Cheetah Picture Using Canon L-Series Lens

This picture of a young cheetah was taken in Botswana, using a Canon EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi)) camera plus Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens at 320mm focal length. The shutter speed was 1/50 and aperture f/5.6, using aperture priority mode.

The Canon EF 100-400mm tele zoom is a useful lens for wildlife and sports photography because of its wide zoom range and image stabilizer. The main drawback of the lens is the fairly slow f/5.6 maximum aperture when used at the longer focal lengths. There has also been some criticism of the pull-push zoom mechanism, but most photographers who use the lens quickly adapt to this and don’t find it a hindrance.

This is one of Canon’s L-series lenses, easily identified by the red ring around the lens barrel. The “L” designation is generally taken to mean “luxury”, as these lenses are aimed at professional photographers who demand superior image and build quality and are prepared to pay premium prices.

To satisfy these demands, L lenses are made with special optical materials, including fluorite elements and UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass. They are also more ruggedly built than normal lenses, with extra weather sealing to keep out dust and moisture. To read a more in-depth article, see Canon L Lenses.

Canon SLR Lenses and Deciphering Lens Codes

There are more than 60 Canon SLR lenses available for Canon EOS single lens reflex cameras. This can be daunting for a beginner photographer trying to find the appropriate lens for a digital SLR like a Canon 450D.

This is a typical description for a Canon SLR lens: “Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM”. You’ll notice the various letters or codes in the description that need to be understood such as EF, L, IS, USM.

Here’s a brief rundown of Canon codes or designations:

1. “EF” designation

Canon introduced a new range of SLR lenses for its EOS 35mm film cameras around 1987. These “electro-focus” lenses had electronic mounts and replaced the existing range of FD lenses.

Today EF lenses remain the core of Canon’s lens lineup and can be used with older 35mm film cameras, top of the range full-frame digital SLRs like the Canon EOS 1Ds Mk III and entry-level cameras like the Digital Rebels (300D to 500D)

2. “EF-S” designation

Canon’s entry-level Digital Rebels and its prosumer 20D to 50D cameras have what’s called an APS-C format sensor which, at 22.5 x 15mm is smaller than a full-frame sensor (36 x 24mm).

The smaller sensor has the effect of cropping the image, known variously as “crop factor” or “lens magnification factor” and is similar to using a 1.6x converter. (See our previous post, Canon Digital SLR Crop Factor, for more on this).

While this is a bonus when using a telephoto lens — your 200mm lens now acts like a 320mm lens — it’s a disadvantage when shooting with wide angles. In the latter case, a really wide lens like a 24mm now becomes longer by 1.6x, so is like using a 38.4mm lens.

To counter the effect of crop factor on wide angle lenses, Canon introduced its EF-S lenses specifically for digital SLRs with APS-C format sensors. These carry the “EF-S” designation and cannot be used on EOS film cameras or on full-frame digital cameras.

3. “IS” designation

This stands for “image stabilization”, a technology aimed at reducing the camera shake that results in unsharp images. Each IS lens has its own image stabilizer unit, comprising a microcomputer and two vibration gyros, which detects lens movement and rectifies this.

4. “USM” designation

Stands for ultra sonic motor. USM technology, pioneered by Canon, uses sound waves to position the lens elements when focusing to produce highly responsive, fast and silent focusing with excellent holding torque.

5. “L” designation

Canon L lenses are designed for professional use, carry the “L” designation in the description, and have a red ring around the lens barrel to distinguish them from Canon’s normal lens lineup.

L lenses are made with special optical materials such as fluorite, ultra-dispersion (UD) or super UD elements to produce images that are sharp with superior color rendition and are also constructed to keep out dust and moisture..

6. “DO” designation

Stands for Diffractive Optics — an optical technology developed by Canon for building telephoto lenses that are significantly shorter and lighter than previously possible. Canon produce two DO lenses, the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM zoom lens and the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM telephoto lens.

For a more in-depth discussion about Canon lenses and what the various codes and designations mean, see this Squidoo lens: Canon SLR Lenses and All You Need to Know

Using a Canon Wide Angle Lens to Show Location

This picture of a Natal Francolin (Francolinus natalensis) pecking around for food was taken with a Canon wide angle lens — the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom, fitted to a Canon EOS 450D SLR camera.

