FORCED myself out in the 0 F. (pics included)

[WifeKidsandDog]

And at least I got one shot! I missed a lot -- too cold for me today

[The_Duckslayer]

AWESOME! Thanks././Jimbo

[Steve Foss]

Very nice Cheryl. I see the sun was at a perfect angle to remove the shadow usually cast by the eyebrow. I can't remember if you're shooting I.S. or not. If so, did you have it on the 1 or the 2 setting?

And, golly, wonder what he's looking at???

[Rick]

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I can't remember if you're shooting I.S. or not. If so, did you have it on the 1 or the 2 setting?

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No IS, Steve. The 200mm doesn't have it, and then handheld with the 2x teleconverter -- shake shake shake!

Actually a lot of my shots had a hazy look today -- and a lot of noise. I think the camera sensor was shocked by the sudden move from warm to cold.

Cheryl

OOPS. Just realized I'm masquerading as someone else -- that'll teach me to use his computer

[Steve Foss]

Oooooh, but think of all the triple-secret FM access you have when you log on as No. 1.

For those not familiar with Canon image stabilizer lenses, they come with two settings. Setting 1 will stabilize the image vertically and horizontally. Setting 2 stabilizes it vertically only, and is designed for tracking horizontal movements. Since you're tracking the subject as it moves horizontally, you only need vertical stabilization. Setting 2 would have been the way to go for Cheryl's eagle, as it is when shooting a running back in football heading down the field, or most anything moving horizontally.

However, tracking a subject moving in a consistent dirction, either vertically or horizontally, is totally doable if your autofocus is fast. Think how easy it is to hold the shotgun steady as you track birds on the wing. You get the tremble when you hold on a stationary target.

As for the haze and noise, we both shoot the 20D, and it's got an especially fine sensor. The haze could be due to condensation on the lens or on the transparent film over the sensor, or on the shutter mirror, for that matter. Hate when that happens. I use Noise Ninja to get rid of nosie. Not expensive, downloads from online and automatically installs in photoshop as a feature you access by clicking on "filter" pulldown in photoshop. It does a great job on noise. I wash all my iso 1600 sports shots through it. What a difference!!

[waskawood]

Cheryl,

May I kindly ask what your shooting? Body, lenses, filters, etc.? Thanks for the great photos.

Dave

[WifeKidsandDog]

Hi Dave,

I have a Canon EOS 20D, same as Steve. For birds I use a Canon 200mm f/2.8L fixed lens. It's one of the cheaper models in the Canon "Luxury" lens line-up. 200mm isn't long enough for birds, so I have a Kenko Pro 2x Teleconverter, which gives me 400mm.

If my interest in birding/wildlife continues, I will upgrade to a 400mm prime, which will have better images and faster auto focus (better for birds in flight), but I'll also pay the price not only in the cost of the lens, but with increased weight -- about one lb. more, which is a lot for me.

Using the 200mm and the TC, however, is a good way to find out if it's something I'll enjoy, and keep doing, before investing in the lens.

I don't use filters but always have a lens hood on my lenses for protection and to cut down flare, etc.

Cheryl

[waskawood]

Thanks Cheryl. I have pretty much made up my mind as to what my digital starter kit will be. I am going to get the 20D with the kit 18-85 lens. I am going to add the 75-300 IS but it won't be an "L". I will also get a new pair of blue jeans. I have worn a hole in my current pair from spending so much time on my knees begging!! I was looking at the 17-85L but have decided to wait a while. Thanks again.

Dave

[Steve Foss]

Waska, that's a great package. Remember, with the 1.6 conversion factor the 20D has, your 300 mm will be a 480 mm.

[WifeKidsandDog]

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Thanks Cheryl. I have pretty much made up my mind as to what my digital starter kit will be. I am going to get the 20D with the kit 18-85 lens. I am going to add the 75-300 IS but it won't be an "L". I will also get a new pair of blue jeans. I have worn a hole in my current pair from spending so much time on my knees begging!!

Dave

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Tee hee, well I'm getting a delivery from the camera store tomorrow morning -- I feel it's only fair, seeing as someone's been away hunting for five days, with nary a whine or nag from me :-)

I think you're getting a great kit. I just have the 18-55 kit lens for the wide-angle side. Are you getting the 75-300 IS or the new 70-300 IS USM. The new one is more expensive but it's getting very good reviews and is comparable to the 70-200 f/4 L zoom. Plus the IS on that version is really, really amazing.

When are you getting your gear? Hope you start posting some pics soon!

Cheryl

[Steve Foss]

Cheryl, that's hardly fair, telling us about the delivery but not what's IN the delivery.

[WifeKidsandDog]

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Cheryl, that's hardly fair, telling us about the delivery but not what's IN the delivery.

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Yes, that's the idea. I hide the box and then if anything gets said, I just say, "What, this HORRIBLE old 135mm f/2 L lens? I've had it for ages. When are you going to let me buy some DECENT lenses ..."

Which should bring the conversation to a halt. LOL!

Nah, I ebayed some stuff so I could get this, I've wanted this lens for along time. Much as I like nature/wildlife at the moment, I LOVE candids and dog shots, and the 200 is too long for that. I've been waiting for a while to fill in the gap between my 50mm and 200mm.

Cheryl

[waskawood]

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Are you getting the 75-300 IS or the new 70-300 IS USM. The new one is more expensive but it's getting very good reviews and is comparable to the 70-200 f/4 L zoom. Plus the IS on that version is really, really amazing.

When are you getting your gear? Hope you start posting some pics soon!

