My Equipment
Read More
I purchased the Canon EOS R3 in May 2022. I was waiting for a pro body before transitioning to a mirrorless system. The 1Dx Mark III had all the features I needed for wildlife photography, but as photography evolves, desired to stay up with technology. This camera offers better low light performance as well as specific wildlife tracking and focusing. Exciting to be using the resurrected innovative eye-control AF function that I had in my old EOS 3 film camera. This camera has an astonishing 30 fps in electronic (silent) shutter mode and up to 12 fps in mechanical shutter. I love the flip out screen (vari-angle touchscreen LCD), which I have been wanting in a pro body. The weight (1.81 lbs) is a bonus as I age, in comparison to the 1Dx III (3.17 lb). One huge con is the battery only providing 620 shots (viewfinder) vs 2,850 with the 1Dx Mark III. Both cameras do use the same battery though which allows me to carry one charger for both cameras on a trip. Another minor con is that the camera comes with one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot. I have never liked SD cards (small and flimsy) and would have preferred two CFexpress slots, like the 1Dx Mark III.
Canon's 400mm 5.6 prime, is a high-performance lens designed for portability and handling ease. The lens has a built-in hood and a detachable tripod mount. It certainly produces sharp images. Works especially well for handheld avian flight images due to its light weight. The only con about this lens is its limiting f5.6 opening. Purchased 1/2003.
Canon's 2x tele extender version III doubles the telephoto's focal length. This particular extender does a fair job compared to the 1.4x and does reduce the image quality. Another con about this extender is that it reduces the aperture by two f-stops. Due to the limiting factors I rarely use this piece of equipment.
I own both version of Canon's Speedlite, the 580EXII and 580EX (back-up). The 580EXII is my primary flash and is Canon's top-of-the-line Speedlite. It is a substantial improvement over the 580 which had a design flaw of a weak hot shoe foot. I have had to send the 580EX back to Canon for repair 3 times for this particular weakness. The 580 II has a metal plate in the foot to correct this flaw. Outside of that issue, the select dial makes changes, like exposure compensation, allot easier than the buttons on the older 550. This flash marries up with Canon's cameras exceptionally well and I use this flash for fill flash and low light conditions if it does not disturb wildlife.
I purchased the Canon 1Dx Mark III in February 2020. After the exceptional performance of the 1Dx Mark II, upgrading to this camera was an easy decision. The 1Dx Mark III has two more FPS (16) than the Mark II, 191 AF points vs 61, 1000+ shots in RAW vs 170 and a new DIGIC 9 vs DIGIC 6 processor. The Mark II is also 13.2 oz. heavier, so losing weight with the Mark III is a nice advantage. Battery performance is better at 2850 shots vs 1210. The Mark III also has WIFI and smartphone remote control. Some other minor Mark III advantages worth mentioning are illuminated buttons and better LCD resolution (2100k dots vs 1620k dots. The only con is that the Mark III now takes a new style card, Cfexpress. Although this card enables faster write speeds, they are currently very expensive.
Canon's 24-70mm/2.8 L zoom lens is my prime choice for portrait wildlife and landscape photography. It covers a wide-angle 24mm to normal range 70mm which makes it ideal for most scenic situations. It's sealed and gasketed well for dust and moisture. Purchased 7/2003.
