Questions about Lock & Dam 13/14 near IA/IL

So my wife and I just moved back up to IL this summer after living in ATL for 9 years. We have been seeing the beautiful shots of the eagles near the border and wanted to get in on the action. Can anyone give me some advice on what gear to rent (my longest is 70-200)? I was thinking either the 100-400mm or 400mm prime with an extender. Will the prime be too restricting? I'm not sure how close you can get to the birds.

Also, where's a nice place to stay around there? We'll be coming across on I-88. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. We are planning on heading over the first weekend of Feb.

I used a 400 5.5 on a nice sunny day and got a lot of great shots. They do get close. That said, there were certainly times when I would have liked longer. The problem is, I do not know if without some practice, if shooting a larger lens would allow you any better shots. With my 5.6 it is light and easy to hand hold and swing with a bird in flight. The bigger a lens gets, the harder that is to do. I take my hats off to those that can mount a large lens on a tripod and swing with a bird. You will have to make tha choice for yourself. By the way, I just noticed, I am shooting a crop not a full frame. You might want to consider the 500 with the 5DII. At L&D 14 the birds often roost all around the parking lot.

res wrote in post #11588175
I used a 400 5.5 on a nice sunny day and got a lot of great shots. They do get close. That said, there were certainly times when I would have liked longer. The problem is, I do not know if without some practice, if shooting a larger lens would allow you any better shots. With my 5.6 it is light and easy to hand hold and swing with a bird in flight. The bigger a lens gets, the harder that is to do. I take my hats off to those that can mount a large lens on a tripod and swing with a bird. You will have to make tha choice for yourself. By the way, I just noticed, I am shooting a crop not a full frame. You might want to consider the 500 with the 5DII. At L&D 14 the birds often roost all around the parking lot.

Thanks for the info. I'm actually considering renting a 50D to go with the superzoom and then putting the 70-200 on my full frame for closer shots. My wife will be with me, so she can man the other camera.

I have been there 4 times. I have used the 600 F/4 on the 7D and 1Dmark4 bodies. I also have the 400 F/5.6 I keep at my feet and grab when they fly in closer, thats mounted on A 50D or the 7D depending. 85% of my shots have come off the 600 F/4 Combo with the remaining off the 400 F/5.6 combo.

There are times when they have gotten to close for my 400 but thats not very often... a 70-200 combo would be on the short end most of the time.

But you have what you have and certainly opportunities will be presented throughout a day there with whatever combo you choose. myself I would not want to go anything lower than a 300 for a backup lens or a 500 as my primary for higher end quality shots. a 500/600 lens as your primary with a 100-400/ 300/400 lens as your sidegun.

Dan

Go to Bird Photo Forum, find "Behind the scenes at L & D 14..." (right now it is on the 2nd page) and read thru. All you ever wanted to know about that site and more.
_____________
Rog

dsd17 wrote in post #11585151
So my wife and I just moved back up to IL this summer after living in ATL for 9 years. We have been seeing the beautiful shots of the eagles near the border and wanted to get in on the action. Can anyone give me some advice on what gear to rent (my longest is 70-200)? I was thinking either the 100-400mm or 400mm prime with an extender. Will the prime be too restricting? I'm not sure how close you can get to the birds.

Also, where's a nice place to stay around there? We'll be coming across on I-88. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. We are planning on heading over the first weekend of Feb.

I seen everything out there from 70-200s to 800s. The sweet spot seems to be in the 300-500 range. 300 can be a bit short sometime and 500 guys complain about clipping wings as its to long.

For rentals Check out Calumet (Oak brook or Chicago). During January they are having a 50% off rentals deal. Get the coupon from the back of thier 'Focus' magazine that is available in store.

There is a group from a local chicago forum going out there this weekend if your intrested. Ill be out there Sat and Sun, I think the main group is only going Sunday.

http://chicagophotosho​p.com/forums/showthrea​d.php?t=6382

For a place to stay check out the stoney creek inn. Nice place and good rates. The Holiday inn is right on the river also and pretty close to the Dam. I think they finished building it last year.

Oh and dress really warm. Whatever you would wear add two more layers and some hot packs for your hands/feet. Standing in the cold waiting for them doesn't generate a lot of body heat so you need to retain all you can.

ardeekay wrote in post #11592297
Go to Bird Photo Forum, find "Behind the scenes at L & D 14..." (right now it is on the 2nd page) and read thru. All you ever wanted to know about that site and more.
_____________
Rog

I'm on that forum, but can't find a post titled that or anything similar. can you tell me what section it's located in?

silvrr wrote in post #11592457
I seen everything out there from 70-200s to 800s. The sweet spot seems to be in the 300-500 range. 300 can be a bit short sometime and 500 guys complain about clipping wings as its to long.

For rentals Check out Calumet (Oak brook or Chicago). During January they are having a 50% off rentals deal. Get the coupon from the back of thier 'Focus' magazine that is available in store.

There is a group from a local chicago forum going out there this weekend if your intrested. Ill be out there Sat and Sun, I think the main group is only going Sunday.

http://chicagophotosho​p.com/forums/showthrea​d.php?t=6382

For a place to stay check out the stoney creek inn. Nice place and good rates. The Holiday inn is right on the river also and pretty close to the Dam. I think they finished building it last year.

Oh and dress really warm. Whatever you would wear add two more layers and some hot packs for your hands/feet. Standing in the cold waiting for them doesn't generate a lot of body heat so you need to retain all you can.

Awesome! Thanks for the info. This is exactly what I was needing. I've been to the Oak Brook Calumet store, but didn't realize they did rentals.

Unfortunately my brother is coming into town, so I won't be able to make it this weekend.

Re "Behind the scenes..." It is in the Photo Sharing-Birds Section. It's LONG-first and last pages should be a good overview.--Rog

dsd17 wrote in post #11593032
I'm on that forum, but can't find a post titled that or anything similar. can you tell me what section it's located in?

https://photography-on-the.net …t=820444&highli​ght=behind

ardeekay wrote in post #11593219
Re "Behind the scenes..." It is in the Photo Sharing-Birds Section. It's LONG-first and last pages should be a good overview.--Rog

LOL oh on this forum. When you said 'Bird Photo Forum' I thought you were talking about another forum. There's actually one called 'birdphotoforum'. Thank you for the tip. The post looks extremely detailed.

dsd17 wrote in post #11593411
LOL oh on this forum. When you said 'Bird Photo Forum' I thought you were talking about another forum. There's actually one called 'birdphotoforum'. Thank you for the tip. The post looks extremely detailed.

WHEW-I thought I was going crazy!! And yes it is detailed-you can spend a whole day there, but there is an overhead view and I commented on distances, etc. a couple of days ago. Happy reading-lol.
_________
Rog

dsd17 wrote in post #11589161
Thanks for the info. I'm actually considering renting a 50D to go with the superzoom and then putting the 70-200 on my full frame for closer shots. My wife will be with me, so she can man the other camera.

Sounds quite similar to us. I have a 40D and my wife handles my old XTi. I had her set up with a 200 2.8 and a 1.4 tele. You will have fun. Not sure if we are going to swing the trip this year but if things settle a bit, we still might. It is seven hours plus one way so we have to take that into consideration. Good luck