Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

[Candor]

It's always a pleasure to look in here and see all the excellent work by everyone. A few from me.

http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Animals/Birds-of-Prey-1/i-hBTSfML/0/XL/574-XL.jpg (http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Animals/Birds-of-Prey-1/8088103_X4wbpm#1375413041_hBTSfML-A-LB)

http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Animals/Birds-of-Prey-1/i-nxqvNRt/0/XL/558-XL.jpg (http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Animals/Birds-of-Prey-1/8088103_X4wbpm#1375412677_nxqvNRt-A-LB)

http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Animals/Birds-of-Prey-1/i-W8dwdv5/0/XL/033-XL.jpg (http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Animals/Birds-of-Prey-1/8088103_X4wbpm#1543875493_W8dwdv5-A-LB)

http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Animals/Birds-of-Prey-1/i-52vpf32/0/XL/057-XL.jpg (http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Animals/Birds-of-Prey-1/8088103_X4wbpm#1543875852_52vpf32-A-LB)

http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Other/Birds/i-W556R98/0/XL/591-XL.jpg (http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Other/Birds/13838886_PdNm92#1531483959_W556R98-A-LB)

http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Other/Birds/i-ZHk6rTr/0/XL/566-2-XL.jpg (http://www.mikeswildlife.com/Other/Birds/13838886_PdNm92#1531513024_ZHk6rTr-A-LB)

[FlyingPhotog]

Beautiful Mike...

[Candor]

Thanks Jay!

[Nighthound]

Great stuff Mike, I especially like the Barred Owl shots. The second one makes me want a nap. :)

[S.E.V.]

Nice work Mike, #2 And #4 are great.

Sevan

[Candor]

Thank you Steve and Sevan! It was my first encounter with a Barred Owl and a special moment for me.

[FlyingPhotog]

Think of this as an aluminum Egret...

Hawker Beech T1A Trainer .. 47th Flying Training Wing .. Laughlin AFB, Texas
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v36/p208342678.jpg

[Nighthound]

Excellent Egret Jay. Classy bird.

[TBG_Dad]

i'm no where near as good as you guys but I really love using this lens.

for the "bird" guys ...
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6320769143_618f6a9447_b.jpg

for the other bird guys ...
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6055048038_20e0b9e4ca_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6300860385_7a34f71530_b.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

Pretty Bird
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v35/p314689259-4.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

I know I sometimes put unrealistic expectations on my gear. Shooting fast moving stuff at ridiculously slow shutter speeds often creates more misses than hits but sometimes, when you can stop and frame something that offers optimum contrast, the reason we use these lenses becomes readily apparent.

Radial Engine Close Up
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v31/p872676138.jpg

100% Crop (Damn, I love this lens!)
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v31/p897907289.jpg
1DMkIV .. 1/350 @ f/4 ISO 100

[tomcat7886]

Nice images :)

[Ricardo222]

I know I sometimes put unrealistic expectations on my gear. Shooting fast moving stuff at ridiculously slow shutter speeds often creates more misses than hits but sometimes, when you can stop and frame something that offers optimum contrast, the reason we use these lenses becomes readily apparent.



This is one of the reasons I like this forum so much, Jay. Seeing the range of work that imaginative people create, specially when they have reached a high enough level of technical competence to further extend their vision in any particular field of expertise. Your words should inspire us all to extend our vision, and to hell with the misses!

[FlyingPhotog]

Catch them at just the right angle and you'd be hard pressed not to know that this wasn't air to air:
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v33/p363125613-4.jpg (http://crosswindimages.com/p886102989/e1205d243)
1DMkIV .. 1/180 @ f/9.5 ISO 100 +1 EV
Click -> Larger Over Black

[matman1975]

South Luangwa national park, Zambia (August 2010)

[Leftcoast_Mike]

I know I sometimes put unrealistic expectations on my gear. Shooting fast moving stuff at ridiculously slow shutter speeds often creates more misses than hits but sometimes, when you can stop and frame something that offers optimum contrast, the reason we use these lenses becomes readily apparent.

