Author Archives: Words

Rat, Robin and a Cormorant

December 16, 2014 by Words | 2 Comments

I’m still getting to know the new lens, so the first couple of shots here are by way of demonstrating just how good the 100-400 Mk II is in what are undoubtedly poor conditions. It’s sharp at maximum aperture, and the stabilization is extremely solid. Both these shots were taken before the sun had risen over the South Downs. ISO is 1600, and the aperture f5/6 (i.e. wide open). The lens is at a full 400mm extension. Shutter speed is 1/80 (rat) and 1/100 (robin).

Rat

Rat in tree at Falmer, 1/80, f5.6, 1600 ISO

Robin

Robin at Falmer Village, 1/100, f5.6, 1600 ISO

The rest of the days shots were is slightly less poor conditions. A cormorant was the morning highlight, circling Falmer several times.

Cormorant over Falmer

Cormorant over Falmer

The final shots were taken in the afternoon, at the edge of the car park at Mithras House (on one of the main roads into Brighton). The robin was happily and boldly chirruping away.

robin

robin

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.

Posted in Birds, rats, water birds Tagged , , |

Night Sky

December 15, 2014 by Words | 2 Comments

A couple of shots taken last night when the skies were beautifully clear. First a waning moon…Click on the image to get the uncropped version.

moon

We have one moon. Jupiter has four, three of which are visible in this shot, also from last night. The lower moon is actually two very close together,hence the slight increase in brightness. The shot was taken hand-held, ISO 16000, f/5.6 and 1/60s.

Jupiter and its moons

Jupiter and its moons

Just a few other shots, taken before Sunday descended into rain.

A herring gull…

Herring gull

A blue tit…

Blue tit

And our local petrol station photographed from about a mile away. 😉

Petrol station

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.

Posted in Birds, Landscape, Moon Tagged , , , , |

New Canon 100-400 lens (first pix)

December 14, 2014 by Words | 1 Comment

Having very recently upgraded to the Canon EOS 7D Mark II, today I added the latest Canon lens to my kit. It’s the EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS II USM lens (don’t you love those catchy names). It’s a step up from the vintage ‘pump’ 100-400 that I’ve been using, and the first upgrade to that lens since Canon introduced it in around 1996. Main differences? It’s a twist zoom, rather than a push-pull zoom, it boasts 4 stops of image stabilisation (as opposed to 1.5), there are three IS modes, and a much improved minimum focus distance of just under 1 metre. Plus almost two decades of other technical improvements in lens technology.

I’ve not had much time to really work with it yet, so here are just a handful of sample shots taken earlier today. The starling was high in a tree at the end of our garden, and these are all moderately heavy crops.

starling

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

Starling

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

Starling

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

Starling

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

Starling

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

The camera/lens Mark II combination is likely to become the staple kit for many wildlife enthusiasts. First impressions of using them together are very positive. The lens is super responsive, and seems very sharp even wide open. It’s slightly heavier than the previous version (but not too much so). I’ve yet to try it with the 1.4x teleconverter, but I expect that to play extremely well with them. Needless to say, there will be many pictures with this combo over the coming weeks and months.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.

Posted in Birds Tagged , |