Wildlife Photo Tour » Photography Gear

African Photo Safari Photo Gear

twhetten — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:40:46 +0000

I carry on all of my photo gear so I have to pack it with care to get it all on. I use a backpack that meets international airline carry on restrictions and wrap each body or lens in small bubble wrap. I also carry a laptop bag that will hold the computer and a bunch of other stuff. I recommend taking at least two camera bodies and a variety of lenses including your 500mm or 600mm f/4 if you can get it on the plane. This was my first African Photography Safari and I didn’t take my 600mm – that won’t happen again. On this trip, my equipment consisted of three camera bodies: the Canon 1D Mark III was my primary wildlife camera, the Canon 5D Mark II was used for scenic shots, and a Canon 50D as a back up. My lenses were all Canon: a 300mm L f/2.8, 70-200mm L f2.8, 24-105mm L f/4, 17-40mm L f/4, a 1.4X and a 2X extender. Additionally, I took a Canon 580EX II Flash, cable release, and a variety of miscellaneous stuff. Tripods and monopods are not needed and get in the way. Buy a bean bag of some type that can be filled there with rice or bird seed in Kenya as we stand and shoot out of the vehicle 99% of the time. We will empty the bean bags prior to flying home.

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Canon’s 5D Mark II information

twhetten — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:17:46 +0000

Canon’s review of the newest EOS digital SLR, the Canon 5D Mark II. A full frame camera at 21.1 Megapixels and the first EOS with full High Definition video capability.

Compact, lightweight and with environmental protection, EOS 5D successor boasts a newly designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in near dark conditions. The new DIGIC 4 processor combines with the improved CMOS sensor to deliver medium format territory image quality at 3.9 frames per second, for up to 310 frames.

Triggered from Live View Mode, HD video capture allows users to shoot uninterrupted at full 1080 resolution at 30fps – for amazing quality footage with outstanding levels of detail and realism. The integration of HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1 Megapixel camera opens a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. With its full frame CMOS sensor and outstanding ISO performance, the EOS 5D Mark II will appeal to any photographer in search of the finest camera equipment available – from studio and wedding to nature and travel photographers.

Other improvements to the EOS 5D include:

* Addition of Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, with a new Fluorine coating on the low-pass filter
* Larger 3.0″ Clear View LCD with VGA resolution, a 170° angle of view and anti-reflective coatings
* Improved menu system including Quick Control Screen for more direct access to common settings
* Automatic peripheral illumination correction, utilizing detailed EF lens information to optimize JPEG images straight out of the camera
* Magnesium alloy construction with additional environmental protection
* UDMA memory card compatibility.

“Professional photojournalists and wedding photographers already choose the EOS 5D for its discrete size and outstanding image quality,” said Mogens Jensen, head of Canon Consumer Imaging. “The addition of HD movie recording opens a new chapter for EOS. It creates new possibilities for EOS photographers to capture and share their stories and to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.”

Key Specifications
* New 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (E.I.C.S.)
* New Full HD 1080 resolution movie recording
* 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
* High performance DIGIC 4 providing superb image quality
* Maximum 310 large JPEG images in a single burst with a UDMA card
* 3.0″ VGA (920k dots) Clear View LCD
* ISO 100-6400 (expansion from 50 up to 25,600)
* 9 AF points + 6 Assist AF points New CMOS sensor:

The EOS 5D Mark II’s newly designed full frame 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor features ISO sensitivity from 100-6400, expandable to 50, 12,800 and 25,600. Large 6.4μm2 pixels have been redesigned to capture more light and yield a better signal to noise ratio to ensure lower noise images throughout the ISO range. The full frame sensor has the same dimensions as a frame of 35mm film. This means that wide-angle lenses stay wide, without the change in angle of view associated with smaller sensor cameras. As well as benefiting from finer control over depth of field, photographers moving up to the EOS 5D Mark II’s full frame format will find the newly designed wide, bright 98% coverage viewfinder on a joy to work with.

New DIGIC 4 processor:

A new DIGIC 4 processor combined with 14-bit analogue to digital conversion provides smooth gradations in mono-tonal areas such as skies, and highly accurate color rendition. As well as HD movie shooting, DIGIC 4’s high speed provides for long uninterrupted continuous bursts of large JPEGs, near-instant start-up times and immediate and fast review after shooting. DIGIC 4 also provides for improved noise reduction algorithms, complementing the already low noise images from the EOS 5D Mark II’s CMOS sensor.

HD video capture :

The EOS 5D Mark II is Canon’s first D-SLR to incorporate full HD 1920×1080 video capture. Once filming is started from Live View mode, photographers can fire off either single of continuous stills, with video capture continuing after the final frame is captured.

See everything:

A new 3.0″ VGA resolution LCD provides a wide 170° angle-of-view, providing plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. The screen brightness can automatically adjust to suit viewing conditions, extending battery life in low light and improving viewing in bright conditions. A new dedicated Live View button switches modes to display a real-time image on the LCD. This allows EOS 5D Mark II photographers to enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles. Simple connection to a PC provides easy remote shooting.

