Posts for: John Gerlach
Apr 14, 2022 14:38:13 #
imagemeister wrote:
I think there are but I do not have any exact link. I am thinking an AIR bag might be even better for your application .....
I don't know what an air bag is but I will look it up.
Apr 14, 2022 13:58:28 #
Anyone know of a Beanbag that attaches to the lens?
I am planning my next photo safari and working on the gear to bring on safari. In the past, I had folks bring three bean bags, but now that gear has changed so much, there might be a better answer. Does anyone know of a smaller bean bag designed to attach to the lens collar foot? I am sure I could make one and will if no commercial one is available, but perhaps this is already done.
Why do I want a smaller bean bag to fasten to the lens tripod collar you ask? On our Kenya safaris, everyone has their own roof hatch and row of seats in the safari vehicle. It makes the safari cost more, but being able to shoot out either side of the vehicle is enormously useful and having your own roof hatch is super too. Now most photo safaris do this. On safari, you might shoot out the roof hatch on either side of the vehicle, and for shorter animals, it is often best not to shoot from the roof hatch, but shoot out the lower windows on either side of the vehicle. That means you need to cover all four locations. That is a lot of bags and you also have to secure them to the windowsill or roof hatch railing or you will lose them when they fall outside the vehicle or on your head. And if you secure them to the window, there will be times when they still need to be adjusted to let you easily photograph toward the front of the vehicle or to the rear.
Now that many zoom lenses are available and because IBIS is on many cameras today, and because they are smaller, it makes sense to use a smaller bean bag and attach it to the tripod mount on the lens and then it is always ready to be used. For example, my Canon RF 100-500mm on the Canon R5 is most effective, and with the RF 1.4x teleconverter, it reaches 700mm. That would cover most mammals and birds in Kenya, and I still have the option of going to the 1.6x crop factor for the tiny birds and now that is a reach of 1120mm! (I find the crop factor is useful when I need the reach because I can see the subject better in the viewfinder since it is larger and then I better know when to shoot images.)
You get the idea, any thoughts or suggestions?
I am planning my next photo safari and working on the gear to bring on safari. In the past, I had folks bring three bean bags, but now that gear has changed so much, there might be a better answer. Does anyone know of a smaller bean bag designed to attach to the lens collar foot? I am sure I could make one and will if no commercial one is available, but perhaps this is already done.
Why do I want a smaller bean bag to fasten to the lens tripod collar you ask? On our Kenya safaris, everyone has their own roof hatch and row of seats in the safari vehicle. It makes the safari cost more, but being able to shoot out either side of the vehicle is enormously useful and having your own roof hatch is super too. Now most photo safaris do this. On safari, you might shoot out the roof hatch on either side of the vehicle, and for shorter animals, it is often best not to shoot from the roof hatch, but shoot out the lower windows on either side of the vehicle. That means you need to cover all four locations. That is a lot of bags and you also have to secure them to the windowsill or roof hatch railing or you will lose them when they fall outside the vehicle or on your head. And if you secure them to the window, there will be times when they still need to be adjusted to let you easily photograph toward the front of the vehicle or to the rear.
Now that many zoom lenses are available and because IBIS is on many cameras today, and because they are smaller, it makes sense to use a smaller bean bag and attach it to the tripod mount on the lens and then it is always ready to be used. For example, my Canon RF 100-500mm on the Canon R5 is most effective, and with the RF 1.4x teleconverter, it reaches 700mm. That would cover most mammals and birds in Kenya, and I still have the option of going to the 1.6x crop factor for the tiny birds and now that is a reach of 1120mm! (I find the crop factor is useful when I need the reach because I can see the subject better in the viewfinder since it is larger and then I better know when to shoot images.)
You get the idea, any thoughts or suggestions?
Leopard - for this on the ground photo, I shot out the lower window to get as eye level to the leopard as possible.
(Download)
Mar 18, 2022 16:13:02 #
Hi Everyone,
I wrote this article for my workshop clients who shoot the Canon mirrorless system. With so many new offerings, I get a lot of questions, so I wrote down my thoughts and opinion (both subject to change) and made it available to all. If anyone is wondering about the long lens options you have for Canon mirrorless, perhaps this article will help you clarify what you need.
You can find the article, "Canon Long Lens RF Options for Wildlife Photography with the Mirrorless Cameras" posted at the very bottom of the opening page of my web site at www.gerlachnaturephoto.com. The article is not a spec article on lenses, but rather discusses the features I look for to shoot my wildlife images. Enjoy the read and feel free to offer comments. With all the new lenses being introduced by Canon, it takes some thought to decide which one makes the most sense to own and use.