Radial Engine Close Up
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v31/p872676138.jpg

100% Crop (Damn, I love this lens!)
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v31/p897907289.jpg
1DMkIV .. 1/350 @ f/4 ISO 100

Jay, I'm curious as to where you're standing when you take this shot?

[FlyingPhotog]

Oh, I dunno...

Maybe 40-50 yards away or so...

Why?

[Leftcoast_Mike]

Oh, I dunno...

Maybe 40-50 yards away or so...

Why?


Just wondering how far back you had to be. I'm comparing it to my 100-400 when I get caught and have to use it for 'static' stuff on the ground and I'd been thinking of renting a 500mm for something coming up in the near future. I love that 2nd example btw.

[FlyingPhotog]

2nd image is just a crop of the 1st.

As for using a 500mm for "statics." Well, not so much unless you only want to shoot details from a ways away and through people's heads. ;)

[Leftcoast_Mike]

2nd image is just a crop of the 1st.

As for using a 500mm for "statics." Well, not so much unless you only want to shoot details from a ways away and through people's heads. ;)

lol I'm aware that it's a crop, that's what makes it so impressive. :)

[Jan Jasinski]

2nd image is just a crop of the 1st.

As for using a 500mm for "statics." Well, not so much unless you only want to shoot details from a ways away and through people's heads. ;)

Speaking about heads. It's dangerous to shoot with this lens, I almost knocked down a few due to size vs my 55-250 IS lol.

One more I haven't posted:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6159804194_cc1051c94c_b.jpg

[Neilyb]

Back from Florida, man that place is heaven, more birds than I ever saw!

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/i-5p3X64z/0/O/bathtime.jpg

[Methodical]

Beautiful^^^^^. I plan to go to Florida this Spring for the Burrowing Owls. What sites did you visit while in Florida?

[Shadowblade]

A better processing of an old photo:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5233/5833187010_e73a36d108_o.jpg

[Neilyb]

Beautiful^^^^^. I plan to go to Florida this Spring for the Burrowing Owls. What sites did you visit while in Florida?

Family holiday so did not get to the places I most wanted, namely Cape Coral for the owls. We started in Clearwater (loads of birds on the causeways there and north), Sanibel (where this was taken) loads of Ospreys about and check out Ding darling reserve, were not so impressed with wildlife in the 'glades but worth a visit and a boat ride, the Keys was great for sun and sea but less so for wildlife.

[MPCman]

A better processing of an old photo:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5233/5833187010_5e13812da2_o.jpg
There is a bug in google, if I search for "perfect picture" this one does not show up in the results bw!

[gabebalazs]

A better processing of an old photo:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5233/5833187010_e73a36d108_o.jpg

Wow, impressive! Definitely poster material!

[Methodical]

Thanks for the info. Does Cape Coral have the Burrowing Owls?

Family holiday so did not get to the places I most wanted, namely Cape Coral for the owls. We started in Clearwater (loads of birds on the causeways there and north), Sanibel (where this was taken) loads of Ospreys about and check out Ding darling reserve, were not so impressed with wildlife in the 'glades but worth a visit and a boat ride, the Keys was great for sun and sea but less so for wildlife.

[FlyingPhotog]

C-2 Greyhound at Naval Air Facility El Centro
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v33/p731274049-5.jpg
1DMkIV .. 1/125 @ f/13 ISO 100

[Neilyb]

Thanks for the info. Does Cape Coral have the Burrowing Owls?

Believe so, just drive around the housing estates, those guys live in the gardens.

[Neilyb]

5DII and 500!

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/i-RFFfRtb/0/O/speared.jpg

[MPCman]

That last one gets my vote for most awesomest pic on POTN of this week ! :)

[Neilyb]

:) :)

[commonjunks]

Neil, one word FANTASTIC.
It don't look real at all, and you have done a great job.

[peteg1]

Neil, all I can say is WOW!!

[andrewhuxman]

Killer shot Neil ......pun intended :D........That is an amazing capture.

