgiving with Art Morris. We had five days of beautiful weather and good shooting. You'll want to use your 500/1.4 and EOS 3 for flight shooting as the geese and cranes come in for a landing in the ponds and farm fields. Manual focus will be VERY difficult (and frustrating) in these situations.

 

Most people stick to the northern loop this time of year, but don't neglect the southern (swamp) loop too. If you're slow and quite, there should be lots of waterfowl and raptors to shoot. Don't forget the coyotes as they come looking for fresh goose for lunch.

 

Good luck, and good shooting!

Leonard Rue (www.rue.com) made a floating blind a few years back and was going to market it, but decided not to because of liability questions. His "Advanced Bird Photography" vidoe shows how he built it to shoot ducks in the water. It was based on one of the float rings for fishermen. A hunting/fishing supply place like Cablela's (www.cabelas.com) should have all the float rings, camo material, camo paint, etc. Combine that with a trip to the lumber yard and should be all set. I've not seen any commercial products designed specifically for photography.

Good luck.

A follow-up question...I'll be in that area in mid-May. Is that too late for birds? If so, what other options are there.

Thanks for the help.

I've not been there yet, but I did meet the owner at the shop he and his wife run on Main St. in Clinton, NJ. He seems like a nice guy and seems concerned about the animals. I'm working on getting a group of 5 or more together for a half-day shooting trip. Every fifth person goes free, so that could help reduce the cost for everyone involved.

Don't know about the new Kirk flash brackets. I've got the RRS plates and brackets for my 300 and 600. They are well built and very functional.

 

I've got a friend who purchased several Kirk plates that seemed only to be knock-offs of the RRS plates. Actually they were not a snug and had a thicker profile. I didn't like them when compared to RRS for these reasons.

 

The full-time pros I've spent time with (Joe McDonald, Art Morris, etc.) swear by the RRS gear. I tend to agree with them based on my own experience. Bryan was very nice and quite helpful over the phone when I converted an old ballhead using one of his clamps

 

Good luck!

Joe:

 

<p>

 

I agree with all of the above postings. Art Morris does sing paraises

for the "better beamer," which is made by Walt Anderson. I bought

two for my EOS flashes from Joe & Mary Ann McDonald at their workshop

last summer. They're absolutely great! I used the plastic rig that

Tory Lepp deisgned for a while (as did Joe McDonald). This design is

MUCH better - mostly because it folds into almost nothing.

 

<p>

 

If you do any sort of telphoto photography and want to use flash a

"better beamer" (by any name) is worth the price (<$40)! BTW, make

sure you buy the version made for your flash...Nikon and Canon models

are different (naturally).

 

<p>

 

Good luck!

Rob

Just a short follow-up note... I attended Joe & Mary Ann's last session of the Complete Nature Photo Course. It was absolutley great! I'd describe it more as photography boot camp! We were at it from before dawn 'til late at night...and enjoyed every moment of it. Joe and Mary Ann are wonderful hosts and fine teachers. If you're looking for a thorough learning experience, I wholeheartedly endorse their class! Nearly half of our group is considering attending the Advanced class next summer.

I'm going to Albuquerque in early August, then on to Las Vegas after that. I'll have a few days of personal time in between. I was thinking about going NW from Albuquerque to see Chaco Canyon (always wanted to go there). What's the shooting like at Bosque Del Apache at that time of year? Any other places I should try to visit? I'm looking for SW geologic formations and birds. I know 3 days isn't very long, but that's all I've got. Thanks in advance.

I recently bought a used 600/f4 and am looking for a long lens bag for it. I'd like to hear opinions from anyone using Domke, Tenba, Scopepack, etc. for big glass. Functionality, durability, carrying comfort (I'm using it "in the field"). Thanks in advance!

I'm considering taking one of Joe & Mary McDonald's nature photo workshops. Does anyone have experience with them? I'm looking at one of their week-long sessions in central PA, NOT a photo tour or safari.

 

<p>

 

As background, I've been shooting as an amateur for about 15 years now. Selling some work on occasion, but mostly as a hobby. Mostly nature and sports. Lots of macro scenics, etc. but not much wildlife. I'm working in that direction and would like to learn from some "experts."

 

<p>

 

Thoughts, comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

I was in the Tucson area last week on business and spent a morning at Picacho Peak S.P. (40 or so miles N of Tucson off I-10). It was the only place in that area where the poppies and other flowers were beginning to bloom.

 

<p>

 

General concensus in Tucson seemed to be that El Nino will be "blessing" the desert southwest with a beautiful spring flower season.

I'm a little behind the crowd in responding to this question. Mainly because I was on VACATION when the question was posed. Life as vacation...sounds good to me!

