7d ii and 100-400 ii - the ultimate travel set up?? (1 Viewer)

petemorris · Jan 31, 2015

I've used SLRs nearly all my life, and DSLRs since c2004. It's been a love hate relationship for me, and I've generally been disappointed!

Today changed all of that. My first experience with the above set up for me was a game changer. Suddenly I could point a camera at a flying bird against a background and bang... it was in focus. The same applied to static birds. I'm very impressed! The attached are a few examples to show where the old set up would have struggled. They're not all perfect, the light wasn't great, the ISO was often 1000+, but these pics were, to me at least, a revalation. And, to those with 'lemons', I'm a great 'lemon' believer, having endured one for years. Hopefully this offers some hope!

Cheers

Pete

petemorris · Jan 31, 2015

And a few more...

lewis20126 · Jan 31, 2015

The ducks in flight are very impressive - not possible to get those shots with 7DMk1 + 100-400 IS Mk1, especially on a dull day. Most photographers wouldn't have bother going out today!

cheers, a

Paul Jarvis · Jan 31, 2015

Looks like you've been to martin mere Pete my local patch. The tawny owl is a killer, really sharp great work.

petemorris · Jan 31, 2015

Yep, all at Martin Mere, and not possible, for me at least, last week...

GYRob · Jan 31, 2015

I agree it is a great set up and they are really nice shots too.

Rob.

James Eaton · Feb 1, 2015

Canon have really upped themselves with the IS and AF on their new lenses, haven't they Pete. I agree on the 7Dmk2, a wonderful improvement - 5 years without an upgrade for a camera for me too - mind-blowing (even if the noise is only a slight improvement).

You'll be tempting me to 'downgrade' to that new zoom, I need to check it out.

petemorris · Feb 1, 2015

James Eaton said:
You'll be tempting me to 'downgrade' to that new zoom, I need to check it out.

A bit easier to lug around than the 300 2.8, but obviously slower in the forest being f5.6! I'll be settling for the compromise though!

Cheers

Pete

HermitIbis · Feb 1, 2015

petemorris said:
A bit easier to lug around than the 300 2.8, [...]
Pete

May I ask if you have used the combo on a tripod, or handheld? The bif photos are excellent. I have a 600D resting in the closet, unused in the last two years. I am aware that the 600D's bif abilities are only half of what the 7dii can do, but it is still tempting to try this lens.

petemorris · Feb 1, 2015

All were handheld. What impressed me most was its consistent ability to track birds in flight against messy backgrounds - a 'feature' I've never had before! Check these Greylags for example. Other setups I've used would not have been capable of this! :t:

Dave Williams · Feb 1, 2015

Good to get back to some positives, and hopefully some shared experiences on getting the best out of the 7D11.
Which focus point/s combination did you use for your BIF shots Pete?

edenwatcher · Feb 1, 2015

Been looking at this combination since they were announced - and now I'm convinced!
Just need to wait for the prices to drop...

Rob

Julian H · Feb 1, 2015

I noticed the AF was consistent on gulls against a busy bsckground too and locked on consistently.
The noise at 1000 iso doesn't look distracting...at 640 it was ok with clean-up but in the uk there are not many sunny dsyslol!
Nice shots Pete.

petemorris · Feb 1, 2015

Dave Williams said:
Good to get back to some positives, and hopefully some shared experiences on getting the best out of the 7D11.
Which focus point/s combination did you use for your BIF shots Pete?

I've set C2 up for flight shots. I use the centre point with the cross around it. AI servo focus priority for first and second image, tracking case 2 with increased sensitivity to track the subject (i.e. tracking set to full minus). Also, most of the time I used IS mode 3. Here's some snaps from this afternoon. These settings seem to work quite well for me, and AF is silent and like lightning! Sadly blew the highlights a little, and being lazy, was only shooting jpegs as usual!

Cheers

Pete

Barred Wobbler · Feb 1, 2015

Nice and crisp, Pete.

johnf3f · Feb 1, 2015

Nice shots there Pete!
Just a thought but the AF system on the 7D2 is very similar to the 1DX, which I use. I find case 5 works best for BIF - well for everything really! Might be worth a try as it certainly works for me.
Happy new camera!

petemorris · Feb 1, 2015

Thanks John, I'll keep experimenting and give it a whirl!

Cheers

Pete

petemorris · Feb 6, 2015

Coming from the old 7d, one of the things I'm loving about the 7d mk2 is how customisable it is! Using the back button to focus, I love the fact that I can use the af back button for ai servo and the ae lock (*) button for One Shot. And then the Set button to change ISO, all with my eye still at the viewfinder. Great stuff!

7d ii and 100-400 ii - the ultimate travel set up?? (1 Viewer)

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