Hi Everyone
I am getting closer to getting the Canon 7D and the 300mm prime lens with the extender so I thought today I would take a trip to Calumet in Edinburgh and get a quotation.
I was able to hold the 7D which was brill but they had no lenses on display for me to try. The quotation was £40 dearer than WEX for the same order but I have been offered an extended warranty on the camera body and 300mm lens although on my quotation sheet they have only mentioned the lens so will have to double check. I am preferring Calumet and the assistant did say that if I was not happy with the lens I would receive a full refund ie no postage hassle if returned within 14 days!
My first question is are these extended warranties worth it or should I save the £40 at WEX and get a free bag too!
My next question - has anyone gone through Gatwick or Heathrow and seen the 7D in the duty free?I know the big white lenses are not there!
I saw a monopod and head that I liked. Has anyone bought them or could anyone recommend something better. I liked the tripod as it has extending feet which if you are standing still for an hour it could help the weight a bit. I have used the amazon sight just to show you all what I saw.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-Midi-Ball-Head-RC2/dp/B002PWHOYG/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1371058733&sr=8-11&keywords=manfrotto+heads
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-682B-Self-Standing-Monopod/dp/B000186QGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371058792&sr=8-1&keywords=monopod+manfrotto+682b
Thanks for all your help again.
For flight shots, just use the camera normally ie look through viewfinder, focus, bam; you're using the monopod to take the weight of the lens and provide a steadying action. It's like using the camera handheld, but by not holding the weight, you're far less prone to shake. It'll make more sense when you're actually trying it out, honest :-)
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Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index
Wow, this is all very interesting reading and my head is whirling from all the various suggestions on taking shots, hand held, remote or fixed to tripod/monopod ......... it's great to have different peoples experiences/ideas and for me I take what I can on-board and then get out there and just practice, practice, practice to see what I am best comfortable with. I bought the tripod, mainly for the garden shots and for the macro lens but as it is carbon fibre it shouldn't be too heavy to transport if needs be and I have bought the shoulder strap (for Mike !!! LOL ) I went for the Giottos tripod in the end Lolly (Giottos GTMTL8361B - 3 Section Pro Carbon Fibre Tripod With Two-Way Column) as the reviews said they were better than some of the Manfrottos and cheaper; it should suit my purposes and to be honest, I was tired of looking at so many options; it was making me dizzy. So by the end of the week I should hopefully receive all the stuff. Seems we are building up our kit Lolly, bit by bit, good luck with your photos, look forward to seeing them and enjoy that wonderful sounding holiday :)
For flight shots, I do pretty much what Alan suggests, hand held and fire off rapid shots, hoping to get one in frame and in decent focus !
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Regards, Hazel
Gorgeous photos Alan, I would be happy with shots half that good.
Unknown said: Lol! If hummingbirds were as big as Ospreys, you'd be in serious trouble! Sheila - a little bit of local knowledge from a chap where we were staying put us on to the location. Loch Garten and the like are great with the nest cameras etc, but are a bit distant for your own pics, whereas this is a bit closer whilst still not disturbing them. I'll process a few more and Flickr them (got a few to trawl through as yet).
Lol! If hummingbirds were as big as Ospreys, you'd be in serious trouble!
Sheila - a little bit of local knowledge from a chap where we were staying put us on to the location. Loch Garten and the like are great with the nest cameras etc, but are a bit distant for your own pics, whereas this is a bit closer whilst still not disturbing them. I'll process a few more and Flickr them (got a few to trawl through as yet).
Lucky you! I would love to see osprey fishing. One day perhaps.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
I didn't get to see him actually fishing, but flying with a fish, devouring a fish, yep, they're there on Flickr now :-) I've more to do, but ran out of time.
As Doggie mentions, there is a real danger with 8fps - shooting jpegs, the thing just won't stop and you can end up with HUGE numbers of images to work through! Most of the time I run it on "slow" continuous simply to avoid so much sorting out :-)
Will do Lolly, tripod/head should arrive at end of the week ...........same time as Australian visitors - maybe I can start by practising taking their portrait photos with the macro but I'll insist on them ditching the Akubra hat with the corks round it LOL !!!
Unknown said: I didn't get to see him actually fishing, but flying with a fish, devouring a fish, yep, they're there on Flickr now :-) I've more to do, but ran out of time.
More super osprey pix! Thank you so much Joe. You certainly had a great time in the area. Perhaps they will take to the platforms being erected in East Anglia one day. And thanks to Doggie for alerting the osprey watchers on the Loch Garten Daily Update too.
OK, there are a few more up on Flickr. I think that's enough, I try not to overload my Flickr stream with too many of the same thing normally, people might fall asleep looking through them all :-)
No, we love ospreys! Your bird with the green ring was last seen two years ago at Rothie fish farm!
Excellent - I hadn't got around to tracing her history :-)