justin_hite

<p>Thank you all for the replies! So maybe I should invest in a 580, use a wired connection, then have the 430ex fire off of the 580? Probably the easiest as far as the setup goes, but way more expensive since I'll need the 580exII, oh well!!!</p>

<p>So something like these? (http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-Wireless-Receiver-Transmitter-Transceiver/dp/B009EJSWJE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top) and one extra unit for a total of three transceivers? Then I guess my next question is, say I wanted to use the two speedlights with a shoot through umbrella, would these transceivers get in the way of the mounting bracket for the flash? Sorry about the dumb question, but thanks for the help!</p>

 

<p>Greetings everyone, I hope this finds you in good company! I currently am shooting a 60D, with a 430 EXII speedlight. I have become very comfortable with the 430 ex and its capabilities on camera. Now I'd like to move it off camera. I've read all of the info at "the strobist" and while very informative, has left me with a few questions.<br>

1. I'd like to add another speedlight, but would prefer to save some cash. I'm not afraid of manual mode, and don't need ettl. Ive found the YN-560 and think it may work, but I'm not sure since I haven't figured out the setup I'm going to go with.<br /> <br />2. I've successfully synced my 60D's flash to fire the 430EX off camera, but would prefer not to use that method, so it leaves me with pocket wizards or a wired method. I would be ok with a wired method, but am not sure if that would work with 2 off camera speedlights. Is there a way to link the camera, 430ex, and the new flash with a wire using the hotshoe adapters?<br /> Please let me know if you need any more information to help me out! My ultimate goal would be to use this setups for some group/individual portraits (max 15-20 people).<br>

Thanks so much in advance!<br>

Justin</p>

<p>(Mods, this is a duplicate to my post in beginner questions, please delete that post, as it is better suited here, thanks!)</p>

 

<p>Greetings everyone, I hope this finds you in good company! I currently am shooting a 60D, with a 430 EXII speedlight. I have become very comfortable with the 430 ex and its capabilities on camera. Now I'd like to move it off camera. I've read all of the info at "the strobist" and while very informative, has left me with a few questions.</p>

<p>1. I'd like to add another speedlight, but would prefer to save some cash. I'm not afraid of manual mode, and don't need ettl. Ive found the YN-560 and think it may work, but I'm not sure since I haven't figured out the setup I'm going to go with.<br>

<br />2. I've successfully synced my 60D's flash to fire the 430EX off camera, but would prefer not to use that method, so it leaves me with pocket wizards or a wired method. I would be ok with a wired method, but am not sure if that would work with 2 off camera speedlights. Is there a way to link the camera, 430ex, and the new flash with a wire using the hotshoe adapters?<br>

Please let me know if you need any more information to help me out! My ultimate goal would be to use this setups for some group/individual portraits (max 15-20 people).</p>

<p>Thanks so much in advance!</p>

<p>Justin</p>

 

Stephen, I wasn't including the high G and A,

I was more getting at the lack of sharps and

flats, making it, in theory easier to gtaap than

the guitar that contains a full scale. Sir

Robert Bell is teaching me well, I swear! Our

departments pipe band is mew , so we are all

learning, but it has been fun!

<p>Haha Matt! No big deal man! I just wasn't tracking, but I get it now, and it makes sense! Now if I can just get some help/sample images of the 300F4L vs the 100-400L I'd be closer to my decision! PS: Matt, I just started learning the bagpipes, I never thought only having seven notes to play would be difficult, I was WRONG.</p>

<p>Ahhh yes.....well, it can be used as a club, a wheel chock, and even a fishing lure. My error on that, it should have read "other things besides NATURE photography". I'm at work this evening, and didn't have a chance to proof read before getting a call!</p>

<p>Well, I though I was set on the 100-400L....now I'm reading I'd be better of with the 300 F4L with a 1.4 TC......This lens would be used for other things besides photography, so I'm still thinking the 100-400 is the way to go for the zoom range, but I'm afraid that the sharpness of the 300 will blow the 100-400 out of the water! Decisions, Decisions.</p>

