90-280/2.8-4

[wildlightphoto]

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Sure nice pics by the way. But sadly this nice lens, and I own it too, has no reach for bird photography.

 

 

A 280mm lens on a full-frame camera can be difficult to use when photographing birds but it's not impossible; what it requires is more patience and more understanding of the bird's habits and habitat requirements.  I agree that a longer focal length is handy and I use a 500mm lens often but I'll readily admit I use the 500 when I'm impatient or otherwise short of time.

 

 

 

both photos: Leica SL (601)

top photo: 90-280mm APO SL

lower photo: 280mm f/4 APO R

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[meerec]

A 280mm lens on a full-frame camera can be difficult to use when photographing birds but it's not impossible; what it requires is more patience and more understanding of the bird's habits and habitat requirements.  I agree that a longer focal length is handy and I use a 500mm lens often but I'll readily admit I use the 500 when I'm impatient or otherwise short of time.

 

 

both photos: Leica SL (601)

top photo: 90-280mm APO SL

lower photo: 280mm f/4 APO R

I will not argue because I'm both, not an expert, and highly impatient. In my previous life before SL I shot birds with Canon 1D4 and 300 plus extenders. Never had enough dough to buy 500, 600 or 800. And even that combo, giving me an effective 690mm was not enough reach.

 

Here is a recent shot with my Canon 1D4 + 300.

 

 

C85E1207.jpg by Mirek, on Flickr

 

And here are two recent shots with my SL + 90-280.

 

 

M1040610.jpg by Mirek, on Flickr

 

 

N1360424.jpg by Mirek, on Flickr

[sillbeers15]

I'm no pro photographer and I do not intend to use my SL just for bird photography. In the following 21 continuous shots of BIF with the 90-280mm 1/1600s, F4 @ 280mm, ISO500. I used AFc, dynamic tracking with medium speed drive & field focus, I get like 70% clear pics.

 

L1000486 by sillbeers15

Edited June 26, 2017 by sillbeers15

[meerec]

I'm no pro photographer and I do not intend to use my SL just for bird photography. In the following 21 continuous shots of BIF with the 90-280mm 1/1600s, F4 @ 280mm, ISO500. I used AFc, dynamic tracking with medium speed drive & field focus, I get like 70% clear pics.[=https://flic.kr/p/W8mrg2][=https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4235/35526468155_c792cc1d21_k.jpg][/][=https://flic.kr/p/W8mrg2]L1000486[/url] by sillbeers15

I referred to the "reach" in my comments. It's about filling the frame with birds, which tend to be small (unless you shoot condors and pelicans). And in my opinion 90-280 doesn't provide the reach, which your shot is an example of.

Tracking is very important in bird photography for birds in flight, and this is a different conversation altogether.

[helged]

I referred to the "reach" in my comments. It's about filling the frame with birds, which tend to be small (unless you shoot condors and pelicans). And in my opinion 90-280 doesn't provide the reach, which your shot is an example of.

Tracking is very important in bird photography for birds in flight, and this is a different conversation altogether.

+1.

[sillbeers15]

I referred to the "reach" in my comments. It's about filling the frame with birds, which tend to be small (unless you shoot condors and pelicans). And in my opinion 90-280 doesn't provide the reach, which your shot is an example of.

Tracking is very important in bird photography for birds in flight, and this is a different conversation altogether.

I absolutely agree that the 90-280mm does not quite have the reach for bird photography. As it is a zoom lens covering medium telephoto range more suitable for larger or nearer subjects in gereral application of photography.

 

BIF is a challenge for even the fastest AF DSLRs today. When I took the series of shot, the guy next to me had a 500mm telephoto mounted on a tripod but I did not hear him firing away even both aimed at the same subject. There may be specific reasons he did not took the shot but there are also mobility challanges in a huge & heavy lens mounted on a tripod comparing to a free handheld setup. Therefore the excercise was for my own assessment of the AF tracking ability in respect to the total AF capability as a gereral application EVIL (Electronic viewfinder Inter-chanagable Lens) digital camera + a twin motor zoom lens of the 90-280mm.

