Canon 400mm f/5.6

[screech-owl]

Is an aperture of 5.6 too small for Costa Rican rainforest photography? Even with an ISO of 800 or 1600?

I will be using a Canon 40D.


Corey H

[CMB]

It depends on how thick the canopy is, but in general...

Under tree canopies it can be a challenge to get enough speed out of the f/5.6 (even with high ISO settings) to stop motion if the birds move. If the birds remain still then you can get some nice shots if you have a tripod or are skilled with a monopod.

I use this under semi-open deciduous tree canopies with a monopod (and often a shutter release cable) and frequently use a flash with flash exposure compensation capability.

Have you considered renting a long f/4 or f/2.8 lens for the trip?

[Julian H]

I have the 400mm 5.6 and shot lots of stuff in Ecuador and Costa Rica with a 20D. Should be fine, but really a flash should be used in combo with a lower ISO (400) to get nice stuff.

Of course with the 40D the higher ISO of 640 ans up are great, but flash will still add that nice light that a non-flash shot won't give you.

Good luck,

JRH

[Jaff]

I think my recommendation would be try a 300mm f4 IS. Stick on a TC and you've still got the benefit of IS (IS is a huge benefit IMO) with the extra reach. And if you need even more then stacking 1.4's can give acceptable results but on a 40D body while retaining AF, in theory, but the IS might go funny.

If you're in a remote location then birds won't be too bothered by your presence so I'd most certainly think about shutter speed over reach. When I was on an island off the coast of Brazil I could have birds hopping round my feet, of course as these were Antshrikes and the like they weren't the only things round my feet! ;)

That's my input anyway.
Jaff

[tjsimonsen]

I agree with Jaff. In this particular situation the 300/4L could be the best choice as it will give you both IS (which will be a great help unless the bird moves in which case it is useless), and a full stop extra to play with. In my experience even 300mm could actually be too much in a rain forest (haven't been to Costa Rica yet though) so you might consider the 100-400L as well as it will give you essentially the same max reach as the 400/5.6 and IS to booth. However, Julian has given best advise so far: you really need a powerful flash gun - and preferably a Better Beamer. A good flash is really essential for dark forest photography, and with f5.6, ISO800, a 580ex + a Better Beamer you'll get a reach well in excess of 20 meters as far as I can see (without doing the actual calculations).

Thomas

[Jaff]

In my experience even 300mm could actually be too much in a rain forest (haven't been to Costa Rica yet though) so you might consider the 100-400L as well as it will give you essentially the same max reach as the 400/5.6 and IS to booth.

That thought did occur to me too and I thought about suggesting the 70-200f4 IS as well. Re-reading the original post am I right in thinking that Corey you already have the 400mm f5.6 and are looking for another lens to use alongside it in which case perhaps the 70-200mm would make a very nice addition to it or if you're looking for just the one lens to take with you. If so then 70-200mm on it's own or even with TC would be too little reach as a stand alone lens so the 300mm would be a better all round solution IMO.

I have to agree that investment in a good Flashgun for the trip, rather than relying on the camera's, would be wise. Having seen your other thread too you can get special sleeves to fit over your camera + lens to keep them dry and if you want camouflaged as well.

This page has a long list of them but as your in the US they won't ship to you but it'll give you an idea of what to look for over there.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecategory.aspx?cat03=3023

Regards.

[Peter Ericsson]

I always have the flash gun on my 350D/400mF5.6 as I walk in the rain forest.
It is hard to handhold this kit at 1/200 which is another factor to remember.
The 300F4.0 has IS which should help to handhold it.

[Neil]

I was down in Sydney at Christmas and on a couple of days had low light levels in my local "rain foresty" area. I took this image at iso 3200 with the Nikon D3 with the camera on a monopod. 1/50th second at f7.1 and a focal length of 750 mm . It would have been better with a tripod and much better with fill-flash. My point is that I would go for a camera that gives you the best high iso results and stick with the 400/5.6 which is a great travel lens. Neil

[Vectis Birder]

I'm following this thread wih interest, as I am taking my 400mm f5.6 on it's first trip abroad in the late spring, when I will be doing (attempting to do!) rainforest bird photography. I have a flash and Better beamer, so that will help under dark canopies.