25 March 2022

Vernon Chalmers Photography now using WhatsApp Business

Vernon Chalmers Photography Support / Communications now also available via WhatsApp
Important Update: Vernon Chalmers Photography Support / Communications now also available via WhatsApp.

From this week I will be using WhatsApp Business for complimenting my current client support, pre-training and booking information.

The WhatsApp Business number for messaging / phone calls - direct link: wa.me/27608878087 or 060 887 8087

Due to training commitments I may not always respond immediately, but there will be an auto-responder message if this is the case.

Please note: This number is for photography training / support purposes only. Please do not add / invite Vernon Chalmers Photography to any WhatsApp group functionalities et al.

I trust this new communication channel will be of substantial assistance to current clients with Canon EOS / photography support requests and possible new clients with pre-training / specific learning information requests.

More Information: Vernon Chalmers Photography Training

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town

21 March 2022

Vernon Chalmers Strategic Update

Vernon Chalmers Strategic Changes

Over the next few weeks I will be making some changes to my business, personal and research Websites / Social Media profiles.

Updating of new information and images on the Vernon Chalmers Photography website / Facebook Page will start as soon as possible.

Photography one-on-one training and in-studio / practical training sessions (at Woodbridge Island / Kirstenbosch) should resume later in 2022.

Changes will involve the following Vernon Chalmers websites:

Canon Camera News 2022 (new products / media releases / resources)
www.canoncameranews-capetown.info

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training (skills development / resources)
www.vernonchalmers.photography

Mental Health and Motivation (cognitive research / resources)
www.mylifereflections.net

Contact Vernon Chalmers for more information

Image: Copyright Free from Pixabay

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town

20 March 2022

Updated: Canon Camera News 2022 Website

Updated: Canon Camera News 2022 Website
The Canon Camera News 2022 website (Domain Owner: Vernon Chalmers) is updated with a wide range of Canon Camera / Printer (and other accessories / resources) information.

There are more than 1260 articles / official Canon Press Releases / official Canon Videos / product pages with relevant and official Canon professional / enthusiast / consumer product information currently on the Canon Camera News website.

 All current Canon EOS DSLR / Mirrorless / Film body manuals should also be available now.

One of my main 2022 objectives with the Canon Camera News website is the regular update of all official Canon information on the Canon EOS Virtual Reality (VR) System. More Information

Listing of most of Canon's upcoming (to be released) EOS R bodies / RF lenses and related products (as rumours / speculation). As non-official Canon information / confirmations.
Listing of a wide variety of professional and consumer reviews / sample images of most of Canon's EOS / EOS R bodies and EF / RF lenses et al.

Listing of official Canon Global News, Media and Resources published since 2012 featuring a variety of professional, enthusiast and consumer Canon Camera et al gear:
  • Canon Official Press Releases
  • Canon Corporate News
  • Canon Corporate Events
  • Canon Sponsorships
  • Canon Humanitarian Relief Efforts
  • Canon Research / White Papers
  • Canon EOS R 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 RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens Image Credit: Canon
Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens   Image Credit: Canon More

01 March 2022

History of Canon Cameras / General Photography

Canon Cameras / General Photography History Information

History of Canon Cameras / Photography: Online Listings
The 'Kwanon' - Prototype Image Credit: Canon Museum

Listing of online links to Canon Cameras and related photography history

Canon Camera Museum
Canon Camera Museum

20 Years of Canon EOS - The Digital Picture

20 Years of Canon EOS - The Digital Picture

Canon History Timeline - Canon Europe

Canon History Timeline - Canon Europe

The History of Canon - Canon Global

The History of Canon - Canon Global

Canon EOS - Wikipedia
Canon EOS - Wikipedia

Canon Inc. - Wikipedia
Canon Inc. - Wikipedia

The History of Photography - Free PDF Downloads & Links
The History of Photography - Free PDF Downloads & Links

Using the Canon Extender EF 1.4x III for Bird Photography

Evaluating the Canon Extender EF 1.4x III for Bird / Birds in Flight Photography

Using the Canon Extender EF 1.4x III for Bird Photography
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III for Bird Photography

Using a Canon Extender for Birds / Birds in Flight Photography (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)
Over the years I have had numerous requests of photographers wanting to know the Autofocus capability and image quality in using a 1.4x extender / teleconverter with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.

Many birds in flight / general birding photographers purchase the  1.4x extender for the various f/5.6 Canon EF lenses (400mm / 100-400mm) just to never really be satisfied with the results.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens
I recently took some time out for testing the Canon Extender EF 1.4x III paired with my Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.

I've never used this pairing before (for birds in flight) due to the following criteria:
  • The 400mm f/5.6 lens will default to f/8 as the largest aperture 
  • Possible slowing down of the AF capability of camera / lens paired with the extender
  • Possible image quality loss at 560mm focal length (400mm x 1.4x)

Canon's listed Advantages on the EF1.4x III Extender (Source)
  • Extends the master lens focal length by 1.4x
  • Outstanding image quality
  • Highly resistant to dust and water
  • Improved communication between lens and camera
  • Optimised lens coatings
  • Compatible with L-Series telephoto and telephoto zoom lenses

Personal findings
(Birds in Flight / General Birding)
  • 400mm extends to 560mm (400mm x 1.4x)
  • Could only use 1 point AF and 4 Point Expansion (Canon EOS 7D Mark II)
  • AF is slowed down just a fraction
  • Image quality deteriorates at 560mm for birds in flight
  • Image quality is still reasonably sharp for perched / relatively still birds

Conclusion for Birds in Flight / Birding Photography
I've never been keen on using the Canon EF 1.4x III extender / teleconverter for birds in flight (paired with below gear) and after using the Canon 1.4x Extender am still of the same opinion that my own images at 400mm are of much higher quality (at 400mm at f/5.6) without the Extender.

The Canon EF 1.4x III Extender will perform more effective on 300mm and 400mm f/2.8 and f/4 lenses - also when paired with bodies provided with more |AF Points (compared to the EOS 7D Mark II with a maximum AF Points array of 4 points).

Equipment (Birds In Flight Photography)
  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR camera body
  • Canon EF 400mm f/5.6l USM Lens
  • Canon EF 1.4x II Extender (Teleconverter)
  • Sandisk Extreme Plus SDHC™ UHS-I Card 120MB/s 64 GB

Exposure / Focus Settings
  • Manual Mode Settings / Lens AF On
  • Shutter speed: 1/3200s
  • Aperture: f/8
  • Focal length 560mm
  • Auto ISO (ISO 640-1250)
  • Continuous shooting mode (10 fps) / AI Servo
  • AI Servo / AF Mode Option (4 Point AF / Case 1)
  • Lens AF On / No IS / Handheld

Post-Processing
Adobe Lightroom 9: Cropping. Colour correction / Lens profile correction. RAW to JPEG conversion.

Birds in Flight Location
Woodbridge Island Milnerton, Cape Town

Grey Heron in Flight with Canon Extender 1.4x III (Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm f/5.6L Lens)
Grey Heron in Flight with Canon Extender 1.4x III (Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm f/5.6L Lens)

White-Breasted Cormorant in Flight with Canon Extender 1.4x III (Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm f/5.6L Lens)

Mandarin Duck with Canon Extender 1.4x III (Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm f/5.6L Lens)

Weaver with Canon Extender 1.4x III (Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm f/5.6L Lens)

Yellow-Billed Duck with Canon Extender 1.4x III (Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm f/5.6L Lens)

Birds in Flight Photography Training Milnerton View

Vernon Chalmers Photography Popular Posts