What’s Up
Wednesday was yet another great day. Today is the last morning of the IPT.
This blog post took more than four hours to assemble over the course of four days…. It was published at 5:49am Pacific time. Please note that I still have many exciting new images, tales, and lessons from my recently concluded Southern Oceans trip to share with you here over the course of the next few weeks and am looking forward to doing just that. Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. See here for the complete details. In addition, I will surely be sharing more 100-400 images along with additional positives and a very vew negative on the new lens. I used the 100-400 yesterday afternoon with the 7D II and the 1.4X TC. Images and comments soon.
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This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 529mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/800 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus on the bird’s eye and re-compose is tricky when hand holding as you need to stay absolutely still or risk throwing off accurate focus.Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. |
Why?
“Why did you add the external TC when you were working only at 529mm? You could have done that with the lens and the the Internal TC engaged?”
I had mounted the external 1.4X III with the Internal TC already engaged to get me out to 784mm if and when I needed that.
Image Question
In this case, working wide open at f/8, I would have been much better off had the external TC not been in place. How would that have helped me make a somewhat sharper image here?
Note: removing the external 1.4X III TC loses you valuable time….
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This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 365mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3stop as framed: 1/1000 sec. at f/8. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus as framed fell on the center of the bird’s lower mandible and was of course active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. |
The Versatility Factor
The huge and obvious advantage of the 200-400 (or any zoom lens) at La Jolla is that you are able to vary your framing almost instantly by zooming in or out as needed. Add in the fact that you can with an extra 1.4X TC in your pocket work at focal lengths from 200 to 784mm and you have quite a versatile rig.
For this image and the image below, sensing that a head throw was imminent, I dis-engaged the internal extender so that I could more easily zoom wider.
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This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 315mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop as framed: 1/1000 sec. at f/8. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus as framed fell just below the bird’s face and was active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. |
Why are Head Throws Like Bosque Blast-offs?
At Bosque, I often state that the best images are created within the first 2 seconds of the birds blasting off. The best head throw images are created in the first second. They often begin with the bird’s stretching their bill pouch over their necks. If you are zoomed in even a bit, this needs to be a horizontal capture. Then almost instantly the bird raises its bill with the pouch fully distended. This is the instant that you want capture. But you need to be zoomed out and vertical. Here, I was about one second too late….
Note: a Brown Pelican head throw film image of mine with the bill pouch fully distended was honored in a BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition early in this century. I think that IPT veteran Mike Gotthelf captured the magic moment with this head throw….
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This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 654mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/800 sec. at f/8. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus as framed was active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. |
The Payoff!
Finally, the 784mm advantage got me an image that I loved. Being able to zoom in to 654mm was the key here so that I could zero in on the colors and textures of that gorgeous bill pouch.
San Diego Site Guide
A BAA Site Guide is the next best thing to being on an IPT. And they cost only fifty bucks; a lot less than an IPT! I share everything that I know about the five killer photography spots within 20 minutes of downtown San Diego. Learn where and how and when to photograph the amazing California race of Brown Pelican; Marbled Godwits against bright buff backgrounds; Wood Ducks, Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck at point blank range; and a variety of stunning gulls (including Heerman’s, Western, and California) both perched and in flight. You will learn where to go on what wind and what tides are best for each coastal location. As usual, I have held nothing back. You can get your copy of the San Diego Site Guide by clicking here; it will prove most useful to folks visiting in the colder months, but many of the locations are productive in other seasons as well, especially spring.
You can learn about our 13 other great Site Guides by clicking here.
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In 2015, we are offering a 3-DAY IPT before Thanksgiving and a 4-DAY IPT after the holiday. You can attend either and spend Thanksgiving Day with your family. Sign up for both and we will be glad to apply a $100 discount to your balance. We know that there are lots of less costly workshops being offered these days. Many of them are downright cheap. Please remember that you get exactly what you pay for. With us you will have two full time pros there for you every minute we are in the field. Together they have more than 28 seasons of experience at the refuge. If you want the finest in photographic instruction and want to be assured of being in the right spot at exactly the right time every day, do join us. |
Bosque del Apache 2015 BIRDS AS ART/A Creative Adventure Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). 3-FULL DAY IPT: NOV 22-24, 2015. $1149. Two great leaders: Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris. Meet and greet and introductory slide program after dinner on your own at 7:00pm on SAT NOV 21.
Tens of thousands of Snow Geese, 10,000 Sandhill Cranes, ducks, amazing sunrises, sunsets, and blast-offs. Live, eat, and breathe photography with two of the world’s premier photographic educators at one of their very favorite photography locations on the planet. Top-notch in-the-field and Photoshop instruction. This will make 21 consecutive Novembers at Bosque for artie. This will be denise’s 7th workshop at the refuge. Nobody knows the place better than artie does. Join us to learn to think like a pro, to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather, especially the sky conditions, the light, and the wind direction. Every time we make a move we will let you know why. When you head home being able to apply what you’ve learned on your home turf will prove to be invaluable.
