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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    If you've ever tried to photograph a cheetah hunt, then you would know that it's over in a flash, and you often just can't track the movement changes of the chase well enough. During our recent Wild Eye Great Migration Photographic Safari in the Mara Triangle (Kenya), we pulled into a cheetah sighting just as the hunt was about to begin. I quickly told the guests with me which settings to dial into their cameras, as I know from past experience that shutter speed and aperture need to be protected in these cases, and ISO should be the one to sacrifice.


    As the chase began, the female Cheetah chased the Thomson's Gazelle right past the nose of our customised Toyota Land Cruiser and then the take-down happened exactly 30 meters from our shooting position. Those of you who know me know that I photograph wildlife action primarily with the Nikkor 500mm prime telephoto lens. With it not being a zoom lens, getting the action too close can be a concern...

    This frame didn't have any of the cheetah hind quarters in it. I cropped more square to focus on the action. What do you think?

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s
    Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
    f8.0 | 1/3200 SS | ISO-800
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Morkel, this is a powerful image, tack sharp, good exposure (as usual). The flying dirt really conveys the action here. Yes, it would have been nice to have the cheetah in the frame completely and to see its eye in a perfect world. Thanks for the tips on SS and aperture for wildlife action. Loi

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    BPN Member Douglas Bolt's Avatar
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    I prefer the shot on FB more, but any image of a cheetah kill is to behold. All the technicals are perfect and it would be difficult to imagine a better position for the front paw, even with the eye of the cat showing.
    Douglas Bolt
    DougBoltPhotography.com

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel - I looked at this earlier but wanted to see it on my calibrated monitor before commenting. Great action, well captured. Love the flying dirt, skidding posture and raised paw. Too bad about the chopped cheetah and the eye being blocked by the paw. They are the difference between a fabulous photo and a photo of a lifetime. If it were mine, I would reduce the yellows very slightly. Looking forward to more from this sighting.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Awesome, dramatic image, agree with Rachel reg the paw and tightness but those are minor nit-picks.

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    You caught the moment Morkel.
    The mud is flying the tommy is stumbling and the cheetah's paw is raised to strike.
    No doubt there's a lot more where that came from. Can't wait.

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    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Morkel, I had the experience a few times before-too much lens... You did very well to capture the action razor sharp! The camera didn't focus on the dirt,well done!!!
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

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    Hi Morkel - Great capture and it sharp and detailed with lots of emphasis on action. The fact that you were fortunate to see the whole episode play out in front of you is a great event in itself. With what transpired and the result of a fine shot, I am also sure you are still kicking yourself for not having the appropriate lens on. Look forward to your others.

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    BPN Viewer Rob T Smith's Avatar
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    Morkel - for me the issue is not so much about this image (your images are always very good) but perhaps more about anticipating having the most appropriate lens available for the possible situation. I realise one doesn't have all the time in the world to reach for an alternative lens when cheetah are hunting, but given your knowledge of their behavior, would you, in hindsight have had your 70-200mm lens on your D800 at close quarters as backup?

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, the image conveys the drama and day to day struggle of living out in the bush, wherever that may be. The image illustrates the almost fatal final steps, but without the 'gore', and therefore 'cropping' the cheetah I think it OK albeit due to a fixed lens, however it would also have been nice to have all the Cheetah in. Have you sold the 200-400, as this to me would have been the ideal lens, especially for action like this at such close quarters, even better with a drop down 1.4x. I do like the splayed legs, flying debris and the outstretch front paws with claws deployed. I can see where Rachel is coming from re colour, but without the facility of 'Whopper' the tweak would be too subtle for the laptop, LOL.

    How about D3s with the 200-400, 500 on the 800?

    I think keeping your images 'in sequence' would help tell the story and convey your images better to those folk on here having seen some others.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Have you sold the 200-400, as this to me would have been the ideal lens, especially for action like this at such close quarters, even better with a drop down 1.4x.

