Food Photography - In-Studio Braai (Barbeque)

South Africans love to braai (barbeque) - even if it is indoors...

In-studio braai before and about good to go… with different lenses (macro lens and landscape lens)

At Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Studio Arnhem / Milnerton

Image 1: Canon EOS 6D / EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens and Ring Lite MR-14EX II flash

Image 2: With Canon EOS 70D / EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens and Speedlite 430EX III-RT flash

Before the Braai - with Canon 6D / EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens / Speedlite Flash

Braai Almost Ready - With Canon EOS 70D / EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Ultra-Wide Lens  / Speedlite Flash

Acquiring the original Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens

For Small Birds Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Woodbridge Island,  Milnerton Cape Town

I have had quite a number of opportunities for testing the older Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens along the Diep River and the Table Bay Nature Reserve at Woodbridge Island (perched birds / birds in flight) and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (smaller birds / flowers).

100-400mm Zoom Lens Objective

My objective was to find the most suitable and effective body / zoom lens combination for my Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town small bird and flower photography.

I've tested the lens on both the Canon EOS 70D and 7D Mark II and found the best value proposition pairing for the lens to be the EOS 70D.

My Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens is my preferred go-to lens for birds in flight, but it is rather limited as a prime / non-zoom 400mm lens for my shooting requirements at Kirstenbosch. 

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

I purchased the original Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens from a client in late November 2021. After a long time thinking about my options, I made the decision to purchase this lens for my Kirstenbosch small bird photography (paired at this stage with my Canon EOS 70D). 

Image to the right was was captured at Kirstenbosch paired with my EOS 70D before I made any purchasing decisions. This image of a double-collared sunbird was the image that decided the lens is more than good enough for my purpose(s).

A review of the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens shortly after release.

Compared to the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens (for my purpose)

I also own and use the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens. Although this is optically one of the sharpest Canon EF lenses I own, its just a bit too 'short' for my purpose / licking at Kirstenbosch.

Versatility of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens.

My Birds in Flight Photography lens Canon EF 400 f/5.6L USM lens paired with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Birds in Flight Photography with the original Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens

Canon Camera / Lens used at Woodbridge Island / Kirstenbosch: 

• Canon EOS 70D
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens (Mark I)
• AV Mode: 400mm / f/5.6 / Auto- ISO (Various) Shutter Speeds (Various)
• Manual Mode: 400mm / f/5.6 / Auto- ISO (Various) / 1/1000s - 1/3200s shutter speeds
• Lens IS Switched off / Handheld

Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom 

Perched Karoo Prinia Table Bay Nature Reserve Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Perched Southern Masked Weaver Table Bay Nature Reserve Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Yellow-Billed Duck in Flight Table Bay Nature Reserve Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Grey Heron in Flight Table Bay Nature Reserve Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Also with the Canon EF 100-400mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens Glorious Morning at Kirstenbosch

Using the Canon Extender EF 1.4x III with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens

Canon Camera News and Resources

Canon Camera News and Resources 2021 Website Update

Objective: Up-to-date listing of Canon camera news and various other supporting resources for the global Canon camera owner / enthusiast consumer market.

Domain / Website Owner: Vernon Chalmers

Website: Canon Camera News 2022

Advertising Circulation: 1 000 000 + global in-Page Ad Views per Quarter since 2013.

Country Reach per Annum: 180 +

Global City Reach per Month: 4000 +

International Advertising Partner: Google AdSense

Internet Marketing Strategy | Content Updates: Vernon Chalmers

Sources / Reference: Up-to-date information from official Canon International sources with regard to:

• Canon Corporate News
• Canon Corporate Events
• Canon Sponsorships
• Canon Cinema EOS System Press Releases
• Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Press Releases
• Canon EOS DSLR / EOS M Press Releases
• Canon Speedlight Flash Press Releases
• Canon PowerShot Press Releases
• Canon Photography Competitions
• Canon EF / RF / EF-S / EF-M lens Press Releases
• Canon DPP Digital Desktop Professional Updates
• Canon PIXMA and other printers
• Canon EOS Firmware Updates
• Canon EOS Virtual Reality
• Canon Software Apps
• Canon Projectors
• Canon Binoculars
• Canon User Manuals
• Canon Upcoming New Cameras

Go>> Canon Camera News 2022 Website

Canon Camera System Change - From DSLR to Mirrorless

A Question on Camera System Change - and my personal / professional response as photographer and Canon EOS & photography trainer.

