Low Flying Cormorant - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Low Flying Cormorant in Flight - Diep River / Woodbridge Island

White-Breasted Cormorant just after taking off on a glorious morning from the Diep River / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town. 

All photos by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. (Manual Mode: f6.3 / ISO 500 / 1/4000s / Autofocus Case 1 / Multi-Shot Continuous Mode: 10 fps / AI Servo / Handheld).

(Click to Enlarge)

White-Breasted Cormorant : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

White-Breasted Cormorant : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

White-Breasted Cormorant : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

White-Breasted Cormorant : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

White-Breasted Cormorant : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon Extension Tube vs Macro Lens Decision

I was recently asked to assist one of my workshop delegates with the purchase of a Canon EF25 II extension tube for his Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens (on a Canon crop body) vs the purchase of a Macro lens.

I obliged by capturing a small garden flower with / without the Canon EF25 II Extension Tube on a Canon 70D (also a Canon crop body).

At the same time I used a Canon EOS 6D (full frame body ) with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens and captured the same flower at the same apertures.

The objective was not really image quality, but for determining the absolute minimum focus distance for each of the body / lens (extension tube used) to flower (measured from the front lens element).

Selected Aperture on all 3 images = f/11 Different ISO's (Auto-ISO). More detailed EXIF data below the individual images.

All images are uncropped (with some Adobe Lightroom 6 processing).

Lens AF on for all images (No flash / handheld) Conditions: overcast.

Body / Lens (Extension Tube)

• Image 1: Canon EOS 70D / 50mm STM Lens
• Image 2: Canon EOS 70D / 50mm STM Lens / Extension Tube
• Image 3: Canon EOS 6D / 100mm Macro Lens

Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)

• Image 1: Canon EOS 70D / 50mm Lens +- 350mm
• Image 2: Canon EOS 70D / 50mm Lens / Extension Tube  +- 200mm
• Image 3: Canon EOS 6D / 100mm Macro Lens +- 300mm

(Click to Enlarge)

Image 1: Canon EOS 70D / 50mm STM Lens f/11 / ISO 250 / 1/80s

Image 2: Canon EOS 70D / 50mm STM Lens / Extension Tube f/11 / ISO 1000 / 1/80s

Image 3: Canon EOS 6D / 100mm Macro Lens f/11 / ISO 1000 / 1/80s

Small Flower Macro Photography Cape Town
Small Flower Macro Photography Cape Town

Canon EOS 70D: Links to Professional / Consumer Reviews

The Canon EOS 70D was announced on 2 July 2013. The new Canon EOS 70D is Canon's mid-range APS-C Sensor DSLR camera with a 20.2 Megapixel APS-C Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology and Digic 5+ image processor.

Canon EOS 70D High ISO Test
Canon EOS 70D / High ISO Test

Canon EOS 70D Birds In Flight
Canon EOS 70D / EF 400mm Lens

Canon EOS 70D Shooting Sports
Canon EOS 70D Sport Shooting

Online Reviews - Canon EOS 70D DSLR Camera

• B&H Photo Video - review
• Bob Atkins - review
• CNET - review
• CNET Australia - review
• Camera Labs - review
• Canon Watch - review
• DPReview - review
• Engadget - review
• Expert Reviews - review
• Grant Atkinson - comparison
• Imaging Resource - review
• Ken Rockwell - review
• PC Mag - review
• Photography Blog - review
• Pocket Lint - review
• Popular Photography - review
• Photo Review - review
• Techradar - review
• The Digital Picture - review
• The Photo Blogger - review
• Tom's Guide - review
• Trusted Reviews - review
• What Digital Camera - review

Consumer / User Reviews - Canon EOS 70D

• Amazon - read
• Canon USA - read

More Canon EOS / PowerShot Camera Professional / Consumer Reviews View >>

(Click to Enlarge)

Motorcycle Racing Killarney Cape Town : Canon EOS 70D / Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens

Cormorant in Flight Woodbridge Island : Canon EOS 70D / Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Grey heron taking flight -Table Bay Nature Reserve

Grey heron taking flight in the Table Bay Nature Reserve just off Woodbridge Island

We went for a short hike through the Table Bay Nature Reserve opposite the Milnerton Golf Club. The light wasn't that great and although I captured a few grey herons perched and / or in flight I did nor expect much. The images posted here are the best from the day - and again I was quite pleased with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II's performance. All three images are large crops, but retained enough detail for publishing here and on my Vernon Chalmers Photography Facebook Page.

