Live and Relax

31 Aug 2009 Nikkor AF-S 70-200 F2.8 and TC-20E with Canon 500D

Filed under: Photographic Notes — ghorse@9:51 PM

In my previous test of AF-S 70-200 F2.8 with the Canon 500D close-up lens, the closest focusing distance down from 1.5m to 0.6m.  This time I added the TC-20E 2x tele-converted to this setup, the closest focusing distance when from 0.6m down further to 0.36m.  The magnification is close to 1:1.  My rough estimation is 0.95:1.  You could check out the magnification you self from the below test shot of a 23mm diameter coins on my D700 (sensor size is 36x24mm).


This combo could still autofocus and the focus remain unchange when zooming.


Coin 70_200_F28_50D_2x



100% Crop:

Coin cropped 70_200_F28_50D_2x

29 Jun 2009 Hyperfocal Distance in Practice

Filed under: Photographic Notes — ghorse@8:52 PM

As the modern lens these dates do not have the DOF marking anymore, we have to find out the hyperfocal distance by ourselves in order to make use of hyperfocal distance in practice.  A quick look into the DOF mater site, I have find out the following hyperfocal distance for my 24-70mm zoom when use with my D700:

FL\Aperture      f8            f11
24mm                 2.4m      1.7m
28mm                 3.3m      2.3m
35mm                 5.1m       3.6m
50mm                10.5m     7.4m
70mm                20.5m    14.5m
CoC=0.019mm

To simplifies things, I am looking only for focus distance of 1.7m, 2.4m, 3.6m and 5.1m.  The method is just find your focusing target and use a scale to measure the distance between your target and camera position.  In each of the location, focus the lens at longest focal length and not the distance scale on the lens.  The following are what the distance scale looks like:

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26 Feb 2009 Nikkor AF-S 70-200 F2.8 with 2X tele-converter TC-20E

Filed under: Photographic Notes — ghorse@7:46 PM

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It is a good reason (excuse) to get the TC-20E as Nikon do not have any lens with focal length longer than 200mm that is light enough for me to carry around.  Especially when I am using full frame body now. :twisted:


As this is a 2X teleconverter, that means that the lens combo will lost 2 stops of aperture value.  The AF-S 70-200 F2.8 would become a 140-400 F5.6.  As F5.6 is the limiting aperture value for the Nikon camera to be able to auto focus, I have start noticing that the AF will some time not able to lock at the near infinity end.


The TC-20E have some protruding lens element on the side that mount with the lens:


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That means the normal camera body cap cannot be used to cap this end of the tele-converter.  It need to be capped by the one come with the tele-converter:


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I have to stay careful not to lose this baby.


Okay, so is that combination perform well?  The following is some shot taken with my combo.  First, on the tripod with VR off:

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11 Jan 2009 Shooting tips in extreme low temperature

Filed under: Photographic Notes — ghorse@3:37 PM

During the photographic trip to Jilin, I have learned a few things about  shooting in extreme low temperature.  Extreme low temperature is lower than -10 degree C:

1. Wear enough clothing to protect yourself.  If you cannot stand the cold weatherr, you cannot continue shooting.  So, this should be on the top of the list.

2. Digital camera can be use but the battery cannot last long.  This is especially true for Canon users.  So, get extra batteries with you and keep them warm (put them to your inside pocket near your body).

3. If you wear glasses, make sure the mask you use have opening for nose to prevent moisture frozen on your glasses.

4. Hold you breath when holding your camera close to your face.  Moisture will frozen on you LCD surface and make image review not possible.

5. All camera and tripod have to be inside your bags before entering warm place like your car or hotel.  Condensation will make your camera stop working.  Wet tripod will not be operable when they are exposed to cold temperature again.


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