Cheryl

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[/indent]

Cheryl, I am getting the 70-300 IS USM lens. I would like to get it before the holidays so I can practice on my 5 year old grand daughter. I need to get familiar with it as I am taking my daughter up into the corner of Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories next summer fishing and I am hoping for some nice wildlife photo ops. As to when I will post, well that all depends on when I get a nice picture. I can see by the quality that you guys post, it will be a long time before I dare put anything on FM.

Dave

[Steve Foss]

Hey Dave:

No need to wait until your pics "measure up," so to speak. No one's critical here. We're all at different places along the road and we all can help each other get better.

[WifeKidsandDog]

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Cheryl, I am getting the 70-300 IS USM lens. I would like to get it before the holidays so I can practice on my 5 year old grand daughter. I need to get familiar with it as I am taking my daughter up into the corner of Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories next summer fishing and I am hoping for some nice wildlife photo ops. As to when I will post, well that all depends on when I get a nice picture. I can see by the quality that you guys post, it will be a long time before I dare put anything on FM.

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I'm glad you're getting the new lens. I think you'll be very pleased with it. I practiced a lot on my 5 year old daughter last year when I got my camera, it was a lot of fun, but now she's at full-day school and has lost interest in being my 'model' -- so take lots of pics of your granddaughter while you can

Please do share your photos, it's not about seeing the "best" images but seeing the wildlife regardless of the model/brand/lens and photographer. It's just nice that there quite a few very keen photographers who are always working on their photography and more than happy to help out others. I've received a ton of good advice and encouragement in the last couple of months I've been posting!

Cheryl

[waskawood]

Cheryl and Steve: Thanks for promising to be gentle on me. That will ease the initial pain of posting my first pictures

I am starting to second guess myself on which short lens to get. I am not sure if I want to spend money on the EF-S lens. Oh well, I can take solitude in knowing that whatever lens I buy, it will be more capable of taking nice photos than I will be at first. I hope to get the fish house out Friday so I will have plenty of time to read the manuals.

Dave

[WifeKidsandDog]

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I am starting to second guess myself on which short lens to get. I am not sure if I want to spend money on the EF-S lens.

Dave

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Dave, are you not wanting to spend the money because it's an EF-S lens, or just not that much money on the short side?

I don't do landscape-y wide things so my 18-55 is fine for me. I have the Canon 50mm f1.8, which is the best $75 you can spend on a lens. But, if I was going to buy something in that range, I would get the new 24-105mmL IS -- it's pricey but I think worth it. Once you get that, you're done unless you shoot ultra-wide. Otherwise the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 is a nice lens for about $370 and if you got the kit lens, you have that range covered for less than the 17-85mm (but you don't have IS or USM).

I've tried 50,000 lenses, LOL. I've learned: Don't buy a cheaper substitute for what you really want as you'll never be happy; and spend the most money in the range you're interested in. But if you keep the receipts, boxes, etc., you can always resell and not lose any more than what it would cost to rent a lens. L lenses particularly hold their value.

I got my new lens yesterday -- and my baby came home. I'm happy :-)

[waskawood]

Cheryl, I was looking for a nice short lens. I was looking at the 17-40L but didn't like the F/4. I liked the EF-S 17-85 IS USM better but I don't know if I want to spend $500+ on a lens that may not work on a full frame camera if that day EVER comes. So I am just trying to figure out what to do. For $90 I may just go with the 18-55 EF-S kit lens for now until I get my feet wet and really know what i need for a short lens. I love your baby. My daughter has a 5 month old chocolate that I adore. I am childless now and live on a 100 foot lot on a lake so my dog days are over. I just volunteer to baby sit Thanks for the suggestions. Would you send me your email address so I can pick your brain without hijacking a thread? My address is waska at mchsi (Contact US Regarding This Word).

Dave

[Steve Foss]

Dave:

If you really want to shoot wide, the Canon 10-22 mm is the way to go. It's about $700, though Tamron or Tokina makes an equivalent for a bit over $500. With the 20D conversion factor, that means you're shooting roughly 16-35 mm, which is true wide angle. The 18-55 or 18- whatevever is the equivalent of about a 28 mm at the wide end.

Sure, the 10-22 only works with the Rebel XT and 20D, but if you can eventually afford a full-frame sensor camera, you'll be able to afford Canon's vaunted 16-35 mm.

I expect to shoot my 20D at least for a couple more years, barring fame and fortune, so the 10-22 is next on my list. When I first saw the world through a truly wide lens, it changed the way I saw the world. Tight telephoto shots aren't the only way to capture life, though they are my favorite. Sometimes, you just GOTTA go wide.

Anyway, that's my $.02. And sometimes, $.02 is only worth $.02

[WifeKidsandDog]

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Cheryl, I was looking for a nice short lens. I was looking at the 17-40L but didn't like the F/4. I liked the EF-S 17-85 IS USM better but I don't know if I want to spend $500+ on a lens that may not work on a full frame camera if that day EVER comes.

Dave

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Dave, I tried emailing you but it bounced back, my address is mme-ppp at gmail (Contact US Regarding This Word)

I suppose it depends on how wide you want to go but the Tamron 17-35mm f2.8 for about $499 gets very good reviews --it stacks up well against the 17-40L. The Tamrons will work on a full frame too.

Cheryl

[waskawood]

Cheryl: Yours bounced also. Someone doesn't want me talking cameras with you

[WifeKidsandDog]

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Cheryl: Yours bounced also. Someone doesn't want me talking cameras with you

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LOL, mine bounced because I see I gave the wrong address -- it's mme.ppp at gmail not mme-ppp

Sorry about that!