 

<p>

 

I spent the first week this summer with about 180 Cub Scouts at Cub Day Camp. Not much "nature" photography going on there, but I did contribute some nice photos to the Cub Scouts for use in promoting next year's camp. The camp was located near Round Valley Reservoir (NJ) where there are several active bald eagle nests. Those who came to camp early each morning got some nice opportunities to watch the balds looking for breakfast.

 

<p>

 

Last week I was in Avalon, New Jersey for a family beach vacation. By spending early mornings and some evenings on the dunse, beaches, salt marshes and islands of Cape May County I was able to combine shooting and vacation. I concentrated on the wading and shore birds in that area (herons, egrets, ibises, plover, skimmers, gulls etc.). My three sons took it pretty well if Dad was already gone shooting when they got up in the mornings. Overall, it seemed to be a good balance between family needs and personal (shooting) time.

 

<p>

 

My wife and I will be going back to Hawaii in January (slightly dealyed 10 year anniversary!) and I'll spend some time shooting then. I'm still negotiating the "terms and conditions" on that one :-).

 

<p>

 

As a father of three active boys and a Cub Scout Leader, etc. my biggest challenge is finding time for photography. I'm trying now to combine business trips with short-duration photo side-trips. I'll be in Salt Lake City this October, Tucson next March and perhaps a few other locations also. We'll see how successful I am at combining business and personal...certainly makes packing a challenge :-).

 

<p>

 

One idea I'm experimenting with is getting off to work early and shooting before going to the office. Our laboratory is surrounded by about 200 acres of woodland and wetland which Princeton University has designated as "open space preserve." It's kind of like being located in a little wildlife refuge. We actaully had to trap and relocaate one wild turkey that got too friendly last year!

I've enjoyed the suggestions from Bob, Phil, and Rich. I've got a couple of suggestions myself.

 

<p>

 

I just got back from a family vacation in Avalon. While one always has to consider the summer crowds at the shore, you might want to drive down the Parkway to Cape May County. I spent my mornings and evenings on the islands, dunes and salt marshes near Avalon, Stone Harbor and on down to Cape May. This allowed for beach time with the family during the day. Lots of shore birds (skimmers, plovers, etc.) and nesting birds (egrets, ibises, herons, etc.) beautiful sunsets, flowers and macro shots were plentiful, but not many truly "scenic" shots. I carried everything from 17mm to 400mm (w 2x TC). My 400/5.6 capability was okay, but at times it made me long for a 600/4 L. It's a bit of a drive from Brooklyn, but if you make it a weekend trip, you'll have plenty of time for shooting.

 

<p>

 

If you're interested in migratory birds, Cape May County is almost unbeatable in September and October, especially for raptors (thousands per month). Visit the Cape May Bird Observatory. You might also consider investing $20 in a boat tour of the marshes and inlets. One of the naturalists on my tour was a (struggling) professional nature film maker who is working on several interesting films about the salt marsh habitat and the wildlife it supports. The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor also has some nice programs. They helped me have a better understanding of the wildlife and habitat and that made for better photographs.

 

<p>

 

Despite its reputation, New Jersey really does have some beautiful nature photo opportunities if you're willing to seek them out.

 

<p>

 

Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions to my previous question. The feedback was very useful. I had a follow-up thought.

I've got an 80-200 f/2.8L now. Should I could sell it and upgrade to the new 70-100 f/2.8L and teleconverter(s)? This would get me into the 300-400 range without breaking the bank and get USM capability. Does anyone have performance data from this combination? Does it become soft w/ the teleconverters?

Then, if I find the need for bigger glass I could work hard...save...scrounge...sell my pickup...sell my eldest child ;-)...

Any thoughts, suggestions, criticisms?

I know this is an area of much debate, but I'll ask anyhow. I'm using EOS equipmnet (A2 is my primary body), and I've got up to 200mm with my 80-200 f2.8L. I'm looking to get up in the 300-400 range for sports and wildlife (local birds, small mammals, etc). I'm not really interested in third party lenses (tried some in the shorter lengths and "traded up" to Canon L series glass for the most part).

 

<p>

 

I'm leaning to the 300f/4L (either IS or non) and a 1.4xTC. Is the old f/4 really sharper than the new IS lens? Any real data yet? The 300f/2.8 would be ideal, but it's REALLY stretching the budget for me. With the f/4 lens at least I'll be shooting pictures (for half the $$)and not saving my pennies and dreaming. I'm not a pro (I am covering some of my costs for this hobby right now) and don't want to "starve my family" to afford the fast glass.

 

<p>

 

Comments, suggestions, experiences are all welcome.