    How about D3s with the 200-400, 500 on the 800?
    I've never owned the 200-400, Steve! I wanted one but eventually settled on the 500 as it suited my personal travels best (regions like the Kgalagadi, Kruger and Etosha where I self-drive with my family)...
    I just don't have the capital to get another super telephoto. Heck even a 300mm f2.8 would have been sweet here haha...

    I will for sure get a loan 200-400 from Nikon Professional Services for my Mara safari next year and then leave the 500 home...

    Oh, and this one happened before the other one you saw
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 10-04-2013 at 01:11 AM.
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    Morkel and Steve, such situations are the reason I have held back from selling my 100-400 L lens. I bought the 500 II and that was a big deal for me and I can't think of owning another super tele (200-400+1.4 L or the 300 2.8 L) but if a newer version of 100-400 L comes out, I will definitely upgrade to that. My 7D has had a shutter issue and has gone to Canon Service India for repair. Is it worth selling that and get another full frame like 6D as back up or should I keep the crop factor body for back up?
    Regards
    Sanjeev

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rob T Smith View Post
    Morkel - for me the issue is not so much about this image (your images are always very good) but perhaps more about anticipating having the most appropriate lens available for the possible situation. I realise one doesn't have all the time in the world to reach for an alternative lens when cheetah are hunting, but given your knowledge of their behavior, would you, in hindsight have had your 70-200mm lens on your D800 at close quarters as backup?

    Rob - I anticipated the kill would happen because of the posture of the cheetah and the proximity of the gazelle even before she began stalking. It's just impossible to determine where the chase will end up. If the gazelle veered to the right and went to the other side of our vehicle I would have had enough lens (perhaps even needing a 1.4x converter). That's what makes it so difficult. I say now I would take the 200-400 lens next year, but I wouldn't want to leave the 500mm+1.4x because it can just as easily happen out of range of the 200-400+1.4 combo.

    Incidentally I did have the D800+70-200 on the seat next to me but the framerate is very slow (4fps) and I was standing up shooting through the pop-top and reaching down for the other camera would have made me miss most of this sequence as it was over in seconds...you make due with what you have I suppose...
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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sanjeev Aurangabadkar View Post
    Morkel and Steve, such situations are the reason I have held back from selling my 100-400 L lens. I bought the 500 II and that was a big deal for me and I can't think of owning another super tele (200-400+1.4 L or the 300 2.8 L) but if a newer version of 100-400 L comes out, I will definitely upgrade to that. My 7D has had a shutter issue and has gone to Canon Service India for repair. Is it worth selling that and get another full frame like 6D as back up or should I keep the crop factor body for back up?
    Regards
    Sanjeev
    Sanjeev, I would say keep the 7D. I know the 6D file quality is better due to the FF sensor but one of my clients on the recent Mara safari shot with it and missed many opportunities (including kill shots like these) due to the slow framerate. The 7D with the 100-400 is a very capable backup body if the light is decent. Obviously the 100-400 needs a refresh so it would be good to renew that lens when the replacement comes out, just make sure you take your current one for calibration as it makes a big difference in sharpness on that unit. Calibrate it with your 7D for best results.
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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I've never owned the 200-400, Steve! I wanted one but eventually settled on the 500
    Ah, ok Morkel, my 500 would need to be surgically removed, would never dream of leaving that behind it's a real workhorse. The 200-400 is awesome in these instances, just difficult to know whether the 500 or the 70-200 on the other body??? Found three bodies just too confusing.

