OT, Going to a Bald Eagle Observation

That 1.6x crop factor would help us out a lot.

Kin is showing us a strong argument. If it didn't mean also dropping at least $1500 on a lens and teleconverter (300x2x1.6=960mm) in addition to the body B&H may have a sale. So, I will stick with the $400 of Minolta stuff I have and hope for the best.
 
A 500mm mirror would be a good addition if there's enough time. KEH has a few Tamron adaptall's for around $100-.

Hopefully you'll have better background than I did, and won't have to crop so much. When a bird is gliding, they're 4x larger, so that helps.
 
Kin Lau said:
A 500mm mirror would be a good addition if there's enough time. KEH has a few Tamron adaptall's for around $100-.

Hopefully you'll have better background than I did, and won't have to crop so much. When a bird is gliding, they're 4x larger, so that helps.
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That WOULD be nice, especially on a Maxxum DSLR. With the antishake, you may even be able to get acceptable results handheld.

Rover, I agree it may be too dim to focus a mirror lens with TC.
 
500mm mirror + TC is just painful, you can focus (I've done it) but getting a steady shot is very hard. I've shot with my Russian 500mm (no TC) on the DReb... quite doable on a sunny day. Shutter speed was up near 1/1000 on iso400.
 
Good luck with the TC and 300 glass, Ralph! However, I'd remove the polarizer and use a plain UV protective filter. With that kind of combo you need all the light you can get, and the polarizer is a bit too obstructive (at least, in my experience). I used to shoot a Minolta rig with a very slow 75-300 Vivitar zoom... and with a polarizer it was sheer hell even on a sunny day.

Good luck and share the best shots with us! 🙂
 
Francisco, my thinking about the polarizer is that if it is a bright sunny day, then I have it. Other than that, you are right, I wouldn't use it. A bright cloudy day would be nice, and I don't know the orientation of the observation deck, back lighting would be a disaster.
 
rover said:
Pretty cool I can't wait for it.

Northeast Utilities has an observation area @ 1000 feet from a hydroelectric dam. The area attracts migratory bald eagles in the winter. From the observation area you are supposed to be able to see birds fishing, perching and soaring. There even may be a couple nesting pairs in the area.

So, here is what I have.

Minolta SRT 101
MC 200/3.5
MC 300/4.5
2x Teleconverter
ISO 800 and 400 film
Tripod
72mm Polarizing filter
Binoculars

And me.

Am I forgetting anything?

Is 600mm with the teleconverter enough magnification?
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I hope you have a good time - I can't offer any advice, I've never done that sort of photography. But I thought you might enjoy this:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15932504&BRD=1719&PAG=461&dept_id=25271&rfi=6

Bald eagles draw thousands
By NICK LUCCHESI

The Telegraph

MADISON -- Thousands gave bald eagles the eye Saturday as the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge played host to Eagle Days, its annual eagle-watching event.
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Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Thanks Bill. I didn't think of it, but my father offered his spotting scopes to us. He is a target shooter and has a couple real nice high quality spotting scopes. I bet there is a T mount that will fit them and then I can use that as lens. I don't know the exact conversion, but I am sure they are much more than 1000mm.
 
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