Good shooting this spring!
John
I wrote this article for my workshop clients who shoot the Canon mirrorless system. With so many new offerings, I get a lot of questions, so I wrote down my thoughts and opinion (both subject to change) and made it available to all. If anyone is wondering about the long lens options you have for Canon mirrorless, perhaps this article will help you clarify what you need.
You can find the article, "Canon Long Lens RF Options for Wildlife Photography with the Mirrorless Cameras" posted at the very bottom of the opening page of my web site at www.gerlachnaturephoto.com. The article is not a spec article on lenses, but rather discusses the features I look for to shoot my wildlife images. Enjoy the read and feel free to offer comments. With all the new lenses being introduced by Canon, it takes some thought to decide which one makes the most sense to own and use.
Good shooting this spring!
John
Mar 10, 2022 15:53:08 #
tcthome wrote:
Beautiful work. The Ranch? Nature preserve?
Laguna Seca Ranch is made for nature photography. They offer blinds and small ponds that are carefully made to help everyone shoot beautiful photos for a small fee of $125 per day. It is well worth it!
Mar 10, 2022 15:51:29 #
You should be excited. It is so much fun!
Mar 9, 2022 19:59:35 #
I have been using the Canon R5 with the 600mm f/4 or the RF 100-500mm lens with super results here in south Texas. I just finished the four day workshop at the ranch and will be teaching another in April when migrant bird are passing though. Due to a cancellation, we have 1 spot available. The Canon R5 is proving to be easily the best camera I have ever used. I would never give up the eye focus, touch and drag AF, or the silent electronic shutter. It gets me many more photos I like -way better than the 1DX Mark 3 I used to use. I do look forward to the R1 coming out some day, and the R3 does not appeal to me right now, but I could change my mind once more reviews on it are available. Photographing birds in South Texas is sure a lot more fun than plowing snow in the Idaho mountains and dealing with negative temperatures!
Jan 29, 2022 18:44:36 #
genocolo wrote:
Does it ever get boring to take such terrific photos? You are a master.
The better you get at photography, the more fun it is. I earned a fabulous living from nature photography for decades, and now I mostly do it for fun.
Jan 29, 2022 18:42:57 #
AzPicLady wrote:
Did you go with Trent Sizemore? He does a lot of work there.
No, I have lived near West Yellowstone since 1993 and led more than 150 photo tours in the park, so I know it well.
Jan 23, 2022 12:08:21 #
Hi all,
I just finished my first photo workshop in the park and it was super. My group had a "3 dog" photo week with good chances to photograph coyotes, red fox, and wolves twice! Plus we did a lot of landscapes. And we got lucky with Old Faithful. The sky was dark gray, but the sun was heading for a small patch of blue sky to the west. Would we still have the dark gray background but sun lighting Old Faithful when it erupts? Sometimes you get lucky. Also, I just updated my Automatic Focus Stacking article. Now I use it to hit sharp focus in a snowstorm. Here is the link.
https://e667cabb-944b-4267-84ff-4c28a716d036.filesusr.com/ugd/71c73d_c40d35eb25d2462db2ba6169e2e0b908.pdf
By the way, I kept my photo gear down to 1 camera and only 3 lenses. Canon R5, RF 15-35mm, RF 24-105mm, and RF 100-500mm. And when using the 1.6x crop in the camera, I get the field of view of 800mm. So I cover every focal length from 15mm to 800mm, plus a medium tripod and the Really Right Stuff ballhead.
I just finished my first photo workshop in the park and it was super. My group had a "3 dog" photo week with good chances to photograph coyotes, red fox, and wolves twice! Plus we did a lot of landscapes. And we got lucky with Old Faithful. The sky was dark gray, but the sun was heading for a small patch of blue sky to the west. Would we still have the dark gray background but sun lighting Old Faithful when it erupts? Sometimes you get lucky. Also, I just updated my Automatic Focus Stacking article. Now I use it to hit sharp focus in a snowstorm. Here is the link.
https://e667cabb-944b-4267-84ff-4c28a716d036.filesusr.com/ugd/71c73d_c40d35eb25d2462db2ba6169e2e0b908.pdf
By the way, I kept my photo gear down to 1 camera and only 3 lenses. Canon R5, RF 15-35mm, RF 24-105mm, and RF 100-500mm. And when using the 1.6x crop in the camera, I get the field of view of 800mm. So I cover every focal length from 15mm to 800mm, plus a medium tripod and the Really Right Stuff ballhead.
