500mm! help!

[Chris Lavina]

OK, so I am on the verge of jumping into the fire with this thing.

I guess I wanted to hear some more pros and cons to this lens.

Is this strictly an anchored(stay on support) lens?

Focusing for BIF with a 30D... possible? Do you handhold? Can you successfully BIF with this anchored to support? Can I get away with a ballhead?

Any other comments?

My bodies are a 30D (which used to be the backup until I started birding) and 5D. I have the excellent 400mm5.6. All my other L's are too short!

I guess if I acquire the 500 I might need another crop body or 1 series so I have the 400handy around my neck/shoulder and the anchored 500...

Anyway back to the 500.

[Romy Ocon]

Is this strictly an anchored(stay on support) lens?

It works best on a tripod/gimbal head, but it can be hand held for brief periods. I use it on a bean bag when shooting from a vehicle.


Focusing for BIF with a 30D... possible?

Yes. 30D + bare 500 f4 focuses fast enough for most BIF situations, and adding a 1.4x TC slows than the AI servo a bit.

Do you handhold?

Yes when forced to. Best results are obtained with partial or full support - hand holding with elbow supported to bean bag to tripod/gimbal head.


Can you successfully BIF with this anchored to support?

Yes, though it takes some practice.


Can I get away with a ballhead?

You can with a heavy-duty ball head, but not recommended because of the big chance of ballhead flop. Get a Manfrotto 393/3421 gimbal head - very cheap and works very well.

birdphotoph.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=review&action=display&thread=351

Any other comments?

My bodies are a 30D (which used to be the backup until I started birding) and 5D. I have the excellent 400mm5.6. All my other L's are too short!

I guess if I acquire the 500 I might need another crop body or 1 series so I have the 400handy around my neck/shoulder and the anchored 500...


While the 30D has respectable AF, I suggest you add a used 1DM2 as second body. The AF of this beast is simply amazing, and they're available now for just a bit higher cost than a new 40D.

[Chris Lavina]

Thanks Romy

I guess where I shoot is normally a wetland situation so anchoring myself is not such a bad proposition. Most BIFs in wetlands seem to be the larger birds anyway as the 30D will have to get some workhorse use for at least another year.

Do you have the 1D mated to the 400L on your shoulder while the 40D on the tripod with the larger lens? Or the other way around?

[Chris Lavina]

...have you considered say a 1d 'S' Mk3 for the pixel crop factor and rely on the shorter lenses? It seems a tempting way to go for portability.

[Romy Ocon]

Apr 11, 2008 1:12:45 GMT Chris Lavina said:

Thanks Romy

I guess where I shoot is normally a wetland situation so anchoring myself is not such a bad proposition. Most BIFs in wetlands seem to be the larger birds anyway as the 30D will have to get some workhorse use for at least another year.

Do you have the 1D mated to the 400L on your shoulder while the 40D on the tripod with the larger lens? Or the other way around?

When I shoot BIFs, my main system is the 1dm2 + 500 f4 + 1.4x on a 475B/3421 support. My second system is a 40D + 100-400, always ready to be used when the BIF gets really close. The 400 5.6L stays in the bag as back up. (I have an excellent copy of the 100-400, as sharp as my 400 at full zoom wide open).

Apr 11, 2008 1:15:12 GMT Chris Lavina said:

...have you considered say a 1d 'S' Mk3 for the pixel crop factor and rely on the shorter lenses? It seems a tempting way to go for portability.

Nope.... the 1DS3 has the pixel size of the 30D/20D, and it will only offer extra resolution when you get really close and fill the frame (not often the case in birding). I'd prefer a 1dm2(n) or a 1dm3 (when the AF issue is fixed) for the faster frame rate, same pro AF and deeper RAW buffer for BIFs.

For non-BIF, the 40D is the birder's choice. I just printed an amazingly detailed 24"x36" from a 40D capture and I think that's about the largest I'll print for now (having a tough time framing it because it's difficult to find a 36" x 48" glass panel, considering a 6" margin on all sides) . The 450D is also good, though the 6-shot RAW buffer is a bit small.

[Chris Lavina]

Thanks Romy

I agree with the buffer. I had the choice of buying the 40D instead of the 30D but went for the cheaper option as it was for a backup (700dollar difference was logical choice). Anyway, the 30D has a very small buffer for something that can shoot 5fps. Luckily I only prefer 2-3 frame bursts. I feel the 5fps is overkill. However, the buffer for RAW would be nice.

Let me just take notes...

500mmF4IS
1DMk2N
Couple of TCs
Gimbal support...

OK, printing now and showing to domestic boss. He he. She'll have to agree since someone other than me 'created' the list. =)

[William Nguyen]

Nice recommendation by Romy

I agree, if you can afford the 1DMk II or even the III then do it. You will not regret it, the AF performance is superior to that of any consumer body including the 40D which isn't bad mind you. Having said that the 30D is no slouch and teamed with great glass it should produce some real keepers!

I have a 1DMkIII and opted for its big brother prime the 600 f4 IS purely for the reach factor. One down side is the 600 is not as handholdable as the 500, in fact the 600 is so heavy I can only hand hold it for about 10 seconds!

A stable platform is critical when you're working with these monster primes and the results are simply stunning.

Good luck with the boss let us know how you go.

Cheers
William

[Ding Carpio]

Gosh, guys. Reading your exchange makes me drool.

[Lydia Robledo]

He, he... in PBP there is always the "boss" to contend with. Good luck Chris. lyd