gessman Loc: Colorado

In the first line above the pictures: These 3 were shot with an EOS 5D MkII & 70-200 IS 2.8 lens with 1.4 extender at 1/2000 f4 ISO 200, handheld while rapidly retreating I shot in AV mode and set the minimum aperture to f4 to ensure the desired depth field. The distance between me and the elk ranged from 50 ft to 200 ft.

gessman Loc: Colorado

And Country's Mama: Thanks. Above my pictures I said: "These 3 were shot with an EOS 5D MkII & 70-200 IS 2.8 lens with 1.4 extender at 1/2000 f4 ISO 200, handheld while rapidly retreating I shot in AV mode and set the minimum aperture to f4 to ensure the desired depth field. The distance between me and the elk ranged from 50 ft to 200 ft."

Thanks for the compliments. I have another lens that I use often with wildlife shots. It is a prime 400mm Canon non IS with fixed minimum aperture of f5.6 at a cost of around $1000 to $1200, depending on where. It is one of Canon's sharpest lens and you can see it compared with several other lens at http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/#c. One thing - you need to be prepared to do without the IS and you know what that means, tripod, mirror lockup, etc. You will be richly rewarded for the extra effort. Of course, you can always go for the new 800mm IS. What is that $10 grand but that'd have to be the ultimate lens.

Oh, and I've been meaning to ask you, in your profile picture, is that a monkey on your back? My eyes aren't what they used to be.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

It felt like a monkey while we were hiking. I ended up carrying my lunch more than my camera in it :) My photographer daughter just laughs at me. sigh

It will be awhile before I can spend that kind of money on a lens. I have an entry level Nikon D3000 and the kit lens right now. I have already gotten the business for the camera on this forum, but it is what I could afford and since I am just learning I didn't and don't feel I needed all the bells and whistles at this point.
While out west this spring though I was wishing for a telephoto lens in the worst way.

Robert Loc: Round Rock, TX

You sure these weren't taken at Cabela's? Just kidding. Beautiful pictures.

gessman Loc: Colorado

Sorry about babbling on about Canon stuff to a Nikon user. I've been both but am now almost exclusively Canon because of some advantages I think I see although I reserve the right to be wrong about that. There's nothing wrong with whatever camera a person uses as long as it works as it should. From there, it's the skill of the user that takes over and causes everything to come together. I have the first manual camera I ever bought, a Canon FTb that I got in the late '60s. It still works fine and I'm very proud to own it although it probably would sell for $25.00. I get it out occasionally, put a fresh battery in it, and fire off a roll or two of film. I enjoy every minute of it immensely. The big thing with wildlife obviously is to use whatever equipment you must in order to get as close as you can to your subject so you can fill the frame without risking your safety. Hence, you want the most lens you can afford which goes without saying. Still, I would refer you to luminious-landscape.com for their reviews of any equipment you might be considering. It's a real valuable resource. By the way, you can rent lens you know.

gessman Loc: Colorado

Thank you. Can I really go to Cabela's and get that kind of subject matter? I've been running all over Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico and the price of gas is getting out of sight. I wouldn't mind a one-stop photo shop nearby somewhere.

:-)

gessman Loc: Colorado

...besides that, I'm getting a little tired.

josoIII

I love the first one, the natural framing works really nice here. The exposure looks spot on, colors and details are stunning. very nice work...

gessman Loc: Colorado

Thank you.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Thank you for the info and no I did not know I could rent a lens. I would have thought it well worth it for the trip I took this spring. I kept thinking about how much time and money I spent on the trip and then couldn't get the pictures I wanted because I didn't have the lens I needed. Though the trip was more about spending time with family than pictures it still would have been nice. The other thought though is I might not have gotten the picture that I thought I would because I still don't have the skill and knowledge I need to get them.

gessman Loc: Colorado

[quote=Country's Mama]

An awful lot of that skill you're talking about is in having the right equipment for the job. A lot more deer are killed accidentally by people with good deer rifles than on purpose with a pistol, if gun analogies work for you. You just don't go bear huntin' with a willow switch. When you're looking at it, you'll know when it's right. If you don't know if it's right or not, it probably isn't. All that requires is being able to look at it. When you're properly equipped then all you have to think about is the mechanics, leveling, framing, etc., things you already know you should be doing anyway. Don't sell yourself short.

As for renting a lens, if you have full service photography store close enough to you check with them. If they don't rent, they may know who does. Otherwise, it can be done online. I'd just google, for instance, "Nikon lens rental in Saginaw, Michigan" or wherever, putting all that in quotes. It might not hurt to do a little price shopping. It might also not hurt to think about the flexibility of renting more than one lens if you have a real special need such as for a real wide angle and a long telephoto or zoom. All it takes is a credit card for the deposit and you're good to go.

Ray Bullock Loc: Redding, CA

Gessman.....GREAT photos!!!!

You live in a blessed area....much as I do here.

Good job!

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

[quote=gessman]

I will check into that next time I am in need of a lens. I do have a photoshop in the area that rents a studio so why not equipment. I will ask. Thank you for all the advice.

SJD Loc: Colorado

#1 looks like it is on the Golf Course in Estes? #2 is waay cool.
Great shots!

gessman Loc: Colorado

Good eye on #1. #2, thanks. I was headed up over Trail Ridge Road and that's the day I got the jumping elk in Rocky Mountain National Park, along with many other elk shots.