new lens: learning curve 0
received it as sun was going down, after a rainy sunless day. Uncooporative dogs..............so ran out the front door, saw light in one place in the sky, with camera, new to me 400L 5.6 lens on camera, went to only place I thought I could reach before no light at all.
I was embarrassed to put these up last night. But hey, this will make others in future look good maybe. Especially if we can all forget the gorgeous shots John Mueller took. I didn't have a fast release on the lens, have to find one, so couldn't put it on the monopod. These are handheld, hahaha. I was excited, OK, I have deleted most of what I took, these are what these are..
I think I missed a green heron, bittern, bird that size, as too dark.
This does not have a lot of pixels, am not sure what kind of bird it is, looks like it did not fare well in the weather yesterday.
This is my favorite view there, looking past the house on Sullivan's Island and out to sea. Haze still all around. This color is natural, just what it was. I tried to accentuate the yellow light in an upstairs window, but really did little post on these. Do not expect to exhibit them, just like to get first shots on day of lens arrival. And I wanted to know if I could hand hold.
I took one nasty fall. I do that by walking the wrong way w a foot on a curb type area. Lens fine. I discovered by where the blood is, I land on my knee and my elbow, thereby, so far, keeping lens and camera safe. That would have been terrible, if I had not learned to fall that way, especially w/o the protective UV filter.
The above photo, I went with a bit up saturation in PS, in the following photo, I wanted it soft and did the opposite. Just marsh grass w the color of the sunset in the water.
I missed much. Only the one bird. No feathers cut off, but few pixels there. Was a nice sunset, for which that lens was not the best.
I obviously have a long way to go. Might add a photo of my dog, his 4th birthday, and I ran out slamming the door in his face. My backyard is just not big enough for that long armed lens. Even with my throwing treats to get the dogs to the end of the yard. That led to snarls all evening.
ginger (but I hand held it)
I was embarrassed to put these up last night. But hey, this will make others in future look good maybe. Especially if we can all forget the gorgeous shots John Mueller took. I didn't have a fast release on the lens, have to find one, so couldn't put it on the monopod. These are handheld, hahaha. I was excited, OK, I have deleted most of what I took, these are what these are..
I think I missed a green heron, bittern, bird that size, as too dark.
This does not have a lot of pixels, am not sure what kind of bird it is, looks like it did not fare well in the weather yesterday.
This is my favorite view there, looking past the house on Sullivan's Island and out to sea. Haze still all around. This color is natural, just what it was. I tried to accentuate the yellow light in an upstairs window, but really did little post on these. Do not expect to exhibit them, just like to get first shots on day of lens arrival. And I wanted to know if I could hand hold.
I took one nasty fall. I do that by walking the wrong way w a foot on a curb type area. Lens fine. I discovered by where the blood is, I land on my knee and my elbow, thereby, so far, keeping lens and camera safe. That would have been terrible, if I had not learned to fall that way, especially w/o the protective UV filter.
The above photo, I went with a bit up saturation in PS, in the following photo, I wanted it soft and did the opposite. Just marsh grass w the color of the sunset in the water.
I missed much. Only the one bird. No feathers cut off, but few pixels there. Was a nice sunset, for which that lens was not the best.
I obviously have a long way to go. Might add a photo of my dog, his 4th birthday, and I ran out slamming the door in his face. My backyard is just not big enough for that long armed lens. Even with my throwing treats to get the dogs to the end of the yard. That led to snarls all evening.
ginger (but I hand held it)
After all is said and done, it is the sweet tea.
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Cheers
BMP
"Osprey Whisperer"
OspreyWhisperer.com
The thing is, I am really scared to try it on birds, the usual normal birds we all shoot, I am not getting anything good right now, and I don't blame it on the lenses, past or present.
Also, I tend to put a lens on and shoot w it. I have not had a fast lens in so long, I am just comparing this to my 300L F4, and w an extender on it. I will have to put a filter on this for protection, I am just too accident prone.
So what I consider adequate might not be what you would consider OK.
Like last night, I was not analyzing the lens, I was just trying to "work" it. Unless I had both lenses on the same camera types, Canon 20D, I just would not feel comfortable even thinking of one lens over another.
I am going to put my dog up. He was 4 yrs old yesterday. To me that is getting old (er). Scary. And I slammed the door in his face.
ginger
I like the evening light on the 2nd shot and the 3rd has a very calming mood and color
Congrats big time on your new lens 400mm is a good size for what we like to shot, till we can get bigger ones (lenses that is
Look forward to seeing more !!
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Flicker
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I like what you did with the last 2 shots
Sorry to hear about your fall :uhoh Glad nothing was broken (lens or bones) and hopefully the bruise(s) will soon fade. It's also nice to see you posting your pics again
I think you are going to need to exercise some patience with the new glass. This lens is known for it's sharpness, even wide open. If I may, for birds I'd suggest you shoot it wide open (F5.6) in Av mode and select ISO800. That should get you some really nice speeds in good light.
FWIW, even though I have the Bigma, I really covet that 400mm F5.6
I have seen many great shots taken with that lens. One of the folks that Andy and I were lucky enough to shoot birds with at the Baylands (not to mention Hawkman) uses this lens almost exclusively for birding. She even uses a 1.4X TC sometimes. I'm not in her class pic-wise and I wouldn't expect my pics to become super just because I use the same lens. But, I do like the color, contrast and sharpness of this lens. Once you get comfy with it, I think you are going to feel the same way
Steve
I understand that a bit earlier there was a huge flock of about 3 Ibis.:lol4
Thanks for stopping and commenting.
Gary, thanks for commenting, but what is a wedge?
ginger
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
but they made me give it back.
Sorry to hear about the fall. What I learned with that lens is you need lots of light.
AV mode ISO 800 worked best for me.
When the shutter speed is above 1/600( I liked 1/1000 or better) it should nail them birds
Enjoy and take care of my ole friend
Cincinnati Smug Leader
Also, I do like those photos the first day. I am forcing myself not to go out today, except for Advil and ice cream. The weather is grey, nothing special, no real reason to go out. I have a doctor appt tomorrow.
Then I will start to feel better and hopefully I can breathe again.
Your old friend now has a protective UV filter on it, probably a shock to the lens since you don't use them, but just that tad of insurance. I can take it off when I am in front of the shoot of my life.
Also I put the quick release on it for the monopod. I did this all this afternoon, so it is being taken care of. And so far I love it. After all, I did handhold the darn thing in an adverse situation. I wouldn't plan for that, but it tells me that I can do it under the best of circumstances.
And I will remember the wide open ISO 800, too. On AV, always AV, smile.
Thanks,
ginger
Just to clarify. Use ISO800 with good light. In really bright light you can sometimes use ISO400. For early evening/dusk type lighting, ISO800 won't be enough. Even with the lens wide open, ISO1600 may not get you handholdable/motion freezing speeds when used in this type of lighting
Steve
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life...Picasso