Canon and Sony News for Jan 2019 (Page 6)

These days, digital cameras support various types of memory cards such as CompactFlash, CFAST, XQD, Sony MemoryStick and – the focus of today's article – the ultra-popular Secure Digital (SD/SDHC/SDXC).

If you have ever been shopping for SD memory cards, you likely noticed a lot of different numbers of symbols on the cards' labels. Although seemingly cryptic, those numbers and symbols reveal important information about a card's performance, and whether or not that memory card is right for your intended use. So let's take a closer look at a typical SD card's label to see what information is available.

In 1999, SanDisk, Panasonic and Toshiba jointly introduced the Secure Digital memory card format (later referred to as Secure Digital Standard Capacity, or SDSC) in an attempt to improve upon the existing MultiMediaCard (MMC). The following year, those same companies formed the SD Card Association to develop SD standards and promote the new memory card format. In 2006, the SD Card Association outlined the SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) format in the second version of its SD specifications with support for memory cards up to 32 GB and speeds up to 25 MB/s. Later, the development of Ultra High Speed bus systems would increase the speeds available for SDHC memory cards. Three years later, the SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) format was introduced supporting capacities of 2 TB and speeds of 104 MB/s with the addition of the UHS-I (Ultra High Speed) bus standard. When UHS-II was introduced in 2011, speeds up to 312 MB/s became possible. In 2018, The SD Card Association developed the SDUC (Secure Digital Ultra Capacity) format with support for 128 TB and speeds up to 985 MB/s.

The max read speed indicates how fast the data from the memory card can be read under ideal circumstances. On some cards, an x-rating value is displayed. The x-rating is based on the original data transfer speed of CD-ROMs (150 KB/s). Because there may be a significant discrepancy between read speeds and write speeds, max read speeds (and x-ratings) are not truly indicative of the kind of performance you can expect from a memory card when used in your camera (where write speeds are significantly more important). Note that some manufacturers list separate max Read/Write data specs to clarify their card's performance, and the SD Association's introduction of Speed Classes (and Video Speed Classes) also help to clarify SD memory cards' performance (more on that later).

UHS-I and UHS-II cards (more on these later) may list a UHS class rating to designate the minimum write performance for the card, with U1 indicating 10 MB/s and U3 indicating 30 MB/s or more.

Capacity

Listed big and bold, and probably what most consumers pay the most attention to, is the memory card's capacity. Of course, a larger capacity means more images/videos can be saved before running out of room.

Video Speed Class

In order to cater to the needs of videographers, the SD Association created a Video Class Speed to designate the minimum sequential writing speed of the card. The number following the "V" indicates the minimum number of MB/s the card is capable of sequentially writing. In the example above, the card is minimally capable of writing 30 MBs of data to the card every second.

Bus Interface

An SD memory card's UHS (Ultra High Speed) rating indicates the maximum amount of data that can physically move into and out of the card. Along with the SDXC standard released in the SD Association's v.3.01 specification standards (2009), the UHS-I standard was also introduced. UHS-II and UHS-III soon followed allowing for even greater bus speeds, but these technologies required a second row of pins to be added to memory cards. The latest UHS bus iteration is dubbed "UHS Express" and has a theoretical limit of 985 MB/s.

Speed Classes 2, 4 and 6 support write speeds to a fragmented card of 2, 4 and 6 MB/s respectively. Class 10 cards, on the other hand, support a minimum of 10 MB/s sequential writing to a non fragmented card in addition to utilizing a high speed bus mode. As you can see, there's a lot of room for a Class 10 memory card to exceed the minimum spec, which is probably why the other class ratings (such as UHS/Video) were implemented.

In short, the memory card that has a sufficient capacity, the performance necessary to meet your most data-hungry needs and falls within your budget range. Keep in mind that SD memory cards are backward compatible; even if a memory card maxes out the capabilities of your camera to record data to it, you may find the extra performance useful when a) transferring images or video to other devices via a card reader or b) when your next camera offers features such as higher resolution images and/or video.

Secure Digital Memory Card Suggested Retailers – B&H | Adorama

B&H is set to host the second annual Depth of Field – Professional Portrait, Wedding and Event Photography Conference next month on February 5-6, 2019.

From B&H:

B&H Photo Video Pro-Audio is proud to present the second annual Depth of Field conference. Over the course of two days, photographers looking to elevate their craft will experience the hottest gear, hands on demonstrations, interactive experiences, portfolio reviews, inspirational and motivational speakers and more!

RSVP now to guarantee your free ticket and be updated with the event’s agenda, a complete list of speakers and details about special events at Depth of Field.

What to Expect

Inspirational lectures from iconic photographers and industry leaders; fully equipped studios and models with which to build your promotional body of work; one-on-one portfolio reviews; advanced lighting and workflow demonstrations… plus the Depth of Field Challenge!

Keynote Speaker, Albert Watson

As one of the world’s most successful and prolific photographers since 1970, Albert Watson has created some of the most iconic images ever seen in art, fashion and commercial photography. From portraits of Alfred Hitchcock and Steve Jobs and beauty shots of Kate Moss to Las Vegas landscapes and still-life photographs of King Tutankhamen artifacts, Watson’s diversity and body of work are unparalleled. His striking photographs and stunning hand-made prints are featured in galleries and museums around the globe.

Regiser for the Event

LensRentals has posted a teardown of the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens.

From the LensRentals Blog:

So what did we learn today? Really, not a lot. The Sony 400mm f/2.8 G is exactly what we expected; a very solidly built lens that is everything construction-wise you would hope for in a big beast of a super telephoto that costs $12,000. It has excellent weather sealing, heavy-duty engineering between the barrel segments, a very solid chassis, and components that all appear up to the task.