[Headshotzx]

Wow Neil that's unreal. Great shot! Especially since the reflections on the water show a really great sky as well!

[Lennyh]

Taken at a local nature trail.

[Neilyb]

Now that is a nice background, foreground not bad either ;)

[Lennyh]

Thanks for that Neilyb.

[pikeface999]

If this is the wrong place to post this I apologies

I have just bought a second hand EF 500mm f/4L IS USM. The weather is not very good at the moment and I wanted to check the lens was working o.k.

I have taken a few shots with it on the tripod (in the house) and the results are -:

Perfect with IS off
Poor with IS on

Is this normal, I am aware that some canon lenses should not have IS on when on a tripod, however my understanding is that this lens is ok for this, however that does not mean the results will be good when mounted on a tripod and IS on.

Can anyone confirm is this normal please.

[k-lo]

A better processing of an old photo:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5233/5833187010_e73a36d108_o.jpg

excuse me while I pick up the jaw I just dropped.

[k-lo]

5DII and 500!

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/i-RFFfRtb/0/O/speared.jpg

Fish has Nemo's expression :lol: like he's saying: "wow I'm f#ck3d". Wonderful shot!!!!

[FlyingPhotog]

Jeremy,

AFAIK, the 500 f/4 is supposed to be "tripod aware" so it should disable IS when mounted on a tripod.

[pikeface999]

Thanks for the info, just gone and taken a couple more shots, also done the same with my 300 2.8 L IS and the 500 appears sharper. I think it might be a case of use it in the real world and see what I get.

Oh for some bright sunlight

[Candor]

The IS doesn't disable when used with a tripod but it is tripod aware and will correct for minor vibrations. If it's windy or if I'm shooting action I leave it on. If it is calm and I lock down the lens on a static subject I turn it off. This seems to give me the best results.

[andrewhuxman]

Old image with the 40D and the 500. (reworked)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/2011/d5871370.jpg

[_aravena]

Thanks to the Navy
http://www.lastshotphotography.com/img/s11/v34/p366218123-4.jpg

http://www.lastshotphotography.com/img/s11/v28/p353575658-4.jpg

[jeev]

Beast @ rest

http://rajeev.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v37/p77809847-5.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

...because he can!
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v36/p567739205.jpg
1DMkIV .. 1/750 @ f/5.6 +1/2 ISO 100

[Neilyb]

The speed those things go that is an amazing shot.

PS - I never had a lens from Canon that worked on a tripod with IS....always turn it off!

[Neilyb]

Sometimes you gotta be different.

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/i-TqFz65K/0/O/sandeling.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

Oh That's Loverly!

[Genmai]

I love the different users for this lens - you have the sports shooters shooting roaring jets, formula car and superbike races and then you have the wildlife shooters shooting gorgeous birds in tranquil settings.

:D

[FlyingPhotog]

"Free Your Mind..."
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v33/p744543620.jpg
Mike Goulian's pre-show terrestrial visualization at Fort Worth, Texas
1DMkIII .. 1/1000 @ f/5.6 ISO 100
Lovingly tweaked in LR3

[Ricardo222]

^^Good advice, Jay.
...and your previous tail view image is totally stunning! Just love how crisp your shots are.

[dioladetus]

from a hide in northern sweden. Bad light, can't win every time :)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255816/photos_for_FM/konge/kongeorn1600.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255816/photos_for_FM/konge/spaette2.jpg

[Lennyh]

Sometimes you gotta be different.

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/i-TqFz65K/0/O/sandeling.jpg

Superb!! I love the shot.

[GrizzlyMan]

I'm back in business! 2 months and 8 trips to Canon service and its all fixed!!!
Thanks for looking,
Kurt

http://www.thrukurtslens.com/img/s11/v33/p437355352-5.jpg

[andrewhuxman]

from a hide in northern sweden. Bad light, can't win every time :)


There is no bad light its what one does with the light that he /she has. Great captures.

[FlyingPhotog]

If this were any closer, you'd need a pilot's license... :D
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v36/p449958421.jpg
1DMkIII .. 1/250 @ f/6.7 ISO 100
Roughly a 5% crop for centering...

