Back into it after a few years. (2 Viewers)

[Mikbul]

I did have a 40D with a 400 f/5.6 aprx three years ago. I just got a 5DmarkIII and 24-105L. Also a 300 f/4 L. Here's a falcon in flight I took with that old set-up:

https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/15-jpg.659209/full

Here she is posing on her pearch

https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/peregrine-falcon.659208/full

 

[Pinewood]

I did have a 40D with a 400 f/5.6 aprx three years ago. I just got a 5DmarkIII and 24-105L. Also a 300 f/4 L. Here's a falcon in flight I took with that old set-up:

https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/15-jpg.659209/full

Here she is posing on her pearch

https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/peregrine-falcon.659208/full

That old setup did pretty well: good images.
Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[KC Foggin]

Two absolute fabulous images and two great captures.

 

[Mikbul]

Two absolute fabulous images and two great captures.

I named her broken feather and her two chicks Big Blue and Little Blue. (male & female)
I haven't been back for two years but I may go back now.

Peregrines

Two young Peregrine Falcons (Big blue & little blue)

www.birdforum.net

 

[Mikbul]

Took a few shots with the 24-105 today to get used to it.

 

[Mikbul]

Did some test shots with my 300L IS lens yesterday. (Still getting used to the new camera) I forgot my in field cheat sheet so I couldn't remember how to change my settings! All shot at aperture priority (f/4), single point AF, spot metering and single shot speed. The 5D MKIII has three custom modes (1,2,3) on the mode dial so in the future I'll be setting mode 1 for still shots (Spot metering and spot AF), mode 2 for birds in flight (9 point AF and partial metering in AI Servo) with a 1.4X extender, and 3 TBD. All shots @300mm and most cropped the hell out of................... ( original images around 2.87 meg.)
All shots were taken at too far a distance for a 300mm, even the butterfly thru the car window across the street. The small bird in the tree (chipping sparrow?) thru the car window across the street maybe 200'? My 1.4X is on the way, that will give me 420mm, much better!
Truth be told the in flight shots @ 300mm with a backlit bird (the sun was above the vultures and all were under-exposed) just too small a moving target so any change from spot metering and single point AF may not have helped? The vultures never flew overhead.

I'm happy with these images considering they have been cropped from around 3 meg. to 30k!

 

[Mikbul]

Checked the focus on a painting:View attachment 1.JPG

 

[Mikbul]

Focus test on print. 1-View attachment 1.JPG 2.87 meg.
2-1.29 meg.
3-761K
4-477K
Focus looks good! IS is working well (all shots hand held)

 

[Mikbul]

OK so the camera & lens are working properly and looking at the stats for the peregrine falcon shot I took in 2015 the data says I was on shutter priority 1/2500s and matrix metering with a 400mm f/5.6 lens and the camera picked f/8. My new lens is a 300 f/4 and with a 1.4X converter 420 f/5. I had planned on sticking with aperture priority but now I'm second guessing myself. Of course that falcon was moving faster than anything I will shoot in the future? Do I go shutter or A/P. The shots of the vultures on aperture priority (300mm f/4) camera chose 1/1000, 1/4000, and 1/6400. I think at 420mm I may want to stick to shutter priority.
On the other hand the blue sky in the background means it was a sunny day and the camera picked f/8 so at f/5 I still think my shutter speed will be fast enough.
I'll stick to shutter priority and won't have to worry about blur and let the camera deal with lighting conditions. 1/2500s caught that falcon (probably around 100mph in level flight) so anything 1/1000 or above should be good.

https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/15-jpg.659209/full

 

[Mikbul]

Palm Warblers and Blue Heron. 300mm EF IS

 

[Mikbul]

Viginia Rail

 

[Mikbul]

More palm warblers today. 300mm EF IS on Canon 5D MKIII:
Exposure: 1/320s @ f/4-spot meter, spot A/F

 

[KC Foggin]

A great image Mik !

 

[Mikbul]

Unfortunately it's been cold, windy and cloudy ever since I got a 1.4X canon teleconverter for the 300f/4L that takes it to 420 f/5.6. I hope we get an Indian summer here in upstate, ny!