Just posted: Robus RC-5570 Vantage Carbon Fiber Tripod Review.

This is an impressive tripod with an equally impressively low price.

The Robus RC-5570 Vantage Carbon Fiber Tripod is in stock at B&H.

From Irix:

We would like to announce and confirm that there are no issues with Irix lenses, as regards their general operation for the Canon EF mount in their current line-up when used on the Canon EOS R camera, and as released by the Canon Corporation via their Canon EOS R Adapter (Canon EF to Canon EOS R mount).

Thanks to this, it is possible to control the aperture from the camera, information about the distance transmitted to which the lens is focused, and to save full information about the exposure parameters in the EXIF format.

Compatible Irix lenses:

• Irix 11mm f/4
• Irix 15mm f/2.4
• Irix 150mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro

B&H carries IRIX lenses.

From the Daniel Norton Photographer YouTube Channel:

In this video I put to the test my statement that if you only have one light, an Octagon softbox is the best and most versatile modifier for portraits.

Gear Used

Profoto B1X - B&H | Adorama | Amazon
Profoto Air Remote - B&H | Adorama | Amazon
Profoto 3’ RFI Octa - B&H | Adorama | Amazon
Profoto RFI Speedring for Profoto - B&H | Adorama | Amazon

Just posted: Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L USM Lens Review.

Having the RF 28-70mm F2 L mounted is like having a kit full of prime lenses mounted at the same time.

Get in line now – the first delivery of these lenses didn't fill the initial demand. The Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L USM Lens is available for preorder at B&H (expected in stock on 1/7) | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.

Rent the Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L USM Lens from Lensrentals.

Please visit the Photography Workshops page for the latest openings.

One of my primary goals is to help you get great images and I'd love for you to join me for 3 or 6 days of wildlife and outdoor photography in this great location. I have made space in the schedule and have the necessary Shenandoah National Park permit in hand.

When and Where: Sun, June 9 to Wed, June 12, 2019 and/or Wed, June 12 - Sat, June 15, 2019 in Shenandoah National Park

This trip is offered in a choice of 3 or 6 days (other options will be considered). The plan is to meet at the lodge on Sunday and/or Wed mid-day and we will wrap up after a morning shoot on the last day.

Who

Hopefully you, along with 3 (at most) others. While large groups are far more profitable from a business perspective, photographing wildlife in the field is challenging in large groups and keeping the group small means better opportunities and more personal attention.

Cost

The cost for this IPT is $995 per 3 days with a 50% deposit locking in your spot (balance is due 90 days prior to the IPT). Email me at Bryan@Carnathan.com to sign up or ask questions!

What are We Photographing?

Our primary photo subject will be wildlife. Wildlife, by definition, is "wild" and that means it is unpredictable and there can be no guarantees. That said, Shenandoah National Park is one of the best locations in the world to photograph whitetail deer and whitetail fawns are one of the cutest creatures on the face of this planet (it seems that everyone loves pictures of them). The timing for this trip is such that most of the fawns will be recently-born and the foliage for the always-important image backgrounds, which are also excellent here, should include beautiful bright green colors. Even with the high whitetail density found in SNP, fawns remain quite challenging to photograph, but the rewards are worth the effort.

Deer are not the only wildlife subject found here and, especially at this time of the year, there is high likelihood that black bears will avail themselves as subjects along with a variety of birds and other smaller mammals. We will be opportunistic and take advantage of any subjects that we encounter – and those moments are part of the excitement. In addition to the immersive wildlife photography experience, there will certainly be opportunity for some landscape photography. My time in the field is limited and I need to have a high probability of good opportunities when I make such time investment. SNP rarely lets me down in that regard. Basically, we will work hard to capture some great images, attempting to build out your portfolio and light up your social feeds as well as working on improving your photography skills. And, we'll have fun along the way.

A Sense of Urgency for this Trip

CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) has been detected within 11 miles of SNP (according to the SNP wildlife biologist I talked to in Mar 2018). This awful disease is always fatal to deer and when it reaches within 5 miles of the park, implementation of an already-established plan will significantly reduce the deer population here. That means this awesome experience is at high risk and that is one of the reasons I make this location a priority.

Tour/Workshop/Adventure/Expedition

While the implied definitions of these terms vary, I see "workshops" typically laid out with a planned schedule and "tours" typically designed to put you in front of subjects at the right time. I'm calling this trip a "tour" because the primary goal is for you to get great images and we will be opportunistic in that regard, making a firm schedule difficult to implement. That said, we will spend a lot of time together and I will teach (including as we are actively photographing), answer questions (please bring many), critique images, assist in editing, etc. throughout our time together. Thus, the educational element will also be a primary part of our time together – an "Instructional Photo Tour".

In the field, we will photograph side-by-side. You taking great images home will be a primary goal, but you capturing those images yourself is important and I can best describe what you should do if I am doing it myself at the same time. This also provides the participant opportunity to watch how it is done. Your constant feedback and questions during the IPT are important and will enable me to provide you with the best experience possible.

An "expedition" is another type of immersive photography experience and this event involves multiple daily mini-expeditions. Certain is that we will have an adventure.

Physical Requirements

This will be a moderately strenuous trip, with much of the strain dependent on the size and weight of the gear you are carrying. There will likely be some easy wildlife photography opportunities encountered, but we will be carrying our gear through the woods, tall grass and light brush over hilly terrain, often attempting to keep ahead of moving wildlife. Thus, one needs to be in reasonable physical condition.

What is Included

Transportation during the experience along with everything described in the Tour/Workshop/Adventure/Expedition section above is included. By not including the items listed below in the fee, individuals are able choose their level of spending.