After testing the Canon EOS R6 I was asked by one of my longtime Facebook followers if I would change my EOS System (from DSLR to Mirrorless) for predominantly Birds in Flight photography - this question made me think and this was my unedited response: 

"Thanks for the question, mate. I wont change my system yet, purely for the fact that the EOS 7D Mark II / Ef 400mm f/5.6L lens fulfills most of my in-flight work at this stage (around my 'office / Woodbridge island'- with no real body shortcomings. I have other cameras for my other work. Landscape (EOS 6D) and a few other crops.

Changing / investing into the R System, for me, will probably happen over time. I do believe the R System is more mature now - for fast action et al. I like the mechanical shutter and the AF. I may want to add some more L glass to my bag. 

At this stage it will not be cost-effective to even start buying into the R System. I'm quite content with my bag full of EOS DSLRs and EF (L) glass - as it was quite an investment over time to fill the bag up to cover bodies / glass for my enthusiast / pro / teaching requirements. But you ask a very important question many photographers will think about as the R System is reaching maturity and becomes more fast-action competitive.

I'm keen to see what a possible R7 will bring - this maybe a start to purchase into the R system - with an RF adapter I will be able to use all current EF class. I do personally and professionally believe in the R System and am sure photographers buying into the EOS R5 and R6 will be happy. 

At the moment in my photo work I am searching for good light and the birds - still very happy with what is currently in my hands doing the chasing and creating. Thank you for providing an opportunity to do some quick self-checking here wrt my own strategic / asset objectives.

For me lately its what is in front of me - how do I create a better image in current environment? I don't really travel much for my photography - and am fortunate to do most of my own shooting here on my doorstep. So don't need lighter gear for instance. New kit may take my mind away for creating for a while, while I'm learning and fiddling with a new body. 

My birding setup is an example - I never think about settings really - just ensure I'm setup before a shoot, switch off the LCD and that's it. Don't look at camera, don't think camera, only chase the light and the birds (and angles for better backgrounds ) I don't mind doing new kit testing - it gives me as sense of the hardware evolution - am grateful that Canon can provide me with new kit - more so for my clients / students - to understand how it could also add value in their journeys."

-----------------------------------------------

Thank you Roger Jones - you made me think and my (almost) instantaneous response to you at the time was the embedded affirmation that chasing light and birds is of higher priority than the camera in my hands.

Images: Cape sparrow / Yellow-billed duck - with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/6.6L USM lens at Woodbridge Island, Cape Town.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II Birds in Flight Gallery

Yellow-Billed Duck in Flight - Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Initial Thoughts on the new Canon EOS R3 Full Frame Camera

Image Credit: Canon Asia

Canon EOS R3 Full Frame Mirroless

For those of you who are following my interest in Canon EOS cameras and my photography, Canon has launched the new Canon EOS R3 – for the first time I’m acknowledging the company’s migration to the Canon’s R System as revolutionary, with the launch of the EOS R3 – as a value proposition consideration over the traditional EOS bodies.

For the record – I’m still shooting with my older Canon EOS bodies. I’m personally looking at the EOS R3 with great interest and will therefore also recommend the EOS R3 to my own clients, when they’re in the market for a new Canon body, for considering the new “crop’ of Canon EOS R Full Frame Mirrorless bodies (EOS R3 / R5 / R6) to meet their photography requirements.

Canon EOS R3 Main Specifications

• 24 MP CMOS back-illuminated stacked Sensor
• DIGIC X Image Processor
• Up to 30 FPS Still Photography
• 6K 60p RAW / 4K 120p 10-bit Uncropped Video
• Dual-Pixel CMOS AF II Focus System
• Dual Card Slots (CF express / UHS-II SD)

Canon EOS R3 AutoFocus for High Speed Action

I tested the Canon EOS R6 for Canon South Africa during 2020 predominantly for high action / birds in flight and was very impressed with the tracking performance. I believe that the EOS R3 will deliver that and more.

Canon EOS R3 Autofocus Specifications:

• Innovative Eye Control AF function, a first in the EOS DIGITAL series, enables the AF frame to be controlled according to detected movement of the user’s eye, making quick AF transition between subjects possible.
• Renowned “Dual Pixel CMOS AF II” technology which provides up to 100% AF coverage area
• AF tracking and calculation at 60 FPS when an electronic shutter is used. The high-precision AF continues capturing the subject even during continuous shooting at speeds of up to approx. 30 FPS.
• Minimum AF brightness of EV -7.5[7] and low-light SERVO AF performance has also been improved
• Features evolved “EOS iTR AF X” with AF algorithm developed using an expanded scope of application of Deep Learning technology for improved subject recognition and AF tracking
• New Vehicle Detection capable of overall and spot detection for motorsports (automobiles and motorcycles). With Spot detection setting, driver’s helmet can be detected
• In addition to head, face and eye detection, a body detection algorithm has been added to people detection for situations where large movements block or hide the face or the head
• Animal detection now steadily tracks the animal's body, face, and eyes
• Revamped tracking system allows simply “grabbing” the parts of a subject to be tracked using the 1-point AF or zone AF, the camera will determine the optimum tracking position and perform subject detection and tracking
• Subject tracking is now possible from any one of the 7 AF Area modes, including 1-point AF or Flexible Zone AF, for flexible AF operability
• AF frame or Tracking subject can be switched even during AF or continuous shooting. Subject Tracking can be turned on or off during AF or continuous shooting too
• New Flexible Zone AF Area allows customization of AF Area

More information on the EOS R3 on my Canon News 2021 Website

Canon EOS R3 Media Release

Canon EOS R3 Interactive PDF Brochure

Post-processing Canon CR3 RAW files

Post-processing Canon EOS / PowerShot CR3 RAW files

Something to keep in mind for the Canon photographer when considering the new Canon EOS M and EOS R / EOS RP Mirrorless cameras.

The Canon Powershot SX70 HS, Canon EOS M50, EOS R / RP / EOS R3 / R5 / R6 and EOS 90D / EOS M6 Mark II  uses the CR3 RAW / C-RAW file standard and therefore not compatible with Lightroom 5 / 6 / 7. All future Canon EOS and Canon Powershot cameras will probably also be CR3 RAW-enabled.

The updated Adobe Lightroom 10.2 (released in March 2021) is fully compatible with the EOS M and EOS R.

Update: Canon EOS RP CR3 RAW files are now compatible with the latest edition of Lightroom - Ver 10.2 ( March 2021)

Canon EOS R6 First Impressions and Test Images (Processed from CR3 RAW to JPG) View>>

Canon EOS R First Impressions and Test Images (Processed from CR3 RAW to JPG) View>>

There should be no problem with JPG files and older versions of Lightroom.

More About Adobe Lightroom 8.2 / Product links>>

Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) 4.15 Editing suite should be fully compatible with Canon CR3 / C-RAW files

More about Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.15.0 For Windows | Mac View

Adobe Lightroom Training Cape Town More Information>>

Fabulous Friday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Swee Waxbill Kirstenbosch Cape Town

Friday Morning at Kirstenbosch: Small perched birds and a Garden full of Peace

I expected a lot from this morning. I did not get it in the form of many small birds, but a peaceful walkabout around Kirstenbosch on a fabulous Friday morning.

Again, after quite a few rainy days in Cape Town, I returned to Kirstenbosch with my Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens to fine-tune this new genre of small perched birds.

 

What I am learning is the shutter speed relationship between the small perched birds and when some of them take flight during one continuous burst. Working with a non-IS lens, I shoot with a shutter speed of 1/1250s at Kirstenbosch which is fast enough for this purpose, but not fast enough for their incredible fast in-flight action. For this I will have to increase the shutter speed to a minimum of 1/2500s - 1/3200s - and find a balance between perched and in-flight action.

My photo of the morning was the swee waxbill touching down close to me - so small and I'm happy to get this semi in-flight image at a shutter speed of 1/1250.

Kirstenbosch birds photographed during the morning:

• Swee waxbill
• Southern Double-Collared Sunbird
• Swee waxbill
• Upside down Sunbird portrait
• Dusky flycatcher
• Cape bulbul

Canon Camera / Lens: Birds and Flowers Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

• Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
• Manual Mode: 400mm @ f/5.6 / Auto- ISO (Various) / 1/1000s - 1/1250s shutter speeds
• No Lens IS / Handheld

Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom 

Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Southern Double-Collared Sunbird Singing Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Swee Waxbill Landing Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Upside Down Sunbird Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

African Dusky Flycatcher on Rock Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Perched Cape Bulbul Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Brave Boubou Shrike Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Plants / Flowers at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

King Protea Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise) Flower Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch  More

Glorious Morning at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View

Vernon Chalmers 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' View

From Darkness into Light... Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Butterflies and Sunbird at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Images © Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Map & Directions Kirstenbosch Google Map

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Website

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town

Tremendous Thursday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Cape White-Eye : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Follow-up morning visit to Kirstenbosch: Small perched birds, a butterfly and some wild flower photography at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

After a few days of rain in Cape Town I returned to Kirstenbosch with the objective to see how well my Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens will perform with the relatively close small birds and flower photography. 

