Blood Work and Road Kill, Head Hunting, and one for the 7D II and the f/4 Super-tele/2X III Doubters « Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Blood Work and Road Kill, Head Hunting, and one for the 7D II and the f/4 Super-tele/2X III Doubters

The Streak Continues: 338

On Sunday morning at DeSoto, Greg Gulbransen and I froze. It was 51 degrees, the coldest morning of the year by far, and with the wind chill it felt like the mid-40s. We dressed a lot warmer than we did on Saturday. With a much better wind direction–northeast, we were confident of having a great morning. The only problem was that with tide an hour later, the day an hour earlier (fall back), and a different wind, we effectively went from the high tide with more than a thousand birds on Saturday to low tide with about seven birds on Sunday. You gotta love bird photography. Greg went home very happy as we did find a few decent subjects and lots of great educational situations.

I was home in time for the NFL games, took a short nap, and totally couch-potatoed it for the rest of the day. I never downloaded my images or even turned on a computer. I was sound asleep in bed by 8:30pm. This blog post, the 338th in a row, took me about 2 1/2 hours to prepare. It was published from my home at Indian Lake Estates at about 6:30am.

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raccoon-fresh-road-kill-_36a0905-indian-lake-estates-fl

This image was created in early morning light at 7:52am on the clear morning of 17 October on the main drag at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens (hand held at 105mm) and a beta version of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II . ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/320 sec. at f/8 in Av mode. AWB.

Three sensors to the right of the central sensor/Rear Focus/AI Servo Expand on the Raccoon’s neck were active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Blood Work

I headed into town on the early morning of October 17 to have blood drawn for my lab work. As they open at 6:30am I make sure to be there at six sharp so that I can be first. This day there was a guy ahead of me :). But since they installed computers in each of the cubicles I did not have to wait.

On the way back to ILE I noticed a freshly road killed raccoon just a few blocks from my home. I grabbed a quick breakfast and then grabbed a shovel and a large piece of cardboard from the garage. I scooped up Rocky with the shovel and placed him on top of the cardboard in the back of the Sequoia and drove down to the lake.


turkey-vulture-scavenging-road-killed-racoon-_36a0991-indian-lake-estates-fl

This image was created in at 8:41am on the clear morning of 17 October down by the lake at ILE. I used the BLUBB-supported Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and a beta version of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II . ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/1600 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode.

Center Zone AF selected the central sensor and the AF point directly above it; both were active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

From the Sequoia with the lens supported by the BLUBB (my custom-designed, hand made Big Lens Ultimate Bean Bag). When working on a beanbag with a long lens it is fine to have the focusing ring rest on the beanbag as long as AF is active at the moment of exposure and you are keeping the lens relatively still.

If you are setting focus and then re-composing be absolutely sure that the focusing ring does not rest on the beanbag lest you throw off accurate focus when moving the lens to design a pleasing image.

Getting to Work

I picked a nice patch of grass in the big field to the right of the pier, laid out the carcass, and drove off to photograph a few cranes. When I drove back ten minutes later to check on my bait station I was not expecting to see anything going on. I was, however, amazed to see an adult Bald Eagle on the ground slowly approaching Rocky. I created two NTG vertical images with the 600II/2X III TC combo but when the bird turned to profile and posed I had too much lens. As I was switching TCs the first Turkey Vulture landed and scared off our national symbol….

I drove a bit closer, went to work with the 600 II/7D II rig, and created many dozen images of the vulture scavenging the Raccoon. I kept seven of those. My very favorite is shared with you here above. Here are the positives: I captured the peak of the action. The image shows some tension with the bird tugging on poor Rocky. The head angle is perfect. EXP and SH are perfect. The image is perfectly designed with roughly three times as much space in front of the Raccoon as behind the bird. Lastly, the splayed feathers at the rear of the bird add interest.

Negatives? I do not see any :). Ah, maybe the single out of focus blade of grass near the two sharp ones to the right of the bird’s legs…. And a third look reveals the specular highlight lower right frame edge caused by a drop of water on the tip of a blade of grass.


turkey-vulture-head-portrait-at-kill-_36a1173-indian-lake-estates-fl

This image was created in at 9:14am on the clear morning of 17 October down by the lake at ILE. I used the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 2X III, and a beta version of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II . ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode. AWB.

Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Expand/Rear Focus AF just below the bird’s eye was active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

From the Sequoia with the lens supported by the BLUBB (my custom-designed, hand made Big Lens Ultimate Bean Bag). When working on a beanbag with a long lens and re-composing be absolutely sure that the focusing ring does not rest on the beanbag lest you throw off accurate focus when re-composing. If that is unavoidable you must work in AI Servo AF with AF active at the moment of exposure as I did here.

Head Hunting

I added the 2X II TC to the 600II/7D II combo and drove a big circle to my right to get close enough for some head portraits. The dominant bird–there was one other nearby waiting its turn, walked away a bit so I hunkered down a bit, hid behind my rig, and stayed very still. Within a minute the bird returned to dine.


turkey-vulture-head-portrait-200-percent-at-kill-_36a1173-indian-lake-estates-fl

This JPEG represents a sharpened 100% view of the head portrait image above.

For the Two Types of Doubters….

There are many who doubt that the Canon EOS-7D Mark II is as good as I say it is. And there are many more who feel that a Series II super-telephoto lens and a Series III 2X TC (Extender) cannot make sharp images

I humbly beg to disagree and as proof, offer the 100% view of the face detail of the vulture (above). Note the sharpness of the individual raccoon hairs, the sharpness of the eye, the detail in the skin, and even the definition in the starburst sun eye highlight….

Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART

Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog or via a BAA Online Bulletin is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charges a minimum of 20% plus assorted fees! Yikes. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly–I offer free pricing advice, usually sells in no time flat. In the past few months, we have sold just about everything in sight.

Used Gear Cautions

Though I am not in a position to post images of gear for sale here or elsewhere, prospective buyers are encouraged to request for photos of the gear that they are interested in purchasing via e-mail. Doing so will help to avoid any misunderstandings as to the condition of the gear. Sellers are advised to take care to photograph their used gear with care against clean backgrounds so that the stuff is represented accurately and in the best light; please pardon the pun :).

Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Sale Pending: 4 NOV, 2014

George Snyder is offering a used Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM lens in like new condition for $879. The sale includes the tripod ring, the front and rear lens caps, the tough fabric case, the original box and lens manual, and insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. Your new gear will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made. You can contact George via e-mail or by phone at 715 359-2929. Central time.)

The 300 f/4 is a great starter lens for bird photography, a great, lightweight flight lens, and with its great minimum focusing distance, a fine macro lens for medium sized subjects like flowers and frogs. It will be just fine with a 1.4X TC with the new 7D II….

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Kathleen Graff is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in very good to excellent condition for $4799. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case with keys, a Lens Coat, a 4th GD Custom Lens Adapter Plate CP-51, the lens manual, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Photos available. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Kathleen via e-mail with a copy sent here. Alternatively, you can try her by phone at 262-797-2530 or 262-389-7998.

The old five was at one time the world’s most popular telephoto lens. It still makes great images with both TCs.

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Mike Stevens is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in like-new condition (used just once) for a ridiculously low $4999. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case, a Wimberley P-50 lens plate, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made; Paypal is an option.

Please contact Mike via e-mail, by phone at 951-260-2507, or on his cell at 951-821-1600.

The old five was at one time the world’s most popular telephoto lens. It still makes great images with both TCs.

Used Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Mike Stevens is offering a used Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in like-new condition (used just once) for a ridiculously low $7999. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case, a Wimberley P-50 lens plate, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made; Paypal is an option.

Please contact Mike via e-mail, by phone at 951-260-2507, or on his cell at 951-821-1600.

The 800 was my go-to super-telephoto lens for about 4 years.

Used EOS-1D Mark IV Digital Camera Body

Price reduced $249 on 10/30/2014!

Multiple IPT veteran and good friend Monte Brown is offering a used EOS-1D Mark IV digital camera body in excellent condition (with about 22,000 shutter actuations) for $2200. The sale includes the charger and an extra battery, the original box, cables, software, manuals, and insured ground shipping to US addresses only. Your camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Monte via e-mail or by phone at 765-744-1421 (Eastern time).

Two Mark IVs served as my workhorse bodies for more than three years.

Used Canon EF 100-400mm L IS Zoom Lens

Multiple IPT veteran and good friend Monte Brown is offering a used Used Canon EF 100-400mm IS L zoom lens in very good to excellent condition for only $899. The sale includes both front and rear lens caps, the older-style tough fabric case, and insured ground shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Monte via e-mail or by phone at 765-744-1421 (Eastern time).

