{"id":6493,"date":"2011-08-19T09:25:53","date_gmt":"2011-08-19T13:25:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=6493"},"modified":"2011-08-19T10:16:17","modified_gmt":"2011-08-19T14:16:17","slug":"long-lenslong-exposureimage-stabilization-lesson-learned-follow-ups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2011\/08\/19\/long-lenslong-exposureimage-stabilization-lesson-learned-follow-ups\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Lens\/Long Exposure\/Image Stabilization Lesson Learned, & Follow-ups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

I created the images for this Photomatix HDR creation with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f\/5.6L IS lens<\/a> and the EOS-1D Mark IV<\/a>. ISO 100. The base exposure was Evaluative Metering +2\/3 stop: 2.5 seconds at f\/8. Four additional frames were created as follows using the Mark IV’s Auto Exposure Bracketing feature: +\/- one-full stop (around the base exposure). Note: the longest exposure was 20 seconds at f\/8.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Long Lens\/Long Exposure Lesson Learned<\/h3>\n

For years I have never been able to make a sharp image with a long lens and extremely long shutter speeds (in the range of one-half second or slower) even when using mirror lock-up and the camera’s self timer. I was always puzzled by that as I have seen some great fill flash images of owls created with big glass and shutter speeds of from one to two seconds. When I mentioned that to Scott Vincent on the Weekhawken, NJ “New York City Skyline” workshop that he co-led with Denise Ippolito last Saturday night he immediately shot back” Turn of Image Stabilization and you will make razor sharp images.” So I did. And I did. I was astounded at the sharpness of the resulting images. Thanks Scott! (Note that the longest exposure was 20 seconds at f\/8!) It seems that the IS does in fact shift the lens elements during long exposures and cause big problems. I will however continue to leave Image Stabilization on when working on a tripod for nearly all other applications including normal bird photography and situations where the danger of mirror slap is likely, that is, with shutter speeds of from 1\/15 to 1\/2 second. But heck, I will experiment even there. <\/p>\n

The image above (Enhancer Default HDR) was the favorite of most of those who responded to the last post<\/a>. Except for Mary Stamper who is always on the same page as me (and Adam Felde as well). The HDR Grunge was also my favorite \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Follow-ups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
ngg_shortcode_1_placeholder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

This pleasingly blurred image of a Coastal Brown Bear lunging forward to jump on a salmon was the unanimous choice of those who left comments. It was created with the Canon 70-200mm f\/2.8L IS II lens<\/a> with the the 1.4X III TC<\/a> (handheld at 280mm) and the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV.<\/a> ISO 50. Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop: 1\/15 sec. at f\/11 in Tv mode. <\/p>\n

Lens\/TC\/Camera Body Micro-Adjustment:<\/a> -8. This was a big change from the previous +2 after my Mark IV was serviced by Canon. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

In the Bear Blurs and More<\/a> post, I liked them all but agree fully that the second bear image(above) was the strongest. I like the first image for its rule of thirds composition and the effect of the blur on the grasses. I was pretty much alone there \ud83d\ude42 I’ll take the fireweed blur over the moving water blur but like that one too. That leaves the walking bear as my least favorite and agree that it looks a bit strange with the head so sharp…. Thanks all for commenting. <\/p>\n

BTW, though this is a public forum and all are invited to comment there is no freedom of speech here. It is my blog and though I am a lover of what is and am fine with folks not liking an image and with occasional criticism (see the no “What no JPEGs in the contest?” comments here<\/a>), I do have my limits. Comments from unhappy campers that over-step the bounds of civility will be deleted. I do realize that there are some folks out there who love taking shots at Mr. Famous Bird Photographer and I have been fairly tolerant of comments made in that vein. I look forward to your continued participation here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ngg_shortcode_2_placeholder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

“Hey Honey” (Nazca Booby pair courting) was created at Prince Phillips Steps, Tower Island with the Canon 70-200mm f\/2.8L IS II lens<\/a> and the Canon EF 2X III TC<\/a> (hand held between 310 and 400mm) with the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV<\/a>. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop at about 1\/2000 sec. at f\/5.6 in Av Mode. <\/p>\n

Lens\/TC\/camera body Micro-adjustment<\/a>: -12. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

In Editing Practice I: Nazca Boobies<\/a> my somewhat surprising favorite was the image above, “Hey Honey.” I felt that the less than ideal head angle of the bird in the front was more than offset by the obvious connection between the two birds. I did in fact keep all three of the images plus about a dozen more from that encounter. Everyone backed up their choice with sound reasoning. The consensus of the group pretty much agreed with my choice of “Hey Honey” as best. For the first time Cheapo and I were on the very same page. \ud83d\ude42 Lastly, several folks commented that they did not like “Over the Top” because the bird in the background was out of focus. I am fine with that. Do note, however that front subject sharp\/rear subject o-o-f is a technique that I use often when creating images that feature pleasing juxtapositions. <\/p>\n

Shopper’s Guide<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Below is a list of he gear used to make the three mages in this post. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Support both the Bulletins and the Blog by making all your B & H purchases here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Remember: you can earn free contest entries with your B & H purchases. Eleven great categories, 34 winning and honored images, and prize pools valued in excess of $20,000. Click here<\/a> for details. <\/p>\n

Canon 800mm f\/5.L IS lens.<\/a> Right now this is my all time favorite super-telephoto lens.
\nCanon 70-200mm f\/2.8L IS II lens<\/a>. Man, I am loving this lens on my shoulder with the 2X III teleconverter<\/a>. I also use it a lot with the 1.4X III TC<\/a> which is designed to work best with the new Series II super-telephoto lenses.
\nCanon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body.<\/a> My two Mark IVs are my workhorse digital camera bodies. <\/p>\n

And from the BAA On-line Store:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

LensCoats<\/a>. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sale value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
\nLegCoat Tripod Leg Covers.<\/a> I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders \ud83d\ude42
\nGitzo GT3530LS Tripod.<\/a> This one will last you a lifetime.
\nMongoose M3.6 Tripod Head.<\/a> Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head<\/a>.
\nCR-80 Replacement Foot for Canon 800<\/a>. When using the 800 on a Mongoose as I do, replacing the lens foot with this accessory lets the lens sit like a dog whether pointed up or down and prevents wind-blown spinning of your lens on breezy days by centering the lens directly over the tripod.
\n Double Bubble Level.<\/a> You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
\nBe sure to check out our camera body User’s Guides here<\/a>.
\nThe Lens Align Mark II.<\/a> I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.<\/a>
\nA Guide to Pleasing Blurs<\/a>. Everything that you wanted to know about creating pleasing blurs and more!
\nBIRDS AS ART Camera Body User’s Guides<\/a>. Why spend $2-5 grand on a camera and not learn to use it properly and efficiently? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ngg_shortcode_3_placeholder <\/p>\n

I created the images for this Photomatix HDR creation with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f\/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 100. The base exposure was Evaluative Metering +2\/3 stop: 2.5 seconds at f\/8. Four additional frames were created as follows using the Mark IV’s Auto Exposure Bracketing feature: +\/- one-full […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-90","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6493\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}