Slayer7124's question about tripods had me looking at some recent shots. These shots were all handheld per my usual routine with the 300mm IS.

All could definitely have benefitted from a deeper DOF had I used a tripod. I'm trying to recall exactly how breezy it was those days. I don't recall any still days but I do remember some fairly windy ones. So in trying to balance between shutter speed and aperture (DOF), shutter speed usually takes precedence.

That is, until I can get my hands on the 1DMkIII so that I can crank up the ISO a notch or two :D

Although a tripod most likely wouldn't have helped here due to wind, these failed images are a reminder to me that I do need to think about the basics and using good techniques again. The tripod is going back in the truck. Thanks, slayer :thumbsup:

haha, no problem, glad i could help! now may i ask whats wrong with the 2nd picture? just not as crisp as you would have liked or not as much DOF?

Slayer7124's question about tripods had me looking at some recent shots. These shots were all handheld per my usual routine with the 300mm IS.

All could definitely have benefitted from a deeper DOF had I used a tripod. I'm trying to recall exactly how breezy it was those days. I don't recall any still days but I do remember some fairly windy ones. So in trying to balance between shutter speed and aperture (DOF), shutter speed usually takes precedence.

That is, until I can get my hands on the 1DMkIII so that I can crank up the ISO a notch or two :D

Although a tripod most likely wouldn't have helped here due to wind, these failed images are a reminder to me that I do need to think about the basics and using good techniques again. The tripod is going back in the truck. Thanks, slayer :thumbsup:

That's interesting. I almost always set the aperture first.

Most of the shots I've taken are not of fast moving objects, so shutter speed is only relative to camera shake. The IS and steady hands, along with some creative bracing and proning seem to keep that to a minimum. I usually figure I have to beat 1/60s for a clear reptile close-up, and 1/100 for a clear detailed macro. That isn't very hard to clear, even at the lowest speed (ISO80). Setting the aperture first lets me get the shot I'm looking for - assuming I can keep steady enough to get a clear one, which usually is not the problem at these shutter speeds. Now if I can only get the aperture right more than 15% of the time, I'll be in business!


Windy days, I move into more sheltered areas to shoot. Or look for subjects closer to the ground.

haha, no problem, glad i could help! now may i ask whats wrong with the 2nd picture? just not as crisp as you would have liked or not as much DOF?

On that image, I would have liked to get more of the "back hairs" in focus. I don't think I could have the entire lower wing in focus even at f/22 or f/32. The background becomes more distracting as you stop down but given the color differences here, I think I could have pulled it off.

Here is a crop of the area I would have liked to have improved.

I usually figure I have to beat 1/60s for a clear reptile close-up, and 1/100 for a clear detailed macro. That isn't very hard to clear, even at the lowest speed (ISO80).

That is amazing given that I know your Sony has a monster effective focal length (especially with the TC you have). You and the IS work more effectively than I do.

True when working with telephoto and macro lenses it is often better to work/think in Av-mode. But since I almost always use the 300mm with tubes or the 300mm+2xTC, my limiting factor quickly becomes shutter speed. When using the 300mm+tubes, I generally try to go no slower than 1/125s (as long as there is no wind). With the reduced DOF of using tubes and going closer, I try to go no faster than f/8. Not bad - at ISO 400, I can shoot in pretty heavy overcast days.

When using the 300mm+2x, I stay at or above 1/250s but remember my max usable aperature now is a dismal f/11 with this combo (always no less than 1 stop from wide open). So at my maximum operating ISO of 400, this limits me to lightly overcast days. Heavy shadow areas or approaching storms are too dark at these settings.

Why the limitations above? I've found that, for the 30D, the limits above keep the image quality high enough to produce easily sellable prints up to 13 x 19.

Sure I've exceeded my self-imposed limits (usually pushing the ISO to 800 first), but the images are never good enough for more than just sharing. *sigh* did I say I wanted to try the 1DmkIII :D :p :)

I also find that the working distance greatly effects the shutter speeds that are possible to hand-hold. Birds at 762mm (432mm + 1.7x tcon) require a fast aperture (usually f/4, wide open is f/3.7) to get the shutter speeds up above 1/300s. I often increase the ISO (much to my dismay) if I need the extra stop or two. Fortunately the tiny sensor size gives me too much DoF, if anything...so that isn't even a consideration. I figure that F/4 at 762mm is probably equivelent to about f/8 or f/12 on an APS-C sensor, same focal length.

The shorter working distance for macros really opens up the shutter speed part of the equation, even with massive focal lengths. The close-ups of the dragonfly eating that I posted were shot at 762mm, with the close-up lens attached also. Shutter speeds were about 1/125, and working distance a foot and a half. I could never have handheld that if it were a bird twenty feet away.

edit: sorry this is a disjointed mess, I can barely make sense of it myself. Suffering from a late summer sinus infection that has me feeling pretty disconnected.

One thing that you must also consider here is the lens being used. That 300mm IS prime that Loupey uses is one of the best, fastest lenses in the Canon arsenal. Trying to do the same things that Loupey does with a 100-400 L zoom (even with IS) will meet with dismal results. Using a non-IS lens would be bad too. In short....Don't do what Loupey does unless you've got the glass to handle it. Better to use a tripod if you don't have a great lens.

ok, i see it now that its cropped. even with f22 you couldnt get it all in focus? would that have decreased the DOF too much?

One thing that you must also consider here is the lens being used. That 300mm IS prime that Loupey uses is one of the best, fastest lenses in the Canon arsenal.

I'm such a fan of this lens that if something were to happen to it tomorrow morning, I would have bought a replacement 300mm f/4L IS tommow by noon :)

Don't tell anyone, but it's one of those super values that Canon still sells (like the 200mm f/2.8L, 85mm f/1.8, and 28mm f/1.8).

I've recently slimmed down my fanny pack even further: I keep the 2xTC mounted on one 36mm extension tube (not to use together but to keep from rattling around), 2 extra memory cards, and 1 spare battery. Of course the 30D with the 300mm is in my hands :)

ok, i see it now that its cropped. even with f22 you couldnt get it all in focus? would that have decreased the DOF too much?

The shooting specs for this shot are:

1/250s
f/11
ISO 400
300mm + 36mm extension tube

At this distance and magnification (the original post is nearly full-frame), I don't think f/22 would take the DOF to the bottom of the wing.