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Post by Romy Ocon on Jun 24, 2009 0:51:16 GMT
That's 5DM2-improved. ;D With a new manual exposure firmware for video, I tried the 5D2 at Candaba wetlands yesterday - both at BIF stills and of course video footages. It's so much easier filming birds with the new firmware, and I was rewarded with a couple of video-lifers: an Oriental Pratincole and a perched Grass Owl. The 5D2's AI servo works amazingly well as usual, allowing me some aerial captures of the fast-flying Pratincole which is now sporting a breeding plumage. I'm yet to process the videos and the rest of the photos, but here's a couple of PIFs - Pratincoles in flight. I used the 5D2 and 1DM2 alternately the whole day, both with the 500 f4 +1.4x TC. It seems to me that the 5D2's AF is a bit faster in acquisition and tracking than the 1DM2, but the latter of course has a much faster fps. When light got low late in the afternoon, I retired the 1DM2 for the day and used the 5D2 both for BIFs and video. Amazing how late one can shoot BIFs with an exposure as dim as ISO 6400, 1/640 and f/4.  Oriental Pratincole (breeding plumage] Scientific name - Glareola maldivarum Habitat - Drier open areas, dry ricefields, pastures and plowed fields. Candaba wetlands, June 23, 2009 5D2 + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 1/1600 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400, 475B/3421 support  5D2 + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 1/1600 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400, 475B/3421 support  |
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Post by tina mallari on Jun 24, 2009 1:03:03 GMT
Fantastic shots Idol !!!
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jun 24, 2009 1:49:51 GMT
Thanks, Tina! After filming the perched Owl for many minutes, it took off to hunt in the dark. Light was already too low, but I took a shot just the same. ;D
Australasian Grass-Owl Scientific name - Tyto longimembris Habitat - Grasslands and canefields. NOTE - exposure was purposely not made brighter during processing. This photo was taken 7 minutes after sunset, with the western horizon covered with rain clouds. The actual scene was even darker than presented here. CANDABA WETLANDS, PAMPANGA, 5M2 + 500 f4 IS, 1/640 sec, f/4, ISO 6400, 475B/3421 support, 06:35:25 pm (sunset was at around 6:28 pm).  |
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Post by Neon Rosell II on Jun 24, 2009 2:08:22 GMT
Wow!! Fantastic shots as always, Ka Mastah!! I've got sores in my hands from scratching it!!  Haven't touch my gear since I got paroled  |
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Post by Tonji Ramos on Jun 24, 2009 3:15:35 GMT
Superb PIFs. Great detail on the first one. They must have been flying so near you! Nice. OK, you were in Candaba, while it was raining and flooding here in Metro Manila yesterday afternoon. A true bird nut. |
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Post by Farmer Nestor on Jun 24, 2009 3:32:28 GMT
BRAVO! Idol Romy  |
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jun 24, 2009 6:54:14 GMT
Thanks, Neon, Tonji and Nestor! Superb PIFs. Great detail on the first one. They must have been flying so near you! Nice. OK, you were in Candaba, while it was raining and flooding here in Metro Manila yesterday afternoon. A true bird nut. Surprisingly, the sun shone for most of the day, but at 3 pm it started raining like crazy, with strong winds even. We're about to call it a day, but lingered on in the hope that the showers will stop. It did at about 5 mp, and I took images till past 6:30 pm. I was lucky that I didn't go home early, I'd have missed the perched Grass Owl. |
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Post by William Lim on Jun 24, 2009 9:33:38 GMT
Great shots, Romy! Is Candaba still accessible?
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jun 24, 2009 10:06:01 GMT
Great shots, Romy! Is Candaba still accessible? William, these photos were from another part of Candaba where the access road is all-weather. Go to the Candaba municipal hall (San Simon exit via Sta. Ana town), then ask where Brgy. Paralaya is, it's less than 5 minutes drive away. Here's another PIF when the sun was shining yesterday, prior to the heavy rains - 5D2 + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 1/1600 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400, 475B/3421 support  |
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Post by Sylvia Ramos on Jun 24, 2009 11:06:28 GMT
Oh my, beautiful details on the Pratincole! And a very interesting shot of the Owl!
You're the man!!
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Post by Mark Itol on Jun 24, 2009 12:05:16 GMT
Fantastic, Ka Mastah! Not even the lack of quality light can stop you.  |
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Jun 24, 2009 13:31:53 GMT
Your pictures are fantastic. I will never be able to take pictures of BIF like that. I don't have the knowledge and skill that you have. You are like a "Magician". A Maestro in making BIF look like easy targets. Thank you for the inspiration. Well done. Mabuhay.
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Post by lenymanalo on Jun 25, 2009 1:57:19 GMT
Romy, the Grass Owl shot is an excellent characterization of the swamp on rainy days.
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Post by Elvin Sansona on Jun 25, 2009 7:37:24 GMT
whow! very very very nice shots! great shots there Mastah!
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jun 25, 2009 8:09:47 GMT
Thanks again, folks. Here's another Paralaya bird, this time courtesy of the 1DM2..... I had to shoot the old brick to exercise its mechanicals and prevent rust. Pied Bushchat ( Saxicola caprata, female) 5M2 + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 700 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec, ISO 200, 475B/3421 support  |
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Post by Dennis Alfaro on Jun 25, 2009 9:17:51 GMT
you're the master talaga, those where excellent shots sharp and lots of details |
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Post by mantarey on Jun 25, 2009 9:28:34 GMT
Great interesting images Mastah Romy, doesn't matter if it's the ancient tool or the latest one's, results are the same, fantastic images. |
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Post by Toto Gamboa on Jun 25, 2009 10:09:33 GMT
woooooooow! superb captures once again!
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Post by alainpascua on Jun 25, 2009 10:31:58 GMT
Wow, Ka Mastah! Magnificient shot in so very low light!
That owl looks like a monkey with wings, and it's acrobatic pa!
Congrats!
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Post by Romy Ocon on Jun 25, 2009 23:46:40 GMT
Thanks Rey, Den, Toto and Alain!
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Haven't touch my gear since I got paroled 
