Welcome to PhotoSpur !

PhotoSpur has now reached 20 posts

Its time to share this site with friends and fellow photographers!!

I enjoy taking photos, i enjoy sharing.

Here on my PhotoSpur blog you'll find high resolution images, photography gear reviews, 

and post processing techniques.

I hope you enjoy browsing through :)

Discussion on any level is welcome...

Here's a few images of whats to come, new images and sets from Malaysia, Turkey and Vietnam

Putrajaya Mosque, KL Malaysia

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 200, 35mm, f/11, 1/640 sec

Larger version

Galata Bridge, Istanbul Turkey

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 400, 30mm, f/4, 1/640 sec

Larger version

Hanoi, Vietnam

5DMkII + 50EX, ISO 400, 50mm, f/1.4, 1/800 sec

Larger version

Birds, 300L + 2X TC

Im the casual sort of birder that enjoys a morning/evening out around the local park.
Even without the use of a monopod, a high percentage yield of keepers is possible, although im sure there would have been plenty of situations where a monopod would have helped with stabilisation.
I guess its a double edged sword regarding the pros and cons with the use of a monopod, providing a more stable platform to shoot from although loosing the versatility of movement to keep up with these little creatures

White-browed Scrubwren

50D + 300/2.8 IS + 2XTC, ISO 800, 600mm, f/7.1, 1/400 sec

Larger version

Brown Thornbill

50D + 300/2.8 IS + 2XTC, ISO 800, 600mm, f/7.1, 1/500 sec

Larger version

Superb Fairy Wren

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

Larger version

White-plumed Honeyeater

50D + 300/2.8 IS + 2XTC, ISO 800, 600mm, f/7.1, 1/400 sec

Larger version

For now im aiming to refine my technique a little better getting close to these scatty moving fellas...

Perhaps i should wear more camouflaged clothing?

or bring along some birdseed?

use the payback of birdcalls?

Any discussion or suggestions regarding birding techniques is welcome

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS Extender 1.4x Lens

It's exciting times being a current Canon shooter with so many new innovative lenses being released.

Yesterday Canon announced a handful of new goodies, of which the 200-400L lens is getting plenty of interest

Official announcement

This lens is ideal for the wildlife, nature and sports shooter.

It has a relatively fast fixed aperture of  f/4 and the latest generation of image stabiliser 4 stops.

The innovative built-in 1.4x teleconverter instantly transforms this lens to a 280-560mm f/5.6 lens.

Supporting all the latest features such as the new eggshell cream color (the 70-200II was the first), 3 mode IS and flourite lens elements, this lens should deliver optically. I'll be looking forward to see MTF charts with and without the use of the teleconverter to show the sharpness.
The 200-400L is scheduled for launch during the later half of this year.

I'ld presume this is gonna be quite pricey (esp encompassing the innovative 1.4x TC), perhaps even more so than the Nikkor 200-400/4 VR II equivalent. My guestimate would be in the vacinity of $7K+ so i guess thats gonna be on my wishlist for a while...
At that sort of money i hope its optical quality is comparable to the long fast L primes which will give you even faster apertures but without the flexibility in focal range.

Silhouettes of Turkey

Inspired by friend who is very fond of silhouette style photos (yes you, Ee Lin :D) here are a few travel shots of Turkey in silhouette, plenty more when i get around to it...

The first two are taken whilst on a boat cruise

Marmara Sea

5DMkII + 85LII, ISO 200, 85mm, f/8, 1/2500 sec

2000 px version

Bosphorus Bridge

5DMkII + 50EX, ISO 800, 50mm, f/2, 1/250 sec

2000 px version

These next two were taken during one of the many bus rides

Roadside sunset

5DMkII + 50EX, ISO 200, 50mm, f/4, 1/1250 sec

2000 px version

Sunset on Mosque

5DMkII + 50EX, ISO 200, 50mm, f/8, 1/1600 sec

2000 px version

Did you notice my 16:9 crop on the above images?

This format provides a wider scope suitable for many landscape images

Melbourne's Laneways

Melbourne lanes are some of the City's most interesting places. They make exploring the City on a weekend fun, even for the most seasoned Melbourne explorer.

