[M_Six]

I hauled my 70-200 f2.8 IS to the UK and only used it once, but it got me that cool shot of Bamburgh Castle with the sun hitting it just right, so it was worth it. I've been contemplating selling it and buying a 70-200 f4 IS just to save the weight, though. Now that I have the Siggy 120-300 f2.8, the speed of my 70-200 is less important.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I hauled my 70-200 f2.8 IS to the UK and only used it once, but it got me that cool shot of Bamburgh Castle with the sun hitting it just right, so it was worth it. I've been contemplating selling it and buying a 70-200 f4 IS just to save the weight, though. Now that I have the Siggy 120-300 f2.8, the speed of my 70-200 is less important.

I love my EF 70-200mm f/4L IS. On my 5D MkIII, with and without the 1.4x and 2.0x TCs, it gives me incredible flexibility. About one-third of my shots from the Queen Mary 2 were with the 70-200mm.

Last year, on a trip to San Francisco, I was glad that I had it in the bag when I unexpectedly came upon sea lion mating play in full force at Pier 39. Here's the 70-200mm with the 2.0x TC-III at 400mm:

Untitled by dcstep, on Flickr

I seldom take my 500mm on trips, but the little f/4 70-200mm always goes in the bag and the bag is over my shoulder as I roam the cities and countryside.

[M_Six]

Pretty close to half the weight, too. Big advantage there.

[dcstep]

Big 7x9 Buck by dcstep, on Flickr

[IRide]

^^^^^

One of your best. Congrats! From the looks of the hair at the base of the left antler, it looks like he's been sparing with another buck. Again, well done.

[Chewy734]

awesome closeup, Dave!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by IRide

^^^^^

One of your best. Congrats! From the looks of the hair at the base of the left antler, it looks like he's been sparing with another buck. Again, well done.

Thanks.

I'm surprised that his antlers are so rough after only a couple of weeks out of velvet. I hadn't noticed the hair, but, no doubt, he's been sparing.

[M_Six]

Nice shot, DC. Looks like you nailed focus on his eye.

[Itsed65]

Great shots, Mark and Dave!

Dave, the White Sheep Pinot is great. I bought a bottle back in June when I was last up there, and the one in the picture is the replacement! We were actually steered there by the nice folks at Kokomo. They have a great garden picnic area right on a creek.

Sbragia at the top of the Valley has killer views as it sits up high, and they have a very friendly greeter in the tasting room named Mr. Mathews

Winery Dog by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[ddk632]

This was using my Singh Ray filters, including the reverse GND; that one in particular but especially when stacked adds a really strong magenta cast over the image. The sunset was very yellow/orange (not magenta!) and the below was my best attempt at a hue adjustment to remove the purple/magenta cast. I know it still looks unreal, but I love the way this edit came out.


Parking at the Field of Heaven by ddk632, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Yep, looks very cool, David. I like it.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Nice shot, DC. Looks like you nailed focus on his eye.

Thanks. That's always my objective.

[Itsed65]

^^^Mine too, but it can be surprisingly hard to nail on deer and elk. I got a lot of fuzzy elk the last time out, much to my frustration

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

^^^Mine too, but it can be surprisingly hard to nail on deer and elk. I got a lot of fuzzy elk the last time out, much to my frustration

With a large animal, it's even more important to use single-point AF and put it right on the eye. It's funny, if you get the eye, then the ears and nose can be OOF, but it'll still seem okay to most people.

Dave

[Itsed65]

One of my better ones

Bull Profile by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

One of my better ones

Nice, thick rack. Did he have a harem, or is this a bachelor?

Dave

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Nice, thick rack. Did he have a harem, or is this a bachelor?

Dave

This guy had a harem, and had just locked antlers with a wandering bachelor. I couldn't get that shot because they were grappling behind the harm from me, but you could sure hear the antlers smacking together.

[M_Six]

Nice wildlife shots. You guys are lucky to live so close to these beauties.

More from Alnwick Castle.


Alnwick Castle by Mark J Photography, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Another great one Mark. I wish I was into photography when I was young and living in Europe, of course film shooting cost a whole lot more then too!

[ddk632]

Heavy Sky Beyond by ddk632, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Old Vine by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[ddk632]

^^

Nice, awesome colors!