Post your best bird shots!

[bob williams]

Bill, great shot of the owl, patience really paid off on this one, but dont stay on the ice too long, Spring is upon us[:|]. As far as the 500---I havent had much time with it, still trying to get the yard right for the summer----lots of trimming, planting etc. I have taken Joel's lead and set up some perches and extra bird feeders in one area of my yard that benefits from the warm light of the setting sun, but haven't had a lot of time to shoot. However, this afternoon is calling me, so maybe I'll park myself behind the camera in a little while, when the sun gets lower. Other than it's size, there isn't much to get used to with the 500, just point it in the right direction and it seems to take great shots almost every time----Now I have to do my job, which is another story.





Again, Nice owl shot


Bob

[MikeG2012]

If you are using a variable aperture lens, does the lens open to the widest aperture that the lens offers or the widest aperture at the current actively used focal length, letsuse the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L as the example.


In other words, if I'm at 400mm with that lens, will itopen to f/4.5 for AF or f/5.6?

It will use the widest available aperture at that focal length (e.g. f/5.6 at any zoom setting of 260mm or longer). It's a physical thing - at 400mm, the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens cannot open to f/4.5 because the optical elements are not large enough in diameter. That's also the reason the 100-400mm is ~$1500, while the forthcoming 200-400mm f/4 will be in the high thousands - the extra glass needed to open that wide at the long end.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 200-400 f/4 that was advertised is simply a model. A close relative of mine who spoke with some Canon higher-ups found out that the lens is only in design phase, no where near production and won't be in production for a long time, if at all. Its heart-breaking news and I almost hope they lied to him. But it does explain why no one was able to handle the lens when it was shown off.





Guess the 100-400 will have to suffice for a while longer.


Mike

[Andy Stringer]

The 200-400 f/4 ... is only in design phase, no where near production

Then why did Canon announce that it was scheduled for delivery in 2011?

We all understand that recent events may have delayed the planned launch date, but surely the design is sufficiently advanced to go into production when the supply chain and assembly plant are back to normal.

[MikeG2012]

This info was found before the events in Japan actually. I don

[Andy Stringer]

Bill, that's a beautiful picture. I know what it's like spending hours on ice to get pictures, so you have my admiration for your patience. Your results were well worth the effort. Keep posting, because it helps to keep me focussed on saving for a 500mm lens.

[JJphoto]

wow-an- owl, Bill!, very very nice!

[rlriii13]

Bill! Get off the ice! You

[neuroanatomist]

Ran across this red-bellied woodpecker just after sunrise this morning...



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EOS 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS USM @ 400mm, 1/500 s, f/5.6, ISO 2000

[Jon Ruyle]

Nice one, John. I like the composition of the branch through the frame and the blurred branches in the background. Plus the touch of color in the bird is just right.

[Richard Lane]

Very well done John!


I love it!


Rich