What is Not Included

If staying for the entire duration of the trip and as long as our schedules align, I can provide transportation to and from the Dulles International Airport region or from anywhere directly on my route from the north — primarily RT 81. Otherwise, transportation to/from Skyland Resort is not included. Also, the National Park-required entrance fee is additionally required.

Lodging. We will be staying at the Big Meadows Lodge. I usually get a very basic lodge room, but other options are available, ranging from camping to cabins. I am happy to connect you with other participants if a shared room are desired.

Food. Because of the remoteness of this location, our food will primarily consist of what is offered at the Wayside Diner or the park lodge along with any food brought along into the park or purchased at the camp store. Because it gets light very early at this time of the year (getting enough sleep will be one of our challenges), we will begin photographing before services are open. I usually pack breakfast to eat in my room prior to the morning shoots. I take a cooler with jugs of ice and ice is available at the lodge (you need bag/bucket to transport it from the ice machine). Typically, we will eat second breakfast/early lunch (or perhaps both) at the Wayside Diner (usually open 8-8 at this time of the year) or optionally the lodge and we will likely eat at the lodge for early or late dinner (it closes at 9:00). I suggest packing granola bars and/or bringing other snacks along while photographing (especially in case we find an amazing subject that we don't want to leave). Plan to have water or other drink available to take with you.

Schedule

At this time of the year, the days are long and the nights are correspondingly short. Our best opportunities will be found early and late in the day and we will target these times. Fatigue can dampen mental and physical sharpness, so we will usually return to our rooms mid-day for some downtime and a nap. We will go back out mid-late afternoon and stay out until the light level drops too low for good images. These plans are all very flexible and we can target any specific interests the group has.

Cancellation Policy

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. If a cancellation notice is received between 90 and 179 days before the workshop start date, a 50% refund of any payments made will be provided. If a cancellation notice is provided within less than 90 days of the workshop, no refund of payments made will be provided ... regardless of the cancellation notice received date, any workshop openings that are re-filled will be refunded payment in full minus a $195 administrative fee.

Let's Do This! Sign Up Now!

Email me at Bryan@Carnathan.com to sign up or ask questions!

Camera Gear Needed

Aside from a great attitude and a strong interest in photographing wildlife, you are going to need some gear and mid-upper-grade gear should be considered for good results from this event.

For fawns, a camera with a reasonably fast frame rate (fawns are almost constantly moving) and high-performing AF system is preferred, though not required. This generally means a DSLR camera or a late-model MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) should be in your bag.

A telephoto lens or lenses will be needed with a full-frame equivalent of at least 400mm (250mm on an APS-C) suggested and having longer focal lengths available is preferred. Wildlife activity is greatest early and late, so wide apertures are often an advantage and the wide aperture's ability to blur the background can be useful. Any telephoto lens can work, but there may be times when an f/4 or wider aperture is preferred. This is a great event to break out your big lenses for and it is also a great time to try a new one, perhaps via renting.

Ideal is a camera such as the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with a Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens (with built-in 1.4x extender) or Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens is usually in my primary wildlife kit. I'll bring a variety of other lenses and accessories including a Black Rapid shoulder strap to carry the big lenses with.

I primarily use a monopod while photographing wildlife in this location. It is not as stable as a tripod and requires more effort to use, but it is much faster to set up and adjust. While neither are mandatory, one or both is preferred. I always take both to this location.

We can potentially make use of a full range of landscape photography gear, including ultra-wide to wide angle lenses and circular polarizer and ND filters.

It is highly recommended to bring a laptop, enabling review of your images during our time together. Bring an external hard drive for an additional level of backup. Bring adequate memory card capacity, enough batteries to last at least a day with enough chargers to restore that capability overnight.

Consider what failure of any piece of gear means for your experience. Consider bringing a backup for items identified as critical.

As always, feel free to ask us for gear advice.

Weather / Clothing

The weather in early June is typically very nice in Shenandoah National Park. However, the mountain can create its own weather and that can be at least somewhat unpredictable. Rain gear may be very appreciated at times, including rain covers for camera gear while in the field.

Plan for walking in light brush (including mild briars) and woods. The wildlife we are pursuing is acclimated to humans and does not seem to care what we are wearing (though you might get their attention if you look like a black bear, a primary deer predator). Camo clothing is not necessary, but it is a good option. I wear mostly camo and part of the reason is to be less obvious to other park visitors.

Insects can be annoying here and ticks are reportedly present (I have yet to find one on me at this location). Permethrin and other insect repellent may be appreciated and I also wear a ball cap to help keep gnats out of my eyes (and avoid sunburn). Especially mid-day, shorts may prove the most comfortable option at times.

Sign Up or Ask Questions!

Contact me at Bryan@Carnathan.com.

Please visit the Photography Workshops page for the latest openings.

Consider this a personal invitation to join me in Rocky Mountain National Park in mid-late September! RMNP is an incredible location (any park with "mountain" in its name has to be great) and the elk rut there is simply awesome, combining for a bucket list wildlife and outdoor photography experience. This trip is timed for the peak of the elk rut combined with what can be the peak of fall aspen color.

I have rented an ideally-located (quick access to the hot spots) home for us to stay in. Each participant will have a private room and the home will make a great base for our adventure as well as a great location to gather in for image review. Yes, we'll eat at Smokin Dave's BBQ (maybe more than once). Yes, we'll spend time along Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved road in North America).

Plan on hanging out with a small group that shares your passion for photography in a spectacularly scenic location.

When and Where

1 Opening: Sun, September 15 to Sat, September 21, 2019

1 Opening: Sun, September 22 to Sat, September 28, 2019

Wait List for 2020

We will be based in Estes Park, CO, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park.

This trip is initially offered for 6 full days (other options will be considered – be sure to let me know of your preferred alternative). The plan is to meet in Estes Park on Sunday and we will wrap up after a morning shoot on the last day.

