Yellow & Black throated blue

[adachi]

What do you guys think? I'm a beginner go easy on me.

[Ron Luft]

Good start, you're two for two.

[Joe]

They look great to me.  Well done.

Joe

[adachi]

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm still working on trying to control the background a little better, I think if I had a better lens I could narrow the depth of field. I wonder if any of you have tried the Canon Ef 100-400mm lens? I think it might be my next lens, and it's within my budget.

Thanks again for your comments.

A

[JTF]

I use Nikon gear but mainly shoot with a 80-400 VR and my backgrounds are always blurred when shooting on spot. Canon makes very good lenses so the lense you mentioned would work nicely, but may hunt sometimes in low light. Heres a very good canon forum to join free and its all about canon. Theere alot of wildlife photographers some of which I have met on Amherst Island shooting owls that will give you the goods on field tests on your intended lense. I go there just to look at the birding images.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

[adachi]

Thanks JTF I'll take a look, I really want to make the right choice for a lens this time.

[Tyger]

nice photos adachi, you are on the right track!

What camera are you using? I use the 100-400mm lens and it's a beauty. Very versatile and sharp for a zoom lens if you get a good copy. The push pull zoom is a matter of preference but I don't mind it at all. It's not a fast lens but using it right with patience and good technique can get you stunning results. It works great with bigger birds like raptors...smaller birds require more patience. Another lens to look at is the 400mm f5.6 prime, a faster focusing lens but no IS.

Here are some shots using the 100-400mm and my XT. (i've yet to give my 40D and this lens a good workout).

http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/v ... highlight=
http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/v ... highlight=

[adachi]

Hi Tyger

I always feel a little embarrased to say this but I'm using the Canon Digital Kiss X, I think it is the equivalent to the North American XTI. I bought the camera at Yodobashi in Japan, the lens I'm using currently is 55-250mm IS, I think it's relatively new, it might have been released last year in Canada? I still feel it is a great lens for the price, but I'd like to get a little closer so 400mm may be the way to go.

I've heard a little about the "good copy/bad copy" issues with the 100-400mm, do you know where I could get a little more information about this problem? I suspect some of those who feel they have a bad copy may be just using the lens incorrectly, nevertheless I'm not sure how I'd determine if I had a good or bad copy because I'd have nothing to compare it to. Is low light as big a problem as people make it out to be for the 100-400mm? Thanks for your advice, your photos are amazing.

[P1Guy]

I think the good copy, bad copy is crap. I think that the people with bad copies are not using the lens properly. Maybe they expect more out of it. In good light its a very nice lens, and it's a zoom not a prime lens. I have the 300 f/4, then purchased the 100-400 for more reach, and now own the 500 f/4. The 400mm 5.6 is a very sharp lens, but if you want the versatility of a zoom, then the 100-400 is the way to go. The 300 f/4 is a super lens, very sharp and with the 1.4x extender gives you 420 with autofocus, but the extender slows the lens down a bit. For birds in flight, there is no better than the 400, and it's very sharp. So it depends on your shooting style.

[adachi]

Well, tonight I'm going to go and pick up the lens, Aden seems to be the cheapest, but I've never bought anything there. After all this consideration I'm pretty sure I'll go with the 100-400 push pull. Thanks to you guys that helped me make the decision. Hopefully my next set of photos will be a sharper and clearer.

Thanks again guys,

A

[Tyger]

Very cool adachi! you'll love the lens...just be patient with it at first..takes getting used to for some, I loved mine right away.

Here's something to look forward to....

GBH

By the way, I just bought my 40D from Aden camera in Markham. At the time they had the best prices plus the Rebates. I would buy from them again!

[Kin Lau]

I've heard a little about the "good copy/bad copy" issues with the 100-400mm, do you know where I could get a little more information about this problem? I suspect some of those who feel they have a bad copy may be just using the lens incorrectly, nevertheless I'm not sure how I'd determine if I had a good or bad copy because I'd have nothing to compare it to. Is low light as big a problem as people make it out to be for the 100-400mm? Thanks for your advice, your photos are amazing.

The good/bad copy is not a myth.

I know some _very_ competent shooters who had to either 1) keep exchanging the lens till they got one that fully meet the specs 2) sent it back to Canon for a rebuild. The fact that they ended up finally with a lens that they kept, shows it had nothing to do with technique. Also keep in mind, these are also the most demanding users.

The weak point of the 100-400 is at the 400mm end. Keep in mind that it doesn't just automatically turn to mush, it's just that it's not _as_sharp_as_it_should_be.

[adachi]

Hmm, well I've got the lens now and I'm very happy with it so far, I'll post a few shots @ 400mm soon and maybe you guys could give me your opinion about whether it's a good or bad copy? They are going to be hand held though.

Thanks

A