BIF with Benefits

[Loupey]

Caught this lady after a successful hunt. Not much of a meal though - still, she was not going to risk dropping it.

Even though the 2nd image is quite a crop, I believe that this was one of the closest fly-by to date by a northern harrier.

[Ron Kruger]

Very good, Loupey. The crop actually is clearer than the first shot on my screen.

[AgingEyes]

Very good, Loupey. The crop actually is clearer than the first shot on my screen.

Agree! I think the first one is better though.

[Loupey]

Thanks, guys. I think the problem with the first one is 3-fold: 1) instability from me just first trying to get her in my sights, 2) instability of the IS servo motors just starting up, and 3) instability of the air that close to the ground (and through the distance).

I'm really impressed with the amount of the detail captured in the 2nd shot by the 50D.

[Old Timer]

I'd give my eye teeth to get a shot like the second one. Very nice Loupey.

[Loupey]

OT - thanks, that means a lot!

[Knight]

Yup ,you have a keeper there for sure Loupey , and your tempting me with your 50D , i actually had one in my hands a couple of weeks ago. I was in a camera shop wanting to buy the new Sigma 150-500mm with IS and he made me try it on a 50D and it had a really good feel to it

[Loupey]

Thanks, Knight.

The thing that strikes me about the Nikons is that the control dial used by the right index finger is out in front of the grip and quite far from shutter release button.

For me, having the dial right in front of the shutter release is critical as I manually adjust the shutter speed on the fly.

[SmartWombat]

The position of that dial is what made me pick Canon over Nikon years ago.
Otherwise I found the Nikon fitted my hand better.
But the controllability of the Canon won out.

[Loupey]

The position of that dial is what made me pick Canon over Nikon years ago.
Otherwise I found the Nikon fitted my hand better.
But the controllability of the Canon won out.

Isn't it funny how the smallest of details can have such an impact?

Years back (before digital), I thought of going to Nikon from Canon, but Nikon lenses focus backwards - goes from infinity to close focus compared to Canon's close focus to infinity. So I didn't make the change back then.

Trying to do that now would drive me insane (unless Nikon changed it - Canon has never changed their orientation I can tell you that).

[AgingEyes]

I was in a camera shop wanting to buy the new Sigma 150-500mm with IS and he made me try it on a 50D and it had a really good feel to it

You do know it's a trick used by the sales to try to sell things to the prospects, do you? Now you're hooked

[AgingEyes]

Thanks, Knight.

The thing that strikes me about the Nikons is that the control dial used by the right index finger is out in front of the grip and quite far from shutter release button.

For me, having the dial right in front of the shutter release is critical as I manually adjust the shutter speed on the fly.

For D200 and D300, the main dial at the back is the one used to change the shutter speed. I believe it's the same for D3 and D700 and could be others, too. What I do is I leave index finger on the shutter button and use my thumb to turn the main dial at the back, all the time with my eye looking through the viewfinder.

I suspect the function of the dials could be changed as you see fit.

[SmartWombat]

I thought about that with Nikon lenses too, but decided if the AF was all they claimed it was then it wouldn't matter
I've focussed the right way ever since my Zenith and its M42 mount, and while could adapt, I'm glad I don't have to

[paulnj]

Those small rodents are the stapple diet of the harrier, roughlegged hawk and short eared owls. That's why you see them all in the same fields on the east coast(though the short eared owls are crepuscular )

[Loupey]

For D200 and D300, the main dial at the back is the one used to change the shutter speed. I believe it's the same for D3 and D700 and could be others, too. What I do is I leave index finger on the shutter button and use my thumb to turn the main dial at the back, all the time with my eye looking through the viewfinder.

I suspect the function of the dials could be changed as you see fit.

How do you change the aperture? I suppose I could reassign the functions but I'm already using my shooting fingers (right index for shutter release, ISO, and shutter speed; and my right thumb for aperture) so I would still have to assign that top dial for one of these functions.

I change shutter speeds probably twice as often as I adjust the aperture so I like keeping it assigned to my index finger rather than the thumb so that I can better hold the camera.

[Loupey]

Those small rodents are the stapple diet of the harrier, roughlegged hawk and short eared owls. That's why you see them all in the same fields on the east coast(though the short eared owls are crepuscular )

I'm glad for that! The fields are criss-crossed with tiny furrows where these voles have worn their preferred paths to and from their holes. On several occasions I've had voles nearly crawl over my feet when I'm standing still for long periods of time.

Predators keep the balance in check (and make good photo opps too :thumbsup: )

[AgingEyes]

How do you change the aperture?

The sub-command dial in front of the shutter button.

Oh, the "main dial" is actually called the main command dial according to the manual.

[scott-devon]

Beautiful shots Loupey, and an interesting discussion regarding function assignments and control placements too.