Who

Hopefully you, along with 3 other participants. Large groups are far more profitable from a business perspective, but seriously photographing wildlife in the field is very challenging in large groups. Keeping the group small means better opportunities and more personal attention. It also means that we can travel together throughout the park in a single SUV.

Cost

The cost for this 6-day IPT is $2990 including lodging (an approximately $1,000 value) with a 50% deposit locking in your spot (balance is due 90 days prior to the IPT). Email me at Bryan@Carnathan.com to sign up or ask questions!

What are We Photographing?

Our primary photo subject will be wildlife. Wildlife, by definition, is "wild" and that means it is unpredictable and there can be no guarantees. That said, Rocky Mountain National Park is a very reliable location to photograph rocky mountain elk and the bulls should be vying for herds of cows. In addition, the environment/scenery available for backgrounds here is excellent.

In addition to elk, we will likely see mule deer and other animals. We will be opportunistic and take advantage of any interesting subjects that we encounter – and discovering those moments are part of the excitement. In addition to the immersive wildlife photography experience, there will certainly be opportunity for some landscape photography. The views from the alpine tundra and Trail Ridge Road are awesome. Alluvial Fan Falls is conveniently located and other subjects abound.

Tour/Workshop/Adventure/Expedition

While the implied definitions of these terms vary, I see "workshops" typically laid out with a planned schedule and "tours" typically designed to put you in front of subjects at the right time. I'm calling this trip a "tour" because the primary goal is for you to get great images and we will be opportunistic in that regard, making a firm schedule difficult to implement. That said, we will spend a lot of time together and I will teach (including as we are actively photographing), answer questions (please bring many), critique images, assist in editing, etc. throughout our time together. Thus, the educational element will also be a primary part of our time together – an "Instructional Photo Tour".

In the field, we will photograph side-by-side. You taking great images home will be a primary goal, but you capturing those images yourself is important and I can best describe what you should do if I am doing it myself at the same time. This also provides the participant opportunity to watch how it is done. Your constant feedback and questions during the IPT are important and will enable me to provide you with the best experience possible.

An "expedition" is another type of immersive photography experience and this event involves multiple daily mini-expeditions. Certain is that we will have an adventure.

Physical Requirements

This will be a modestly strenuous trip, with much of the strain dependent on the size and weight of the gear you are carrying. There will likely be some easy wildlife photography opportunities encountered (possibly in our back yard), but we will be carrying our gear through the woods and tall grass over hilly terrain at times, often attempting to keep ahead of moving wildlife. Some trail hiking is planned. Thus, one needs to be in reasonable physical condition.

What is Included

As mentioned, I have a house rented for this tour and lodging is included. This home has 5 bedrooms along with 3 or 4 bathroooms. Transportation during the experience along with everything described in the Tour/Workshop/Adventure/Expedition section above is included. By not including the items listed below in the fee, individuals are able choose their level of spending.

What is Not Included

Transportation to/from the house and the required National Park entrance fee. Denver International Airport is convenient and often an inexpensive destination from an airfare perspective. I'm happy to attempt connection with other participants for sharing a ride to/from the airport.

Food. For expediency, breakfast will be on your own at the house. Typically, we will come back to the house after the morning shoot and will stop for lunch before heading out. We may pick up food to go for the evening, but will be flexible. The house is close to a small grocery store, a deli and a couple of small restaurants. Nearby Estes Park has many food options, but we will mostly avoid the heavy traffic in town there unless there is group consensus to visit a destination there.

Schedule

Our best opportunities will be found early and late in the day and we will target these times. The plans are all very flexible and we can target any specific interests the group has.

Cancellation Policy

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. If a cancellation notice is received between 90 and 179 days before the workshop start date, a 50% refund of any payments made will be provided. If a cancellation notice is provided within less than 90 days of the workshop, no refund of payments made will be provided unless ... regardless of the cancellation notice received date, any workshop openings that are re-filled will be refunded payment in full minus a $195 administrative fee.

Let's Do This! Sign Up Now!

Email me at Bryan@Carnathan.com to sign up or ask questions!

Camera Gear Needed

Aside from a great attitude and a strong interest in learning wildlife photography, you are going to need some gear and while most cameras with a telephoto lens will work, mid-upper-grade gear should be considered for best results from this event.

There will be times when a fast frame rate is beneficial, but rut posturing is often done at slower speeds and I usually opt for higher resolution cameras that typically do not have the fastest-available frame rates. A DSLR camera or a late-model MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) should be in your bag.

A telephoto lens or lenses will be needed with a full-frame equivalent of at least 400mm (250mm on an APS-C) suggested and having longer focal lengths available will be appreciated at times (full frame 600mm equivalent is ideal). Wildlife activity is greatest early and late, so wide apertures are often an advantage and the wide aperture's ability to blur the background can be useful. Any telephoto lens can work, but there may be times when an f/4 or wider aperture is preferred. This is a great event to break out your big lenses for and it is also a great time to try a new one, perhaps via renting.

My current plan is to take a pair of high resolution cameras such as the Canon EOS 5Ds R along with a 600mm lens such as the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens (along with a Black Rapid shoulder strap to carry it with) and a telephoto zoom lens such as the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens for my primary wildlife kit. In this location, I sometimes carry the second camera and smaller telephoto lens in a Lowepro Toploader Case.

I primarily use a monopod while photographing wildlife in this location. It is not as stable as a tripod and requires more effort to use, but it is much faster to set up and adjust. While neither are mandatory, one or both is preferred and I always take both.

We will likely make use of a full range of landscape photography gear, including ultra-wide to wide angle lenses along with circular polarizer and neutral density filters. I'll bring a variety of other lenses and accessories.

