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Canon EF 17-40mm f/ 4L USM ( 2002 ) |
The Canon EF 17-40 mm f/4L USM is a wide-angle zoom that is already on the market for several years.
It is used mainly for landscapes and provides the ability to create an attractive perspective when photographing subjects close by.
The closest focusing distance is only 28 centimeter.
On a full-frame camera, it is possible to achieve an enormous field. The lens is of the L-class, the sharpness is adequate, but in general, the optical quality is little less than the second version of the Canon 16 to 35 mm. When used on a large-aperture of 17 mm then there is clearly viggnetering. It is advisable to use at least an f/5.6 aperture but f/7.1 but is even better.
Canon 70-200 mm f/4L USM ( 2002 )
Also this lens has been on the market for many years, there is still a market for it. The low weight makes it an ideal lens for traveling. This version dates from the time that Image Stabilizer did not exist yet, but there is a tripod mount available. The lens is widely used for shooting landscapes. For animals often the focal length is to small and the minimum focusing distance is 1.2 meters. For butterflies and dragonflies that is just not enough. Optically, it is a fine lens and the price is very favorable. The successor of this lens scored higher on average, but so is the price. You will then have a Image Stabilizer. There is also an f/2.8 execution on the market. This one is optically superior, but a lot heavier. For travelers with an already full camera bag every pound of extra weight is worth considering to keep it.
EF 180 mm f/3.5L Macro USM ( 2006 )
This macro lens Canon is one that has often proven its services. Due to the large focal length it still is possible to make full-size images at a reasonable distance.
The lens is compatible with the 1.4 converter, but the result is that the reliability of the autofocus goes back claerly. Often manual focus or using “Live View” is recommended. Despite the age of this design it has once again excellent optical quality.
A stabilizer is missing, but most of the time I’am working with a tripod because of the very small depth of field at macro photography. The build quality is great and the lens is very reliable.
Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS USM ( 1998 )
The tele gun from the famous white series. Especially with bird photographers, this lens is popular. The focal length of 500 mm is ideal with respect to the 400 and 600 mm. For those who do not like working with a converter or founds the big brother weighing to much, this lens is just in between. Although the weight of the 500 mm is almost four kilogram, there are a few people who sometimes use it out of hand. It is a solid tool and after fifteen years has never given any problem. With a 1.4 converter features one 700 mm and still has a combination in the hand that is optically good. The type two which recently entered the market is on all fronts one step further developed and improved.
Gitzo
With the brand Gitzo I sometimes have a love/hate relationship. It often seems that the exclusivity that one pretends especially should be reflected in the price. As for the tripod legs, I can definitely recommend this brand. These are durable and lightweight, often fold to a very low height and stability is fine. It is a pity that the introduction of useful things such as “anti leg rotation” takes some time before introduced. On some tripod heads I am less satisfied. So needs the most expensive fluid head of the brand definitely a new design. I sold mine because it was not functioning properly in several ways.
Especially with tripod heads, functionality is what counts.
Sachtler FSB 6 ( 2005 )
Years ago, when purchasing the Sachtler FSB 6 fluid head the person in the store claimed that he had never heard of Gitzo brand. Conversely, it was the same, so it was probably a denial. The fact was they never had a photographer in the store who bought a fluid head meant for movie makers. Of course, the tip came from a bird and nature filmmaker. Critical as I am about equipment I never had a second regret of purchasing this head. For an amount which is lower than the aforementioned Gitzo fluid head, this one is pure solidity.
Everything is set, with easy to use buttons and the mechanism works flawlessly even at temperatures of minus twenty degrees Celsius. This applies to the adjustable resistance of the rotating parts and for the counter balance that ensures that the lens does not fall over when you release it. The guarantee is even to minus 40 degrees Celsius. The advantage of a head / bowl system is the built-in level base. After setting one can rotate 360 degrees around without the crooked horizon will lie. Sachtler is pure quality and ensures that one can simply concentrate on the shooting.
Note that for lenses without tripod mount and vertical position this cup is not suitable.
Additional accessories:
Canon 1.4 teleconverter
Filters, gray gradient and polarization
Electronic shutter cable
Camera Bags, Think Tank and Lowepro
Angle finder
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Canon EOS -1DX ( 2012 ) Canon’s flagship digital SLRs. Equipped with advanced sensor technology, a high speed and advanced autofocus and a maximum speed of 14 frames per second, makes this camera a real workhorse. The small amount of noise in the higher ISO’s is very welcome and useful. In addition, the body is dust and splash-proof and the handling even for small hands is excellent. All buttons are in the right place and so changing a setting goes almost automatically. But all this comes at a hefty price tag. In nature photography, a major focus area is always easy, especially with moving subjects. Compared to the Mark 4 it seems that this field is slightly smaller. When it comes to choosing a focus point in relation to the composition, one sometimes lacks a row. First I make the composition and then I choose a focus point. This is particularly true in the corners of the image.
This camera is full frame and that means no crop factor is present. |
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Canon EOS 1D MARK 4 ( 2009 )
The predecessor of the 1DX and also equipped with an accurate and precise autofocus system. In terms of noise performance this camera lags behind his successor, but in return there is the advantage of the 1.3 crop factor. The maneuverability is equal to that of the 1D X as well as the reliability and sealing against dust and moisture.
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The images shown are only an example of the equipment Jan is using.