The camera was placed on the ground and the picture taken using an electronic cable release, so the viewpoint is almost eye-level with the subject.

Although wide angle lenses are not exactly the first choice for bird photographers, what this image shows is how a wide angle can give a much better idea of location and the surrounding vegetation than can a long tele lens with its shallow depth of field and narrow angle of view.

While it usually makes for a more pleasing image when the background’s totally blurred so the subject stands out from its surroundings, there are occasions when it’s necessary to show more of the background and surroundings and that’s when wide angles come into their own.

Exposure details: shutter speed 1/80 sec; aperture: f/5.6, ISO: 400, focal length: 21mm (33.6mm equivalent). See Canon EF-S lenses for explanation of why we refer to equivalent focal length.

Canon Digital SLR Crop Factor

Canon digital single lens reflex cameras do not all come with the same size digital sensor or chip.

On Canon full-frame digital SLRs such as the Canon 1Ds and 5D models, the sensor is the same size as a film negative - 36mm x 24mm.

On the Canon 1D models, the sensor is slightly smaller, measuring 28.5mm x 19mm (referred to as an APS-H sensor), while on the Canon Digital Rebels and 30D, 40D, and 50Ds, the sensor is even smaller, measuring 22.5mm x 15mm (referred to as an APS-C sensor).

Normally, with lenses designed for 35mm film cameras and digital SLR cameras, the image projected by the lens fully covers the area of the negative or full-frame sensor. However, when you substitute the sensor with one that’s smaller in area, part of the image flows over the edges of this smaller sensor. It’s like showing slides or an old home movie on a screen that’s too small, so the picture “overflows” the screen.

This can be seen in the example below, where the black lines represent a full-frame sensor, the blue lines an APS-H sensor, and the red lines an APS-C sensor:

The practical implications for photographers are far-reaching, as the image received by the smaller sensors is apparently now magnified - it fits on the full-frame sensor, but is too big for the smaller ones. The effect is similar to using a teleconverter - or post-processing by cropping the image in an image editor. This is great for photographers using long lenses, as their teles now have more reach, but it’s not so great if you shoot wide angle, as your wide angle lens is now more like a standard lens.

This effect on the image caused by smaller sensors is known as the “crop factor” or “focal length conversion factor” - for more information, see this article about the Canon Digital SLR Crop Factor.

For general information about Canon lenses, see these articles:
Canon Telephoto Lenses
Canon Zoom Lenses
Canon Wide Angle Lens

Self-Catering Cottage for Trout Fishing Enthusiasts

For trout fishing enthusiasts living or holidaying in South Africa, Excelsior Self-Catering Cottage in the picturesque Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal could just be the answer.

The cottage, which can sleep up to eight, is situated in rolling farmland in the heart of Natal’s Midlands Meander, 19km from the village of Nottingham Road.

Chief attraction for many is the excellent trout fishing. Guests have at their disposal two large, well-stocked trout dams (used for fishing competitions). When the cottage is occupied the dams are reserved exclusively for guests and fishing is on a “catch and release” basis. Below is one of the dams:

If you’re looking for a relaxing break in the country, staying in a Natal Midlands self-catering cottage, you won’t find better value than this.

New Photography Blog

Photographer Scotch Macaskill has started a new blog where he’ll be posting a variety of images, including his favorites and also experimental work, particularly those using slow shutter speeds to create motion blur, and also those using digital manipulation to give a “painterly” look (as in the MG photo below).

MG TD, a British Classic Sports Car

The blog has only just been created so there’s not yet much content, but if you’re interested in photography, then it’s worth bookmarking for future reference, or subscribing to the RSS feed. Find out more by visiting Scotch Macaskill’s Blog.

Bicycle Posters Remain a Popular Art Form

The bicycle, having played a pivotal role in society during the last century,  has for many years been a popular subject for artists and photographers. This has resulted in a wonderfully diverse selection of cycling posters and vintage bicycle posters, in the form of art reproductions (as in the examples below), becoming accessible to those for whom originals or limited-edition prints are simply too expensive.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Buy at AllPosters.com

Read more ….

Hiking Gear Customer Reviews

Customer reviews of hiking gear, provided by real people who’ve actually bought and used the gear, are a valuable source of information that can help when choosing new hiking equipment.

