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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Photo Gallery 相片分享 I >>  Red-billed Starling 絲光椋鳥
        
(Message started by: John Holmes on Feb 17^th, 2004, 11:50am)

Title: Red-billed Starling 絲光椋鳥
Post by John Holmes on Feb 17^th, 2004, 11:50am

427 Red-billed Starling 絲光椋鳥
Kam Tin 錦田
14/2/2004
10D 400mm f.4 x 1.4 (from a hide)
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/jemi/3641crop-01.jpg

Title: Re: Red-billed Starling
Post by isaac_chan on Feb 17^th, 2004, 6:08pm

From a hide? You bring a hide for bird watching? ???

Is it rarely used by Hong Kong bird watchers?

Title: Re: Red-billed Starling
Post by John Holmes on Feb 18^th, 2004, 5:51pm

Hello Isaac,

I wouldn't carry a hide for normal birdwatching, but it is sometimes useful when taking photographs. If you can find a good place to set it up, you might see fewer birds, but you are likely to get closer to them.

If anyone is interested, it is a "dome" hide from a UK Company called Wildlife Watching Supplies. Visit <www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.com>

John

Title: Re: Red-billed Starling
Post by Griffin on Feb 19^th, 2004, 8:56am

Which one would your recommend? I use mostly a 300mm f/2.8 lens with tripod. I have a pocket bind from www.rue.com but have not use it. Would try it some day. :)

Griffin.

Title: Re: Red-billed Starling
Post by felixcat on Feb 19^th, 2004, 9:56am

Hi, John,

Are you using 400/4 DO lens? This lens seems to be less common in HK and can you share your experience of using this lens with us? It is said that DO lens is less sharper than other L lens but lighter and smaller. What do you think?

Felix

Title: Re: Red-billed Starling
Post by John Holmes on Feb 19^th, 2004, 11:31am

Felix,

I think the lens is very sharp and I like how light it is...
I use it as an alternative to the 600mm f4 and I haven't noticed a difference in the quality of the pictures yet.

John

Title: Re: Red-billed Starling
Post by me_domchan on Feb 20^th, 2004, 3:00pm

Did you notice any difference in the out of focus area between a 400DO and a 600/4?
I heard people said the OOF area of a 400 DO is "weird"

Title: Re: Red-billed Starling
Post by John Holmes on Feb 21^st, 2004, 12:43pm

Griffin,
I see that LL RUE's "Pocket Blind" is like a product Wildlife Watching Supplies have called a "Bag Hide" !Different companies, different product name. The "Pocket Blind" must be lighter to carry than a hide-with-poles, but the hide-with-poles should be more comfortable if you plan to spend HOURS in one place. You can shuffle around inside without needing to worry about the birds seeing you. A folding seat is useful as well, but I know it's a lot to carry if you are travelling on Public Light Busses !

me_domchan,
Haven't noticed any weirdness to the 400mm DO lens backgrounds yet. YEARS ago in England, I used a Russian MTO mirror lens, and out-of-focus background highlights appeared as "doughnuts" : the DO lens isn't anything like that....but let's see as and when I post more pictures.

John