Bring adequate memory card capacity, enough batteries to last at least a day and enough chargers to restore that capability overnight. Bringing a laptop is highly recommended, enabling review of your images throughout the time we have together. Bring an external hard drive for an additional level of backup. Bring a flashlight.

Consider what failure of any piece of gear means for your experience and consider bringing a backup for items identified as critical.

As always, feel free to ask us for gear advice.

Weather / Clothing

The weather in RMNP in late September is typically very nice, though cool and sometimes even cold (mostly mornings and late evenings). Especially at higher altitudes in the park, snow can even come into play. Dressing in layers is the best plan. Rain protection may be very appreciated at times, including rain covers for camera gear while in the field.

Plan for walking in woods and tall meadow grass (that can be wet at times). The wildlife we are pursuing is acclimated to humans and does not seem to care what we are wearing. Camo clothing is not necessary, but it is an option.

Altitude

The altitude at Estes Park is 7,500' and Trail Ridge Road reaches altitudes over 12,000'. If you've never experienced altitude sickness, I assure you that it is not fun. For those of us traveling from low altitudes, staying overnight, at least in Denver, the day before significant activity is a good idea.

I am authorized by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to conduct services in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Sign Up or Ask Questions!

Contact me at Bryan@Carnathan.com.

Please visit the Photography Workshops page for the latest openings.

One of my primary goals is to help you get great images and I'd love for you to join me for 3 or 6 days of wildlife and outdoor photography in this great location. I have again cleared space in the schedule and have the necessary Shenandoah National Park permit in hand.

When and Where: Sun, November 10 to Wed, November 13, 2019 and/or Wed, November 13 - Sat, November 16, 2019 in Shenandoah National Park

This trip is offered in a choice of 3 or 6 days (other options will be considered). The plan is to meet at the lodge on Sunday and/or Wed mid-day and we will wrap up after a morning shoot on the last day.

Who

Hopefully you, along with 3 others. Large groups are far more profitable from a business perspective, but seriously photographing wildlife in the field is very challenging in large groups. Keeping the group small means better opportunities and more personal attention. It also means that we can travel together throughout the park in a single SUV.

Cost

The cost for this IPT is $995 per 3 days with a 50% deposit locking in your spot (balance is due 90 days prior to the IPT). Email me at Bryan@Carnathan.com to sign up or ask questions!

What are We Photographing?

Our primary photo subject will be wildlife. Wildlife, by definition, is "wild" and that means it is unpredictable and there can be no guarantees. That said, Shenandoah National Park is a very reliable location to photograph whitetail deer and the environment/scenery here is quite photogenic.

During much of the year, whitetail buck in SNP have their heads down feeding. That changes during the rut and whitetail bucks exhibit great behavior at this time of the year. Late fall colors provide our backdrop and very few park visitors are expected at this time of the year, just prior to the last lodge closing for the season.

Deer are not the only wildlife subject found here and black bears sometimes avail themselves as subjects along with a variety of birds and other smaller mammals. We will be opportunistic and take advantage of any subjects that we encounter – and discovering those moments are part of the excitement. In addition to the immersive wildlife photography experience, there will certainly be opportunity for some landscape photography.

My time in the field is limited and I look for locations with a high probability of good photo opportunities when I make the time investment. Shenandoah National Park rarely lets me down in that regard. Basically, we will work hard to improve your photography skills, including photo critiques if desired, along with capturing some great images. And, we'll have fun along the way, hanging out with a group sharing the passion.

A Sense of Urgency for this Trip

As I mentioned in the previous trip invitation, CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) has been detected within 11 miles of SNP (according to the SNP wildlife biologist I talked to in Mar 2018). This awful disease is always fatal to deer and when it reaches within 5 miles of the park, implementation of an already-established plan will significantly reduce the deer population here. That means this awesome experience is at high risk and that is one of the reasons I have made this park a priority.

Tour/Workshop/Adventure/Expedition

While the implied definitions of these terms vary, I see "workshops" typically laid out with a planned schedule and "tours" typically designed to put you in front of subjects at the right time. I'm calling this trip a "tour" because the primary goal is for you to get great images and we will be opportunistic in that regard, making a firm schedule difficult to implement. That said, we will spend a lot of time together and I will teach (including as we are actively photographing), answer questions (please bring many), critique images, assist in editing, etc. throughout our time together. Thus, the educational element will also be a primary part of our time together – an "Instructional Photo Tour".

In the field, we will photograph side-by-side. You taking great images home will be a primary goal, but you capturing those images yourself is important and I can best describe what you should do if I am doing it myself at the same time. This also provides the participant opportunity to watch how it is done. Your constant feedback and questions during the IPT are important and will enable me to provide you with the best experience possible.

An "expedition" is another type of immersive photography experience and this event involves multiple daily mini-expeditions. Certain is that we will have an adventure.

Physical Requirements

This will be a modestly strenuous trip, with much of the strain dependent on the size and weight of the gear you are carrying. There will likely be some easy wildlife photography opportunities encountered, but we will be carrying our gear through the woods, tall grass and light brush over hilly terrain at times, often attempting to keep ahead of moving wildlife. Thus, one needs to be in reasonable physical condition.

What is Included

Transportation during the experience along with everything described in the Tour/Workshop/Adventure/Expedition section above is included. By not including the items listed below in the fee, individuals are able choose their level of spending.

What is Not Included

If staying for the entire duration of the trip and as long as our schedules align, I can provide transportation to and from the Dulles International Airport region or from anywhere directly on my route from the north — primarily RT 81. Otherwise, transportation to/from Skyland Resort is not included. Also, the National Park-required entrance fee is additionally required.

Lodging. We will be staying at the Skyland Resort, a national park lodge. I usually get a basic room, but other options are available including cabins. I am happy to connect you with other participants if a shared room is desired.

Food. Because of the remoteness of this location, our food will primarily consist of what is offered at the Skyland Resort (dining room, take out or tap room) along with any food brought along into the park. We will typically begin photographing before food services are open so I usually pack breakfast to eat in my room prior to the morning shoots. I take a cooler with jugs of ice and ice is available at the lodge (you need a bag/bucket to transport it from the ice machine). I suggest packing granola bars and other snacks/food along to keep energy levels up while photographing as we often decide we don't want to leave the action to find lunch. Sandwiches and other snacks are usually available for purchase at Skyland Resort. Plan to have water or other drink available to take with you.

Schedule

At this time of the year, the days are getting shorter and the nights are correspondingly getting longer. Our best opportunities will be found early and late in the day and we will target these times, but it is usually worth staying out all day. The sun is relatively low in the sky and the animals often remain active during the day. The plans are all very flexible and we can target any specific interests the group has.

Cancellation Policy

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. If a cancellation notice is received between 90 and 179 days before the workshop start date, a 50% refund of any payments made will be provided. If a cancellation notice is provided within less than 90 days of the workshop, no refund of payments made will be provided ... regardless of the cancellation notice received date, any workshop openings that are re-filled will be refunded payment in full minus a $195 administrative fee.

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Email me at Bryan@Carnathan.com to sign up or ask questions!

Camera Gear Needed

Aside from a great attitude and a strong interest in learning wildlife photography, you are going to need some gear and while most cameras with a telephoto lens will work, mid-upper-grade gear should be considered for best results from this event.

When photographing bucks in rut, I am not as concerned about a fast frame rate as with some other subjects. There will be times when the fast rate is beneficial, but rut posturing is often done at slower speeds and I usually opt for higher resolution cameras. A DSLR camera or a late-model MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) should be in your bag.

A telephoto lens or lenses will be needed with a full-frame equivalent of at least 400mm (250mm on an APS-C) suggested and having longer focal lengths available will be appreciated at times. Wildlife activity is greatest early and late, so wide apertures are often an advantage and the wide aperture's ability to blur the background can be useful. Any telephoto lens can work, but there may be times when an f/4 or wider aperture is preferred. This is a great event to break out your big lenses for and it is also a great time to try a new one, perhaps via renting.

My current plan is to take a high resolution camera such as the Canon EOS 5Ds R along with a 600mm lens such as the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens and a telephoto zoom lens such as the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens for my primary wildlife kit. I'll bring a variety of other lenses and accessories including a Black Rapid shoulder strap to carry the big lenses with.

I primarily use a monopod while photographing wildlife in this location. It is not as stable as a tripod and requires more effort to use, but it is much faster to set up and adjust. While neither are mandatory, one or both is preferred and I always take both.

We can potentially make use of a full range of landscape photography gear, including ultra-wide to wide angle lenses along with circular polarizer and neutral density filters.

Bringing a laptop is highly recommended, enabling review of your images throughout the time we have together. Bring an external hard drive for an additional level of backup. Bring adequate memory card capacity, enough batteries to last at least a day and enough chargers to restore that capability overnight.

Consider what failure of any piece of gear means for your experience and consider bringing a backup for items identified as critical.

As always, feel free to ask us for gear advice.

Weather / Clothing

The weather in late November is typically very nice, though cool and sometimes even cold, in Shenandoah National Park. However, the mountain can create its own weather and that can be at least somewhat unpredictable. Rain gear may be very appreciated at times, including rain covers for camera gear while in the field.

Plan for walking in light brush (including mild briars) and woods. The wildlife we are pursuing is acclimated to humans and does not seem to care what we are wearing (though you might get their attention if you dress in all black like a black bear, a primary deer predator). Camo clothing is not necessary, but it is a good option. I wear mostly camo and part of the reason is to be less obvious to other park visitors, though there are not many at this time of the year (aside from a wave of guests on Sunday before Veteran's day).

Insects are not typically bothersome in mid-November. Ticks are reportedly present, though I have yet to find one on me.

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Contact me at Bryan@Carnathan.com.

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Acadia National Park is considered the "Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast." Consuming about half of Mount Desert Island on the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park has significant photographic appeal in all seasons, but it is especially appealing in my favorite season, fall.

No one can predict long in advance when the ideal fall foliage color will occur, but this tour's dates have been within the reported peak foliage color time period for the last many years. Regardless of the foliage, the New England coast does not get better than Mount Desert Island's rocky coast that can provide a different experience even daily, with varying tide schedules and especially with surf conditions that can range from quite calm to very rough.

One of my primary goals is to help you get great images and I'd love for you to join me to photograph the landscape in this great location. Beginners can start with the basics and all, including the most-advanced photographers, will be positioned in ideal locations to build out their portfolios. Unleash your creativity in this field-intensive tour in a world-class outdoor classroom environment — Acadia National Park.

Plan on hanging out in a beautifully scenic location with a small group that shares your passion for photography. Bring your friends, make new friends. Just putting this tour together has made me excited!

When and Where: Tue, Oct 15 through Sun, Oct 20, 2019 in Acadia National Park

The plan is to meet at the inn on Tuesday evening for a short orientation/meet & greet, preparing for an early AM shoot. We will wrap up after an early morning shoot on Sunday.

Who

Join me and up to four other participants (2 participant minimum). Large groups are far more profitable from a workshop business perspective, but serious photography in the field becomes challenging in large groups. At least some of the time, someone in a large group is not getting an ideal position to photograph from and/or they are not getting the attention they need/deserve. Keeping the group small means better photo opportunities and more personal attention. It also means that we can travel together throughout the park in a single large SUV.

Upon having two participants signed up, I will secure the necessary Acadia National Park authorization.

