Eagles from Alaska

[EricL]

Well, I had a chance to try out my new 100-400 lens this past weekend. So far I am pleased with the lens. Attached are 4 shots that came out pretty good. These were all hand-held. I found out pretty quickly that catching a bird in flight does take a little practice. I may have to try this again in a few weeks. Let me know what you think and if you have any tips on getting great shots of a flying bird please let me know. Thanks, EricL

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k256/ericluedde/IMG_1044_1.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k256/ericluedde/IMG_1018_1.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k256/ericluedde/IMG_1092.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k256/ericluedde/IMG_1023.jpg

[canonloader]

These aren't bad. I use a tripod with a Bogen 322 Ballhead. This lets you mount the camera and lens on the ballhead, yet you have complete freedom to turn the head any way you want very quickly. It works very well for following large birds in flight, since it gives you support as well as the camera. Here's what it looks like;

http://freeassociationblog.com/potn/test/ballhead2.jpg

I also put the camera on Aperture Priority, Evaluative metering and I can control the Exposure Compensation with the rear wheel on the body, and set it for about +2/3.

[hawk911]

Really- a 322? I suppose the quick action of the birds requires it, rather than a 486 or 488, huh? I don't want to lock myself down. I want to shoot more birds, but will also do car races, portraits, and possibly weddings and for critical shots, I'm sure I'll use a tripod. A 322 you say....

[hTr]

Great Shots of a beautiful bird

[calicokat]

Nice looking shots. I like #4 the best

[canonloader]

A 322 you say....
I'm in love with mine. All the years I've been into photography, film, and now digital, I owned a tripod. And in all those years, I used it maybe three times. It was a waste really, because I just found those three way axis heads so intolerably clumsy to try and use for anything but family portraits that I wanted to be in. You can't be twisting 3 different knobs and remembering to lock them before letting go of the camera when the action is going on.

With the 322, there is none of that. Grab the grip and squeeze, and it's free to turn in any direction. Let go, it's locked rock solid. This will never let the lens swing down and slap a tripod leg, that's for sure. ;)

[arg245]

Nice shots canonloader.

I'm about to get the RC322 myself, along with a 3021B tripod. I understand that the 322 can be configured with the grip in a vertical position, such that it would be below the camera, and you can operate it like a "joystick". Have you tried that configuration? I'd be interested to know how it worked for you if you've tried it.

Thanks,

[canonloader]

No, I haven't tried that configuration. It just looked clumsy to me, although this head is rated at 11 pounds, so it should hold any EOS body and lens up to 400mm easily. I prefer the left hand config, which seemed completely natural the first time I set it up. Other ballheads that cost more still need you to turn a knob or lever to lock them. In my opinion, thats not much better than a knob on a regular 3-way head. With the 322, just let go of it. I guess you'd have to live through 10 or 12 lens on tripod leg slaps to appreciate what a feature that is. :D

And BTW, the images linked to the eagle are Eric's, not mine. ;)

[arg245]

:oops: :o :rolleyes: Still, the images are nice.;)

[superdiver]

I really like #3 &4!

[CaseSteam]

Nice shots canonloader.

I'm about to get the RC322 myself, along with a 3021B tripod. I understand that the 322 can be configured with the grip in a vertical position, such that it would be below the camera, and you can operate it like a "joystick".

Thanks,

I think you are talking about the 222 - instead of the 322. the 222 is a vertical configuration - with the camera mounted on the top end.

I have the 322 also and it is great for most things. The only problem i've had with it is trying to shoot series shots for a panorama and keeping everything exactly level - so i have a 3-way head just for that.

Great shots of the Eagles - I didn't try it with the tripod, i just shot handheld but I gotta admit - the 100-400 gets pretty heavy after a while.

[canonloader]

The 322 has holes to mount the plate on the end also. I just never used it. And no, it wouldn't be good for serious Pano shots but I haven't seen anything as good for large birds in flight yet, except solar nova light and hand held at ISO 100 @ 1/8000 sec. ;)