Vernon Chalmers Photography

Canon RF f/11 IS STM Lenses for Bird Photography | Complete Guide to the RF 600mm & RF 800mm Discover how Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses perform for bird photography, wildlife and birds in flight. Canon's RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses have changed the way enthusiasts approach bird and wildlife photography. Combining exceptional reach with lightweight construction and affordable pricing, these compact super-telephoto lenses offer practical alternatives to traditional professional optics. This guide explores their performance for perched birds, birds in flight, autofocus, image stabilization, EOS R compatibility, and real-world field use for photographers seeking maximum reach without the size, weight, and cost of premium L-series lenses. Key Features & Specifications Focal Length & Portability: Available in 600mm and 800mm options. They use a retractable, locking barrel design that collapses for easy packing into a stand...

Canon RF 800mm F11 or RF 200-800mm? A Practical Prime vs Zoom Comparison Canon RF 800mm F11 vs RF 200-800mm: comparing reach, flexibility, weight, aperture, BIF, nature and maritime photography. Photography experience and field perspective  This comparison is informed by practical experience using the Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM in nature and Birds in Flight photography, together with experience in Canon photography training and field-based photographic instruction in Cape Town. The discussion considers not only published specifications, but also practical issues such as subject acquisition, focal-length flexibility, carrying weight, changing subject distance, shutter speed and field technique. The comparison also considers applications relevant to maritime photography, where subject distance and framing can change substantially during a vessel's passage. Canon's published specifications are used for the technical characteristics of the two lenses, while the photographic observat...

Yellow-Billed Kite Over Woodbridge Island | Cape Town A February 2026 Yellow-billed Kite sighting at Woodbridge Island, Cape Town, photographed during my first Canon R6 Mark III and RF 800mm outing. Yellow-Billed Kite Over Woodbridge Island A Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius) photographed in flight over Woodbridge Island, Cape Town, in February 2026. The bird approached from the Table Bay direction, crossed the Milnerton Golf Course area, descended onto the small island adjacent to Woodbridge Island and was observed returning to flight carrying apparent prey. The photograph was made during the first field outing with the Canon EOS R6 Mark III and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens.. Field Observation & Photography Note: This article documents my first and only recorded sighting of a Yellow-billed Kite at Woodbridge Island, Cape Town. The observation took place in February 2026 during my first field outing with the Canon EOS R6 Mark III and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens. I observed the bird ...

Canon EOS R6 Mark III Advanced Subject Detection and Eye Tracking for Birds in Flight Canon EOS R6 Mark III bird AF explained: animal detection, eye tracking, head and body recognition, and Whole Area Tracking Servo AF. The Canon EOS R6 Mark III combines animal subject detection, eye detection and Whole Area Tracking Servo AF to maintain focus on birds in flight. A Yellow-billed Duck sequence demonstrates how the system can progress from eye detection to broader head, face and body recognition when the eye is no longer continuously available. Field-tested by Vernon Chalmers in Cape Town, South Africa, using the Canon EOS R6 Mark III for Birds-in-Flight photography. This practical analysis examines Canon's Animal Subject Detection, Eye Detection and Whole Area Tracking Servo AF using real Yellow-billed Duck flight photographs, with Canon's official EOS R6 Mark III documentation used to verify the autofocus functionality and terminology. A practical field test with the Yellow-bil...