Post Your Best Nature Shots!

[devsalvi]

This was taken recently at lake Eola in Orlando downtown. The setting sun provided the golden light on the buildings. And a flash was fired to lit the swans which created an "effect" on them


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.65/3474019265_5F00_e5abf9d39f.jpg[/img]
<table id="Inbox" width="100%" cellspacing="0"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]


Exposure:
</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]0.033 sec (1/30)</td>
</tr>
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<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]


Aperture:
</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]f/6.3</td>
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<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]


Focal Length:
</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]50 mm</td>
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ISO Speed:
</td>
<td>400</td>
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</table>





Another Swan picture. lighting from the setting sun


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.65/3474826686_5F00_07ddba1ba8.jpg[/img]
<table id="Inbox" width="100%" cellspacing="0"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Exposure:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]0.033 sec (1/30)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Aperture:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]f/5.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Focal Length:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]130 mm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ISO Speed:</td>
<td>100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>





I thought this was funny. Kids and parents go away from each other. My fiancee thought this was cute.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.65/3474828522_5F00_3e8a355061.jpg[/img]



<table id="Inbox" width="100%" cellspacing="0"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Exposure:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]0.003 sec (1/400)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Aperture:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]f/5.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Focal Length:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]120 mm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ISO Speed:</td>
<td>


100
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

[Bill M.]

What a great thread! Here are some pics I shot over the weekend. These were all shot with a 5D II and 100mm Macro, ISO 1600, f8, and between 1/200-1/400 second. I probable could have gotten away with using a lower ISO, but the 5D II has given me more flexibility...any critiques welcome!


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.24/IMG_5F00_0627c.jpg[/img]





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.24/IMG_5F00_0698b.jpg[/img]





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.24/IMG_5F00_0710d.jpg[/img]





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.24/IMG_5F00_0757c.jpg[/img]

[devsalvi]

nice pictures Bill.. how do you get close to them and not scare them off?

[George Slusher]

Bill M.:


Nice shots of the butterflies. I can't give a technical critique, but it does look like the 5D II has superb high ISO performance, which helps a lot with macro shots. It also goes to show just how good the Canon 100mm Macro lens is. One reviewer thought it was the sharpest lens he'd used, any make, any mount, any length. (Those who have the 300 f/2.8L IS may disagree. [] I don't, though, if wishes were ponies ...) He also said that it focused faster than his eyes could. That is a bit of an exaggeration, especially as the reviewer isn't an old f*rt like me, but the point is well-taken.

[Bill M.]

Devsalvi: Ahh, I am at one with nature [] not really, I went to an indoor butterfly garden and part of me thinks that they are just used to having people walk among them, but they are difficult to shoot. I was chasing a particular one around for a long time but it would always fly off when I came near it.


George: I love the 5D II. I moved up from a 20D and it is world's apart in ISO performance. I would never even shoot over 800 ISO before and now I'm comfortable shooting at 3200 with minimal noise. I've always enjoyed the 100mm Macro, with the 20D I had a little more reach and now I have to get a little closer. I would love the 180mm Macro but I think I need a 16-35 II first. The 100 is very sharp, whether or not it's my sharpest I'm not entirely certain. I don't have one of the long primes that is on everyone's wish list but my 70-200 f4 IS is damn sharp.

[Jon Ruyle]

I went to an indoor butterfly garden and part of me thinks that they are just used to having people walk among them, but they are difficult to shoot.

Your experience matches mine: at an indoor butterfly garden, sometimes they just sit there. Sometimes they land on you. No problem at all getting close.

with the 20D I had a little more reach

On the other hand, the 5DII has the same pixel density as the 20D, so you can crop to get the same reach as the 20D and still have just as high resolution (8mp).


You can have your megapixels and eat them, too. Or something.

[George Slusher]

Bill M.:


I agree about the 70-200mm f/4L IS. In fact, when I got a 70-200m f/2.8L IS, I kept my 70-200mm f/4L IS, as well. For many uses, especially outdoors, it's superior to the faster lens, both in optical quality and the IS. It's also a lot lighter and easier to carry. I've read quite a few articles by bird photographers who carry it along with their 500mm L lens for landscapes, butterflies (especially with an extension tube or a close-up lens/filter), birds in flight, etc.


Nowadays, I mostly use a 100-400mm L IS for nature/wildlife, plus a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or 17-85mm IS and 100mm Macro. Add a Sigma 10-20mm &amp; Canon 1.4x extender and I'm set for 'most anything. That all (plus the 30D w/grip &amp; various doo-dads) fits in a Think Tank Speed Racer. (I could use the smaller Speed Freak if I didn't use the grip on the 30D, but I've found that the grip is more comfortable and makes the camera + lens easier to handle. I have large hands--one of the reasons I got the 30D rather than a Digital Rebel.) If I'm going "minimalist," I take the 100-400mm, 17-85mm (the 17-55mm is a better lens, but that would leave a big gap in length, plus it's heavier), 1.4x extender and 77mm Canon 500D close-up lens (plus 67-77mm step-up ring) in a smaller bag, Think Tank belt system, or vest.

[Itheone]

A few from me:


























See more at: www.prphotographyonline.com

[Bill M.]

Jon, you are absolutely correct that I do, effectively, have the same reach as I did with my 20D. I'm just getting used to the wider field of view I have now, but I can crop to my heart's content, knowing I canstill get a decent print in the end...


George, your minimalist kit is somewhat similar to mine, I basically carry the 5DII with a 24-105 and the 100-400 to have a pretty good range. I should consider carrying the 500D as well....

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

I want to add these to the "Post Your Best Nature Shots."


It's a thread by itself here. http://community.the-digital-picture.com/forums/t/1059.aspx


American Avocet Courtship and Mating. Taken with 40D and 400 f/5.6L @ San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, highlight tone priority was used.


1. The foreplay...


f/6.3, 1/2000 sec., ISO 250, Exp. Comp. -2/3





2. The love making...


f/7.1, 1/2000 sec., ISO 250, Exp. Comp. -2/3





3. The cuddle after....


f/7.1, 1/2000 sec., ISO 250, Exp. Comp. -2/3





4. I'm done and I'm outta here....[img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]


f/7.1, 1/1250 sec., ISO 250, Exp. Comp. -2/3





Thanks for viewing and I would really apprieciate your comments.


Nhut (Nate)