Trip to the Farne Islands

[A.N.Other]

Went on a boat trip out to the Farne Islands last week and have just gone through all the shots. The wildlife is amazing out there - Atlantic seals, puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes etc etc. It wasn't that expensive and if you haven't been, I'd recommend it.

1) Razorbill
http://ocuk.blighter.net/imageuploader/files/3/Guillimot.jpg

2) Puffins ...
http://ocuk.blighter.net/imageuploader/files/3/Puffin1.jpg

3)
http://ocuk.blighter.net/imageuploader/files/3/Puffin2.jpg

4)
http://ocuk.blighter.net/imageuploader/files/3/Puffin3.jpg

5)
http://ocuk.blighter.net/imageuploader/files/3/Puffin4.jpg

[A.N.Other]

6)
http://ocuk.blighter.net/imageuploader/files/3/Puffin5.jpg

I was also looking out for some macro opportunities along the way ...

7) Seaweed
http://ocuk.blighter.net/imageuploader/files/3/Seaweed.jpg

8) Dog's Footprint
http://ocuk.blighter.net/imageuploader/files/3/Footprint.jpg

[kissfoto]

#5 & 6 are craking puffin shots, funny little birds. Well done.:clap: :thumbs: :clap:

[hypnotic]

I have talked about going there with our new camera club during the summer.

Hope these shots might persuade them.

[A.N.Other]

Thanks for the comments :). I went with the intention of getting as many puffins in flight as I could, but with my Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro, I found that it was virtually impossible to get it to track them at speed. Further away, it wasn't too bad, but when the puffins were filling 1/3 of the frame, it really couldn't cope.

Question: I'm looking to get the Canon 70-200 L f/2.8 IS, which I know has very fast autofocus, but if I were to get it with the 1.4x or 2x extender, how badly is the speed of autofocus brought down? I'd appreciate it if someone who's used this setup would comment - hypnotic? :)

[staffitaxi]

These are lovely shots. Especially the puffins.

For anyone wanting to visit this website might be useful.

http://www.farne-islands.com/boat-trips/index.htm

We went last year in May and did the all day bird watch tour. Was quite pricey at £25.00 for the boat and then paying to go on each island but well worth it.
If you do go on this trip remember your hat, the terns are vicious!! Also watch where you put your feet as they don't seem to care where they build their nest.

If I remember rightly the puffins are only there during breeding season. I went in August once and don't think I saw one at all.

Andrea

[hypnotic]

The 70-200 is very quick to focus.

I have not tried it with the converter in anger yet.

You will loose an f stop though ... Bringing it down to f/4

[A.N.Other]

You will loose an f stop though ... Bringing it down to f/4Thanks. Yeah, I can probably live with the f/4 or maybe even the f/5.6 - to put it in perspective, my Sigma is f/5.6 at the top end (where these were taken) and I was getting some pretty fast shutter speeds. The Canon 100-400 L IS is also f/5.6 extended. I'm not sure though, so I'm just after opinions, really. I would imagine that the image quality and the speed of autofocus would be better in the Canon 70-200 with either of the extenders in comparison to my Sigma anyway.

[I MAG images]

Question: I'm looking to get the Canon 70-200 L f/2.8 IS, which I know has very fast autofocus, but if I were to get it with the 1.4x or 2x extender, how badly is the speed of autofocus brought down? I'd appreciate it if someone who's used this setup would comment - hypnotic? :)[/QUOTE]

I have not noticed a slowing of the AF but I am sure with the x2 I could only get f5.6 even at the lowest focal length. I still think that the 70-200L is 2.8 is the best zoom the Canon makes. I also have the 100-400L is and thats pretty good too. But if I had to choose it would be 70-200 + x2 just for the versatility...Ian

Nice shots btw.

[hypnotic]

There have been some reports of the 2x making images a bit soft.

[I MAG images]

There have been some reports of the 2x making images a bit soft.

I dont think they are ideal and I only stick it on to get me out of a hole. You obviously cant beat the straight through effect just the lens gives you.

[mho]

I would put the 70-200 2.8 IS L + 1.4xmk2 or 2xmk2 up against the 100-400 any day.

I used to have 2 100-400 L's (not at the same time), Although a very good lens it has a few major draw backs, image quality is not as good as 70-200 2.8 L even with converters on (MK2 converters). but very close, not weather sealed, the push pull for zoom is not good for a lot of work in dusty places (beach's etc), and you either love or hate the push pull design.

[A.N.Other]

Interesting to see opinions on this - thanks, people. Anyone else?