    Sanjeev, personally I would sell it, but then what is on the market? With the kit you have I think you do need one with 'reach', if distance wasn't an issue I would sell you the MKIV & 3002.8 as they are going/gone.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Ah, ok Morkel, my 500 would need to be surgically removed, would never dream of leaving that behind it's a real workhorse. The 200-400 is awesome in these instances, just difficult to know whether the 500 or the 70-200 on the other body??? Found three bodies just too confusing.
    .
    I love my 500 and it's done me good in 99% of great sightings. I had to choose either 200-400, 500 or 600. The 600 is just too bulky for me, can handhold the 500. I think a 300 2.8 on the D800 is an awesome combo to wield though...just can't afford one. I also find 3 bodies very cumbersome to manage.
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    Thanks Steve and Morkel. I am not sure how much a 2.8 aperture is useful for birds and wildlife. I am finding that the 70-200 f/4 IS, 100-400 L and the 500mm II with 1.4 TC is doing a good job for me with the 5D III and 7D bodies. I too am not keen on a third body I have been thinking hard to justify the 70-200 2.8 II but I dont do events, weddings, portraits and most of the time we stop down for more DOF hence I find the f/4 does a good job. The only reason to upgrade might be that 2.8 II is sharper. If I could afford, I would get the 300 2.8 II in place of 100-400 to complement the 500mm.
    Cheers

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I think we are going a little off topic now, but having a zoom in your kit is helpful. The 300 f/2.8 with either the 1.4 or 2x will give you all the FPs and flexible reach, ask Rachel
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel,

    I did not read comments up there... yet. So will keep mine short.

    For me your image works very well, but with more air it would be the top notch.... for me

    PS Did you get my PM, before I left to Svalbard 3-4 weeks ago about the waterholes for your next trip?

    Have a great weekend

    Ciao Anette

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    BPN Viewer Rob T Smith's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    Rob - I anticipated the kill would happen because of the posture of the cheetah and the proximity of the gazelle even before she began stalking. It's just impossible to determine where the chase will end up. If the gazelle veered to the right and went to the other side of our vehicle I would have had enough lens (perhaps even needing a 1.4x converter). That's what makes it so difficult. I say now I would take the 200-400 lens next year, but I wouldn't want to leave the 500mm+1.4x because it can just as easily happen out of range of the 200-400+1.4 combo.

    Incidentally I did have the D800+70-200 on the seat next to me but the framerate is very slow (4fps) and I was standing up shooting through the pop-top and reaching down for the other camera would have made me miss most of this sequence as it was over in seconds...you make due with what you have I suppose...
    Hi Morkel, I've learnt a lot from your comments & others re back-up bodies & lenses in this thread. Many thanks for indulging me. Hindsight being perfect vision is stretching it when trying to capture cheetahs on a hunt. No matter how much planning and rationalizing one does, it seems luck will always play its own part. Enjoy the rugby this afternoon! Cheers, Rob

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Dear Morkel,

    To begin with, I must say I enjoy your enthusiasm and passion for photography as well as appreciation of wildlife. I believe it is essential for a wildlife photographer to know and understand his or her subjects-you certainly have the knowledge and experience to anticipate animal behaviour and this enables you to produce those exciting and memorable images. I congratulate you again for yet another riveting scene - you have captured here the drama of the kill barely seconds before the strike. My non-photographer friends often ask " how can you watch this happen, how do you feel when you witness a kill, a chase?"-well there's nothing to match the tension and the raised heart beat, the pulse and adrenalin rush. I wish I could just stand and watch sometimes, but missing an opportunity like this would torture me till my last days. I often reply to my friends that I feel emotion when I process the image because then I have the time to " process " what I am seeing. When I shoot my mind is racing searching for the perfect settings.

    Talking about choice of lens, I am a great fan of the 500 F4. It has become my prime lens and although I carry a 300 with me I hardly ever use it these days. If I were you I would have made the same choice when it came to equipment. You've done a great job here Morkel, capturing the image as well as processing. Not a suggestion, but just a question: have you thought about a pano crop?

    Cannot wait to see your other images from this trip, so far it has been exciting and I am sure you have lots more where this came from

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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  36. #22
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks for the lively discussion, friends...


    Gabriela - no but I will investigate. I am playing a bit with square crops at the moment - a personal phase haha (and to begin with I detested them).
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Your best and most exciting images came from these experiments, dear Morkel! And by that I mean shooting as well as processing Keep doing what you are doing right now, the element of surprise is always there and I simply cannot resist viewing post after post, wondering "...mmm, what is Morkel doing now, what's next?" Your enthusiasm and ideas are refreshing and inspiring-keep "investigating" please

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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