Cost

The cost for this IPT is $1,790 with a 50% deposit locking in your spot (balance is due 90 days prior to the IPT). Email me at Bryan@Carnathan.com to sign up or ask questions!

What are We Photographing?

Primarily, we will be photographing the landscape with taking your skills to a new level being one goal and taking home some portfolio-grade images being another. As we will be in picturesque harbor towns, including Bar Harbor, we will flex our street photography (harborography? harborscapes?) muscles a bit as well.

Some of the headlining locations we intend to photograph include:

• Cadillac Mountain
• Bass Harbor Head Light
• Jordan Pond and The Bubbles
• Otter Point and Otter Cliffs
• Boulder Beach
• Sand Beach
• Carriage Roads and Bridges, Trails, Paths, and Other Roads
• Bar Harbor and Other Maritime Villages
• Mountains, Lakes, Forests, Rocks, Flora and Many Other Subjects

As I often say, my time in the field is limited and I look for locations with a high probability of good photo opportunities when making the time investment. Acadia National Park is nearly a sure-thing in that regard. There is something here to photograph in nearly any weather condition and in any season.

Note that we should expect to see wildlife on this trip and we can be opportunistic in pursuit of wildlife photos, but I have not been too successful photographing wildlife here, so do not hold high expectations in this regard.

What are We Learning?

A full range of landscape topics will be encountered with a short list including:

• Location Scouting and lighting evaluation
• Composition including perspective, focal length, and camera position choices
• Finding order within chaos
• Capturing fall color
• Exposure including exposure bracketing and HDR
• Making mid-day images special including Circular Polarizer and Neutral Density (including 10-stop) filter use
• Motion blurs including moving water
• Reflections, details, colors, sunstars
• Sunrise, sunset, blue hour strategies
• Simplifying concepts
• Photo critiques

Basically, we will work hard to improve your photography skills and capture some great images. We'll have fun along the way, hanging out with a group that shares the passion.

Typical Schedule

We will rise early and be at key locations to photograph at first light, returning mid-morning for breakfast and a rest.

Late in the morning or early in the afternoon, we will head back out to explore, focusing on locations that can provide interesting mid-day photo opportunities.

Early to mid-afternoon (remember that we ate a big mid-morning breakfast), we will stop for lunch and begin preparations for the afternoon shoot. Late afternoon will find us in a location ideal for capturing the last light of the day.

While most other photographers we encounter will leave when the sun sets, the best is often still to come and we will often stay until the blue in the sky is gone. We may stay late enough to capture the stars in some locations.

Stopping for dinner will round out the day.

Taking time to review images will be fit into the schedule as makes sense.

I will have a tentative schedule, but plans will remain highly flexible to accommodate weather conditions and targeting any specific interests the group has. As adequate sleep is a key to good decisions in the field, we will try to work that into the schedule.

Physical Requirements

This will be a modestly strenuous trip, with much of the strain dependent on the size and weight of the gear you are carrying. There will be many easily accessible photography opportunities, but there will be some hiking with our gear including up and down hills and over rocks on the coast.

Tour / Workshop / Adventure / Expedition

While the implied definitions of these terms vary, I see "workshops" typically laid out with a planned schedule and "tours" typically designed to put you in front of subjects at the right time. I'm calling this trip a "tour" because the primary goal is for you to get great images and we will be opportunistic in that regard, making a firm schedule difficult to implement. That said, we will spend a lot of time together and I will teach (especially when we are actively photographing), answer questions (please bring many), critique images, assist in editing, etc. throughout our time together. Thus, the educational element will also be a primary part of our time together – an "Instructional Photo Tour".

At least some of the time in the field, we will photograph side-by-side. You taking home great images is always the primary goal, but you learning to capture those images yourself is important and often I can best describe what you should do if I am doing it myself at the same time. This also provides participants the opportunity to watch how it is done, a leading by example approach. Your constant feedback and questions during the IPT are important and will enable me to provide you with the best experience possible.

An "expedition" is another type of immersive photography experience and this event involves multiple daily mini-expeditions. Certain is that we will have an adventure.

What is Included

Transportation during the experience along with everything described in the Tour/Workshop/Adventure/Expedition section above is included. By not including the items listed below in the fee, individuals are able to choose their level of spending.

What is Not Included

Lodging. We will be staying at the conveniently-located Acadia Inn, Bar Harbor, where a block of rooms is planned to be held for us with a very solid discount provided (100% of the discount is being passed on to participants, discount available until August 13th). The Acadia Inn will provide us with breakfast each mid-morning (after our sunrise session).

"Guests at the Acadia Inn enjoy many excellent hotel amenities, including our complimentary continental breakfast, with added hot items served daily between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. We rise early each morning to cook up hearty and delicious meals, such as omelets and sausage gravy and biscuits. You can always enjoy cold cereals, oatmeal, fresh fruit, bagels, English muffins, yogurt, French toast, blueberry and orange-cranberry muffins, a selection of fruit juices, coffee, tea and hot chocolate."

I am happy to connect you with other participants if a shared room is desired. Also, consider bringing your spouse or family. Nonparticipating guests are not included in the tour, but the town of Bar Harbor and the entire Mount Desert Island area are full of things to do. You are welcome to stay at another location but will be expected to be timely in meeting at the Acadia Inn (and will have to source your own breakfast).

Transportation to/from Acadia Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine. For those flying into Bangor Airport, shuttle service to Bar Harbor is available.

Food. As mentioned, Acadia Inn provides a complimentary breakfast and we will be sourcing our other meals from various local restaurants. We will be starting very early in the morning and not returning for breakfast until mid-morning, so breakfast bars or similar should be along with you. Plan to have water or other drink available to take with you. Granola bars and similar may be appreciated when the time between meals gets a bit long (such as when we get into a great photo situation).

