I got my 100-400

[R.T.]

Well I read so many post about this lens, so I broke down and bought it. It came from B&H Photo on Monday and for three days I've been out in the woods wanting to get some great pictures of the many different wild life on my property.

Sad to say I got skunked and didn't see a thing in three days, I couldn't believe it. I've gone for walks here and jumped deer, rabbits, partridge, squirrels and several other animals even when walking with my dog and making noise. But now I see nothing when I'm armed with my new camera and lens.

Well today while setting in my blind this little bird landed on a branch just outside my window (about 15 feet), but it was at the side window which is only an 8" square opening. I had to hand hold it and take the pic pretty quick from an odd angle, so it came out a little blurry. But I'm glad I at least got to shoot something. Maybe tomorrow will be better. :oops: Anyone know what kind of bird this is? Thanks!

http://www.thewoodchucker.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/smallbird.jpg

[hickory]

R.T.

You got yourself a shot of a Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. Here's a pic of one that I've shot with my old D30:

http://www.pbase.com/twdarby/image/29600399

If you look at the other pics in that gallery I have several more of the same bird and a nest. BTW, I just got my 100-400 last week and I'm really enjoying it.

Tom

[R.T.]

Tom, thanks for the info on the type of bird!

[R.T.]

I wanted to ask and forgot. But is the Canon 100-400 bigger or smaller in pysical size then the 70-200 2.8L IS? Thanks!

[hickory]

R.T.

My Sigma 70-200 f2.8 isn't an IS but it is definately smaller than my Canon 100-400 IS. Maybe someone else here can answer for the Canon 70-200 IS.

[ayotnoms]

I wanted to ask and forgot. But is the Canon 100-400 bigger or smaller in pysical size then the 70-200 2.8L IS? Thanks!
Check out this link. Scroll down past the first part...
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100-400mm-f-4.5-5.6-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

[R.T.]

Check out this link. Scroll down part the first part...
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100-400mm-f-4.5-5.6-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Thanks ayotnoms!

It looks like the 70-200 might be a hair bigger, hey? Must be because of it being a 2.8 lens. I'm sure that will be my next Canon lens. :)

Well I got skunked again today. For 3 hours work I seen nothing at all. This is crazy because I know these woods are loaded with wild life. :mad:

Oh well, try it again tomorrow. Thanks again!

[GeForceFX]

:) :)

you scare them off with that big lens :D

[R.T.]

:) :)

you scare them off with that big lens :D

LOL, that must be it. :lol:

[boone]

So far I've had better luck with my 100-400 by letting the wildlife come to me than to go looking for it. Even at 400mm and 1.6 crop factor you have to be pretty close to the little birds for decent shots.

[R.T.]

So far I've had better luck with my 100-400 by letting the wildlife come to me than to go looking for it. Even at 400mm and 1.6 crop factor you have to be pretty close to the little birds for decent shots.

Thanks Boone, thats pretty much what I'm doing, not walking around. I sit in my blind.

This is a pic I got this morning, this Turkey came within 30 feet of me which is really rare. He spotted me just about the same time I spotted him but he didn't get to shook, just slowly walked away. I was just excited to get a pic, it made the wait worth while.

I'm open for comments, I'm a rookie at this and need to know what I could have done to improve this shot. It was a shady spot and light overcast type of day. Camera settings were F-8, 1/1000sec at about 210mm. Guess I should post this in the Nature forum too. Thanks!
http://www.thewoodchucker.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/turkeytwo.jpg

[ayotnoms]

Cool shot. I want to get one of those lenses as well.
I'd like to get out in nature more often and take photos of the woodland creatures.
...no skunks though LOL

[R.T.]

Thanks ayotnoms! If I get a shot of a shunk it won't be with my camera. lol J/k I think it would be a good pic as long as its far enough away. :)

[foxbat]

I'm open for comments, I'm a rookie at this and need to know what I could have done to improve this shot. It was a shady spot and light overcast type of day. Camera settings were F-8, 1/1000sec at about 210mm. Guess I should post this in the Nature forum too. Thanks!
Generally, when shooting birds set the aperture to wide open and focus on the eye. Try to select a background (if possible) that will produce a pleasing blur. A blue sky or bright green foliage works well.

If I was taking that turkey shot with your lens I would probably have been at 400mm wide open with only the head and maybe some neck in the shot with the head positioned 1/3 or so off center to include 2/3 of scenery that the bird is looking at.

In theory that is, in practice it takes a lot of blurred shots to get it right!

[R.T.]

Thanks foxbat! I appreciate the advice, and I'll use it next time. I have no doubt my biggest problem right now is getting to excited and thinking only about getting the shot. It wouldn't have been so tense had she been farther away and not spotted me so quick. :lol: