[BrokenVert]

Ohh I love that too. How do you manage such good stuff with snow? I always have contrast issues with it.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Ohh I love that too. How do you manage such good stuff with snow? I always have contrast issues with it.

Thanks.

Good question. The answer is take lots and lots of shots and don't be too disappointed on the ones that don't work out. As you might imagine, the AF is going crazy, alternatively focusing on the subject and then the flakes. You can see it bouncing around and you take several times more shots than your would in clear conditions.

The MOST frustrating of this outing was my missed harrier in flight shot. I'd been watching a harrier sitting on a fence post for 15 or 20 minutes (couldn't even get a good shot of that) when it flew straight at me. Below is the best of about 20-shots. Every shot was a fight with the AF. I'm only showing you guys because you're friends.

Untitled by dcstep, on Flickr

[BrokenVert]

I know what you mean, fortunately im doing real work with it once or twice a year.

This is the best ive gotten with snow falling. And even it is really only saved by the light.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I know what you mean, fortunately im doing real work with it once or twice a year.

This is the best ive gotten with snow falling. And even it is really only saved by the light.

The big problem is when the snow is light and you don't really see it clearly in the picture. You can have the subject perfectly in focus and it just looks like a "soft" image. There are other problems with heavy snow, like a flake over the eyes, close flakes looking big and blurry, etc.

Dave

[dcstep]

Oh, I should mention that DxO Optics Pro now has a haze reduction function in its Raw converter. You one-click "Clear" and it dramatically changes contrast, highlights and some other setting to separate the subject from the snow (it's good for mountain scenics also). I used it on both of those images, but toned way down from DxO's default setting.

[Itsed65]

I wish I had some weather to shoot through. Looks like we are on track for another dry winter, with absolutely no rain for the entire month of January. My spring Yosemite trip may end ups bust with no waterfalls.

[Itsed65]

I'm still fussing with this one to print.

Young Baldy by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[BrokenVert]

Oooooh thats sharp

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Oooooh thats sharp

Thanks. 700mm and the 7D2 through the sunroof of my van

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Thanks. 700mm and the 7D2.

700 before or after crop factor?

Also im very jealous. I wish I could afford better gear

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

700 before or after crop factor?

Also im very jealous. I wish I could afford better gear

That's before. 500 mm + 1.4TC. I saved a long time and finally found a used v1 500mm. We always want better stuff than we have. I want a 1dX and a v2 600, but I also like having a retirement account

I will say that the new 100-400 even with an older v2 1.4 TC on the 7d2 has been working well beyond my expectations for a 560mm reach, even being limited to f8 auto focus. At 2 grand it's still a big investment, but still 1/5 the price of the big boys.

[BrokenVert]

Ive been eyeing up the old 300 f/4 IS for a few months now. 200 is just a bit too short for some racetracks.

Well lets be honest. I have a 10K wish list. Im sure that most photographers do too

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

I wish I had some weather to shoot through. Looks like we are on track for another dry winter, with absolutely no rain for the entire month of January. My spring Yosemite trip may end ups bust with no waterfalls.

December was so promising, but all the gains are being offset. I hope it reverses again, for the good.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Ive been eyeing up the old 300 f/4 IS for a few months now. 200 is just a bit too short for some racetracks.

Well lets be honest. I have a 10K wish list. Im sure that most photographers do too

I've been wanting a 500mm Series II for a couple of years. I'll finally order it after next week.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by dcstep

I've been wanting a 500mm Series II for a couple of years. I'll finally order it after next week.

When I said 10K wishlist I was thinking of being able to buy more than 1 item. hahaha


Im super, stupidly jealous now. I cant wait until im in the financial position to drop that much on a lens. Have fun with it!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

When I said 10K wishlist I was thinking of being able to buy more than 1 item. hahaha


Im super, stupidly jealous now. I cant wait until im in the financial position to drop that much on a lens. Have fun with it!

In the market for a $5,000 Series I 500mm? I'm going to send it to CPS for their 11-point check up and then put it up for sale.

Canon's super-teles are stunning. I'm moving to the Series II for the loss of 1.5-pounds of weight and slightly better image stabilization. The MTF improvement is close to nothing.

Dave

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by dcstep

In the market for a $5,000 Series I 500mm? I'm going to send it to CPS for their 11-point check up and then put it up for sale.

Canon's super-teles are stunning. I'm moving to the Series II for the loss of 1.5-pounds of weight and slightly better image stabilization. The MTF improvement is close to nothing.

Dave

I would be if I currently had a real day job. I do photo gigs on the weekends but im between engineering jobs right now. Well, in between a 6 month internship and a full time job.

With a 500mm on my 7D I would probably use my monopod most of the time. The series I AF doesnt work on those, right?

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I would be if I currently had a real day job. I do photo gigs on the weekends but im between engineering jobs right now. Well, in between a 6 month internship and a full time job.

With a 500mm on my 7D I would probably use my monopod most of the time. The series I AF doesnt work on those, right?

No, the S-I AF works on tripod or monopod.

Congrats on the internship and upcoming job.

Dave

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by dcstep

No, the S-I AF works on tripod or monopod.

Congrats on the internship and upcoming job.

Dave

Ha thanks. The internship ended a few months ago and I havent found a job yet. I appreciate the confidence though. I have a master's degree (paid for it with photography and working part time in a research lab) so I really dont know why ive been jobless for months.

Ohh cool, I thought Series 1 stopped working properly if the camera was totally stationary.

Anyway, this is a photo thread. So lets get back to pictures.

[dcstep]

What kind of engineer? Are you living and searching where the jobs are? A move is often required, even for the highly skilled.

My youngest daughter graduated as a network engineer, with two semester interning with Cisco and a standing offer that was rescinded when the economy crapped out. She moved out to Silicon Valley, knocked on doors, answered Craig's list adds, chased referral from friend for nine-months and finally landed with LinkedIn. A week later, Cisco gave her a new offer. She's now with Uber. I think that being there was key to landing a position.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by dcstep

What kind of engineer? Are you living and searching where the jobs are? A move is often required, even for the highly skilled.

My youngest daughter graduated as a network engineer, with two semester interning with Cisco and a standing offer that was rescinded when the economy crapped out. She moved out to Silicon Valley, knocked on doors, answered Craig's list adds, chased referral from friend for nine-months and finally landed with LinkedIn. A week later, Cisco gave her a new offer. She's now with Uber. I think that being there was key to landing a position.

I PMed you, best to take this out of the thread.

Getting back on track:

Thermal Tile by Matthew D. Kalish, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Great shot! I was fascinated with tiles when I saw the Endeavour last year.