More of the Windhover...

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Windhover
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More of the Windhover...

He is just about to eject a pellet.

He now has a mole cricket and is about to fly to the nest.

Not keen on the wire fence, but I like the background. He just flew up here after he got the cricket.

birdie
birdie's picture

Wonderful again Akos, love the expression in the first!! :)
Must be hard to decide out of 500 shots LOL

I actually don't mind the wire fence .... seems to express that rural farm feeling if you know what I mean.

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Birdgirl2009
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Remarkable - beautiful shots and so interesting to learn about his behaviour. Keep them coming!

Windhover
Windhover's picture

Thanks for looking. this morning he was not that cooperative. He stayed for only five minutes. Still enough for about 40 shots. :)

GeorgeP
GeorgeP's picture

An excellent trio of shots, Akos. I like the third one because it shows a little of the brown wing. The barbed wire fence and picket don't bother me at all. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

George
Melbourne, VIC

Reflex
Reflex's picture

Stunning shots!
If you don't mind my asking, what is the focal length of the lense that you are using?

Samford Valley Qld.

Wanda
Wanda's picture

Wow!!!

Birdgirl2009
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Hi Windhover - I'm sorry I haven't been on here for a while and I've lost the thread where I was talking about getting a Canon and you asked how much. I was thinking 2-3000 but now it seems unlikely with all the holiday expenses. I really should make the best possible use of the camera I already have - there's still plenty for me to learn

Windhover
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Reflex
Thank you. :)
My main lens for now is the humble Canon ED 300mm f/4L IS usually with a 1.4x (canon) or the 2x (canon and manual focus only on my 30D body).

Birdgirl,
What is your current camera/lens combo? You might be better off upgrading the lens. :)

Reflex
Reflex's picture

Sorry I'm struggling with your terminology. Is that a 300mm lens with a two times converter?

Samford Valley Qld.

Windhover
Windhover's picture

Yes. Sometimes with a 1.4x converter (mostly actually) and at other times with the 2x converter. depending on how much magnification I need. :)

Birdgirl2009
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Hi windhover. My current camera is a Panasonic Lumix DMC - fz50 and I have a i.7 x teleconversion lens on it most of the time. The lens is a 35-420 zoom and isn't removable. It is a great system for faraway birds but I love SHARP photos (like yours above :)

sparrow
sparrow's picture

Hi windhover,do you think the I.S helps much in good light or is it only as the light fades and shutter speeds get slower

Windhover
Windhover's picture

Birdgirl,
To get the most (in my humble opinion) you need a DSLR. Quicker focus, better handling and other features. point and shoot cameras are better for a zoo. And I don't mean that in a condescending manner. You do well with what you have, but the advantages of a low-end DSLR body coupled with a GOOD quality semi-long lens will blow any P&S image away without a question. :) 2-3K will not get much to start except maybe some good second hand gear. Don't worry too much about the camera body as much as the lens. The 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS USM lens is pretty good all around for this type of stuff and you can even use a bottom end body like (an old) a 350D. Megapixels are a craze and I'd rather have a good 8 megapixel body and the best lens I can afford than a good camera body and mediocre lens.
Sparrow
IS usually helps. In low light it is a God-send! :)

Ringneck
Ringneck's picture

A Canon 350D body with the 100-400 L series lens is exactly the setup I've been using. I thoroughly agree with windhover that a high-end lens makes much more difference to your results than a high-end body will.

My hands shake slightly all the time, so IS has made a huge difference for me. It was the main reason I chose Canon over Nikon when I got started.

sparrow
sparrow's picture

that's why i asked at the moment i use a sigma 300f4 that is really starting to show it's age!
I use nikon and they don't make a 300f4 with VR i would have to step up to the 300f2.8VR and if my wife found out i spent $6000 on a lens for BIRDS she would do me physical harm.

Ringneck
Ringneck's picture

I know what you mean. I get glares whenever I buy a new lens, even though I save up for it out of my own money.

Then she goes out and buys herself something, and all is forgiven. Plus she likes the photos.

Ringneck
Ringneck's picture

Windhover I've read that putting a teleconverter on the f4/5.6 lens is not a good idea as it means you can't use an aperture below f5.6, and you lose AF over f8, so it really restricts your options. Do you think it's worth using one in those circumstances? (I think I have an old Kenko lying around somewhere).

Birdgirl2009
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Thanks for all the details Windhover. I'll start doing some reading about the models you've mentioned and others in the range. I don't want to rush such an importnt decision

Windhover
Windhover's picture

Ringneck
I gather you mean the 100-400? If you buy a used 1D series body it will autofocus. But I don't think that lens is really meant for a TC. The 400/5.6L USM is on the other hand. I have seen people from the US take quite nice images with the 400/5.6L + 1.4x on a 1D body. Personally, I'd stay away from any non-Canon brands. Just my opinion though. If your TC from Kenko is old, try it by all means, but my best guess is not to expect fabulous results. If you get good shots, that's great. MF is not easy with moving subjects, sitting still it's perfectly doable. :)

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