I use the much cheaper variant, Opteka, that I got from Amazon. Yes, it looks kinda geeky, but when you're 78 years young, it's all about practicability and to hell with those who are into just lookin' good. I like it a lot and it has the option of using an included second detachable 'holster'. I commonly carry my 5d mk3 with a 100-400 mk1 for hours while hiking in the woods with good wife and generally feel rested when we return home. I attached a carabiner on the left side where I hang a monopod when needed. I think the chest carry concept is a good one. Haven't used it with the second holster yet, but have attached the second one onto a chest cross-strap on my Canon backpack when needed. The whole thing is very well made and sturdy. I'd definitely recommend it. John

Thanks for the nice comment Carol.

Shots taken in my yard this a.m. after a wet, heavy, 6-inch o'nite snow.
5d3 and 24-105. Picassa as needed.

I put the wires in, for composition effect

(Download)


(Download)

Sugar Maple buds

(Download)


(Download)

Great shots, certainly something to be proud of. I agree Bob, one of the sharpest L's that Canon sells. I have the same lens, and it truly is amazing. I also have the 100-400 mk1 and it's a toss up which to carry...zoom or not. I generally end up with the zoom as they are about equal in pic quality and I have zoom ability and IS. I may have to divest myself of one of them though, as I have just too much stuff I don't use..

Love it, that kind of shot is my wife's specialty. She loved it in download.

I've noticed something interesting with in-camera micro-focusing. I have a T3i and a 60D that do not have the feature, and they both seem to focus nearly perfectly with my best L lenses. My 70D and 5d MIII do have micro-focusing and both of them have required MF on most of the same lenses. I wonder if Canon is just a little less diligent, or more careless, and lets the purchaser do the work that should have been done at the factory? You think, and has anyone else noticed this?

Thanks for looking Erv. Ain't photography fun when you have a cooperative and interesting subject. Good wife and I were out again this a.m. about the same time, and saw the same pair feeding. Got a lot of shots again and may post a few more after I examine them for quality. John

Thanks Richard. Do you ever have snow there? We had an easy winter this year. Only a few inches left now and lots of ice left on most local lakes. We are seeing swans about this time of the year on a regular basis of late, even some nesting pairs. Most of what we see are just stopping to rest before they finish the journey on into Canada...a lot of ice there! John

Got out early for our morning walk in the fresh spring air along the county road that parallels the river. We heard the call of a Trumpeter swan so walked back to where we could see a mated pair on the water. I was just about to take the shot, when the neighbor's dog barked and away they went. I missed the swimming shot, but think the launching shot is more exciting anyway. The second shot was almost directly toward the low sun and misty fog. Haven't seen any swans yet on the Hog, so thought I'd send these on. Sorry if this turns out to be a duplicate post...I can't find the one I sent earlier.

5D Mark III 100-400L Mk 1 at 370 mm.
Shot 1 1/800, f-5.6, ISO auto 250.
Shot 2 1/800, f-5.6, ISO auto 100
PP crop and some touch-up using original Picassa 38 (it still works just fine as long as you shut off the update option).

(Download)


(Download)

Thanks for the welcome and the heads up on the migration. Yes, Wife and I have been to Hawk ridge for the migration and plan to return this spring or fall. It can be awesome at times to see those graceful birds in flight. BIF has not been my thing, but I have been practicing on crows. [A rather elusive, speedy and 'darty' target while in flight. And getting the lighting right is pretty daunting too.]

[quote=Meives]

Thanks for the welcome Meives. Mmmm...explanation time. I've been reading this site for quite awhile, and I see the nastiness that sometimes erupts via troubled minds, and I don't choose to be a part of it. I simply give it the credit that is due by scrolling past those offending avatars. I agree with the snapshot comment. Mine lesser shots most often never even get to my computer for further processing, unless it is a one off and I will never have the opportunity to get another, better shot. I generally applaud most of what goes on here, as the comments can be very educational, so no, I won't leave for another site, many of which I already read, just on the basis I can't 'handle criticism'...I can, but simply choose not to indulge in a spitting contest where no one ever 'wins'...'nough said.

John

Thanks for the welcome Carl. Mmmm...I've been reading this site for quite awhile, and I see the nastiness that sometimes erupts from troubled minds, and I will never be a part of it by simply give it the credit it is due by scrolling past those offending avatars. [And this means that I will not respond beyond this explanatory comment.]

Thanks for the welcome guys. I gotta say that many of you have been very helpful in growing my knowledge and increasing the possibilities of my creating ever better photos. I especially like to look at other folk's photo postings and study the EXIF data to see how they did it, and then decide what I would have done to make it even better. John

Thanks for looking,we do love our birds especially when they live so much of their days in plain sight.
John

The white bird is a rather rare occurrence that appeared in Duluth a few weeks ago. it is an immature Ivory Gull that normally lives in the remotest of locations in the Arctic Ocean. They occur rarely along the Atlantic seaboard, but we were lucky enough to host the cute little bird for several weeks. it was kept in the area by feeding it fresh Salmon fillets. Notice the black spots, they were in the shape of tiny hearts. Lots of photographers here for the big event...some from as far away as Australia! We were told that normally the gull is nearly impossible to photograph because of the remote nature of their native location. The bird has now 'flown the coop' and left the area. We were all blessed with it's presence.

The red guy is a male pine grosbeak. they are native to the area during the winter season.

The other two 'pterodactyls' are pair of mated Pileated woodpeckers. Note that the male has a red chin and the female not. We feed them suet all winter as they live here in our yard and country woods and they will probably nest in the near vicinity. These Pileated shots were through the kitchen window, about twelve feet away. Mostly shot with a 60d and 70-300L. Enjoy.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)