Images by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens.

Continuous Shooting at 10fps: 3 consecutive frames

Camera Settings

• Aperture: f/5.6
• Auto-ISO 800
• Shutter Speed: 1/4000s
• AF: Large Zone (Case 1)
• 10 fps / handheld
• CF Card: Lexar Professional 800x / 120MB/s 32GB

(Click to Enlarge)

Grey Heron Taking Flight - Table Bay Nature Reserve, Woodbridge Island

Grey Heron Taking Flight - Table Bay Nature Reserve, Woodbridge Island

Grey Heron Taking Flight - Table Bay Nature Reserve, Woodbridge Island

Low Flying Grey Heron

Low Flying Grey Heron

Birds in flight Photography

Birds in Flight Photography

Rock pigeon over the Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Rock pigeon in full flight... and dipping for the water.

We've seen an interesting phenomena yesterday (at least for here) of a racing pigeon coming in at pace, dipping into the water, and taking off again. Probably for drinking water.

Location
Diep River / Woodbridge Island

Images by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens. Accompanied by fellow photographer, Peter Knott, with the same Canon equipment.

Continuous Shooting at 10fps
Images 2 - 6 are five consecutive frames of the pigeon approaching the water. 

Canon Camera Settings

• Aperture: f/5.6
• Auto-ISO 500
• Shutter Speed: 1/4000s
• AF: Large Zone (Case 1)
• 10 fps / handheld
• CF Card: Lexar Professional 800x / 120MB/s 32GB

 (click to enlarge)

Image 2: Rock Pigeon in Flight over the Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Image 3: Rock Pigeon in Flight over the Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Image 4: Rock Pigeon in Flight over the Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Image 5: Rock Pigeon in Flight over the Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Image 6: Rock Pigeon in Flight over the Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Image 7: Rock Pigeon in Flight over the Diep River, Woodbridge Island

Birds in flight Photography
Birds in Flight Photography

Latest Update: Restoration of the wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island

Restoration of historic wooden bridge Milnerton
Latest Update: 20 July 20018

Finally! Work has started, albeit at a snail's pace considering I've only counted thee construction workers on the bride during most of Friday morning ( 20 July 2018)

On the right is a construction sign next to the Otto du Plessis Drive side of the old wooden bridge (towards Table View).

By: City of Cape Town's Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA)

Professional Sercive Provider: Bergstan South Africa

Contractor: Ruwacon (PTY) LTD

More on the wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island Restoration Project

More images of the old wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island

All images with Canon EOS 70D / EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens and Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

(Click to Enlarge)

Construction Site on Woodbridge Island - Next to the Milnerton Canoe Club (Canon EOS 70D)

Construction Site Warning on the Otto du Plessis Drive side of the wooden bridge (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)

Worker busy dismantling a section of the old wooden bride, Woodbridge Island (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)

Worker pushing wheelbarrow with pieces of tar / wood on the old wooden bridge (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens: Professional / Consumer Reviews

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens was announced on 10 November 2014 (Canon Press Release) as an upgrade of the older Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens.

Canon EOS Body Compatibility
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens is compatible with both Canon EOS APS-C (crop) sensor bodies and Canon EOS full frame bodies.

Online Reviews - Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens

• Amateur Photography - review
• Bob Atkins - review
• Danny Green - field application
• DPReview - review
• Dustin Abbot - review
• DxO Labs - review
• ePhotozine - review
• Grant Atkinson - review
• Kevin Ebi Blog -review 
• Imaging Resource - review
• Ken Rockwell - review
• Michael Daniel Ho - review
• PC Mag - review
• Photography Blog - review
• Points In Focus - review
• Scott Kelby - field test
• The Digital Picture - review

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Field Testing Cape Town

• Canon EOS 80D First Impressions with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
• Canon EOS 7D Mark II First Impressions with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Dustin Abbot - Video Review>>

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Consumer Reviews

• Amazon - read
• B&H Photo - read
• Best Buy - read
• Canon USA - read
• Photography-on-the-net read

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Specifications / Sample Images

More Canon EOS / PowerShot Camera Professional / Consumer Reviews View >>

Golden Pheasant : Canon EOS 7D Mark II / Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens

Purchase Lightroom 6 / Last Perpetual Update for Lightroom

Purchase Lightroom 6 (Single App license) / Last Perpetual Update of Lightroom (6.14)

Please note that this post applies to photographers using Lightroom 6 / CC as a desktop version and not the Cloud version of the new Lightroom Classic / Lightroom CC.

