Canon 70-200/2.8 IS II upgrade

The-Digital-Picture Resolution Comparison

The 4 stop IS of this lens is terrific for low light conditions where even handheld 1/15 sec shots at 200mm are useable. Im glad Canon solved the noisey whirl of the Mk I image stabiliser in this update.

The focus is fast and accurate, perhaps a tad more accurate than the Mk I and closer to the speed of the 70-200/4 IS.

The 1.2m mfd gives a little more freedom which could be handy and portrait and close up situations.

The new colored skin and hood texture is a welcome though the slight increase in weight and length over the original lens can somewhat be noticed.

This is definitely a lens that u can rely on to get u that quality image.

New Holland Honeyeater

550D + 70-200 II + 430 EX, ISO 200, 190mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec

Wattlebird

550D + 70-200 II, ISO 200, 200mm, f/4, 1/1600 sec

Even with decent cropping applied and basic adjustments this lens can produce some sharp images. The smoothness of the bokeh is pleasing...

Hot Air Ballooning, Turkey - Pt II

Following on from an earlier thread; Hot Air Ballooning, Turkey; here are a few more scenic photos of  Capadoccia's landscape.

5DMkII + 16-35LII, ISO 400, 16mm, f/5.6, 1/20 sec

5DMkII + 85LII, ISO 200, 85mm, f/4, 1/160 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35LII, ISO 200, 16mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec

Larger version

With some HDR applied

5DMkII + 16-35LII, ISO 200, 16mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec

Larger version

Surreal is how i imagined it ;)

5DMkII + 16-35LII, ISO 200, 16mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec

Larger version

Can you recognise any of the scenery? Some scenes of Star Wars was filmed in this region ;)

Fujifilm Finepix X100 preview

Fujifilm have announced their latest offering to the photographic stadium, the Finepix X100 camera.

Images from DPReview.com

There are so many offerings in the market these days for cameras including D-SLR, Film SLR, Compacts, Superzooms, Medium Format, Mirrorless interchangeable offerings but Olympus, Panasonic and Sony etc the list goes on.

Although i've invested in Canon DSLR to take advantage of the superb range of quality lenses Canon has to offer, occasionally a product comes along that makes me itch, and the X100 is one of those.

Key features include:

- 12 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor

- Fixed 23mm f/2 lens (equivalent to 35mm in FF)

- 2.8 inch LCD screen (460,000 dots)

- Hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder

- ISO 100-12,800

- 1/4000 sec - 30 sec, bulb

- Built-in flash and flash hot shoe

- Built in 3 stop neutral density filter

- SD/SDHC/SDXC

- 1280 x 720 HD video recording with stereo

Take a look here for DPReviews specs on the X100

The APS-C sized sensor has an advantage over its M4/3 rivals in dynamic range and ability to handle noise. The Sony NEX-3/5's navigation system isnt a match for the simple dials on the X100, not to mention the lack of a built in EVF. In fact the built in EVF in the X100 is a first of its kind and finally gets around the problem of display/capture lag inherent of compact style cameras.

The fast and wide lens is nice and small, making the X100 a handy package. 

Fujifilm are trying to emulate the essence of a Rangefinder camera even down to the styling and control layout, and 35mm equivalent lens. 

The X100's only downfall really is the lens not being interchangeable...

I wonder what the retail price will be when released later this year?

**Update - The retail price is approx $1300 AUD and ETA end March 2011

Moments from The 2011 Aussie Tennis Open

Here are a few moments from the Aussie Open taken on the sunny Sunday spent with my gf and a friend.
Most sporting events only allow a limit of 200mm focal length to the public, and its only the second time i've had the chance to bring out the 70-200 II since upgrading from the Mk I a few months ago. Much like the Mk I, the Mk II is a gem. The main improvements include a shorter mfd (1.2m vs 1.4m) and a further 2 stops of image stabilisation to 4 stops.

Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/12500 sec

Larger Version

Verdasco Supporter

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec

Berdych Supporters

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 70mm, f/2.8, 1/2000 sec

A victorious Tomas Berdych (CZE)  6-4 6-2 6-3

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec

Someone has to lose...

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/1800 sec

Czech Fanclub Rejoicing

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 70mm, f/7.1, 1/800 sec

6.3 fps or lucky timing? lol

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 200mm, f/6.3, 1/800 sec

Gisela Dulko (ARG)

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 145mm, f/2.8, 1/3200 sec

Gisela Dulko (ARG)

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 120mm, f/2.8, 1/5000 sec

Many 300 and 400mm telephoto lenses stabilised by monopods

50D + 70-200/2.8 IS II, ISO 100, 90mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec

How does the new optically acclaimed 70-200L f/2.8 IS II compare to its predecessor (70-200/2.8 IS) and to its smaller brothers (70-200/4 and 70-200/4 IS)?
More in a later review...

Penang Malaysia, Street and People

At the end of 2010 i travelled to a few different countries and amongst these i visited Malaysia in which i spent a few days in Penang.

On the afternoon the same day as a cousins Wedding (Eric and Connie) i spent a couple of hours in Penang  with a few local friends (Jennifer, Nikko and Chris) which were kind enough to show me the older part of town.

Here are a few Penang street shots which portray people in their environment...