I used and loved my 100-400 for many years. Monte’s is one of the sharpest copies of this lens that I have ever seen. On a bear boat trip he made dozens of super-sharp Bald Eagle images that amazed everyone in the group.

Used Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS Zoom Lens

Multiple IPT veteran and good friend Monte Brown is offering a used Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS Zoom Lens in very good to excellent condition for only $799. The sale includes both front and rear lens caps, the older-style tough fabric case, the original box, and insured ground shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Monte via e-mail or by phone at 765-744-1421 (Eastern time).

I used this lens for about two years. It makes a great lightweight, intermediate telephoto lens that is sharp, easily hand held, and works well with a 1.4X teleconverter. It is great for hand held flight photography and would go great with a 7D II as a starter bird photography lens for folks who work around relatively tame birds.

Used EOS-1D Mark IV Digital Camera Body

IPT veteran Brent Thompson is offering a used EOS-1D Mark IV digital camera body in excellent condition for $2449. The sale includes the RRS L-plate, the charger and battery, and all the manuals and cables that came in the box, the camera strap, the original box, and insured ground shipping to continental US addresses only. Your camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Brent via e-mail, by phone at 650-857-8695, or on his cell at 408-219-5023 (Pacific time).

Two Mark IVs served as my workhorse bodies for more than three years.

Used EOS-1D Mark IV Digital Camera Body

Price reduced $299 on 10/30/2014!

Marc Lombardi is offering a used EOS-1D Mark IV digital camera body in excellent condition with 57800 actuations for $2400. The body has one minor cosmetic scratch on top. The sale includes the charger and two batteries, a RRS plate, and insured ground shipping to US addresses only. Your camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Marc via e-mail or by phone at 610-585-3500 (Eastern time).

Two Mark IVs served as my workhorse bodies for more than three years.

Used Canon EF 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS Lens

Multiple IPT veteran Jack Panzeca is offering a used Canon EF 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS lens in very good + condition for $999 including insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. The tripod collar has one small scratch. The sale includes the original tough fabric case, the original box, the front and rear caps, the lens hood, and the strap. Your gear will be shipped only after your check clears.

Please contact Jack via e-mail or by phone at 817 819 1756. Central Time Zone.

The 100-400 is a versatile intermediate telephoto zoom lens with 1,000+ uses. It makes a great starter lens especially for folks who do general nature and wildlife in addition to birds. I’ve sold 100s of images made with a 1-4 and denise loved hers for many years forsaking it only recently for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Jack’s 100-400 is priced to sell.

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Price reduced $350 on 10/17/2014!

Dan Womack is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in excellent condition with clean glass with a few small nicks on the lens hood for $5150. B&H is offering a virtually identical used “old 500” for $6,299.95; you can save more than $1000 by grabbing Dan’s lens asap. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case with keys, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Dan via e-mail or by phone at 337 412 1898.

Used Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Manual Focus Lens

Price reduced $100 on 10/17/2014

Multiple IPT veteran Shelly Goldstein is offering a used Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Manual Focus lens in excellent condition for the ridiculously low price of $799. The lens sells new for $1,399.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the lens shade, the rear dust cap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground to US addresses only. The lens was cleaned and checked by Canon in September 2014.

You can contact Shelly via e-mail or by phone at 646-423-0392 (EST). Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears.

The 90 Tilt Shift is a specialized lens that enable precise control of depth of field along with perspective control. It is useful for portrait, product, and landscape photography. George Lepp loves it for flower field and macro photography, using it often with the 2X III teleconverter.

Used Canon Wide Angle Tilt Shift TS-E 24mm f/3.5L Manual Focus Lens

Price reduced $100 on 10/17/2014

Multiple IPT veteran Shelly Goldstein is offering a used Canon Wide Angle Tilt Shift TS-E 24mm f/3.5L Manual Focus Lens in excellent condition for a ridiculously low $749. The sale includes the front lens cap, the lens shade, the rear dust cap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground to US addresses only. The lens was cleaned and checked by Canon in September 2014.

You can contact Shelly via e-mail or by phone at 646-423-0392 (EST). Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears.

This specialized lens provides tilt-shift functions to control perspective and correct convergence of lines. It is especially useful in architecture, landscape, and product photography. The optical tilt mechanisms enable precise control of depth of field along with perspective control.

