Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

oldcanon wrote in post #12243677
too true, I worked out the other day that what I REALLY need is a 1500mm lens which is the same size, weight and price as the 70-300 LIS!

Only 1500 ? LOL

I saw somewhere people were attaching a S90 to a telescope (on tripod) and were getting getting great range and results.

http://www.digiscopedi​ary.co.uk/ is one of many places doing just that.

bobobird wrote in post #12250553
Pete - SOOC ? wow you have steady hands and aim for such a small bird.
That crop should sharpen up very well.

Hi bobobird

Thanks.

I have yet try any retouching work.. Will need to start learning..
Any good read?

I don't think I have steady hands; in fact I am very shaky. IS is a must for me..
I took continuous shots while trying to focus on the bird.

-Pete

marcial4 wrote in post #12249043
some time without posting anything new... here's a small reptile, a Gekko Thecadactylus, we called tuqueque in spanish...

That's a very nice reptile, great texture on the skin. But I wish you linked straight to the largest size available, so I don't have to click several times just to find out there is no larger size.

Pete, I am pretty new at this myself and just know the basics.

Firstly software - either will do
Photoshop, Lightroom or the open-source GIMP.

LR will be a little easier to use and has loads of presets that will get you started.

There are just too many photo editing tips on the internet and would'nt know where to start. Mostly free. Lay off the paid courses until you get a bit into it.

At the basic level start with - RAW conversion, Levels and Curves, Dodging (lighten) and Burning (darken), Blur, Noise Reduction and Sharpening. One that is used sometimes is Lens Correction to straighten slanted shots.

Start simple and work on from there is all the advice I can give atm, but we do have experts here that know far more.

Also look through the "fixing" section of the forum for tips and techniques. Lots of good info there.

Sorry if this is not all that helpful.

Hi bobobird

You are fantastic!!! It is very kind of you to give your recommendation. Thank you very much.
Now I have an idea where to start off.

marcial4 wrote in post #12249043
some time without posting anything new... here's a small reptile, a Gekko Thecadactylus, we called tuqueque in spanish...

Hi marcial4
Pardon my ignorance, I always aim to keep my ISO low to reduce noise.
I see that your Gekko Thecadactylus shot is clean and sharp, even at ISO 800.
I do not get sharp shots at 800 with my T1i.
Do you think the 7d is handling high ISO much better?

-Pete

fahrvergnugen wrote in post #12251558
Hi bobobird
I always aim to keep my ISO low to reduce noise.
I see that your Gekko Thecadactylus shot is clean and sharp, even at ISO 800.
I do not get sharp shots at 800 with my T1i.
Do you think the 7d is handling high ISO much better?

-Pete

The 7D is supposed to be a bit better than the T1i in term of noise, but you should be able to use iso 800 unless you crop extensively.

Here you can see some camera comparisons at different ISO. http://www.the-digital-picture.com …al-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx

pete, there should not be a big difference in noise at iso 800 between both cameras, they would be very similar, the 7d is better than T1i because a better algorithm procedures in firmware and better sensor for sure. Take in mind in some cases I use noise reduction in LR3 when I consider getting a cleaner image.

Here's another shot... this time I'm uploading a bigger one, this is a 2 mp shot as Arn request bigger images, I'm not uploading very high mp shots because my third world bandwidth is not as fast for this job...

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

the T1i has the same sensor as the 50D which is infamous for noise (I had one) - but both are nevertheless clean with a properly exposed photo at ISO 1600. I have done ISO 12800 shots that look really good with the 50D(T1i sensor) sooc

The noise reduction technology in Lightroom 3 is phenomenal and its exciting to contemplate the next 'noise' breakthrough....

The T2i/T3i/60D/7D all have the same 18mp sensor and do handle noise better at higher ISOs vs the 50D/T1i

Immaculens wrote in post #12255573

The T2i/T3i/60D/7D all have the same 18mp sensor and do handle noise better at higher ISOs vs the 50D/T1i

Actually they don't all have the same sensor, they are very similar, and I doubt if a human eye could tell the difference :> You can see the slight differences by visiting the web site below:

www.dxomark.com

Hi Sebastien, Marshall, Will, mainbyte

Thank you all for your comments, photo and links.
I am seeing increasing importance of retouching techniques to make the shot stands out.
And I now know there is a (slight) difference between the sensors.

I have been contemplating on the need (or rather desire) to upgrade my T1i to 60D or 7D to 'match' the 70-300LIS's potential.
I like the weight of T1i but I do not like the small grip.
I like the better all cross-type AF and ISO handling of the 60d/7d but the weight may be a challenge for walkaround.
Then again.. I should improve my photography skill first..

I am happy that I am learning a lot from this forum; esp from oldcanon on pointing me to using Av + over-exposing.

-Pete

the 7D + 70-300LIS is a match made in heaven (in my view ). I suffer from artriticky hands and wrists yet find I can hand-hold it all day. The speed and accuracy of focus with this conbo really is excellent

Pete,

I must totally agree with oldcanon that the 7D and the 70-300L lens are a wonderful match. I am taking pictures now that I only hoped for a while back. I owned a T1i right before I got my 7D, and I also was concerned with the weight, but once you handle it in the field (particularly with this lens), you will find out how balanced and good it feels in the hand.

Just getting a better camera won't make you a better photographer, and it is refreshing that you are aware of this. The T1i is a very good camera (my daughter now owns it), and I shot some very good photos with it. Once I felt my skills were improving and that I was totally bitten by the Photo bug again (I hail from the film days) I decided to move to the 7D, and I am happy I did.

With your attitude and willingness to learn I think you will go far..

I have also learned a lot from all of the wonderful folks here.. THANKS to all!

Well.. since this is supposed to be a lens archive I will add another :>

marcial4 wrote in post #12255521
this is a 2 mp shot as Arn request bigger images, I'm not uploading very high mp shots because my third world bandwidth is not as fast for this job...

Thanks mate
Very nice detail, frozen in time with the high shutter speed.

I have had mine for five days now and taken 350 odd shots with a 80%+ plus keeper rate and IT IS GREAT. I know I only have a Tamron 18-270 to compare it too but it knocks the socks off that and well worth the 3x more it costs today. It is a lot heavier of course and after a day at the zoo on Monday I sure realised this, but it is still a walk around weight IMO. I thought I would miss the 18-70 the Tamron gave me so I took it as well and only needed it on 1/2 hour before leaving to get a couple on shots of my boys and they were at 45-55mm so should have taken my Nifty Fifty. So my conclusion is a 50mm 1.8 and a 70-300L work for me, though I am tempted to get a 20-35mm 1.4-2 something prime. Also a Kenko 1.4x which I should have ordered with the lens..

Here are just a few of the shots I know the Tamron would not take, well me behind the lens anyway.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …naclephotolog/5​633990239/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …naclephotolog/5​634012517/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …naclephotolog/5​634015675/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …naclephotolog/5​637760950/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …naclephotolog/5​637192149/

Welcome to the club Pinnacle. And....... those shots truly show off the lens as does the one Ron posted just above yours.

Of course every shot here (except mine) are absolutely super.

Also an owner of the Tamron 18-270. It is a very good lens in its own way and it has produced a fair proportion of good shots. It has certain limitations one of which is the slow focus system. Actually, if anyone is looking for a cheaper solution I would without much reservation recommend that Tamron.