 

I knew I would have no problem with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II body - my only concern was the relatively long Minimum Focus Distance (MFD) of the 400mm prime lens. I generally have no issues with Birds in Flight photography (with EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens), but this combination could be challenging in the Kirstenbosch close-up / variable distanced perched small bird photography environment.

It took me a while to get used to the non-zoom 400mm Canon lens with its challenging MFD, but am overall quite satisfied with the body / lens performance for small bird, butterfly and flower photography - definitely my go-to kit for small bird, butterfly and flower photography at Kirstenbosch.

Last week at Kirstenbosch (in similar weather conditions) I tested my Canon EOS 70D paired with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens for small bird and flower photography. Although the lens had a shorter MFD than the 400mm prime lens I found the image quality improvement, noise management, continuous shooting speed and Autofocus responsiveness of the EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f.5.6L lens of a higher standard for my Kirstenbosch photography requirements.

New Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index

During the morning I photographed four new bird species which I added to my own 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' as I did over the last ten years with my personal 'Woodbridge Island Bird Species Index'.

Kirstenbosch birds photographed during the morning:

• Southern Double-Collared Sunbird 
• Cape white-eye
• Cape bulbul
• Dusky flycatcher
• Southern boubou shrike
• Karoo prinia
• Southern Double-Collared Sunbird 
• Hadeda ibis
• Egyptian goose

Canon Camera / Lens: Birds and Flowers Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

• Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
• Manual Mode: 400mm @ f/5.6 / Auto- ISO (Various) / 1/1000s - 1/2500s shutter speeds
• No Lens IS / Handheld

Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom 

Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Southern Double-Collared Sunbird  Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cape Town

Cape Bulbul on Guard Duty Kirstenbosch Garden Cape Town

Dusky Flycatcher Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Southern Boubou Shrike Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Karoo Prinia Bird Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Hadeda Ibis in Flight Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Egyptian Goose Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Small Garden Acraea Butterfly at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Male Garden Acraea Butterfly Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Plants / Flowers at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Arum Lily Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Flower Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Protea Flower Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Small Flower Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Wild Plant Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden Cape Town

Blooming Pincushion Protea Flower Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Cape Town

Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch  More

Glorious Morning at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View

Fabulous Friday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View 

Vernon Chalmers 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' View

From Darkness into Light... Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Butterflies and Sunbird at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Images © Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Map & Directions Kirstenbosch Google Map

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Website

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town

Glorious Morning at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Cape Spurfowl on the run at Kirstenbosch

Visit to Kirstenbosch: Small birds and some wild flower photography at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

On a glorious and crisp sunny Tuesday morning (6 July 2021) I visited Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden for Canon EOS body / EF lens testing and some personal reflection.

This was my first visit to Kirstenbosch on my own. It was a very enjoyable morning with many perched small birds across the garden, the running Cape spurfowl and a images taken of a couple of plants / wild flowers.    

I was fortunate enough to photograph at least eleven bird species between +- 10:00 and 12:00 on the morning. This is by far the most bird species I have identified and photographed around Kirstenbosch during one single shooting session. 

A Thursday morning's birds and flowers at Kirstenbosch View

New Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index

During the Kirstenbosch morning visit I also thought about the idea of creating and publishing my own 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' as I did over the last ten years with my personal 'Woodbridge Island Bird Species Index'.

Kirstenbosch birds photographed  during the morning:

• Cape spurfowl
• Southern double-collared sunbird
• Olive thrush
• Cape robin-chat
• Cape sugarbird
• Forest canary
• Swee waxbill
• Cape white-eye
• Speckled mousebird
• Cape bulbul
• Karoo prinia

Canon Camera / Lens: Birds and Flowers Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

• Canon EOS 70D
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens (Mark I)
• Manual Mode: 400mm / f/5.6 / Auto- ISO (Various) / 1/1000s - 1/3200s shutter speeds
• Lens IS Switched off / Handheld

Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom 

Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Southern Double-Collared Sunbird perched on a Pincushion Protea Kirstenbosch © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Olive Thrush Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Cape Robin-Chat Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden ©Vernon Chalmers Photography

Cape Sugarbird Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Forest Canary Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Swee Waxbill Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Cape-White Eye Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Speckled Mousebird Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Cape Bulbul Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Karoo Prinia Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Plants / Flowers at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Salmon Pelargonium Plant Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Flowers Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

King Protea Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

"Fireworks at Kirstenbosch" Flowers Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise) Flower Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Pincushion Protea Flower Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © Vernon Chalmers Photography

Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch View

Vernon Chalmers 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' View

Tremendous Thursday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View

From Darkness into Light... Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Butterflies and Sunbird at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Images © Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Map & Directions Kirstenbosch Google Map

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Website

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town