I’m still in something of an experimental mood with the camera, and spent some time today taking more woodland shots. The technique is the same as I’ve used previously, but I’m attempting to learn a little more control. I also took a wider lens out with me, in addition to the 100-400.

The first two shots here were taken with the long lens.

Shutter 0.8s, aperture f/22

Shutter 0.6s, aperture f/22

There’s noticeably less ‘motion’ in the second image. I delayed slightly before zooming, and probably zoomed more slowly. I’m still exploring the variables and how they affect the image (90% of the time they affect it directly into the recycle bin), but I’m getting a better notion of the type of setting that is likely to work, and I’m slowly increasing the likelihood of the shot looking something like I expect it to.

One of the difficulties I’ve found with the long lens is that it is quite hard to zoom smoothly while keeping the camera steady. I know that using a tripod would help, but even then the zoom mechanism is relatively firm and the barrel needs a significant turn to cover the whole range. The next two shots were taken with the 24-105 lens. It’s altogether lighter and faster to use, and obviously at the wide end takes in more of the scenery. It’s also a lot easier to zoom quickly, even with a faster shutter speed.

Shutter 0.6s, aperture f/22

Shutter 0.4s, aperture f/22

Camera note: photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.