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Author Topic: 5D and 40D  (Read 4405 times)

Giedo

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5D and 40D
« on: February 16, 2008, 02:36:14 am »

I'm travelling to Africa for a wild life safari with 2 bodies (5D and 40D) and with a selection of lenses:
- 24-105
- 70-200 f4
- 500 f4
1.4 TC

I'm not sure whether to put the 500 on the 40D for extra reach. Bit in that case there is a huge gap between the 70-200 (with tc) on my 5D and the 500 on my 40D (equaling 800mm on a 5D)

The other solution obviously is putting the 500 mm on the 5D (possably with the TC) and using the 70-200 on my 40D. This decreases the gap, but also the potential reach.

Any suggestions?

Kind regards,

Giedo
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Giedo

Killer Angel

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« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2008, 03:21:33 am »

Canon 5D----70-200 F4L Lens

Canon 40D----500 F4L Lens
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johnphotog

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« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2008, 09:05:41 am »

Quote
I'm travelling to Africa for a wild life safari with 2 bodies (5D and 40D) and with a selection of lenses:
- 24-105
- 70-200 f4
- 500 f4
1.4 TC

I'm not sure whether to put the 500 on the 40D for extra reach. Bit in that case there is a huge gap between the 70-200 (with tc) on my 5D and the 500 on my 40D (equaling 800mm on a 5D)

The other solution obviously is putting the 500 mm on the 5D (possably with the TC) and using the 70-200 on my 40D. This decreases the gap, but also the potential reach.

Any suggestions?

Kind regards,

Giedo
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Giedo,

I am wondering, if you put the 500 on the 40D  are you planning to shoot only on a tripod??  I am interested in this since I am soon going to be faced with a similar situation.
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stever

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5D and 40D
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2008, 10:54:58 am »

i'd agree with the 500 on the 40D most of the time - i think that you'll end up using the 1.4x with the 500 and 5D and the images won't be as sharp as the 40D without the extender - of course this depends on where you're going

but i'd take a 100-400 for the 5D as the gap left with the 70-200 is much too big

i've had pretty good results with a 100-400 on a 20D in Botswana, but there were many times when it wasn't  long enough and/or another f stop or two would be really nice (i try to treat the 100-400 as an f8 whenever possible - it's just not very sharp wide open at 400 i prefer f8 at ISO 800 to 5.6 at 400).  But the long zoom got a lot of shots that i couldn't have gotten with a long fixed lens alone.

lens support is an issue and you'll need to use a bean bag or monopod (possibly a tripod) - depending on the type of vehicle - with the 500

i plan to take a 400DO 9and the 100-400) on my next trip as i find there is a big advantage in a hand-holdable lens  -- the most interesting stuff often happens fast
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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5D and 40D
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2008, 10:55:49 am »

Quote
Giedo,

I am wondering, if you put the 500 on the 40D  are you planning to shoot only on a tripod??  I am interested in this since I am soon going to be faced with a similar situation.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=175241\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I've never done a safari myself (alas), but the people I know who have say that they do most of their shooting from inside the vehicle, using a bean bag on the window ledge for support. With the vehicle stopped and motor off (to minimize vibration) it is possible to get good long shots without a tripod.

I'm not sure I'd want to take the time to set up a tripod outside in order to photograph a pride of hungry-looking lions.  
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-Eric Myrvaagnes (visit my website: http://myrvaagnes.com)

stever

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« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2008, 01:02:46 pm »

in addition i hope you're planning to take a flash and better beamer - fill flash really helps is most situations, and with the high ISO capability of the 5D and 40D make night photos practical although still difficult - if you're going where they are on offer
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mahleu

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« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2008, 04:49:35 pm »

It depends almost entirely on how close you are to the particular animals at any one point. 70mm might not be wide enough on your 5D if you're up close or want some background in.

It also depends what kind of area you're going into. Dense bush won't give you much chance for a long zoom whilst open savanna will.
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OwlsEye

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« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2008, 10:59:01 pm »

Hello Giedo,
Where and when will you be going to Africa?
I am faced with a similar dilemma as I will be traveling to Tanzania in June. I plan to put my 40D on my 300 f2.8IS + 1.4x and a 70-200 f4L on my 5D. Many people have suggested that the 100-400 IS is the ideal gap filler. I have no doubt that this would be a great addition, but my wife and I have more than enough gear and do not wish to invest in more lenses for our 35mm digital kit. FYI, she will be shooting a 30D w/ our sigma 120-300 f2.8HSM and a 20D w/ our 300 f4IS.