At least postenial customers can be pretty sure the review is unbiased and is not simply an advertisement posing as a supposedly neutral write-up.  Today people like to share information and help others, which is the only logical explanation why customers are happy to write reviews, not only of their shopping experience, but also of how the product itself measures up.

The Hiking Basics website not only features hundreds of keenly-priced hiking products that can be purchased online, but also has a custom hiking store where, for each product, the emphasis is on unbiased customer reviews, providing both positive and negative feedback on a range of hiking products, from backpacks to cookware.  For more, see:

Hiking Backpacks Customer Reviews

Hiking Sleeping Bags Customer Reviews

Walking Poles Customer Reviews

First Aid and Safety Customer Reviews

Camping Cookware Customer Reviews

Finally, Stylish Fishing Clothing Now Available!

At Bassaholics, you can find the hottest new fishing apparel on the market today! These aren’t your dads fishing t shirts. You know, the ones with a bass jumping out of water after a lure at sunset. These are the freshest bass fishing t shirts available! Stylish fishing t shirts are their specialty, but they also carry hats, hoodies, shorts, jerseys and beanies. With unique designs worn by top bass fisherman, including Joe Everett, this is the place to find the most fashionable fishing clothing available anywhere!

Visit Bassaholics and sign up for their newsletter to get the most up to date info on the newest Bassaholics fishing clothing and happenings. You can also find a list of authorized dealers that carry Bassaholics fishing apparel if you want to shop at a store. If you own a fishing shop and are looking to carry the newest fishing apparel available, you can easily become a Bassaholics fishing clothing authorized dealer! Everyone can also sign up to become a member and gain access to special portions of the site like the photo gallery!

So if you’re looking for t shirts and other fishing clothing that is geared towards bass fishing, then Bassaholics is the place! Hey, I almost forgot, Bassaholics also has something for all the ladies out there! So check out the site for chic womens fishing clothing as well! Fishing apparel is their specialty, so if you want to look slick and show off your love for bass fishing simultaneously, but don’t want to settle for lame run-of-the-mill fishing t shirts, then Bassaholics.com is the place to shop!

Hawaii Vacations Are Perfect For All Types Of People

While any time of year is perfect for a visit to the islands, many people plan their Hawaii vacations specifically to enjoy the winter . Christmas, or Hanukkah, spent in the sun can take the chill out of a snow bird. In fact, even if you do not need to warm your bones, a Kauai vacation can warm the heart. Kauai is a tropical paradise garden (it is called the “Garden Isle”) and a Kauai vacation offers countless opportunities for lovers to celebrate their love and to treat themselves, whether it be for a milestone anniversary or a Hawaii honeymoon. The vast sandy, white beaches and crystal clear water offer the best environment to warm, or even rekindle a love affair.

The islands offer a very pleasurable way to spend time with family and friends. Hawaii is a tropical paradise offering all the comforts of home in a unique and exciting atmosphere. Hawaii has something for everyone, whether it be time in the sun, or activities that keep minds engaged, enlightening wild life or wondrous foods, and of course there will always be the memories of a trip to the islands that are sure to last a lifetime.

Couples celebrate their love and treat themselves by having a vacation. Hawaii offers innumerable ways to celebrate a honeymoon or a milestone anniversary. White, sandy beaches and warm, crystal water enrich or rekindle a love affair by offering a perfect atmosphere. You’ll find the nightlife on the islands to be fabulous as well.

The Hawaiian Islands are ideal for families with kids. You’ll discover various activities such snorkeling, jet skiing or parasailing depending on individual tastes. Some of the world’s most colorful and exotic animals are a part of The Honolulu Zoo, and the islands’ rain forests, which are sure to excite both parents and children.

Hawaii is full of volcanoes and visiting any of them provides enjoyment for all ages with their spectacular beauty. Although some of these volcanoes continuously bubble out molten lava these can still be seen up close. Another thing that attracts tourists is Hawaii’s spectacular waterfalls. These falls, with all their magnificence, are often best viewed using helicopter, which is safe for the whole family. Another interesting attraction for families is Hawaii’s plantations. One can view traditional techniques being used for harvesting in many farms.

Though visitors are still technically in the United States, the local cuisine can transport you to another, tropical world filled with fresh fish, luscious fruits and bright vegetables — the food is perhaps that best part of visiting Hawaii. Seafood simply will not be found fresher anywhere in the world.