[Dimer]

A better processing of an old photo:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5233/5833187010_e73a36d108_o.jpg

wow!

[S.E.V.]

If this were any closer, you'd need a pilot's license... :D
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v36/p449958421.jpg
1DMkIII .. 1/250 @ f/6.7 ISO 100
Roughly a 5% crop for centering...

LOL, if you were any closer you wouldn't have your 500 anymore.:lol:

[S.E.V.]

its been a while but finally got some shooting in.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6416898755_d7ed4d4b03_o.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6416899809_f1c9e84ed6_o.jpg

Sevan

[FlyingPhotog]

Beauties Sev! Even caught a "flying fish!" :D

Paradise By The Taxiway Lights
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v37/p104157513.jpg
1DMkIII .. 1/90 @ f/4 ISO 100

[tomcat7886]

I'm back in business! 2 months and 8 trips to Canon service and its all fixed!!!
Thanks for looking,
Kurt

http://www.thrukurtslens.com/img/s11/v33/p437355352-5.jpg

Awesome capture.

[Methodical]

Man, again, I am glad I did not send mine in 'cause I'd been pissed if I had to go through what you did. What did they have to do to get it right? Glad it's all good now.

[QUOTE=GrizzlyMan;13440297]I'm back in business! 2 months and 8 trips to Canon service and its all fixed!!!
Thanks for looking,
Kurt

[macroshooter1970]

I got a kick out of watching this one for a few minutes.

[FlyingPhotog]

Ah! The rare and elusive Humming Drill...

Nice Catch!

[macroshooter1970]

Thanks. My neck hurts just looking at it.

[Ricardo222]

Ah! The rare and elusive Humming Drill...

Nice Catch!

:D:D:D

[MNUplander]

Old image with the 40D and the 500. (reworked)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/2011/d5871370.jpg

Very cool - nice job!

[FlyingPhotog]

Over The Beach
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v32/p343547983.jpg
1DMkIII .. 1/180 @ f/8 ISO 100

[MPCman]

I got a kick out of watching this one for a few minutes.
Awesome!! bw!

[Neilyb]

Woah...

[Neilyb]

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/i-dNmHq7d/0/O/willetonarock.jpg

I had to stitch 4 shots together to get this guy in frame.
http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/i-HKcg6qZ/0/O/vultureglades.jpg

[Nighthound]

WOW, I'm honored and humbled to post in this thread. Incredible work everyone.

A few Avocet from the neighborhood

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetfltgreenmark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetrunner2mark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetbackpreenmark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetpairswimmark.jpg

[Lennyh]

Cracking shots Steve.
Len

[Lester Wareham]

Superb shots Steve, great reflections.

[Shadowblade]

I had to stitch 4 shots together to get this guy in frame.
http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/i-HKcg6qZ/0/O/vultureglades.jpg

How did you get it to stay perfectly still for 4 shots?

[Neilyb]

God I love those Avocets.

Shadow: as long as the body does not move far it is fine, plenty of overlap is useful, he was quite happy sat there ;)

[dioladetus]

a few of a golden eagle, and also of a jay
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255816/photos_for_FM/konge/konge%C3%B8rnkalvtrask%203small.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255816/photos_for_FM/konge/Konge%C3%B8rnkalvtrask%204small.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255816/photos_for_FM/konge/skovskadekalvtrask%202smallmerefarve.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255816/photos_for_FM/konge/skovskadekalvtrask%205small.jpg

[gabebalazs]

^^awesome captures!

[MPCman]

WOW, I'm honored and humbled to post in this thread. Incredible work everyone.

A few Avocet from the neighborhood


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetbackpreenmark.jpg


Very nice! I would hang this above the bed of my kids if I had any :)

[Nighthound]

Cracking shots Steve.
Len

Thanks very much Len.

Superb shots Steve, great reflections.

Thanks very much Lester.

God I love those Avocets.

Thanks very much Neil.