<p>Thanks again for the responses. Matt, I don't think, for me personally, upgrading from a $180 75-300 to a $1500 100-400 will change how I do anything when it comes to my photography. I think it will allow me to take better pictures of the things I'm already taking pictures of (better as in, more detail, less blur, less chromatic ab. etc.) As a musician myself, I didn't really understand your analogy; just because the acoustic guitar is different, doesn't make it harder or easier as compared to an electric guitar. Maybe I'm being remedial but it just didn't make sense. Anyway, thank you to everyone who has responded, and I'm looking forward to the day when my little photography nest egg allows me the luxury of ordering the canon 100-400L! Until then though, I'll keep shooting, and keep enjoying!</p>

<p>I could only upload that one, but again, if you wanna see the five other keepers I had and give me some feedback, head over to facebook.com/justinhitephography and look in my wildlife gallery! Thanks so much again everyone.</p>

<p>Well, I went to Lake Higgins today, and I had maybe 4 keepers, out of a couple hundred shots that should have been good.....so frustrating. Here's a couple.</p>

<p>Well, I pulled up the Mourning Dove sample...that's what it was. So sad, I thought I had an owl! The land behind my house seems like perfect habitat for owls based on what I've read. Oh well! Don, I'm familiar with all of the areas you listed, and I'll be visiting them again soon!</p>

<p>Ok, so not luck finding an owl online that sounds similar to what I heard. Maybe you all can help me out, let me try to explain what I heard. It was a long, higher pitched "woo" followed by three quicker, lower pitched "woo"s Any idea? I've listened to calls for the four native owls in NC and haven't heard anything similar!</p>

<p>On another note, I got to spend some time in the woods this evening, and while I didn't get any shots, I did hear an owl, not sure what species, currently researching that, but at least I know he's there! I'll get him one day!</p>

<p>Wow. Again, you guys are awesome! I think I'll wait to pay the $90 for the raptor center photo opp, since I don't really feel like I'd enjoy it with my current setup. I've never been one to say that equipment makes or breaks you, but I can't help but feel like in my case it kind of is. Sure, tiger could play golf with an old set of wilsons, but it would sure be better with a new set of pings, ya know? I'm leaning towards the 100-400L, even though it's not a super fast lens, I think it will serve me well in all facets of photography. Now if the Fire Department would just give me a raise, I'd be in business!</p>

<p>Oh, and Don, would you ever be up for showing me some tips/tricks/good locations up around your area? That would be awesome!</p>

<p>Wow, you guys are awesome! I think I've decided on the 100-400L lens, since it seems to be a good birding/wildlife lens as well as a good all around lens for portrait work and what not. Don, I'm in Greensboro, so not to far from where you are. Have you visited the Carolina Raptor Center? I'd like to take a trip out there and check out all of their birds and maybe get some good shots. Can anyone recommend on where I may find a good used 100-400? Does canon offer a warranty if I bought the lens second hand? Again, you guys have been so helpful. It's refreshing to ENJOY photography again, and not make it all about booking clients, promotions, and doing what others want!</p>

<p>Thanks again for keeping the advice coming. I must admit, I didn't know that I could use Nikor lenses on my canon......or where I would even find the older lenses you mentioned! As far as primes go, I know that you cant beat the quality of a prime, but with my limited lenses I have now, it's difficult to justify spending 1k plus on a single focal length for me. Maybe one day when I make it big (haha yeah right) I can afford a 800mm canon L, but until then, I need bang for the buck!</p>

<p>Wow, thanks for all of the responses! At work today I was playing around with some birds behind the fire station, specifically not shooting at 300mm and 5.6. The results were better, but still not even close to a professional quality I'm looking for. In talking with the wife, she's agreed to let me save up some of my money from my part time jobs (every firefighter has like 15 part time jobs, haha) and purchasing a new lens. It's between the Sigma 150-500 or the Canon 100-400L. I know that's like asking if pepsi or coke is better, but do you have an opinion on either lens? I've read so many reviews saying both are the best, that I don't know what to think!</p>

<p>Hey Rick, I can't seem to find a link to the photo you're talking about. Can you try to upload again? Thanks!</p>

