Today, Nov. 30, 2014, was my first day out with my new Canon 7D Mark II body (7D2), which I added to my arsenal that still includes the 5D Mark III. Before I took the 7D2 out, I spent a couple of days attempting to determine some of the best settings, especially related to auto focus, of which there are many. As I get more experience with the camera, I’ll be trying out different settings to hopefully improve performance in my hands, especially for birds in flight.
I have to say that the camera is fun to use for wildlife–the 10 frames per second, the extra reach due to the cropped sensor, improved high ISO shooting, and the improved focus system, to mention a few of the features–are a joy. Today I shot with both the bare 500mm f4 and also with the 500 f4 + 1.4x combo. All 65 focus points are still active even with the 1.4x added, and the total “effective focal length” is 1120mm when taking into consideration the crop factor. I still need practice with the 500+1.4x+7D2 combo but in the right hands it is lethal for birds in flight.
The above shot is one from today using the 1.4x extender III– a female Northern Harrier in flight at the Ridgefield NWR. Canon 7D Mark II, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 640, 700mm (effective=1120mm), 10:06 a.m.
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