This brings me to my suggestion... if you are planning to buy a new lens for your excursion, consider the Sigma 120-300 f2.8. This has been an outstanding addition for our wildlife work. Ours has been to Costa Rica and throughout the southwest US. While it is a heavy beast, it has been surprisingly sharp and free of chromatic aberration.

Enjoy your trip and regards,
bruce
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regards, bruce
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stever

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« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2008, 01:33:12 am »

owlseye - i'd really like to hear about the results of you trip as i'm now planning a trip to Tanzania in July 09

i haven't seen many comments on the sigma, and am curious how it compares to the 300 2.8 at about the same weight (which is still probably too much for me)

with the combination you're talking about, i'd suggest you add another 1.4x and a 2x (which the 300 2.8 will easily accept)

as the owner of both a 100-400 and 300 f4, why are you bothering with the 300 f4 in addition to the Sigma (as opposed to selling it and getting the more usefull 100-400 - give me a justification for my laziness in not getting rid of my 300 f4 which gets little use)
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Giedo

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« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2008, 03:49:54 am »

Guys, thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm travelling the first 2 weeks of March to Tanzania. This will be my fifth time to Tanzania. So far I have been shooting with APS size sensors.
Last year for example I was shooting with a 20D and a 30D with the following lenses: 17-85, 70-200 and a 300 f2.8 with a 1.4 TC. In practice I shot most good shots with the 300 and 1.4TC. This is really a very sharp lens!! (I attached a favourite shot of mine taken with this combination. It is so sharp that I have succesfully blown it up to to 40 by 60 inch...) Still I found myself sometimes in a situation that I wanted more reach. That's why this year I'm taking the 500mm.

But then I'm shooting this year with a 5D and a 40D. The 500 is a rental. I don't like the 100-400. I owned that lens, but it was never really sharp and I sold it. I do own a 300 f4 (old version, non IS) and maybe I'll bring this one to fill the gap. (means I'll be changing lenses though)

I did consider the 120-300 mm from Sigma. I'm travelling with a friend who is very happy with that lens. Maybe I can consider it, but I have the same dilemma: more investments...

Btw, I'm mostly shooting from a safari vehicle with a bean bag as support. With big lenses this is a very stable set up and actually I think you don't need a lot of IS.

Best regards, Giedo
« Last Edit: February 17, 2008, 06:50:17 am by Giedo »
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Giedo

OwlsEye

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« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2008, 07:49:08 am »

Quote
owlseye - i'd really like to hear about the results of you trip as i'm now planning a trip to Tanzania in July 09

i haven't seen many comments on the sigma, and am curious how it compares to the 300 2.8 at about the same weight (which is still probably too much for me)

with the combination you're talking about, i'd suggest you add another 1.4x and a 2x (which the 300 2.8 will easily accept)

as the owner of both a 100-400 and 300 f4, why are you bothering with the 300 f4 in addition to the Sigma (as opposed to selling it and getting the more usefull 100-400 - give me a justification for my laziness in not getting rid of my 300 f4 which gets little use)
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Hi Steve,
Good questions...
First, I'll be bringing  2-1.4x converters (... one for me and one for my wife) and a 2x converter. I will probably keep the 1.4x permanently attached to my 300 f2.8 IS. As for your second question, recall that my wife and i will be going. Tamy uses the 120-300 f2.8 HSM. This lens offers great flexibility and speed and is as sharp as her 300 f4. IS @ f4. While it has less contrast than the canon, it is a wonderful lens that I never hesitate to use. We are bringing our 300 f4 because it is light, compact and has IS. In addition, we will be both shooting with two bodies... this keeps two very usable optics "at the ready"...

We are traveling to Africa with Paul (Terry) Larson... his safaris offer similar experiences as Andy Biggs,... but at a slightly lower cost: [a href=\"http://www.africawildlifephotos.com/]http://www.africawildlifephotos.com/[/url]

regards,
bruce
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regards, bruce
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