You can buy Lightroom 6 as a Single App licensed product (without a Creative Cloud plan), and download and install it on your desktop. Lightroom is also included in the Creative Cloud Photography and Creative Cloud All Apps plans.

Download and install Lightroom 6
Download and install Lightroom 6

Direct Lightroom 6 Full License (Mac / Windows) Purchase Link
Direct Lightroom 6 Full License (Mac / Windows) Purchase Link

Upgrading from Photoshop Lightroom 6.14 to Lightroom Classic CC
Upgrading from Photoshop Lightroom 6.14 to Lightroom Classic CC

Adobe Lightroom Post-Processing Private Training Cape Town
Adobe Lightroom Post-Processing Private Training Cape Town

Photoshop Lightroom 6.14: Official Adobe Journal Posting

Lightroom 6.14 now available – last perpetual update of Lightroom

The goal of this release is to provide perpetual customers additional camera raw support, lens profile support and address bugs that were introduced in previous releases of Lightroom. You should only update to Lightroom 6.14 if you are currently holding a license to our perpetual product.

Please note, there will be no additional updates after 6.14 for the perpetual, standalone version of Lightroom. You can check out this blog post for more information when this was announced earlier.

As always, new cameras are supported for legacy versions of Lightroom, Photoshop, Bridge, After Effects, and Photoshop Elements through the free Adobe DNG Converter.

For native camera raw support and ongoing updates with new features try out Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC. These features include color and luminance range masking and the new auto. This along with other future imaging and performance enhancements are automatically included with a membership.

Find the latest available downloads of Lightroom 6 here. If you have a Creative Cloud plan of any type, you do not need to purchase Lightroom 6.

You can also find the new cameras and lens profiles that are now supported with 6.14.

Source: Adobe

Low Light Photography: African Darter in Flight

Canon EOS Autofocus / Birds in Flight Photography Training
Four consecutive frames of an African darter in flight using the Canon EOS 7D Mark II's 10 fps Continuous Shooting mode.

Images were captured in very poor light conditions and all frames are at ISO 1000.

Cape Town Location
Diep River / Table Bay Nature Reserve
Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Equipment Used (Birds In Flight / Action Photography)

• Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR camera body
• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
• Lexar Professional 800x / 120MB/s 32GB CF Card

Manual Mode Settings

• Shutter speed: 1/3200s
• Aperture: f/5.6
• Focal length 400mm
• Auto-ISO (ISO 1000)
• Continuous shooting mode (10 fps) / AI Servo
• AI Servo / AF Mode Option (Wide Zone AF / Case 1)
• Lens AF On / No IS / Handheld

(Click to Enlarge)

African Darter in Flight : Table Bay Nature Reserve, Woodbridge Island / Cape Town Frame 1/4

African Darter in Flight : Table Bay Nature Reserve, Woodbridge Island / Cape Town Frame 2/4

African Darter in Flight : Table Bay Nature Reserve, Woodbridge Island / Cape Town Frame 3/4

African Darter in Flight : Table Bay Nature Reserve, Woodbridge Island / Cape Town Frame 4/4

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Fast Flying Duck - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Yellow-Billed Duck - Woodbridge Island / Milnerton Golf Course

Fast flying yellow-billed duck over the Milnerton Lagoon / Milnerton Golf Course, Woodbridge Island. 6 frames of the possible 10 fps (multi-shot mode) Canon EOS 7D Mark II APS-C body.

All photos by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. (Manual Mode: f6.3 / ISO 400 / 1/4000s / 10 fps / AI Servo / Handheld).

Tracking Variables for Improved Birds in Flight Photography
Tracking Variables for Improved Birds in Flight Photography

(Click to Enlarge)

Yellow-Billed Duck in Flight  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Cape Town

Yellow-Billed Duck in Flight  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II  - Cape Town

Yellow-Billed Duck in Flight  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Cape Town

Yellow-Billed Duck in Flight  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Cape Town

Yellow-Billed Duck in Flight  : Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Cape Town

Yellow-Billed Duck in Flight   : Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Cape Town

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery
Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town
Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
Bird Species Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Grey heron in early morning light... Woodbridge Island

The Grey heron in flight was captured with the Canon EOS 700D and EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM lens over the Milnerton Lagoon, Woodbridge Island.

Quality of Light
For me, at the time, the quality of light was most important. A fast shutter speed came in handy as well. This was a JPG image straight out of camera with minimal cropping (if any).