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

IPT veteran Stuart Hahn is offering a used original owner Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in excellent condition with clean glass for $5250. B&H is offering a virtually identical used “old 500” for $6,299.95; you can save more than $1000 by grabbing Stu’s lens asap. The sale includes the front leather lens hood, the rear dust cap, a used RRS B-91 Flash Bracket, the original case with keys, and insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Stu via e-mail or by phone (after October 3) at 916-485-1630 (Pacific time).

Canon 400mm EF f/5.6L USM Lens

Bob Bass is offering a used Canon 400mm EF f/5.6L USM lens in excellent condition for $999. The sale includes the original box, the tough fabric case, the front and rear lens caps, the instruction CD, and insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. Your new gear will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made. You can contact Bob via e-mail or by phone at 781-275-5230 EST.

Original owner. The lens was purchased in 2012 and used infrequently. It was recently returned from Canon Professional Services where it received a clean and check. Images of the lens are available upon request as are images made with the lens.

The 400 f/5.6, my old “toy lens” is an ideal flight or starter lens for younger folks with a steady hand. It will AF with a 1.4X TC with the new 7D II….

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29 comments to Blood Work and Road Kill, Head Hunting, and one for the 7D II and the f/4 Super-tele/2X III Doubters

  • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

    Better, more efficient tools are always welcomed by skilled carpenters. That said, if you gave me the latest, greatest radial arm saw the most likely result would be that I would cut off a finger or a whole hand…. Now, simply apply that to photography 🙂

    • avatar John Foster

      Better, more efficient tools are always welcomed by skilled carpenters. Thank you for articulating what I had so ineffectively communicated in my original post.

  • avatar NancyP

    Act of kindness toward turkey vulture much appreciated, I am sure. Lovely image of homely but necessary creature. I haven’t seen this personally, but I am assured by raptor rescue personnel that a threatened or upset turkey vulture will defend itself by projectile vomiting. Our National Symbol was wise to back off rather than spend a long time trying to clean the rotten vomit off its feathers.

    I too love my toy lens (EF 400 f/5.6 L no-IS), and recommend it to patient budget birders who are willing to practice to get the technique of shooting without image stabilization. I am so looking forward to upgrading to the 7D2 (from 60D) and having AF at f/8 with the 1.4x TC II.

    • Good post NancyP. I also own the toy lens (though I’m sure Artie gave this name jokingly) and couldn’t be happier. Being an enthusiast, do not dream of a premium.

      However, I’ve seen stunning images created by these prosumer lenses when used properly:

      Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
      Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
      Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
      Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

  • Convinced, the combo 600mm + 2x produced outstanding image with 7D II at ISO 400.

    Differ with John Foster’s statement ‘evidence of what the camera can do.’

    Again I have to remind the ageless message: “it’s not the equipment that creates great images . . . “

    • avatar John Foster

      No one said anything about better gear makes a better photographer. It is lamentable that Quazi Ahmed Hussain jumped on the cliché bandwagon and trivialized Canon’s (and other manufacturer’s) engineers and designers as an adjunct. I for one applaud the increase in functionality (improved fps, auto focus, and sensor) of the camera by which we can realize new opportunities to expand our artistic vision.

      • Appreciating introduction of new more advanced systems is a common practice. No one disputes upgraded equipment. However, manufacturers are not immune to errors and criticism of their shortcomings. Many models released both by Canon and Nikon suffered from drawbacks in the past and this trend is most likely to continue.

        It doesn’t help rather destroy a producer if we shower praises only and ignore the bottlenecks.

        • BTW, great images are created by photographers, not the systems. Arthur Morris turned out stunning photos before announcement of 7D II or even 1DX for that matter.

          • avatar John Foster

            Of course. To that point Digital Review TV has a series of guest professional photographers who are given toy cameras, pin-hole cameras, and other imaging devices that prove precisely that its the photographer and not the gear.

  • avatar Craig Wesson

    Again, we are most thankful you have taken the time and have given your honest opinion weather good or bad on not only the 7d2 but everything.

    A little off topic but, in your opinion what IPT a would be a good starting point for me. No matter what I’m limited to flying where ever it is from North of the border. I have both books one in print and other digital and read them quite often. I’m weak on the photoshop side for some reason I like to see and not read that stuff. Just looking for your thoughts or other IPT alumni opinion givers.
    Craig Wesson–Stratford, Ontario.