Very nice! I would hang this above the bed of my kids if I had any :)

Thanks very much, it does have a very peaceful feel to it.

A couple more Avocet:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetstretchgreenmark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetdeepwtr2mark.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

You're just killin' it Steve...

Superb Captures!

[dioladetus]

Steve, you set the bar very high! Impressive shooting!

[Neilyb]

Yep, You really need the new 500 f4 II, you have out performed your old one :)

[FlyingPhotog]

Yep, You really need the new 500 f4 II, you have out performed your old one :)

Oh I need to remember this approach...

"Honey, I need the new one because I've used up all the good shots in the old one."

:lol:

[MPCman]

We can help you by responding on any picture you post "nice mediocre picture, but you really need a 500 II to make it good enough", then show that to your wife and sell me the 500 mkI for a nice price.

Win win situation ;)

[S.E.V.]

Oh I need to remember this approach...

"Honey, I need the new one because I've used up all the good shots in the old one."

:lol:

Already tried that approach Jay, it fails instantly. LOL

[FlyingPhotog]

Really?

Rats... :(

[Lennyh]

Thanks very much Len.



Thanks very much Lester.



Thanks very much Neil.



Thanks very much, it does have a very peaceful feel to it.

A couple more Avocet:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetstretchgreenmark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/avocetdeepwtr2mark.jpg

Top shots again Steve.

Len

[Lennyh]

A Kingfisher and Nuthatch taken recently with the 1.4 ext.

[Nighthound]

Top shots again Steve.

Len

Thanks very much Len.

[Nighthound]

You're just killin' it Steve...

Superb Captures!

Thanks very much Jay, gotta love things that fly. :)

Steve, you set the bar very high! Impressive shooting!

Thanks very much.

Yep, You really need the new 500 f4 II, you have out performed your old one :)

LOL. I'm hoping to squeeze out another couple of years worth from this lens, at my age I can't afford to give up any organs to get the second generation model.

[Nighthound]

A Kingfisher and Nuthatch taken recently with the 1.4 ext.

Fantastic shots Len, the Kingfisher is especially nice. I wish we had that variety here, the colors are really something.

[Lennyh]

Fantastic shots Len, the Kingfisher is especially nice. I wish we had that variety here, the colors are really something.

Thanks Steve, very kind of you.

Len

[Lester Wareham]

A Kingfisher and Nuthatch taken recently with the 1.4 ext.

Simply wonderful

[MPCman]

Really?

Rats... :(
Ok, different approach, I just liked your FB page, which will encourage your wife to support you like all the millions on FB, so you can buy a 500 II. :)

[FlyingPhotog]

Ok, different approach, I just liked your FB page, which will encourage your wife to support you like all the millions on FB, so you can buy a 500 II. :)

Thanks for the "Like" and the Assist! :D

[Shadowblade]

Ok, different approach, I just liked your FB page, which will encourage your wife to support you like all the millions on FB, so you can buy a 500 II. :)

You could go for the 500 Mk II if you want to save weight.

Or, for the same weight as the 500 Mk I, you could get the 600 Mk II, with extra reach...

[Nighthound]

A couple of Roseate Spoonbills from right down the road.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/spooniefltmark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/spooniepairmark.jpg

[Lennyh]

A couple of Roseate Spoonbills from right down the road.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/spooniefltmark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/spooniepairmark.jpg

Wow! Love these shots.

Thanks Lester!!

Len

[dioladetus]

Wow, you guys rock!!

Here is a golden eagle
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255816/photos_for_FM/low_rez/Golden_eagle_aperture_edit_low_rez4.jpg

[Lennyh]

Great shot of the Eagle and a super angle.

Len

[FlyingPhotog]

Sorry to drag down the quality curve but...
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v36/p791193909.jpg
What you see is what I got. 100% all natural, Canon-induced bokeh... :D

[Neilyb]

U cut the wings off :rolleyes:

[Neilyb]

The 500 and TC do Macro!

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Mammals/i-dHj62px/0/O/voley2.jpg

Sort of.

