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Need Advice From Pros For System
5 months ago
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I need Pro help to recommend a system.
What I do NOT do:
(1) Studio or anything indoor;
(2) Weddings;
(3) Video; or
(4) Low light, except animals in deep forest shade.
What I do:
(1) Wildlife including birds in flight;
(2) Nature landscape;
(3) Outdoor portraits & candids on the beach for tourists;
(4) Dog portraits & candids, often fast action shots running on the beach (an under-appreciated market);
(5) Ad shots for local tours, real estate, etc.;
(6) Macro flower & abstracts; and
(7) Gallery availability for up to 16 x 20".
I think I can justify a higher end system because I've been able to produce captures sufficiently compelling to market, even though people have to overlook the IQ of a Panasonic 24x Superzoom/Bridge with fixed Leica lens. Obviously, with resolution people laugh at, there have been huge limitations on what I can do; I've depended on less discriminating customers and used lots of LR4. How I wish I had resolution on many wildlife images I'll never get again!
Spring, Summer and Fall I go out 5-6 days per week; during our 2-month Winter, I'm out 2-3x/week. I "hunt" up to 3 hours; work on some of the same wildlife and landscape subjects over a long period; then keep distinctive images but replace similar shots with better ones.
Wildlife: we've had 10 ft. 'Gators, Herons, Anhingas, Woodpeckers, Mergansers, Piebald Deer, Kingfishers, Bluebirds, Hawks and more - in our backyard! (Bet you didn't see that coming!) Much of my wildlife is taken within walking distance, and it's 15 mins. to a long private beach with few people. Wildlife is plentiful enough for me to take whatever I run into; I don't need to set up and wait, though I plan to do so.
Although many people only think so, I actually do have "a need for speed." If you've ever seen a Black Skimmer in flight, I could stop there. I've got Osprey, Pelicans, and Terns diving into the water and bringing out fish; Osprey and Egrets mating; dogs bounding over waves; and kids running everywhere. So I shoot continuous much of the time.
I live in one of the few places on Earth where dolphins "strand" by herding fish out of the water; then the dolphins beach themselves to catch the fish: it's a rush that lasts about 2 minutes. I have dolphins on the beach with fish in their mouths. National Geo. shot this here and will publish 2013. I can take this all the time, and it makes a great local and tourist market. Fast FPS and AF are necessary.
If possible, I don't want future trade up because it costs more than buying high end once. Example: I purchased a new BMW at high up-front cost; however, after 17 years this has been much cheaper in the long run than trading mid-price, and I get to drive high end!
CAMERA BODY, possible needs:
(1) enviro weatherproofing against sand, salt & water on the beach;
(2) lower carry weight for up to 3 hrs. I currently use a Black Rapid shoulder, would likely add a backpack, but I have to keep the camera out and turned on because I come upon wildlife suddenly;
(3) I hate to increase size, but might need of a battery grip to have the camera on constantly and to keep from opening on the beach;
(4) fast FPS;
(5) fast, accurate, multipoint AF; and
(6) if possible, no future trade up.
Nikons:
(1) D4 sounds like too much for me;
(2) D800 at 4 FPS seems too slow;
(3) I've read of serious problems with the D600; and
(4) other models sound equal to or lesser than Canon equivalents.
Canon 6D: 4.5 FPS and AF sound too slow.
Canon 7D:
(1) great FPS,
(2) is the crop IQ good enough for very sharp prints to 16 x 20"?
(3) Is the 11-point AF fast and accurate enough?
(4) Increased reach from crop sensor is good; and
(5) Is it enough to keep many years without trade up?
Canon 5D3:
(1) 6 FPS might be slower than preferable but more (7D) sounds nice;
(2) 61-point AF sounds fantastic;
(3) is IQ all I'd ever need up to 16 x 20"?
(4) Good to never trade-up?
(5) Sophisticated to keep me learning and getting better for years?
(6) Probably don't need dual cards, but they might keep me from opening on the beach.
Canon 1D X: I never knew a photo could look this good; I was astounded! I'd love to try 10 FPS with dead on AF for every exposure, but I don't think I would ever live up to this camera.
LENSES, possible needs:
(1) weather sealed;
(2) multi-purpose, all-in-one zoom because I would not change on the beach;
(3) sufficient reach for birds - I currently use all of 600 mm;
(4) fast, accurate AF;
(5) probably not shotgun/push-pull due to dirt infiltration;
(6) light enough for 3 hr. carry;
(7) smaller form for carrying;
(8) possibly the best L Series to avoid future upgrade;
(9) definitely handheld; and
(10) an additional Macro F2.8 or lower.
Canon 70-200 mm F2.8 L ISII USM:
(1) DPR Gold Best in Class;
(2) concerned about insufficient reach for birding; and
(3) adding a tele-converter sounds too heavy.
Canon 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 L: great specs and recommendations, but sounds too heavy and large for extended carrying.
Canon 70-300 mm F4-5.6 L IS USM:
(1) reach is questionable but may be all I can get for an all-in-one zoom;
(2) excellent DPR and Amazon reviews; and
(3) sounds like fast and accurate AF.
Not known: an additional Macro F2.8 or lower.
ACCESSORIES, possible, based on Amazon reviews:
(1) B+W XS-Pro Clear w/Multi-Resistant Nano Coating, Non-UV (007M); or B+W Clear, UV Haze w/Multi-Resistant Coating (010M)
(2) Wasabi Battery for 7D or 5D3;
(3) Canon OEM brand BG-E11 battery grip, because weather sealing is supposed to be better than other brands;
(4) Hoodman Glasses Hoodeye Eyecup;
(5) Fotodiox Pro, Premium Grade Tripod Lens Collar for 70-300 mm or equivalent;
(6) Lowepro Versapack 200AW Backpack w/quick side access & tripod carry;
(7) Vanguard Alta Pro 263AGH Tripod w/pistol grip ball head; and
(8) Instructional book(s) such as "Canon 5D3 Experience" by Klostermann.
I'm sorry this is so long, but I wanted to provide all considerations. If you'd like, just answer with camera & lens models. Thanks so much.
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