    Hi Craig, You are most welcome and thanks for your kind words. Any IPT that you join would be a huge learning experience. Right now I’d suggest Morro Bay as it is looking like a very small group. I am like you in that I learn a lot better watching folks than reading a guide or viewing a video tutorial. I spent a few hours on the phone yesterday with the tech guys from a new software that I will be using for image browsing on my Mac. I took lots of notes and plan on doing a tutorial on what I learned.

    What system do you use?

    I hope that you can join me soon. later and love, artie

    ps: let me know if you need any additional help.

    • Craig…my vote would be the Nickerson IPT in New York.
      It’s kind of like being in Florida without being in Florida.
      The beach is great, the group is small, especially with Artie
      and Denise being there to help.

      With it being in New York, its only about a 9 or 10 hour drive
      from Ontario. I made the drive from Ohio when I went in 2012…
      or did I go in 2013? I’m getting old 🙂

      For Photoshop, hang around with Denise. She does some pretty
      amazing stuff. She even taught me a better way to do some things
      in my processing.

      Which ever one you pick, my advice for your first one would be
      where there’s Artie and Denise. It’s so much nicer having two
      professionals to follow versus one.

      Doug

  • avatar John Foster

    I like your “two types of doubter,” segment. This is the kind of “proof” or at least evidence of what the camera can do. Thanks for sharing it.

  • avatar Ken Pride

    I was one of those skeptics re: 2 TCIII, however, maybe it is a comment on how good the 600mm f4 II really is. That image is “eye-bleeding” sharp, great shot Artie!!

    • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Thanks Ken. It is a combination of incredible optics and excellent sharpness techniques. As for the optics, don’t forget that I have been making consistenly sharp enough to sell images with the 600 f/4 and both of the older 2X TCs down to 1/60 sec. for nearly two decades 🙂 artie

  • avatar Larry Brown

    The grip is on back order from B and H.

  • avatar Julie Orr

    Artie,

    I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving me thousands of dollars! I currently own the original 7D and a 5D Mark II but I have been hankering for a 1D X….unfortunately my wallet is never going to be amenable to that purchase since I am truly just an amateur who makes personal coffee table books, calendars, etc for myself and family gifts. So, when I saw all the reviews about the 7D Mark II I perked up and have now decided that I can certainly afford to add this to my arsenal. With my assortment of quality Canon lenses along with one Sigma powerhouse, I think that this will complete my equipment needs for a while! I shall order as soon as I am able! Whoop!

    • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      You too are most welcome. Please remember to use one of your B&H affiliate links and shoot me your receipt via e-mail.

      thanks and later and love, artie

  • avatar Bill Richardson

    I love my new 2x almost as much as I hated the old 2x. When I get up in the morning, I kiss my 70-200f2.8II, kiss my 2xIII, kiss my 600II and then kiss my wife.

  • avatar Bill Eaton

    Very impressive how sharp these images are.Even the tiny hairs are razor sharp.

  • avatar Ken Kovak

    Hi Artie,

    Great shot of Rocky being eaten. Just to clarify, did you mean by:

    “The image is perfectly designed with roughly three times as much space in front of the Raccoon as behind the bird.”

    that there is 3x as much space from Rocky to the top of the frame as from Rocky to the bottom of the frame?

    Otherwise I am confused.

    Thanks and hope the lab work shows good results.

    Ken

    • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Hi Ken, You are confused. At first I though that I screwed up. Again :). But I did not. There is three times as much room on the right from the end of the Raccoon to the right frame-edge as there is from the end of the the last feather to the left frame edge. Got it? artie

      ps: thanks; the labs were good.

  • I’m sorry if I missed it, but did Canon send you the grip also? Just wondering how it felt in your hands, especially compared to a 7D II with the grip vs a 1DX? The last camera I owned that had the grip was the 20D and that thing was always coming lose. Error 99’s up the wazoo. Does Canon still make that wheel to tighten the grip
    to the body?

    Doug

    • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Hey Doug. Buenos no-grip. Till the 7D II I have never been comfortable with the feel of what I call the “toy” cameras. But I love my 7D II so much, especially the light weight, that the camera feels fine in my hands even without the vertical battery grip. It must be old age.

      I do miss the battery grip when hand holding the 300 II or the 200-400 and attempting to work in vertical format…. artie

      ps: anybody know if the grip can be ordered now?

      pps: the grip on the 5D III has the tighening wheel. I’ve never had a problem with it.