Covering the Distance

I'm going to talk about the lenses in my arsenal and their use.

To be ready for just about anything you need to have the necessary lenses to cover
just about any distance.

My primary lens is the 600mm. With my 1.4x that covers 840mm. With my 2x I can
reach 1200mm. My 600 is attached to my primary camera, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV.
If the bird is 20+ feet out, I'm  using this lens. I use it for everything from extreme closeups
to birds in flight.

My second camera, the Canon EOS 1D Mark III will usually find one of these lenses
attached to it...

Working from the other end I have my 24-105mm. I'll use this lens when a wider shot
is called for. For example I might pull this one out for sunrises or sunsets.

More times than not, the 70-200 F2.8 will be my lens of choice on my secondary. This
setup will help me capture any subject that's to close for my 600. With my secondary
on my shoulder via the Rapid RS-7 strap, all I have to do is reach down to my hip,
slide it up to my eye and snap the shutter.

My other lens is the Canon 300mm F4. If I'm going to a place I've never been before,
I'll take this with my Mark IV. For extra reach or birds in flight, I can add my 1.4x.

I use to use the Canon 400mm F.6 for what the 300mm does now. But I made the
switch for a number of reasons. One is I gain IS. Second, by adding the 1.4x, I gain
an extra 20mm in distance. Having the 300 and 1.4x combo is like having two different
lenses.

I use to have a 100-400mm F5.6. The lens was great and sharp. But one day as I was
researching my images captured with this lens, I came to the conclusion I was mostly
shooting at 400mm. With my 70-200 and a 1.4x covering most of that distance, that
prompted me to make the change to the 400 F5.6 and eventually the 300.

By doing so, I pretty much have every distance covered from 24mm thru 1200mm.

Be sure to view my website, http://www.thebirdphotographer.com/ for some great
images that were shot with these lenses.

Beginners Course in Bird Photography

Had a great time teaching the fundamentals in bird photography to 8 people at Penitentiary Glen this past Sunday... Even though Wendy spelled my web site wrong :)

The weather was great for our outdoor session. One of my images can be found on www.thebirdphotographer.com.

In May we go to Magee Marsh!

Sandy Ridge Reservation

FINALLY! wtih some decent weekend weather, I made it out to Sandy Ridge
Reservation this past Saturday.

There wasn't to much action, but I did come away with a few nice shots. Those
can be found on my Ohio (page 3) page on www.thebirdphotographer.com at
the end.

I was dying to get out to try my new Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. I paired it with
my Canon EF 5.6 lens. I have to say, I'm in love with this camera. I forgot my
drive was set at H. So the first time I pressed that shutter and rattled off 10
frames by accident, kind of started me :)

Unfortunately I couldn't shoot for too long because the sun was out at full strength,
which also restricted me to basically half of the marsh.

Beginner Bird Photography

On April 7 I will be giving a 3 hour presentation for the beginner
bird photographer. The first two hours will be my lecture and weather
permitting, the final hour we'll go out and practice.

The location is Penitentiary Glen. Registration closes on 4/4. The
fee is only $10.

http://reservations.lakemetroparks.com/programs/index.shtml?id=28688

I will also be the guest photographer for a trip in May to Magee Marsh
from the same location.

Contact me for more info or keep an eye here on www.thebirdphotographer.com.