This workshop includes 3 morning and 3 afternoon photography sessions, an inspirational introductory slide program after dinner on your own on Saturday, 11/21, all lunches, and after-lunch digital workflow, Photoshop, and image critiquing sessions.
There is never a strict itinerary on a Bosque IPT as each day is tailored to the local conditions at the time and to the weather. We are totally flexible in order to maximize both the photographic and learning opportunities. We are up early each day leaving the hotel by 5:30 am to be in position for sunrise. We usually photograph until about 10:30am. Then it is back to Socorro for lunch and then a classroom session with the group most days. We head back to the refuge at about 3:30pm each day and photograph until sunset. We will be photographing lots of Snow Geese and lots of Sandhill Cranes with the emphasis on expanding both your technical skills and your creativity.
A $449 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 7/25/2015. If you cancel and the trip fills, we will be glad to apply a credit applicable to a future IPT for the full amount less a $100 processing fee. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Whether or not your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance.
Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check (made out to “Arthur Morris.”) You can also leave your deposit with a credit card by calling the office at 863-692-0906. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
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In 2015, we are offering a 3-DAY IPT before Thanksgiving and a 4-DAY IPT after the holiday. You can attend either and spend Thanksgiving Day with your family. Sign up for both and we will be glad to apply a $100 discount to your balance. We know that there are lots of less costly workshops being offered these days. Please remember that you get exactly what you pay for. If you want the finest in photographic instruction and want to be assured of being in the right spot at exactly the right time, do join us. |
Bosque del Apache 2015 BIRDS AS ART/A Creative Adventure Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). 4-DAY IPT: (three full and two 1/2 DAYS) NOV 28-DEC 2, 2015. $1499. Two great leaders: Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris. Meet and greet at 3pm on SAT NOV 28 followed by an afternoon photo session at the crane pools and the introductory slide program after dinner on your own.
Tens of thousands of Snow Geese, 10,000 Sandhill Cranes, ducks, amazing sunrises, sunsets, and blast-offs. Live, eat, and breathe photography with two of the world’s premier photographic educators at one of their very favorite photography locations on the planet. Top-notch in-the-field and Photoshop instruction. This will make 21 consecutive Novembers at Bosque for artie. This will be denise’s 7th workshop at the refuge. Nobody knows the place better than artie does. Join us to learn to think like a pro, to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather, especially the sky conditions, the light, and the wind direction. Every time we make a move we will let you know why. When you head home being able to apply what you’ve learned on your home turf will prove to be invaluable.
This workshop includes 4 afternoon (11/28through 12/1), 4 morning (11/29 to 12/2) photography sessions, an inspirational introductory slide program after dinner on your own on Saturday, 11/28, all lunches, and after-lunch digital workflow, Photoshop, and image critiquing sessions.
There is never a strict itinerary on a Bosque IPT as each day is tailored to the local conditions at the time and to the weather. We are totally flexible in order to maximize both the photographic and learning opportunities. We are up early each day leaving the hotel by 5:30 am to be in position for sunrise. We usually photograph until about 10:30am. Then it is back to Socorro for lunch and then a classroom session with the group most days. We head back to the refuge at about 3:30pm each day and photograph until sunset. We will be photographing lots of Snow Geese and lots of Sandhill Cranes with the emphasis on expanding both your technical skills and your creativity.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 7/25/2015. If you cancel and the trip fills, we will be glad to apply a credit applicable to a future IPT for the full amount less a $100 processing fee. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Whether or not your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance.
Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check (made out to “Arthur Morris.”) You can also leave your deposit with a credit card by calling the office at 863-692-0906. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
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Typos
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Great photos of the pelican. I also have been using the 200-400 a lot with both external and internal TCs. The IQ holds up really well.
As per your question: I think that a sharper shot may have been possible because you could have avoided the focus/recompose step and just used a side AF point. Also having one less TC in the way would give a bit better sharpness.
Thanks and correct-o-mundo on the AF stuff. In the original the eye was slightly less sharp than it should have been but that was rectified with some Eye Doctor work and a Contrast Mask, both detailed in Digital Basics.
Hi Artie,
For your image question I believe the benefits would be two fold to ditching the external TC.
1. More expanded AF point options to give you some cushion when focusing, instead of a single/expanded single point
2. One less layer of glass between you and the sensor would prevent image quality loss
Best,
Scott
Surely more of the former than the latter unless you examine your images with an electron microscope (as many apparently do) :). Sharpness with this combo is obviously superb.