The Acadia National Park-required entrance fee. The national parks require each participant in a workshop to have an entrance pass.

Cancellation Policy

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. I have successfully used Travel Guard for this protection.

If a cancellation notice is received greater than 180 days before the workshop start date, a full refund of any payments made minus a $195 administrative fee will be provided. If a cancellation notice is received between 90 and 179 days before the workshop start date, a 50% refund of any payments made minus a $195 administrative fee will be provided. If a cancellation notice is received within less than 90 days of the workshop, no refund of payments made will be provided. Regardless of the cancellation notice received date, any workshop openings that are re-filled will result in payment refunded in full minus a $195 administrative fee.

Let's Do This! Sign Up Now!

Email me at Bryan@Carnathan.com to sign up or ask questions!

Camera Gear Needed

Aside from a great attitude and a strong interest in learning landscape photography, you are going to need some gear for this trip and most cameras with a standard zoom lens will work fine.

A fast frame rate is not needed. A high-performing AF system is not needed. Most DSLR cameras and MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) will work fine. Ideal would be to have a high-resolution current or recent model DSLR or MILC with an assortment of lenses available.

Covering full-frame-equivalent focal length ranges from 16mm through 200mm is comfortable/ideal and from 11mm up to 400mm could be appreciated at times. An image stabilized general purpose zoom may be appreciated for walk-around use. A wide aperture wide angle lens would be ideal for any night photography opportunities we decide to take advantage of. There will be opportunities to make use of a macro lens.

This is a great opportunity to try some new gear via renting.

I suggest having a camera backpack or similar available for gear transport in the field. A tripod is going to be a key accessory as will circular polarizers and neutral density filters, ideally covering up to at least 10-stops. A remote release will be useful. Rain covers for camera gear and backpacks are recommended and microfiber cloths should be kept handy.

At least one flashlight is mandatory and a headlight is highly recommended. We will likely find ourselves hiking out of locations in the dark and a headlight will free up hands.

Bringing a laptop is highly recommended, enabling review of your images throughout our time together. An external hard drive will provide an additional level of backup. Bring adequate memory card capacity, enough camera batteries to last at least a day and enough chargers to restore that capability overnight.

Consider what failure of any piece of gear means for your experience and consider bringing a backup for items identified as critical.

As always, feel free to ask us for gear advice.

Weather / Clothing

The mid-October weather in Acadia National Park is typically comfortable. Expect the mornings and evenings to be crisp and cold (I've encountered frost at this time of the year) with comfortably-cool temperatures by mid-day. A layered clothing strategy is ideal. Rain gear may be very appreciated at times.

Bring your favorite insect repellent as the flying pests could be a nuisance, especially at sunset along the water.

Sign Up or Ask Questions!

Contact me at Bryan@Carnathan.com.

A 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens is often a pro photographer's most-used lens aside from a general purpose zoom. Engagements, weddings, parties, events, theater, stage performances, high school senior, fashion, documentary, lifestyle, zoo, sports, product and landscape photography are all great uses for this focal length range.

Those wanting to add a 70-200mm lens to their Sony kits will likely be considering the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS and Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS lenses. With that in mind, we're going to take a closer look at these lenses to see which might be the best investment option.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS and FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Primary Shared Features

• Sony E-mount, full-frame compatible
• 70-200mm focal length range
• A constant max aperture
• Does not extend with zoom/focus changes
• Built-in Optical SteadyShot with 2 modes
• Included tripod mount ring and lens hood
• Focus hold buttons
• Focus range limiter

Primary Advantages of the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens

• Wider Aperture: f/2.8 vs. f/4
• Better weather sealing
• More Aperture Blades: 11 vs. 9
• Higher Max Magnification: 0.25x vs. 0.13

Primary Advantages of the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens

• Smaller Size: 3.1 x 6.9" (80.0 x 175.0mm) vs. 3.5 x 7.9" (88 x 200mm)
• Lighter Weight: 29.7 oz (840g) vs. 52.2 oz (1480g)
• Lower cost

Other Spec Differences: Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS vs. FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS

• Front Filter Size: 77mm vs. 72
• Elements/Groups: 23/18 vs. 21/15
• Filter adjustment window in hood vs. N/A

Image Quality Differences: Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS vs. FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS

The FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS is sharper than the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS in most direct aperture comparisons and shows less lateral CA overall. As can be expected from a wider aperture lens, the f/2.8 lens has less peripheral shading at f/4 than the f/4 lens has wide open. That difference is mostly erased at f/5.6 and the f/4 lens has even slightly less vignetting in some f/8 comparisons. The f/4 lens has slightly less distortion.

Who should opt for the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens?

Wedding and event photographers, who need to freeze action in low-light situations, will greatly benefit from the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS's twice-as-wide aperture which allows them to freeze motion in half as much light compared to the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS. Portrait photographers will also appreciate the increased background blur the f/2.8 lens is capable of, enabling even better/more desirable separation between the subject and background. The mount gasket seal of the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS indicates that it is a better weather sealed lens compared to the f/4 lens. That Sony proudly offers a gasketing illustration for the f/2.8 lens (shown below) but not the f/4 model bolsters this assertion.

Who should opt for the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens?

Those who do not need an f/2.8 max aperture can enjoy many of the benefits found in the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS – including a highly useful focal length range, a constant max aperture, OSS and included accessories – in a lens that's smaller, lighter and less expensive. Photographers who intend on using their 70-200mm lenses in good light and in pleasant weather, those who prioritize smaller/lighter gear because of transportation limitations (hikers, backpackers, etc.) and/or those who are budget limited will likely find the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS to be the perfect lens for their needs.

Relevant Info

• Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens Review
• Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens Review