Confession #1: Though I still consider it the best lens in the world for
photographing birds in flight (see FAQs on web site for details), I no longer
carry my beloved "toy lens"--the Canon 400mm f/5.6 L--on my shoulder as my
auxiliary intermediate telephoto. It has been replaced by the Canon 100-400mm
f/4.5-5.6L Image Stabilizer zoom lens. I have been using the 1-4 more and more
every day and--contrary to some reports from other users--have been making razor
sharp images at all focal lengths with wide open to moderately stopped down
apertures. In addition, I have it used it wide open, handheld with the 1.4X
tele-converter with excellent results (with static subjects) at 560mm. For bird
photography, the versatility of this lens is unmatched; I find myself making
images that I would never even have thought of before--especially of groups of
birds in their surroundings. And though it is heavier than the 400 f/5.6L, it is
also a superb flight lens. At Bosque Del Apache NWR late this fall, I used the
1-4 on a tripod before sunrise for "bird-scapes" and then again almost
exclusively for the spectacular blast-offs. I only wish that the zoom were a bit
smoother. I am even considering selling one of my 400 f/5.6s; I never ever
thought that I'd say that when the 1-4 first came out.....
Confession #2. I have gone back to using the Wimberley Tripod head for nearly
all of my bird photography, and now use the Arca-Swiss B-1 Monoball only when
photographing from my car window (where I set up my tripod in the car). (See
"The Art of Bird Photography" for details.) For years, I have been using the
Wimberley only in situations with lots of flight-shooting, such as at
Bosque and the Venice Rookery. Each year, after using the Wimberley for an
extended period, I experience problems handling the 600 f/4 (and now the
600 f/4 IS) when I go back to the B-1. This year, I could’t stand it and wound
up putting the B-1 atop my Gitzo Carbon Fiber 1548; removing it almost
immediately, and replacing it with the Wimberley. Why? The Wimberley offers
amazing ease of handling and unmatched panning ability. It renders the big
lenses weightless. The weight savings made possible by switching to the Carbon
Fiber 1548 and the 600 IS (lighter by 2 pounds than the old 600 f/4) have made
carrying my rig with the Wimberley a far easier chore than it was with a Gitzo
410 and the old 600. Lastly, I have--with practice--become extremely
proficient at leveling the tripod platform by lengthening and/or shortening two
of the three tripod legs. (Again, see "The Art of Bird Photography" for
details.) Important note to those using either the Arca-Swiss B-1G or the B-2:
each of these heads weigh only about 1/2 pound (or less) less than the
latest-generation Wimberley. IMHO, anyone using the B-2 should sell it
immediately and replace it with a Wimberley as the B-2 has all of the
disadvantages of the Wimberley and few of the huge pluses. (For the last time
today, see "The Art of Bird Photography" for details on the pluses and minuses
of the Wimberley.) New Bulletin subscribers note that you can order a signed
copy of this book off my web site.
Important Miscellany:
Updates on new Really Right Stuff mounting plates for Canon lenses:
1- The new B63 plate for the Canon 500mm f/4.0 IS L lens is in stock.
2- The new B 62 plate for the Canon 600mm f/4.0 IS L lens is in stock.
3- For the 100-400mm IS zoom, use B-84, or B86 if the foot strut on your lens
collar is marked "B," the newest style.
REALLY DUMB MOVE: The placement of the focus
lock buttons on the new Canon 500 and 600mm f/4.0 L IS lenses is absurd.
They are so far out on the lens barrel that short-armed folks could never reach
them. For long-armed photographers, it is still a long way to reach any of
these four buttons. Avoid the hassle by learning to use Custom Function
4.
EXCITING NEW WEBSITE.
See my article, Field Test: New Canon EF 600mm f/4L USM with Image Stabilizer
at http://www.wildlight.com/equipment/2000/01/29
Click on an image to see it enlarged. You
will be amazed by the previously described Roadrunner head shot made at 1/50
sec. shutter speed at 1200mm focal length with the lens resting on the car
window!! In addition, most of you will enjoy exploring the rest of this
new site.
If you read this far, you must really be
interested in bird and nature photography; you are my kind of
gal/guy!
Best and great picture making,
AM
