Richard Marks
Rexel
The lux is that bit bulkier than the 50'cron and unless you need f1.4 id go that bit lighter for running away. Also the financial loss will be easier to bearI like John's books and photos. Also Moose Petersons.
I'm narrowing the kit down to m-hex 28, CV 21, and 50 lux. Hoods, but no filters. Last I checked, wild animals were seldom wearing synthetics
A J3 in the backpack, in case it rains.
with the less expensive optic in the unlikely event your kit sustains damage.Have a great trip and dont forget you our your surviving group members to post some pictures.
Richard
Bingley
Veteran
I wish you much success in getting up close to a bear!
This will be an interesting test of stealth photography. At least he'll avoid mirror slap... bears just hate that...
ampguy
Veteran
Here's a photo of retired Biology teacher, now photographer Leon Tuten (www.jltproduction.com) with a photo of a black bear. He also uses only wide angle lenses, but focuses on landscapes and flowers. The times he's encoutered wildlife were when they just came out or passed him on trails. I had a good chat with him in one of the stores in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park a couple of days ago.
I'm selling my photos of Glacier National Park, starting at about $99. Should have some samples up soon.
I'm selling my photos of Glacier National Park, starting at about $99. Should have some samples up soon.
ampguy
Veteran
Yeah
Yeah
That Biogon 25 sounds nice. I use the 21 on M8 without an external VF, but for landscapes, and in some areas, it's just not wide enough.
With a fixed 300/600 setup, you'd miss a lot of wildlife in the west at least, where deer and mountain goats/sheep come out of nowhere and are often right beside you.
The only place I can think of where a 300/600 setup would work consistently without needing wider, would be a zoo.
If you check out Leon's website in the above link, the photo of the mountain sheep was when he was on a narrow trail and encountered them around a corner. He had only a wide angle lens, but wish he had even wider, as there were actually a pair of them.
Yeah
That Biogon 25 sounds nice. I use the 21 on M8 without an external VF, but for landscapes, and in some areas, it's just not wide enough.
With a fixed 300/600 setup, you'd miss a lot of wildlife in the west at least, where deer and mountain goats/sheep come out of nowhere and are often right beside you.
The only place I can think of where a 300/600 setup would work consistently without needing wider, would be a zoo.
If you check out Leon's website in the above link, the photo of the mountain sheep was when he was on a narrow trail and encountered them around a corner. He had only a wide angle lens, but wish he had even wider, as there were actually a pair of them.
With an M8, if I had to pick one lens - it'd be the 2,8/25 Biogon ZM. Throw in the 2/35 Biogon and 2/50 Planar as a bonus if space allows. A good spread with enough difference between the focal lengths and no need for external VFs (in my case at least, as I don't wear glasses when shooting).
If I don't foresee lighting to be a problem, I'll often swap in the Skopars for an even smaller kit that I just toss in my pockets... 28/35/50.
If I'm hunting far away game, I'll just grab the Canon 1D Mark IIn, 300mm f/2.8L IS and the 1.4/2x TCs.
InkWalk
Newbie
"If your (Polar Bear) picture isn't good enough, you're not close enough".
Good one.
Once you get closed enough, hope you run fast enough.
Spleenrippa
Yes, Right There
hendriphile
Well-known
"I grew up going to Yosemite annually with Ansel ..."
Did Ansel say, "Don't listen to any advice from those idiots at rangefinderforum.com!" ?
Did Ansel say, "Don't listen to any advice from those idiots at rangefinderforum.com!" ?
Richard Marks
Rexel
Glad to be of service.
But do you know what, Im almost thinking this guy is serious and if so its even funnier than I thought.
Richard
ampguy
Veteran
DNG - very nice photo. A fixed 300/600 might be great for birds, for the wildlife across our street, I sometimes use a 80-200, or 70-300 on both 35 ff and 1.5 nikon crop, but would need a spotting scope or binocs if I only had the long end.
I also use a couple of p&s's with long zooms, about ~400mm 35mm ff equiv. at the longest.
Never tried the Zeiss 18, I'm pretty much fine with the wideness of the 15 on M8 (with 21 finder), but sometimes miss a true 18 which I used to have in M42/PK slr mount.
I need to find/make a case up that will properly hold an M8 with finder attached safely.
I also use a couple of p&s's with long zooms, about ~400mm 35mm ff equiv. at the longest.
Never tried the Zeiss 18, I'm pretty much fine with the wideness of the 15 on M8 (with 21 finder), but sometimes miss a true 18 which I used to have in M42/PK slr mount.
I need to find/make a case up that will properly hold an M8 with finder attached safely.
ampguy
Veteran
well ...
well ...
He never said that specifically, but he liked to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson about respecting nature ...
I think once he said to never use a lens longer than the average male organ, or the bears will come after you, which turned out to be the case for several unfortunate photographers in the past few decades.
Doesn't explain the two girls who died 8-10 miles apart on Aug 13, 1967 in GNP though ... the first bear attacks since the park's opening in 1910, or does it??
Seriously, tracking a bear with a long lens, or camping in a tent with wild animals around, is just foolish these days.
Back in the day, the big animals were gentler, shorter lenses were used, people weren't hunting them down with guns and darts and trying to put radio collars on them, and shutting down their berry sources.
And, they hate Rap, but that alone, like playing dead, won't stop them from eating you if they don't like you.
well ...
He never said that specifically, but he liked to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson about respecting nature ...
I think once he said to never use a lens longer than the average male organ, or the bears will come after you, which turned out to be the case for several unfortunate photographers in the past few decades.
Doesn't explain the two girls who died 8-10 miles apart on Aug 13, 1967 in GNP though ... the first bear attacks since the park's opening in 1910, or does it??
Seriously, tracking a bear with a long lens, or camping in a tent with wild animals around, is just foolish these days.
Back in the day, the big animals were gentler, shorter lenses were used, people weren't hunting them down with guns and darts and trying to put radio collars on them, and shutting down their berry sources.
And, they hate Rap, but that alone, like playing dead, won't stop them from eating you if they don't like you.
"I grew up going to Yosemite annually with Ansel ..."
Did Ansel say, "Don't listen to any advice from those idiots at rangefinderforum.com!" ?
atlcruiser
Part Yeti
M8 + 18mm ZM, full kevlar body suit and/or chain mail suit. Maybe a bear super wide, inside the mouth shot!
One thing I notice more and more with the M8 is that i love the super wides and the longs. My 50/2 is almost never on my M8 but my 135, 90, 21 and 28 always seem to be.
Maybe a bear super wide, inside the mouth shot!One thing I notice more and more with the M8 is that i love the super wides and the longs. My 50/2 is almost never on my M8 but my 135, 90, 21 and 28 always seem to be.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Well, this may be the other end of the world from Alaska, but it is a wild animal, I was on foot, and it was taken with an M8...
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
But then, this was the lens, with a 2x extender added. Makes an 1100 mm equivalent lens - and there was a convenient bush to hide behind - and my guide did carry a rifle...
Matus
Well-known
Jaap, now THAT is what I call a rifle 1100mm on an M8 !! May I ask what was the advantage over a DSLR? Or was it just something you just happened to have at hand?
1100mm on an M8 !! May I ask what was the advantage over a DSLR? Or was it just something you just happened to have at hand?
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
I was without DSLR then, having sold my Canon kit and waiting for the DMR... This worked excellently though, albeit a bit slow. But there are certain situations one wishes to avoid:
http://www.nothingtoxic.com/media/1152876065/Lions_Attack_and_Eat_a_Brave_Photographer
http://www.nothingtoxic.com/media/1152876065/Lions_Attack_and_Eat_a_Brave_Photographer