Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]DOUG: Is any of your wildlife work on the web somewhere for us to see? Francesco At 05:30 PM 11/11/98 , you wrote: >I have seen Doug's work first hand, and listened to him speak. His wildlife >work is awesome. And he definitely knows what he is talking about. You >should listen carefully to what he has to say. > >Jim > >>On Wed, 11 Nov 1998, Gary D. Whalen, wrote: >> >>> I am planning on purchasing a 400 2.8 lense for nature/wildlife and >>>would GREATLY appreciate any input on Leica vs Canon(autofocus). >>> >>>... >>> >>> Thank you in advance. >>> >>> David Whalen > >At 07:44 PM 11/11/98 -0500, Doug Herr wrote: >> >>David, >> >>Wildlife is my specialty, particularly the more active birds, and having >>seen my images used in Audubon and other magazines, several calendars and >>field guides as well as a few books here and there, I'm fully qualified to >>completely confuse you <g>. >> >>I've tried the "big fast lens on a tripod" approach to wildlife photography >>and I hated it. Not only did I hate carrying the weight and bulk of all >>that stuff into the field but I also hated tripping over the tripod and >>missing shots when the critters' activity shifted to one side or the other. >> I've been using the 400 and 560 f/6.8 Telyts and with the right viewfinder >>there's NO WAY I'd trade these lenses for an AF system. With a viewfinder >>like the SL's focussing is quick, positive and accurate. >> >>With the shoulder stock, the f/6.8 Telyts are HAND-HELD lenses. No >>tripping over tripods, no tripod to get tangled in bushes, incomparable >>mobility, and stunning image quality as slow as 1/60 sec (with the 400; >>1/125 with the 560). Photographing birds in flight is not a big problem >>with these lenses. >> >>I also use the Telyts on a tripod when nessesary in a blind. Under these >>conditions an APO lens will have an edge in image quality but since my >>primary work is without the blind I'd rather have the hand-held mobility >>over the last iota of sharpness. >> >>Keep in mind also that the longest lens isn't nessesarily the best lens >>'cuz atmospheric stuff like heat waves, mist and mosquito clouds will >>degrade the image as much as kicking the tripod will. >> >>I doubt I'll ever use a 400 f/2.8 unless it's as easy to use as the 400 >>f/6.8 and can be stuffed into a fanny pack. >> >>Does this help? <VBG> >> >>Doug Herr >>Sacramento >> >http://www.photoaccess.com >Jim Brick, ASMP, BIAA >Photo Access >(650) 470-1132 >Visual Impressions Publishing >Visual Impressions Photography >(408) 296-1629 >