Some recent AK photo's

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Moose Whisperer

It's actually quite ironic. I spent all that time getting used to the different properties of my lenses on a crop sensor, now I'm having to readjust back to Full Frame all over again. Though now I think I've stumbled on the ultimate setup when I'm out in the field. I keep the 100-400 on my 40D and the 24-105 on the 5D2. I almost never need to change lenses any more, except for the very few times when I set up for an ultra wide angle.

My favorite photos are of landscapes with a wide lens (Tokina 12-24mm), but the sky has been sort of hazy lately, so I have spent a lot of time taking close-ups of willow with the 100 macro, and birds (cranes, ducks, geese) with the 400 prime. I don't think I will switch to full frame for a long time, since I am quite interested in wildlife at the moment (moose, small animals, and birds). With a 5D and such, I would have to buy a 500 or 600mm prime, which are way too expensive.

Today's ducks (the busy background does not help):



Just got a very stubborn piece os lint or something on my 40D's sensor. It's almost out of the way (appears near the top edge of a photo of the sky), and the self-cleaning process isn't removing it. Will try a Rocket Blaster in a day or two, since I don't want to use a sensor brush nor wet cleaner.

[notreesininceland]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Just got a very stubborn piece os lint or something on my 40D's sensor. It's almost out of the way (appears near the top edge of a photo of the sky), and the self-cleaning process isn't removing it. Will try a Rocket Blaster in a day or two, since I don't want to use a sensor brush nor wet cleaner.

The Arctic Butterfly by Visible Dust is very effective.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by notreesininceland

You have a good set-up going provided the light is good. I love the 24-105. That and the 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS is usually reserved for body 1. On the other body I tend to mount the primes (14L II, 35L, 85L II, 135L etc). The primes are pure magic on the old 5D and I expect them to be likewise on the Mark II.

Yes, that caveat is particularly applicable up here. Obviously, light is in abundance during part of the year, and rather scarce at other times! I may decide to do a slight adjustment to my lens lineup later this year when winter starts to roll around again. Hopefully Canon will have a stronger fall rebate program than the one going on right now.

Yea, the 70-200 2.8 L IS is probably the lens that has most surprised me on the FF MkII. I've always know it was an excellent lens, but on the 5D2 it is nothing short of AMAZING!

Sounds like you have alot of good glass. I'm assuming you took some of it on that trip to Death Valley...

[notreesininceland]

Originally Posted by Moose Whisperer

Yea, the 70-200 2.8 L IS is probably the lens that has most surprised me on the FF MkII. I've always know it was an excellent lens, but on the 5D2 it is nothing short of AMAZING!

It is perhaps the finest zoom around. But I have to tell you - nothing comes close to the magic of 85L II and 135L on full-frame. These lenses have been crafted, as is often said, by the hand of God. In the Alaskan wilderness I suspect the 300 mm f/2.8 L IS (also God's lens) would be a great fit - hand holdable and deadly accurate. But expensive as hell.

Sounds like you have alot of good glass. I'm assuming you took some of it on that trip to Death Valley...

Yes, I have very good lenses. Re. Death Valley, this was more of a scouting trip. Death Valley is magnificent from a photographer's perspective and a good 7-10 days are needed for deliberate work. I also dropped by Really Right Stuff in San Luis Obispo - a small company making world-class accessory products for cameras. What a delight they were!

[Nephler]

Today on Palmer Hay Flats, wet, but wonderful.

[Grannysroost]

Is really greening up...can feel the squish...and throw Ray's ducks in that marsh....wonderful...quack....love second one in motion....quack..quack...quack...watch for Guido...

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Grannysroost

Is really greening up...can feel the squish...and throw Ray's ducks in that marsh....wonderful...quack....love second one in motion....quack..quack...quack...watch for Guido...

How about these ones?

This little one was quite grumpy, and was chasing other ducks away from its food.

[Grannysroost]

OMG Ray...that first one's facial (beak and body language) expression is priceless....

[Nephler]

Ray, those are wonderful photos! not sure what else to say, very clear.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Nephler

Ray, those are wonderful photos! not sure what else to say, very clear.

Thanks, Nepher.

These ducks were quite close, so I used a 200mm lens. I will be taking photos of birds while I wait for a Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly brush I ordered from B&H, to remove a very small piece of lint from my camera's sensor. My 40D has an automatic sensor cleaner, but it hasn't been able to drop the lint, which appears on the top edge of my landscape shots. So, another week of birds should be plenty to drive me crazy