A Remarkable Gear Combination for Hand Held Flight and Action Photography...

[Arthur Morris]

Sandwich Tern diving

This image was created on the last afternoon of the Fort DeSoto IPT with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 390mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with Premium Kit: 64GB Card and Reader. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop off the light blue sky: 1/3200 sec. at f/8.

AF Micro-adjustment via LensAlign/Focus Tune: +4. Tutorial coming soon on the blog.

Center AF point (Manual selection)/AI Servo Expand/Shutter Button AF as originally framed framed was active at the moment of exposure (as is always best when hand holding). The selected AF point was squarely on the center of the tern’s back. (This is a small crop for composition from the left and the top.) Click on the image to see a larger version.

Learn how I made this image and how I was inspired by a student to try the 100-400II with the 1.4X III TC and the 1DX II for flight photography in the blog post here.

Folks can learn more about my early 1DX II experiences on my blog: here, here, here, and here; additional topics covered include AF with the 600 II and the 2X III TC, 65 Point AF, and ISO 4000 and 8000. With lots more to come.

In short, I now go to the 1DX II for flight, action, and high ISO situations. I continue to use and love the 5DS R for bird and wildlife portraits, flowers, scenics, and urbex.

As for the image, don't be shy; all honest comments are welcome.

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

Difficult shot well captured, one doesn't always see the dorsal aspect of terns in such full detail.. What I like about Focus Tune is that you can get a good idea of DOF for the specific lens / body combination which can be helpful in the field when aiming at bird backs and shoulders or when the bird is not parallel to the sensor. After completing MA at full open aperture I play around with smaller apertures noting the respective DOF for each. It may take more time but is well worth the effort with FT.

[Arthur Morris]

Difficult shot well captured, one doesn't always see the dorsal aspect of terns in such full detail.. What I like about Focus Tune is that you can get a good idea of DOF for the specific lens / body combination which can be helpful in the field when aiming at bird backs and shoulders or when the bird is not parallel to the sensor. After completing MA at full open aperture I play around with smaller apertures noting the respective DOF for each. It may take more time but is well worth the effort with FT.

Thanks Gerhard, I still need to learn the fine points of LensAlign/Focus Tune. a

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice Artie love the landing seagull on the pelican frame on your blog BTW

[Daniel Cadieux]

Fantastic diving pose! I love the cocked tail and little foot sticking out beside it. I also really like the hint of cloud in the sky.

[annmpacheco]

Sandwich diving, this looks delicious, yummy
Awesome Artie, crisp detail, love the rudder and tiny foot , wings are perfect. so nice. so much detail. Ill be shooting roseates and commons in a few days and try my hand with the ol dx and the rest of the same gear, etc, ...

[Arthur Morris]

Sandwich diving, this looks delicious, yummy
Awesome Artie, crisp detail, love the rudder and tiny foot , wings are perfect. so nice. so much detail. Ill be shooting roseates and commons in a few days and try my hand with the ol dx and the rest of the same gear, etc, ...

Thanks Ann. Where Roseates? a

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Artie, very well done on capturing this very fast flyer, and with a full wingspread. Well exposed, sharp, and clouds always add so much more to a sky BG.

[annmpacheco]

Thanks Ann. Where Roseates? a

helen...

[Richard Gollar]

Thanks Gerhard, I still need to learn the fine points of LensAlign/Focus Tune. a

I wish you would do a tutorial on how to use focus tune. I purchased from your site and still need to learn to use it. I know like you dont have anything better to do then a tutorial lol. Thanks for your blogs I love them.

[Arthur Morris]

I wish you would do a tutorial on how to use focus tune. I purchased from your site and still need to learn to use it. I know like you dont have anything better to do then a tutorial lol. Thanks for your blogs I love them.

Hi Richard, When I get finish my 2015 taxes I will get started on the tutorial. There are several online at the blog; the new one will be the best... Thanks for your purchase. artie