[Lennyh]

Great shot Neil, colour and light are superb.

Len

[S.E.V.]

The 500 and TC do Macro!

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Mammals/i-dHj62px/0/O/voley2.jpg

Sort of.

LOL Macro my arse, 15ft is no where near macro man, now drop an E.T. on it and get to 9ft, then you might be able to pull off a macro shot. This is more like a heavy crop! LOL awesome catch Neil.

Sevan

[FlyingPhotog]

U cut the wings off :rolleyes:

Yes, and...?

[Neilyb]

Yes, and...?

If I did that with a bird I would be thrashed with a birch twig, covered in tar and feathered. :cool:

Right, looking for my extension tubes. I only cropped 40% off, still leaves me more pickles than I had at all with the 1DIII :p

[Ricardo222]

If I did that with a bird I would be thrashed with a birch twig, covered in tar and feathered. :cool:

Right, looking for my extension tubes. I only cropped 40% off, still leaves me more pickles than I had at all with the 1DIII :p

And you would deserve it, too! :D:D

That shot you commented on...my feeling is this...if I was looking through a catalogue of small aircraft and wanted to know all the details of that particular one, I would DEMAND to see the ends of the wings and everything else as well.

But if I am looking at photos of airplanes for the sheer joy of doing so, I want to feel INVOLVED...and in that particular shot I feel drawn in. It's not a catalogue shot, it's a picture!

I feel the same about some bird shots...to hell with the tips of the wings if the closeness achieved by cutting them off makes me feel more involved.
Just my thoughts...

[FlyingPhotog]

Conventional Front 3/4 Wisdom says cutting wing tips off is ok.

You frame nose to tail otherwise you get too much dead space or an aspect ratio that needs custom printing / framing. And really, do any of you think the wings aren't actually there beyond the frame? ;)

Same situation here
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v29/p835320039.jpg

But, just to keep house and home together...
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v36/p656429967.jpg

[andrewhuxman]

If I did that with a bird I would be thrashed with a birch twig, covered in tar and feathered. :cool:


I do it often ..........sometimes your just to close,the way I see it better to close than to far.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/2011/IMG_4769.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/2011/IMG_5389.jpg

[birder_herper]

FlyingPhotog--I think cutting off the wings is more than acceptable. I think those images are beautifully-done, and I'm enjoying them! And this comes from someone who is all-wildlife...and isn't at all into aircraft. The first and second (on this page, not sure if you have more) are my faves...

[Neilyb]

Alright it is not a problem for me, just had some sicko comments from over anäl bird togs over the years, "This would have been a great shot if the wings were not cut"....blah blah...the comments above was not meant to be taken seriously....

[FlyingPhotog]

In that case, may I suggest a Smilie and not a Rolleyes next time... ;)

[Neilyb]

It does smile, right at the end.:p:D:lol:

[Nighthound]

Great stuff everyone. The wing clips all work for me but I know what you mean Neil, many purist aren't fond of it. I call it flight portraiture.

Neil you mouse shot is killer. Here's a furry type taken close to home.

Mink
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Wildlife%20Photography/minkonrocksmark.jpg

Wing tips Included:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/ospreyflight11bmark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/ospreyflightgreenmark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/baldiefltmark.jpg

[Scott_online]

Wing tips Included:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/ospreyflight11bmark.jpg


Absolutely stunning. Did you use fill flash?

[andrewhuxman]

Alright it is not a problem for me, just had some sicko comments from over anäl bird togs over the years, "This would have been a great shot if the wings were not cut"....blah blah...the comments above was not meant to be taken seriously....

I know exactly what you mean Neil, not taken seriously here......... I just wanted to put up a couple shots ....LOL Keep the great images coming guys .:D:D

[Nighthound]

Absolutely stunning. Did you use fill flash?

Thanks very much Scott, no I don't own a flash.

[S.E.V.]

Damn GUYS!!! Well I'm am off to Bosque Del Apache This weekend with a 1D4 and the 500mm for some SandHill Cranes with about 25 other people. Should get some damn good use out of the 500mm there.