bison in the falling snow - used focus stacking to get one sharply focused image - details in my article
(Download)
wolf walking past our snowcoach
(Download)
wolf approaching the snowcoach to pass by it shooting out the open door with a Canon 100-500mm set to 1.6 crop mode
(Download)
red squirrels staying warm and not social distancing
(Download)
backlit red squirrel
(Download)
Old Faithful
(Download)
Old Faithful
(Download)
Silex spring
(Download)
opalescent pool
(Download)
chinese spring
(Download)
Jan 11, 2022 11:54:34 #
wdburt wrote:
Really really tempted by the 70-200 F4. Had to unload my f2.8 because it was too much to pack anymore, but I miss it so...
Yes, the 70-200 f/4 is all you need and light and packs well.
Jan 10, 2022 18:10:13 #
Nosaj wrote:
The images on your site are excellent. So, the mirrorless system will put your images on a higher level of quality!
I can't say the image quality is better, but I can say I get more excellent images for many reasons. I cannot imagine not having eye focus, touch and drag AF points, and a completely silent electronic shutter so I don't scare small birds anymore with camera sounds. Prior to the R5, the Canon 1DX Mark III was my favorite camera body.
Jan 10, 2022 18:07:33 #
tcthome wrote:
People are going to want to see photos & shutter counts.
Could someone tell me how I get a shutter count for the 1DX Mark III. I have never done that before.
Jan 10, 2022 18:06:49 #
So far I still have everything. I will photograph the gear tomorrow, but all is in super condition so photos will look like new gear. I am only selling because I have similar focal lengths in the RF versions.
Jan 9, 2022 18:25:07 #
Hi Everyone,
Many of you know me as I post on this site from time to time. A year ago I bought the Canon R5 and liked it so much that I never shot my DSLRs again. I have switched over to all mirrorless cameras and lenses for the Canon system. It is clear I won't be using my DSLRs again, so all of it is for sale. I tend to "baby" my gear so everything is in excellent condition. If interested, contact me at johngerlachphotography@gmail.com and you can also visit my web site at www.gerlachnaturephoto.com
I will be near my home at West Yellowstone for another month, so that is a good time to compete the purchase as I can get to the gear.
Thanks for your time. Let's get you a good deal!
Best,
John Gerlach
www.gerlachnaturephoto.com
Canon Gear for Sale
Canon 1DX Mark II camera $2400
Canon 1DX Mark III camera $5500
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L $700
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II $1400
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L $1800
Canon 70-200mm f/4 L $550
Canon 200-400mm with built-in 1.4x teleconverter $6800
Many of you know me as I post on this site from time to time. A year ago I bought the Canon R5 and liked it so much that I never shot my DSLRs again. I have switched over to all mirrorless cameras and lenses for the Canon system. It is clear I won't be using my DSLRs again, so all of it is for sale. I tend to "baby" my gear so everything is in excellent condition. If interested, contact me at johngerlachphotography@gmail.com and you can also visit my web site at www.gerlachnaturephoto.com
I will be near my home at West Yellowstone for another month, so that is a good time to compete the purchase as I can get to the gear.
Thanks for your time. Let's get you a good deal!
Best,
John Gerlach
www.gerlachnaturephoto.com
Canon Gear for Sale
Canon 1DX Mark II camera $2400
Canon 1DX Mark III camera $5500
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L $700
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II $1400
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L $1800
Canon 70-200mm f/4 L $550
Canon 200-400mm with built-in 1.4x teleconverter $6800
Jan 9, 2022 18:01:17 #
My opinion on the mirrorless camera and the DSLR. I have earned a wonderful living as a professional nature photographer for over four decades using film cameras and then DSLRs. I tried the new Canon R5 a year ago and eventually bought all RF lenses for the mirrorless. As of today, I am now selling the following gear and it is all in excellent condition. Let me know if you are interested. I am checking what used gear should sell for now.
Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 1DX Mark III
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L
Canon 70-200mm f/4 L
Canon 200-400mm with built-in 1.4x teleconverter
You can email me at johngerlachphotography@gmail.com
Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 1DX Mark III
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L
Canon 70-200mm f/4 L
Canon 200-400mm with built-in 1.4x teleconverter
You can email me at johngerlachphotography@gmail.com