[wildlightphoto]

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I referred to the "reach" in my comments. It's about filling the frame with birds, which tend to be small (unless you shoot condors and pelicans). And in my opinion 90-280 doesn't provide the reach, which your shot is an example of.

 

 

This says much more about the photographer's technique than it does about the equipment.

 

280mm lens (APO-Telyt-R):

 

 

 

 

 

 

180mm lens (APO-Elmarit-R):

 

100mm lens (APO Macro-Elmarit-R):

Edited June 26, 2017 by wildlightphoto

[meerec]

This says much more about the photographer's technique than it does about the equipment.

I already agreed with you Doug that I am not on par with you. As I said, I lack patience and technique you're full of both.

 

All these were shot with SL + 90-280 APO.

So it is possible to get a shot and fill the frame but this lens is not giving ME the required reach, again that is my opinion.

Tap on the image for a much larger view in Flickr if you care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 26, 2017 by meerec

[wildlightphoto]

I referred to the "reach" in my comments. It's about filling the frame with birds, which tend to be small (unless you shoot condors and pelicans). And in my opinion 90-280 doesn't provide the reach, which your shot is an example of.

 

 

What I'm after is more clarity, i.e., instead of 

 

I absolutely agree that the 90-280mm does not quite have the reach for bird photography.

 

I'd prefer that people say something like "280mm isn't a long enough focal length for the way I photograph birds" which is not to imply any lack of ability, more that an acknowledgement that tools and technique are inter-related.

[sillbeers15]

I'd prefer that people say something like "280mm isn't a long enough focal length for the way I photograph birds" which is not to imply any lack of ability, more that an acknowledgement that tools and technique are inter-related.

 

I understand what you mean. I made the point of agreeing 280mm isan't quite enough as a bird photography lens with respect to the BIF shot I took and posted. There are mutiple ways to take bird photography shots including setting up hideouts and attracting the birds to come forward within range of one's photographic equipment set up.

I'm no pro, so photography to me is purely a passion and some what opportunistic event. What I really enjoy is to frame a picture in my head regardless if it were a landscape, sports, wildlife or people and set up with the right equipment and tools to make it happen. So my next idea to use my 90-280mm will be the coming Formula One Night Race come September 2017 in Singapore. From now till them, I'mm planning out the shots I hope to get.

 

Btw I shot the following pic without any AF, R180mmAPOelmarit + M240 in 2014:

 

2014 F1GP SG N Rosberg qualifying lap by sillbeers15

Edited June 26, 2017 by sillbeers15

[thighslapper]

What I'm after is more clarity, i.e., instead of 

 

 

I'd prefer that people say something like "280mm isn't a long enough focal length for the way I photograph birds" which is not to imply any lack of ability, more that an acknowledgement that tools and technique are inter-related.

 

I'm sure somebody out there photographs grizzly bears in the woods using a 18mm lens ....... or rather, did, as I suspect his life span would be pretty short 

 

Plenty of trade-offs between technique and tools ...... but unfortunately no short cuts to experience, persistence and patience ......

[phongph]

Hi All!

Please advise the IQ of SL Apo 90-280 f2.8-4.0 vs R Apo 70-180 f2.8 from 90mm to 180mm on SL 601 for Portrait, Landscape.

Have a good day!

Thanks!

[sillbeers15]

What I look for in a tele-zoom lens:

1 The range I require;

2. The clarity of the pics it produces;

3. The contrast it produces;

4. The way it renders color & the smoothness in shallow DOF.

 

I do not own the APO70-180mm R. Only own the APO180mm R2.8 & R80-200mElmarit. The 90-280mm beats both my R lenses hands down in the above requirements I've stated.

[phongph]

What I look for in a tele-zoom lens:

1 The range I require;

2. The clarity of the pics it produces;

3. The contrast it produces;

4. The way it renders color & the smoothness in shallow DOF.

I do not own the APO70-180mm R. Only own the APO180mm R2.8 & R80-200mElmarit. The 90-280mm beats both my R lenses hands down in the above requirements I've stated.

Hi "sillbeers15"!

Thanks for your sharing! Pls. post some picture of your lens at max aperture!

Many thanks!

[sillbeers15]

Hi "sillbeers15"!