From the vault.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2743/4186548695_04be7168e7_o.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

Wave as you go through Phoenix...

Have fun at BdA!

[digital_AM]

Wow, so many awesome photos! Congrats guys.

[S.E.V.]

Wave as you go through Phoenix...

Have fun at BdA!

Will do Jay, hope your up at 6AM!!! LOL

[FlyingPhotog]

Will do Jay, hope your up at 6AM!!! LOL

Wave quietly... :p

[Neilyb]

I just love ospreys and little furry things!

[Nighthound]

Great Fish Hawk shot Sevan.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/juviredd2marked.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/oystercatcherlaunch9mark.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/lilbluejuvilaunchmarked.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/Watermarked%20Birds/spotsand2bmark.jpg

[Neilyb]

500 with ET...forgot the TC. Exif says 6.2M focus distance but that cannot be right as it was just on the limit of MFD, so I reckon 4.8.....does the ET confuse the camera?

Nice series Steve.

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Mammals/i-8qTXSpd/0/O/voley5.jpg

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Mammals/i-XMGWx4N/0/O/peekaboo2.jpg

[birder_herper]

Fabulous, Steve!

Nice macro-ish shots, Neilyb.

[S.E.V.]

Thanks Steve, just a quicky from the 1D4 I just got today for the weekend trip. Found this guy yelling in the huge oak tree in front of my work. Accidentally shot it in jpeg @ 1250iso, oops!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6475774965_b554acedf0_o.jpg

Sevan

[Jan Jasinski]

Dug one up.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6479687997_746a891bcb_b.jpg

[Cicero]

Not the best one, but I was so happy to see it.
He landed on my neighbors tree and I took the picture out of window.
But he was just to close to get it whole on the picture.

http://shrani.si/f/2g/13W/3orBuieV/skobec.jpg

[S.E.V.]

Well I'm back from Bosque. Brrrrrrr was it ever so cold!!! I think the 1D4 got confused and acted up in that cold of weather. Here is a teaser.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6485308665_f50de3a1b9_o.jpg

Sevan.

[Leftcoast_Mike]

this thread absolutely delivers!!!

[FlyingPhotog]

Rule Britannia!
http://crosswindimages.com/img/s11/v37/p86319860.jpg
1DMkIII .. 1/500 @ f/4 ISO 100 +1EV

[andrewhuxman]

Couple very different kind of birds .

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/2011/c561db4a.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/2011/35749086.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

A whoop ass and a whoop crane? :D

[andrewhuxman]

A whoop ass and a whoop crane? :D

That actually is a Sandhill Crane but Whoppers are sometimes seen with Sandhills .

[meeko031]

...this thread is mind blowing

[digital_AM]

Man, this lens is amazing and so are you guys taking these awesome pictures.

[Neilyb]

Not the best one, but I was so happy to see it.
He landed on my neighbors tree and I took the picture out of window.
But he was just to close to get it whole on the picture.



One word: stitching! bw!

[Neilyb]

Speaking of stitching :)

http://neilburton.smugmug.com/Nature/Mammals/i-3QJZbxM/0/O/voleypano-O.jpg

[S.E.V.]

Speaking of stitching :)



Nice but what about an 8 shot stitch shot from the top down.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6519667741_b61bda99a9_o.jpg

and the 500mm also does some nice landscape shots as well.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6519669081_992d1136a3_o.jpg

Sevan

[S.E.V.]

A few more.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6519666691_cbba7b6142_o.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6519666133_c382d72435_o.jpg

Sevan

[Methodical]

http://www.methodicalimages.com/img/s1/v21/p265447046-5.jpg

http://www.methodicalimages.com/img/s3/v23/p244847885-5.jpg

http://www.methodicalimages.com/img/s9/v14/p17818045-5.jpg

[dioladetus]

Here is a eurasian jay, captured while in a hide waiting for golden eagles.
Trying to use photoshop, it is very different from Aperture that I usually use but I think it works so far.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5255816/photos_for_FM/skovskadetilpslowigennem.jpg