Precision focus and metering:

A 9-point auto focus system is supported by 6 additional invisible Assist AF points, located inside the spot-metering circle to optimize subject tracking performance in AI SERVO AF mode. For accurate exposure readings in tricky lighting conditions, the spot metering circle covers just 3.5% of the frame.

Control:

The EOS 5D Mark II’s redesigned menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode allows photographers to cede control of key settings to the camera, while retaining control over creative variables such background blur, drive mode and image brightness. Custom user settings allow photographers to switch between two completely different camera setups. This is ideal for changing quickly between two different environments, such as switching from working inside a church without flash to outdoors with fill-flash at a wedding.

Accessories:

Shooting flexibility is enhanced with a range of new accessories. Shooting capacity can be extended with either the high capacity 1800mAh lithium-ion Battery Pack LP-E6, or Battery Grip BG-E6. A new optional Wireless File Transmitter – the WFT-E4 – offers external HDD and GPS compatibility along with ability to transmit images direct to computer or FTP server, or operate the camera wirelessly. Both the BG-E6 and WFT-E4 feature a vertical orientation shutter release and other key controls for comfortable portraiture work, with a substantial grip to help balance the camera when used with long lenses.

The above article is copied from DPhoto Journal and is a Canon news release.

Amboseli African Safari Video

Best Focal Length

twhetten — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:00:00 +0000

What is the best focal length for bird photography?

The question seems easy enough, bigger is better! That said the Canon 1200mm, f/5.6 has got to be the best, right? Well, it is if you can afford a lens that costs as much as a car, and you have a gun bearer to carry it for you. Actually, the question is very subjective.

Years ago when I started in photography, the fastest-longest lens I could afford was a used 300mm, f/2.8 (speed & length are both important). That purchase was closely followed by both the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters making the 300mm a 420mm, f/4 or a 600mm f/5.6, respectively. The teaming of teleconverters with the 300mm worked very well, and I was able to get some really nice shots, including the elusive Elegant Trogon. The system was lightweight and easy to handle. That said, the 300mm with teleconverters is not my choice for bird photography, but it was what I could afford at the time.

I don’t want anyone who reads what I say to believe it is the only correct opinion. Because everyone has different requirements and needs, the correct answer will be different. I have a client who is confined to a wheel chair and has limited mobility in his arms. To tell him he has to use a 600mm weighing 12lbs would be ridiculous. With all that said, what I recommend for bird photography is the fastest-longest lens you can afford and handle and that will maximize the features of your camera. My camera will allow me to use a 600 mm, f/4 lens and still auto focus with both the 1.4x teleconverter at f/5.6 and the 2x teleconverter at f/8. Some cameras can’t, so keep that in mind.

300mm, f/2.8 lens, best ever made
++ Very fast lens
+ lightweight easy to handle, 5.6lbs
+/- gives you 420mm at f/4 with a 1.4x teleconverter minimum length
+ gives you 600mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter, tack sharp
+ medium cost, about $3,800
- requires you to be fairly close

400mm, f4 lens the minimum recommended length and speed
+ fast lens
++ lightweight easy to handle, 4.3lbs
+ gives you 560mm at f/5.6 with a 1.4x teleconverter
- high cost, about $6,000
- requires you to be fairly close
-? your camera may not auto focus with a 2x teleconverter at f/8

500mm, f/4 lens, the next up
+ fast lens
+- medium weight fairly easy to handle, 8.5lbs
+ gives you 700mm at f/5.6 with a 1.4x teleconverter
- high cost, about $6,800
-? your camera may not auto focus with a 2x teleconverter at f/8

600mm, f/4 the workhorse lens of most professional bird photographers
+ fast lens
+ gives you 840mm at f/5.6 with a 1.4x teleconverter
- very heavy, difficult to handle, 11.8lbs
- very high cost, about $8,000
-? your camera may not auto focus with a 2x teleconverter at f/8

800mm, f5.6, newest from Canon
+ moderately fast lens
- heavy, may be difficult to handle, 9.9lbs
– extremely high cost, about $12,000
-? your camera may not auto focus with a 1.4x teleconverter at f/8.
– your camera will not auto focus with a 2x teleconverter at f/11.

Now that I’ve thoroughly confused you and myself, I do most of my bird photography with my 600mm, f/4 lens with the 1.4x teleconverter, giving me an 840mm at f/5.6. I generally don’t use the 2x with the 600mm lens.

If you have any questions or comments, please post them.

Thanks for visiting.

Tom

PS If you are considering a 400mm f/4 or longer lens keep in mind that Canon announced a new 800mm f5.6 super telephoto lens. So in the future watch for used Canon super telephoto lens like 400, 500 and 600mm f/4 lens from reputable dealers like Norman Cameras www.normancamera.com , J & R www.jr.com , B & H www.bhphotovideo.com.

PSS Before you run out and buy a fast-long lens I suggest you borrow or rent one, and see if you can handle it in actual shooting conditions. You may have to walk some distance so weight should be considered. Be sure to try the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters with your camera. Most photography guides will rent or lend you a lens while on their tour.

African Photo Safari Photo Gear