Thanks for your sharing! Pls. post some picture of your lens at max aperture!

Many thanks!

L1000004 by sillbeers15

[sillbeers15]

SL + APO90-280mm

 

L1010131 by sillbeers15

[John Z. Goriup]

Hope I'm not overdoing the bird thing by adding another image, but I can't recall another telephoto lens I've ever owned ( Leica, Zeiss - on various Leioa, Nikon, Canon, Hasselblad cameras) that is as satisfying for photographing birds, whether stationary or in flight, as the 90-280 Vario-Elmarit f2.8-4 on the SL.............a simply  superb lens.

 

For what it's worth, I rarely handhold it when it's on the SL, because it's just too heavy for that, rather prefer to mount it on my RRS monopod with the RRS monopod head, with the the lens foot, which is equipped with an RRS base plate captured by the Quick-release of the uni-directional monopodhead...............or on my RRS tripod with RRS BH-55 ball head for more 'sedate' subjects and landscapes. 

 

JZG 

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[John Z. Goriup]

Same day, same set-up,about half a mile down the beach ( Goat Rock Beach, Sonoma County ) - carrying the camera left mounted on the collapsed 4-piece monopod over my left shoulder.................I think this lens is equally excellent & useful when used for land / seascapes.

 

Image taken at about 90mm FL

 

JZG

 

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[sillbeers15]

Hope I'm not overdoing the bird thing by adding another image, but I can't recall another telephoto lens I've ever owned ( Leica, Zeiss - on various Leioa, Nikon, Canon, Hasselblad cameras) that is as satisfying for photographing birds, whether stationary or in flight, as the 90-280 Vario-Elmarit f2.8-4 on the SL.............a simply superb lens.

 

For what it's worth, I rarely handhold it when it's on the SL, because it's just too heavy for that, rather prefer to mount it on my RRS monopod with the RRS monopod head, with the the lens foot, which is equipped with an RRS base plate captured by the Quick-release of the uni-directional monopodhead...............or on my RRS tripod with RRS BH-55 ball head for more 'sedate' subjects and landscapes.

 

JZG

Maybe we can stop posting bird pics when we see the first compliant.

On the reverse, I've yet mounted my 90-280mm on any support. Perhaps my keen challenge is BIF, which I find mounting the lens too restrictive. The flight path of birds are almost impossible to predict. I found that my skills in using the 90-280mm improved in tracking moving subjects since I started taking BIF. I earlier agreed with other users that the 90-280mm is kind of short in reach when it comes to taking birds. Unless you are only talking about taking birds in stationary position, that statement applies. As in taking BIF, my biggest challenge today is to get the moving subject into the frame when the subject is big enough to fill the frame. I'm still learning & practicing on handheld. Btw I've gotten used to the weight and bulk issue of the SL w. additional battery grip and 90-280mm handheld. When open wide, the prefocused point is important as it means seeing the subject in the screen or not. Once I can see the moving subject in screen, I would trigger the shutter release and let the AFc do the job even before seeing a clear image on screen, the results turned out surprisingly good. I found that keeping a shutter speed above 1/1600s is crucial and keeping ISO below 800 helps in image resolution often when cropping during image processes is required. That said, the position of the sun can aid both shutter and ISO speed setting tremendously. So again, I found the sun behind my back in the last 30mins before it sets to be the ideal time & position for taking BIF shots.

[meerec]

Hope I'm not overdoing the bird thing by adding another image, but I can't recall another telephoto lens I've ever owned ( Leica, Zeiss - on various Leioa, Nikon, Canon, Hasselblad cameras) that is as satisfying for photographing birds, whether stationary or in flight, as the 90-280 Vario-Elmarit f2.8-4 on the SL.............a simply  superb lens.

 

For what it's worth, I rarely handhold it when it's on the SL, because it's just too heavy for that, rather prefer to mount it on my RRS monopod with the RRS monopod head, with the the lens foot, which is equipped with an RRS base plate captured by the Quick-release of the uni-directional monopodhead...............or on my RRS tripod with RRS BH-55 ball head for more 'sedate' subjects and landscapes. 

 

JZG

 

Is this a seagull? That's not a bird!!! It's a seagull!!! lol