<p>Don H. Wow.....that Barred owl is amazing. I would kill (not literally) for a chance to take a photo like that. We have 4 species of owls here in NC, and all of them are beautiful. I've played around with the idea of a 70-200 f2.8l+2x tele converter for bird photography, since the 70-200 would double as a great portrait/wedding lens, but I don't think I'd be happy with it for the wildlife. Do you like your 100-400? Was that the lens you used for the owl? Thanks!</p>

<p>Rick, that's exactly what I needed. I know every lens has a sweet spot, and I know I'm not even close to that sweet spot shooting it wide open at 300mm. I'm gonna hit the woods in a bit and try to shoot it a little more conservatively and see what happens. I just love those super close up shots of birds, but may have to settle with either shooting larger birds (like owls, if I could EVER see one) or bringing out my inner ninja to get closer.</p>

<p>Better late than never!</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply Don, I know my equipment is holding me back somewhat. Thanks to Dave Ramsay and his debt snowball, all of my extra money is going to pay things off, so convincing the wife to let me spend a couple large on some new glass will be difficult......maybe if I let her buy 30 new pairs of shoes, she'd let me buy a new lens! Haha</p>

<p>Hey Derek, as a former hunter who has traded in his rifles for long lenses I can understand where you are coming from. I'm all for hunting, but when people take game illegally, it makes my blood boil. Here in NC, it is against the law to be found in possession of a single FEATHER from a raptor. You're walking around and find an eagle feather on the ground. You pick it up, and get pulled over on the way home, you're probably looking at jail time or a HEFTY fine. These laws seem strict, but I'm all for them. Anyway, call the South Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission ASAP. If the operate anything that their norther brothers, they will come to your neighborhood quickly and launch an investigation. Birds of pray are highly protected, and most wardens don't take the illegal poaching of them lightly. Give them a call and see what the say, and please keep us update. I hate to see such beautiful animals killed for no reason.<br>

Justin</p>

<p>Hey everyone. I've recently decided that I've been getting away from what brought me to my love of photography in the first place, taking pictures of nature and animals. So, with that said I've been spending some time in the woods here in NC taking pictures of any and everything, with the hopes of getting some awesome images. I've yet to get any pictures that blew me away, and I'm not sure why. The opportunities have presented themselves, but the images just don't turn out well. Let me explain.<br>

I'm currently shooting a 60D with a 70-300 4-5.6 NON IS version for wildlife.<br>

Shutter speed is sans 4000 in case of a BIF opportunity<br>

ISO typically between 400-1000<br>

Aperture at 5.6 <br>

Now, when I get a good shot (or what I think is a good shot) and I upload it into lightroom 4 I have a few issues.<br>

<br />1. Chromatic abbreviationn.....terrible, everything is outlined in purple. I'm trying to avoid situations that cause this, but since I'm on the ground shooting up and birds with a bright blue sky, it doesn't really help. I do my best to remove this in LR, but still am not happy with the results.<br>

<br />2. Cropping. I have to crop quite a bit even using a 300mm on a crop sensor, and when I do, the images are never sharp, or even close. This is when the focus in the viewfinder is exactly on the the bird (forgot what the setting was called that showed you the point of focus on the LCD, but it's turned on) So, if I don't crop, it's a great picture of a tiny little bird surrounded by a forest. I'm looking at a new lens to get some more reach, possibly the sigma 150-500 for the job, but haven't made up my mind yet.<br>

<br />Anyway, I'm disappointed and discouraged. I love being in the woods for hours, and have had the opportunity but just can't deliver. Any help is so much appreciated! If you want to see two of the somewhat salvageable bird pics visit my facebook page at www.facebook.com/justinhitephotography and let me know how I can improve. <br>

One more thing. I've always been interested in Owls, and I think getting an awesome picture of any North Carolinian Owl would be in the top three on my bucket list. Does anyone have any advice on how to find owls during the day? I've read a number of forums, talked to local game wardens, and raptor rehab facilities that all tell me the very basics, without much really useful information. If you've had some experience with this, I'd love to hear it, and, if possible, see some of your owl photos. <br>

Sorry to be long winded, I'm just stuck and need the help of some great wildlife photogs. <br>

<br />Justin</p>

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