Camera / Lens Settings
Tv Mode: Auto-ISO 1600 / f/9.5 / 1/2000s / Lens IS off / 190mm

Staring out with birds in flight photography at Woodbridge Island
Most DSLR's on continuous shooting modes, relatively fast shutter speeds and lenses with a 300mm focal length is suitable to shoot with at the Milnerton Lagoon, the Diep river and the adjacent Table Bay Nature Reserve.

Grey Heron in Flight - Woodbridge Island, Milnerton  / Cape Town

Article / more images on Starting out with Birds in Flight Photography

Article / more images on Starting out with Birds in Flight Photography

Showcase Your Photos on National Geographic Your Shot

Visit / Join National Geographic Your Shot

National Geographic Your Shot Global Photography Community
I joined the National Geographic Your shot photography community in 2015 for publishing and share my photos of Woodbridge Island / Cape Town to the global National Geographic Your Shot photography community.
National Geographic Your Shot offers various assignments, contests, projects and publishing categories - and you get an opportunity to see some great global wildlife and other images (for ideas / inspiration and feedback from National Geographic / community members).

Vernon Chalmers National Geographic Your Shot Images

Personal Dashboard

All your own uploaded images are displayed in your personal dashboard that allows for real-time adding/ editing and / or deleting of images. Member upload quota is 15 images per week. Images in your gallery are available for viewing by non-members and will also be searchable via search engines like Firefox and Google.

Copyright Notification
Right-clicking on an image will not provide the usual menu to Save images, but instead shows a Copyright Notification

Sharing your Images to Social Media
You will also be able to share uploaded / published images to Facebook, Twiiter, Pintrest and Goole +. 

Image EXIF / Location Data

What I like most is the fact that all your published images will retain important Metadata / EXIF data for each uploaded image ito:

• Date Taken / Uploaded
• Location
• Camera model
• Focal Length
• Shutter Speed
• Aperture
• ISO
• Copyright 

Very handy if you quickly want to check-up on some old settings.

Images may also be individually viewed and people could like / post comments on individual images.

Herewith a link to my National Geographic Your Shot Profile

From National Geographic My Shot
'Your Shot, Your Way Showcase your best photography and make a statement with a big, bold cover image. Keep track of your favorite pictures, activity, and awards. Set up your profile today.'

Source: National Geographic Your Shot

Vernon Chalmers National Geographic Your Shot Image 

Canon EOS DSLRs: FPS Continuous Shooting Speeds

10 FPS - Canon EOS 7D Mark II

I regularly receive queries on the website about the Frames per Second Speed (fps) for Canon EOS DSLR bodies and the importance of fps in selecting a new camera body (in relation to specific photography genres).

FPS will relate to the speed of how many images a specific camera can take during a continuous burst of captures and another important measurement, Burst Rate will be related to how many shots a specific camera can continuously capture before slowing down.

Various factors could influence the actual burst rate and therefore shooting speeds may vary in terms of individual camera setup, memory cards, JPG and / or RAW file selections.

Official Canon Article: Understanding and Comparing Canon Burst Rates

Learn more about CF / SD Memory Card speeds (tests for various Canon EOS Bodies).

When does fps / continuous shooting speeds matter?
It generally matters more in faster and action genres - for shooting Birds in Flight the photographer could have more success and choice with seven or ten images from one single burst or even a few shorter bursts of four of five images at one time. One potential disadvantage is the high volume of very similar images to select from (in post-processing).

FPS Shooting Example / Demonstration (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)
An example of eight continuous shots captured with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II - with its 10 fps capability and high-speed maximum burst rate. Egyptian Goose Take-Off

FPS for Canon EOS Enthusiast / Semi-Professional / Professional DSLR Cameras

Canon EOS Body	FPS	Max JPG	Max RAW
EOS 60D	5.3	58	16
EOS 70D	7	40	16
EOS 80D	7	80	25
EOS 7D	8	120	25
EOS 7D Mark II	10	130	31
EOS 6D	4.5	1250	15
EOS 6D Mark II	6.5	200	21
EOS 5D Mark III	6	65	18
EOS 5D Mark IV	7	Full	21
EOS 5Ds	5	Full	14
EOS 5Ds R	5	Full	14
EOS-1D X	14	180	38
EOS-1D X Mark II	16	Full	170

Canon EOS Continuous Shooting Speeds / Frames Per Second (fps)

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town