I have been a Canon shooter for as many years as I care to remember. Started with bodies like the T90 in the days of FD manual focus lenses to the EOS 1vHS (had two of them) in my last days of film photography.
I moved over to digital photography in 2004 when I changed one of my EOS 1vHS bodies for an EOS 1D Mark II – still one of my favourite digital bodies I have used – and to think it was only 8MP. During 2004 both film and digital cameras were used. Then towards the end of 2004 I replaced my other 1vHS with an EOS 1Ds Mark II, which was a full frame digital body with excellent image quality, but needed to be used at low ISO’s.
That was followed by the 1D Mark III and then the 1D Mark IV. I then had the 1DX followed by the 1DX Mark II and then the incredible 1DX Mark III. In fact I have owned every Canon 1D series camera bodies except for the original 1D. What has impressed me over the years is that the user interface and controls, to say nothing of the menu system, has been consistent so that when you get a new body you instantly feel “at home” and the learning curve was minimal.
I added an EOS 5DsR, a remarkable 50MP body, to the line-up. This was used principally for landscapes but I have achieved some really good bird images with it. It was my first non 1D series body ever. Must say, I still prefer the solid feel and controls of the 1D Series bodies especially the duplication of controls in the vertical mode
Then came the move to mirrorless camera bodies and the RF mount with RF lenses. My first “trial” was the EOS R which was a bit “mickey-mouse” but it did show the advantages of mirrorless and where the technology was headed.
I currently have the exquisite EOS R1, probably the best camera body I have ever used – particularly for action photography. Before the R1 came the R3, which I still have as my back-up action body. Also have an EOS R5 Mark II which is a very good all round camera body. Use it for small bird photography becuae of the ability to crop as opposed the the R1 and R3. I still have the R5 which is my go to body for landscapes. I use the R3 for astrophotography because of its excellent low light performance using hoigh ISO’s – likewise with the R1.
My typical camera and lens set-ups are:
R1 with an RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM lens – often with an RF 1.4x tele-converter
R3 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z lens. Impressive image quality. Also very good for landscape photography.
R5 Mark II with an EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens – again often with an EF 1.4x III tele-converter.
R5 with either a 28-70mm f/2L USM lens or a 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens.
Set-ups for the bodies are getting more and more complex, but if done correctly can produce stunning images.
My typical super-telephoto rig
As bird photography is my first love, I have a range of long lenses.
The key lens is a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens. But my very favourite lens is the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. Together with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8LIS USM Z lens, an RF 28-70 f/2L USM lens and a 15-35mm f/2,8L IS USM lens, most other types of nature photography are covered. The 600mm with a 2x extender gives me an effective 1200mm of focal length with very good quality. There is also the RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM macro lens lens for close up work to complete the line up.
Tripods, flash and support.
With the weight of the 600 a Gitzo 1548 is essential. Whilst an old model, and heavy, it is rock solid! This was topped with a Wimberley gimbal type head . However, I recently moved to a RRS PG-02 LR pano-Gimbal head. This is especially well made and it gives me the added benefit of using it when I take panorama images. This necessitates an RRS MPR-CL II Rail with integral clamp.
The rig is complemented with a Canon 600EX-RT flash mounted on the RRS Rail and part of a Wimberley Combo-4 flash bracket attached to the base plate on the 600 lens. A Better Beamer flash extender gives the flash a longer reach. Have added a Gitzo GT1542T ultra light weight small tripod for travelling.
I use a RRS BH-40 ballhead for set ups with smaller lenses. A very useful support is the Platypod Max. This makes shooting on the ground and low wide angle shots a pleasure. A good Macro aid as well, especially with the tilt and rotate screens. Also acquired an RRS leveller. This is particularly useful as it negates having to level out the tripod legs by adjusting each leg until the rig is level – a real hassle.
Canon EOS 5DsR with an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens attached, supported on a Platypod Max with a RRS BH-40 ball head.
When not on a tripod I use Art Morris’ BLUBb® bean bag which is outstanding. In fact on photo safari I use the bean bag exclusively – it works well and is manouverable around the roof opening of our safari vehicles.
Other accessories
Extension tubes, a 12mm and 25mm or both together, are handy for those close up bird shots or Macro work. Circular- polarising filters and some ND filters complete the equpment list. The drop-in type are used for the super-telephoto lenses.
Digital Workflow
Various software is utilised in my digital workflow. Images from the cards are ingested into either a laptop, external hard-drive or desktop using Adobe Lightroom Classic (Creative Cloud subscription). Images are initially sorted and edited using Lightroom on a 16″ M1 Max MacBook Pro.
Adobe Lightroom Library module page
All images are captured in RAW mode. The conversion and initial optimizing is done using Lightroom. Photoshop is then used to further optimize images. Both Topaz and the Nik Collection plug ins are utilised. Have tried using Capture One for converting RAW images, but can’t say that I prefer it to the Adobe twins. Photoshop is utilised to print on either an Epson Pro 7880 or an Epson R2000. If there is a need for a digital image presentation, FotoMagico is used.
Check out the “Equipment” blog for the latest.