Fall Walkabout

[Loupey]

Haven't been able to really get out for any N&W shooting for quite some time. Can't remember the last time I had the 500mm on my 50D. So I was quite happy to have had the entire Saturday to spend out shooting despite the rather damp and dreary weather.

All with the combo stated above. Birds are, in order; tufted titmouse, gray catbird, yellow-rumped warbler.

Rather unfortunate to get out so late in the season. The leaves are past peak and most are on the ground.

[Loupey]

One more - a white-breasted nuthatch. Just before sunset and before a long hike back to the car so the image is pushed quite hard (i.e. noise).

[OldClicker]

Nice set. Really like the Warbler shot - sharp plus environment. - TF

[Loupey]

OldClicker - thank you. The warblers going south seem to be a lot more cautious than those going north in the spring. So I was happy to get this close (which wasn't real close) for that shot.

[paulnj]

Very nice images! I actually like the over cast days for the even lighting

[Loupey]

Thanks, Paul.

Got out again yesterday. This time with the 180mm and 5D. Back to basics since the 5D (original model) doesn't have live view so I had to use mirror lock-up with the remote release. So I couldn't check critical focus on the LCD nor time the shots between breezes with a enlarged electric display.

[Loupey]

I also came across old tree trunks lying about. Actually I've been climbing over them for as long as I can remember; but I never really looked at them. Some (white birch I believe) have cellulose skeletal structures which resembled aged skill or animal hide.

So there you have it. I bet you never thought you'd be subjected to being forced to look at old, rotting wood

[BlueRob]

Great shots! love those color tones...and the birds pics are really nice and well taken IMO

[scott-devon]

great shots Loupey, that 11th shot of the yellow leaves over the water is outstanding.

[Shebang]

Loupey, these are beautiful. Could you achieve these same shots with a 180mm on a Canon 40D? Is the camera body capable of producing this quality? I'm guessing yes, or at least close, with the right photographer operating it; right?

[Loupey]

Great shots! love those color tones...and the birds pics are really nice and well taken IMO

Thanks a lot, BlueRob! Your comments are appreciated.

[Loupey]

great shots Loupey, that 11th shot of the yellow leaves over the water is outstanding.

scott-devon - I'm really happy you like that one. That rather simple looking image was exceptionally hard for me. It took 370+ shots to finally get one with the right combination of blurs in the leaf tips and water, the right amount of leaf touching the water, and sunlight (it was patchy sunny skies). Most of the time the entire branch was blowing about too violently and it was either high above the stream or smashed down into it.

[Loupey]

Loupey, these are beautiful. Could you achieve these same shots with a 180mm on a Canon 40D? Is the camera body capable of producing this quality? I'm guessing yes, or at least close, with the right photographer operating it; right?

Thank you, Shebang. You sure can. In fact, if I showed you 8"x10" prints of images taken with the same lens but on the 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D (maybe even the 10D if I chose the image carefully), I doubt that you would be able to tell the difference.

The differences show up if one goes really large with prints or if one pushes the boundaries of low light and/or high subject speeds (which require higher shutter speeds - i.e. higher ISOs).

In the tree trunk images, the texture hides the digital noise (and they are very stationary ) so I could have easily shot it with a 10D at these sizes.

[Shebang]

Did you use a tripod with your 180mm shots? And what distance are you from your subject? Do you own a Canon 40D (which is what I have.)?

[Loupey]

Did you use a tripod with your 180mm shots? And what distance are you from your subject? Do you own a Canon 40D (which is what I have.)?

Because the 180mm doesn't have internal stabilization, I have to use a tripod with it. In addition, I always use a remote release. With the 50D I use live view; with the 5D I use mirror lock-up.

For images of the tree trunk, the front of the lens hood was about a foot away (keep in mind that the 5D is a full frame camera so I'm getting a wider field of view). The thorn shot was also from about a foot away. The green/yellow leaves and the pink seed pack shot was perhaps 18" away.

I don't currently have the 40D. But I did own it previous to my 50D. I also had the 30D before that and the 10D before that.