I updated my camera backpack in late 2014 to a GuraGear style bag. I have been using the Lowepro Pro and Nature Nature Trekker AW II for 8 years. Lowepros have the best adjustable straps and cushioned support of any camera backpack in the market. After years of abuse, both Lowpro packs held up well but my main bag zippers went bad in my Pro Trekker and it was time for a needed upgrade. I was checking the market and heard about the Gura Gear bags. The biggest advantage of the Gura Gear Bataflae 32L over the Lowepro is the weight difference. Losing 4 pounds (Gura Gear 32L=4.2 lbs. vs Pro Trekker= 8.6 lbs.) is a huge difference in the field and for traveling. The second advantage was the size. The Gura Gear 32L size dimensions permit it to fit within the overheads in all size jets when traveling (even in the small RJ size jets). This was not the case with my Pro Trekker. The third feature I like about the Gura Gear pack is the unique butterfly access system. The main top flaps can open on either side from the middle or as one. Thus far, I am extremely pleased with the build quality and design of the Gura Gear bag. The only con is the price. If you have the desire to purchase one of these packs you can use this promo code and receive a 5% discount off any of their items: CONGER5 http://www.guragear.com/bataflae-32l
Visual Echoes FX3 Better Beamer Flash Extender
The Better Beamer is a flash extender. It secures to the head of the Canon 580II flash with Velcro band. By using a Fresnel lens in front of the flash beam, the Better Beamer will add approximately 2-stops of light output to your flash by concentrating the flash pattern. It is suggested that Better Beamer be utilized on telephoto lenses of 300mm in focal length and longer. It folds flat for easy storage. The only cons about this item are that sunlight can be magnified in reverse (which can burn up your flash) and the Fresnel lens is somewhat fragile and will break after a few years of use when utilizing regularly in the field.
Purchased the latest version 400mm/2.8 III in August 2018. The primary reason for the upgrade was for the 2 lb weight reduction from version II. Choose the 400mm over the 600mm due to the fact I shoot both mammals as well as birds. When doing bird photography I can add the 1.4x extender III which provides for 560mm. Also the 2.8 AF is superior with sharpness and AF speed than the other f 4 telephotos and the bokeh created with a 2.8 is special. The above lens is one of Canon's L-series with an Image Stabilizer. The focusing is lightening fast and images are tack sharp. The only con about this lens is the cost . I have owned both the version 11 (9/11 purchase/4 lb weight decrease from version 1) and version 1 (9/04 purchase) of this lens. The primary difference between each version has been the weight reduction.
Purchased (6/18) this Super wide-angle prime lens for full-frame Canon EF-mounts to do astrophotography. Samyang lens are the exact same as the Rokinon models. I primarily use this for milky way images. After much research, this lens is used by many professionals for this particulate type of photography and quite a bargain price for the quality.
Really Right Stuff TVC-34 Versa Series 3 Mk2
In 2/2020, I replaced my Gitzo tripod 3532 with a Really Right Stuff TVC-34. I purchased the RRS tripod for two primary reasons. First, the Gtizo broke (plate that holds legs) on it's last photo trip. The Gitzo upper plate was made of cast aluminum versus the RRS being machined from a single billet. Gitzo's customer service response on this and on my prior tripod (1540) was not good. Second, the RRS leg dimensions (fatter) and easy-to-use twist locks, which require just a quarter rotation to unlock and re-lock each leg section was superior to the Gtizo models. The pros about the RRS is the long term build quality reputation. The only con about the RRS is that it is pricey.
Canon’s 70-200 f/2.8 L IS lens is great for close up wildlife photo situations. The autofocus system is fast and resulting images are sharp. Canon's pro L lens also is resistant to dust and moisture. The image stabilization feature sometimes helps for hand held shots that would normally need a tripod. I use this lens often for field shots of up close mammals, when a tripod is not practical. Purchased 7/2003.
Canon's 1.4x tele-extender III multiplies the telephotos focal length 1.4x. This particular extender is optically superb and preserves the image quality. Autofocus is also maintained when combined with a lens having an f4 or faster maximum aperture. The only con about using and extender is that it reduces the aperture by one f-stop. Update: In 9/2011 I purchased the new version III converter. The advanced features seem to make it a worthwhile purchase marrying up with the version II, 400/2.8 and certainly produces sharp images.
Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Tripod Head II with Quick Release Base
The Wimberley is a gimbal style device that incorporates an elevated tilt mechanism and an adjustable platform to perfectly align the center of gravity for a big telephoto lens. This gimbal device allows the lens to be balanced and move effortlessly. A Wimberley is almost a necessity when using telephotos with the weight of a 400 F2.8. With the 400mm F2.8 lens on the Wimberley ,it behaves as if it were almost weightless. The only con about this head is the weight for traveling.