There's an abundance of graffiti and urban art on show.

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 100, 16mm, f/16, 25 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 100, 27mm, f/2.8, 5 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 1600, 21mm, f/2.8, 1/8 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 100, 35mm, f/2.8, 0.8 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 400, 35mm, f/5.6, 3.2 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 200, 29mm, f/13, 30 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 100, 35mm, f/2.8, 1.3 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 200, 16mm, f/16, 30 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 100, 16mm, f/14, 30 sec

Larger version

5DMkII + 16-35II, ISO 100, 16mm, f/2.8, 1 sec

Larger version

Insect Macros

Here are some insect macros taken with the 100L f2.8 IS Macro lens around the local gardens

Hoverfly

50D + 100L + 430EX, ISO 200, 100mm, f/16, 1/160 sec

Bee seeking pollen

1DMkII + 100L + 580EXII + ring diffuser, ISO 640, 100mm, f/8, 1/200 sec

Larger version

Hoverfly

50D + 100L + 430EX, ISO 200, 100mm, f/16, 1/160 sec

Larger version

Dragonfly

550D + 100L, ISO 200, 100mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec

Larger version

Pollen Fly

50D + 100L + 430EX, ISO 200, 100mm, f/16, 1/125 sec

Larger version

And here are a few older ones when i first explored macro with a Tamron 90/2.8 lens

Lynx Spider

30D + 90/2.8 + 430EX + ring diffuser, ISO 400, 90mm, f/11, 1/160 sec

Bee

Larger version

30D + 90/2.8 + 430EX + ring diffuser, ISO 200, 90mm, f/11, 1/200 sec

I recently purchased a new light diffuser setup to test so stay tuned for some more photos soon. I hope this controls the spectacular highlights better...

Tiffany

A while ago i had a chance to join a couple of friends on a photoshoot with Tiffany at the Melbourne GPO and adjacent graffiti lane.

5D + 85LII + 580EXII, ISO 200, 85mm, f/2, 1/400 sec

5D + 85LII, ISO 100, 85mm, f/1.2, 1/400 sec

5D + 85LII + 580 EXII, ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/200 sec

5D + 85LII, ISO 100, 85mm, f/1.2, 1/2500 sec

5D + 85LII + 580EXII, ISO 200, 85mm, f/2, 1/400 sec

Please click on the images to review the 1700px versions to see how much difference size matters!!

Im still amazed at the cleanliness and sharpness of the 5D Classic sensor, ohh how i miss it...

Its been a while since i've shot some portraits so if there are any volunteers out there just send me a message ;)

Penang Malaysia, Pt III

A few more from around Penang and Georgetown.

Photography with an UWA lens allows much creativity, with the use of angles and exaggerated perspectives.

ISO 200, 27mm, f/8, 1/40 sec

ISO 200, 16mm f/2.8, 1/800 sec

ISO 200, 16mm, f/16, 1/200 sec

ISO 200, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec

ISO 200, 16mm, f/8, 1/160 sec

ISO 400, 16mm, f/8, 1/25 sec

ISO 400, 16mm, f/8, 1/2000 sec 

ISO 200, 25mm, f/8, 1/250 sec

ISO 200, 16mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec

ISO 200, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/4000 sec

Penang Malaysia, Pt II

Following on from an earlier set; Penang, Malaysia, Street and People, here are few more photos from the afternoon exploring the streets of the older part of town with my 5DMkII + 16-35LII lens. An UWA lens is perfect for capturing the essence of the surroundings. 

Georgetown's heritage buildings with Colonial British influence 

ISO 200, 16mm, f/11, 1/320 sec

Stripey Laundry

ISO 200, 16mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec

ISO 200, 16mm, f/2.8, 1/5000 sec

Georgetown's heritage buildings with Colonial British influence

ISO 400, 16mm, f/8, 1/125 sec

 ISO 200, 16mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec

Alleycats like fish

ISO 200, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec

ISO 200, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/2500 sec

ISO 200, 16mm, f/8, 1/2000 sec

ISO 400, 35mm, f4, 1/400 sec

Beware the Potholes

ISO 200, 16mm, f/2.8, 1/6400 sec

More coming soon...