Religious Hoper

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 800, 33mm, f/4, 1/40 sec

Avid Paper Recycler

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 200, 35mm, f/8, 1/80 sec

Gramps Cruising

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 200, 16mm, f/22, 1/20 sec

Sun-Smart Pedestrian

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 200, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/3200 sec

Loafers Outlook

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 800, 35mm, f/4, 1/320 sec

Local Charm

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 200, 35mm, f/4, 1/2500 sec

Sacred Kingfisher

It had been a while since i'ld been birding and since the weather was lovely i decided to spend an hour at my local City park where i was delighted to find a Juvenile Sacred Kingfisher. After a bath it found a high perch and soaked up the glorious sunset. For most part it only gave me its back but i waited patiently for 15 minutes till it turned around... *click*

Sacred Kingfisher

50D + 300/2.8 IS + 2XII TC, 600mm, ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/1000 sec

Larger version

Sacred Kingfisher showing its iridescent colors

50D + 300/2.8 IS + 2XII TC, 600mm, ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/640 sec
Larger version

Here's another lovely bird which i also found in the nearby area next to the Botanical Garden months ago. This bird and its less colorful female partner were happy to munch away on the lawn whilst i got down low and took some snaps.

Red Rumped Parrot

40D + 300/2.8 IS, 300mm, ISO 400, f/3.5, 1/500 sec

The local pond in summer attracts a number of local water birds, including Pacific Ducks and Dusky Moorhens. On this same day as above i found a Common Starling bathing.

Starling Bathing

40D + 300/2.8 IS, 300mm, ISO 800, f2.8, 1/2000 sec

Great Ocean Roadtrip

Today i returned from a weekend trip to Lorne down the Great Ocean Road, Victoria together with my girlfriend. The GOR is a short day drive (beginning around 1.5 -2 hrs drive from Melbourne) and has many lovely coastal towns along the way to The Twelve Apostles.

The weather was fantastic...i even got a little sunburnt on my nose. My gf even more so, lol

Here's a snap along one of the numerous lookouts along the way.

Unfortunately, a few days earlier there was a landslide that caused the Lorne to Apollo Bay section to be closed. Instead of the inland detour we decided to stay at cosy Lorne for the night ;)

The twists and turns were a treat for my daily ride, an 06 Subaru STi. 

550D + 24-105L, ISO 200, 32mm, f4, 1/2000 sec

Larger version

The processing i used for this take includes a mix of 2 cross balancing actions (pseudo Lomography), but only a single action on the car to leave it less overworked.

Did u pick the tad of blur to the far background for a little less depth of field? maybe you should view the larger version as simple 1024px web max sized files dont do photography any justice... fellow photographers, do you feel the same? i'ld be keen to know your thoughts on this

Snowboarding, Mt Buller

Snowboarding, Mt Buller

30D + 70-200/2.8 IS, ISO 100, 115mm, f/2.8, 1/8000 sec

Mount Buller Park offers plenty of benches, sledges and rails to jam on...oh yeah!!

Hot Air Ballooning, Turkey

Last month i was in Turkey and the Capadoccia region has such an interesting terrain to explore. The best way to do that is by hot air balloon and the fresh morning air was a treat.

Hot Air Ballooning, Turkey

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 800, 24mm, f/4, 1/20 sec

Larger version

More to come from Turkey...

Tree in Water, New Zealand

Since its my first photo post i thought i'ld like to share one of my favourites taken at Glenorchy, New Zealand during a rad snowboarding trip last winter.

Tree in Water, New Zealand

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 100, 16mm, f16, 1/100 sec

Click here for high resoultion version

Simple Photoshop edit with a Cross Balancing action to give a more muted feel since this scene was taken shooting into the sun and was contrast packed.

PhotoSpur intro

Here on my PhotoSpur blog i encourage you to follow me in my photography adventures ;)

Its just over 2 years since i bought my first DSLR to toy with photography as a hobby...sure i've had a compact camera beforehand (in todays digital age who hasnt, lol).

Since borrowing a Canon 30D camera and 18-55 kit lens from a friend (thx Richard!!), i was immediately hooked and ordered the latest offerring from a local camera store.
The Canon 50D and 18-200 IS lens were only just released at that time and how lucky was i to get my hands on these smick items :D
To bring you up to date, i've been through many camera bodies and lenses since my initial outlay and my current investment in photography is still with Canon.

Why not Nikon? well, i've had a brief affair with Nikon about 4 months after my passion began...but i'm happy with the gear that Canon provides and i'm a firm believer of the user being the most important ingredient in photography.
Sure, Nikon has some outstanding offerings such as the D3s and D7000, but the premium range of glass is still swinging in Canons favour. Ok, i might as well admit that i was previously a gearhead and had much lust for fast and long glass...now that my collection is fairly complete i'm less bothered/lustful.

So what do you enjoy taking photos of??
Well, over the time i've spent in photography i've learned that i enjoy all facets of photography. I like to challenge myself dabbling in all genres including LANDSCAPE, PORTRAIT, STREET, SPORTS, TRAVEL, and NATURE.
Consider me a Jack of all trades, Master of none...


Here on my PhotoSpur blog i encourage you to follow me in my photography adventures ;)