Expensive kit doesn't buy you good photo's, but...

[squishy]

Originally Posted by pressld2

But my back and shoulders are complaining about it now!

Dave P.

You think a 500 prime is hard? take a look at this Sigma 200-500 F/2.8 handheld (top photo)

[NicolaB]

Brilliant, Adam!!

Think I'll give that one a miss, it would probably only just fit in my car...

[Richard G.]

Originally Posted by pressld2

... the lens was mounted on a gimbal head which is something I've never used before and I was having a lot of difficulty tracking the birds with it.

Must admit I found that to be a challenge too Dave, not really familiar with the lens or the head yet (very convenient excuses, as you said ). I did try handholding the 200-400mm for a while, but I was all over the place. In the end, I seem to have got some of the better shots handholding the 70-200mm . I'll put a few shots on the other thread.

[Richard G.]

Originally Posted by NicolaB

Your lens is brilliant Richard, thanks for letting me have a go with it yesterday! It definitely had a higher hit rate focus wise than my Bigma.

Also tempted to hire one for the Farnes...or a 300mm f2.8..

Decisions, decisions!

You're very welcome Nicola
I know why you're addicted to Gigrin now too, I'm already looking at the diary to work out when I can get back again

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by squishy

You think a 500 prime is hard? take a look at this Sigma 200-500 F/2.8 handheld (top photo)

Excellent! Think I'll hire one of those for the Farne Islands!

Originally Posted by Richard G.

Must admit I found that to be a challenge too Dave, not really familiar with the lens or the head yet (very convenient excuses, as you said ). I did try handholding the 200-400mm for a while, but I was all over the place. In the end, I seem to have got some of the better shots handholding the 70-200mm . I'll put a few shots on the other thread.

The head has a lovely fluid movement to it so I'm sure it's just a matter of practice. One thing I did notice about the 200-400 was that the focus was lightning fast. I bet it performs well on dull days too when my 80-400 starts to hunt. And the image quality is absolutely superb as your pics above clearly show.

Dave P.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by MonArk

Can I just add a late thought to this thread. I have the Canon 100-400L. Its a lovely lens but sharp images are only part of the story, composition is still a huge element. The problem is that even if you think you have a reasonable eye its another thing working yourself into the position where the animal creates the composition you were looking for. Its not just luck. It has become clear to me that the best photos on this site are not taken by chance. PMG doesn't lie on damp ground all day for nothing. Before I moved into wildlife photography I was taking decent photos but my subjects weren't moving at random and at high speed. I know I have a long way to go and I keep looking at kit like hides etc. hoping they make the difference but in reality they can't replace knowledge, skill and hard work. Sorry if that sounds lke a homoly but actually its a cry for help - its so frustrating. Nick

Oh Nick - I've not been on much so missed this - I couldn't help but burst out laughing - lying on damp ground - sometimes Nick I'm just too cream crackered to do anything but lie on the ground - and weep when the something I've been stalking flies off at the last min .......... To answer your cry for help - good photos can be just luck - serendipity - thats the thing that keeps me carrying my kit everywhere - tho with the way my back and health in general are going I think I may have to restrict carrying that 500 all the time - I know I'm going to miss those serendipity shots - but my age and body is no longer up to the job ........ For the rest of the time - planning, thinking, hide work, patience in spades (never had trouble with that yet I'm the most impatient short tempered person in every other facet of life!) and the last one is time .......... but by far in the end its still luck - its being in the right place, at the time when that something happens, when the weather is correct, when no other folk or dogs burst out of nowhere, when the karma arrives and the click follows ....... keep going Nick - I wish I was just coming up - say 40 - instead of 60 - with the knowledge and kit I have now - but it could be worse - I could be 70 or in a wheelchair (both of those may yet happen ......) or I may just drop dead one day - game over - so keep playing and enjoying - some of the most frustrating events can be fun when retold later and gain a life of their own - sometimes far better than achieving a shot with no trouble!!

[Jonsfotos]

Originally Posted by pressld2

I am unbelievably jealous! That's my dream lens and not just because Andy Rouse calls it "the best wildlife lens in the world". But for me I'm afraid it's either a lottery win or retirement before I can get one, even second hand.

I'm sorely tempted to hire one for the Farne Islands trip in June. That will only (only!) knock me back £180.

Edit: forgot to say - I've always believed it's a combination of professional equipment and talent that gets great shots.

Dave P.

...

Dave, if you do go ahead and hire one, you will cry when you have to return it.It`s a cracking lens and it`s one i would love to have....sigh!

Jon

[Richard G.]

Originally Posted by Jonsfotos

It`s a cracking lens and it`s one i would love to have....sigh!

Well, if the rumour mill is anything to go by, maybe there will be a few more used v1 lenses for sale later this year?

[NicolaB]

Waaargh, don't tell me things like that!

Sadly the boyfriend says we need a new bathroom first

[avid-myrtle]

Hi Guys

I have just brought the 200-400, I also got it second hand, I first rented it for a trip to Kenya (not the exact lens if you get my drift) and I did cry when I returned it.

My husband kept saying we could not afford it, so for Easter I rented it again with a Nikon 500f4 prime so after going out for all 4 days and being very good and swapping lenses so we each had a 2 days with each lens.....it was my husband in tears at the end when they got sent back.

So I saw this lens on a another forum, and the guy live close, we got it, this weekend we are camping in Sussex and trying out our new lens.

I recommend renting it 1st just to try it out...it is not light, I have a griped d300 so the whole thing weighs a bit but I am a big girl and can handhold for a few hours.

I also had to buy a new bag as I could not get the camera and lens in the old one without taking them apart, I went for a ThinkTank StreetWalker Hard drive...which I love it is narrower then my old bag and very light but I can still get loads of things in it...and it does not really look like a camera bag which I like.

Myrtle