Lunar Lion collection, Moru-Northern Serengeti- TZ

[marc]

Lunar kopje King
The sun has set, and one of four pride males awakens on a kopje (rock outcrop) @ twilight to a beautiful rising full moon*.

*(All 3 images were created using a 2 image overlay, one for the moon and the other the lion).

Nikon D4
Nikkor 80-400 f/5.6 AF-S
f/5
1/60
ISO3200@ 160mm.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Lunar lion.

Nikon D810
Nikkor 70-200E FL VR f/2.8
f/6.3
1/1000s
ISO90@ 102mm
Conv to B&W (w/slight warm tint) in ACR/PSCC

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Lullaby lunar lion.

Nikon D810
Nikkor 70-200E FL VR f/2.8 + 1.4tc
f/6.3
1/1000s
ISO140@ 280mm
Conv to B&W in ACR/PSCC

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Cheers
Marc

 

[Yezdi]

Spectacular shots Marc...

 

[Oztours]

Very nice

 

[Callie]

#1 is #1!!
I see you have used the 80-400 a lot, Marc. I find it an excellent tool. Just for interest sake, and I know glass-wise it is not in the league of the 180-400, how does the end product compare when viewed on a PC? Is there that much $ difference in visual quality ?

 

[Kathy G]

Excellent Marc!! Love the first photo, he looks so majestic. My male kitty (my avatar) spends most of his life in the pose of the last photo!

 

[gordon_g]

That first one is just amazing!

 

[Oztours]

most of his life in the pose of the last photo

Better that pose than as in some of Marc's other shots.

 

[Ralph]

Lunar kopje King
The sun has set, and one of four pride males awakens on a kopje (rock outcrop) @ twilight to a beautiful rising full moon*.

*(All 3 images were created using a 2 image overlay, one for the moon and the other the lion).

Nikon D4
Nikkor 80-400 f/5.6 AF-S
f/5
1/60
ISO3200@ 160mm.

View attachment 7249




Lunar lion.

Nikon D810
Nikkor 70-200E FL VR f/2.8
f/6.3
1/1000s
ISO90@ 102mm
Conv to B&W (w/slight warm tint) in ACR/PSCC

View attachment 7254






Lullaby lunar lion.

Nikon D810
Nikkor 70-200E FL VR f/2.8 + 1.4tc
f/6.3
1/1000s
ISO140@ 280mm
Conv to B&W in ACR/PSCC


View attachment 7251


Cheers
Marc

Beautiful Marc!

 

[Icarus]

Beautiful shots, all. Particularly like the one of the lion stretched out on the rock relaxing!

 

[marc]

Thanks Callie

#1 is #1!!
I see you have used the 80-400 a lot, Marc. I find it an excellent tool. Just for interest sake, and I know glass-wise it is not in the league of the 180-400, how does the end product compare when viewed on a PC? Is there that much $ difference in visual quality ?

As good as the 80-400 is Callie, and as you summised, it pales in comparison to the very expensive 180-400, when I'm limited to one large tele or prime for Africa, I now prefer
it over my (still brilliant) 400E f/2.8, there's a lot to be said for the versatility of a zoom, granted I'm losing 1 stop of light. Also the ability to flick a lever for the 1.4tc
cannot be underestimated, just brilliant IMO.
I would rate the build, image quality, contrast and colour (which includes being viewed on a PC) :
the 400E a 9.9,
the 180-400 a 9.8
and the 80-400 a 9.0 (granted we're talking about a f/5.6 wide open @ 400). It does fall somewhat behind in contrast, colour and bokeh IMO, image quality
at times can be excellent.

Another reason I rarely use my 80-400 these days is the very stiff zoom ring, within 1 year of purchasing (Sept 2013) the complete inner zoom workings had seized,
requiring a complete replacement under warranty. Dust had penetrated right through the glass layers! Not good. I now would not take this into a dusty environment, which unfortunately rules out most of Sth/East Africa for me.
There are numerous forum threads on this problem, so this isn't a one off. I still think it's a fine lens granted one is aware of it's poor sealing qualities.
I think those who own/owned the previous 100-400 Canon push/pull dust sucker, would understand its weaknesses.

 

[Callie]

Thanks Callie



As good as the 80-400 is Callie, and as you summised, it pales in comparison to the very expensive 180-400, when I'm limited to one large tele or prime for Africa, I now prefer
it over my (still brilliant) 400E f/2.8, there's a lot to be said for the versatility of a zoom, granted I'm losing 1 stop of light. Also the ability to flick a lever for the 1.4tc
cannot be underestimated, just brilliant IMO.
I would rate the build, image quality, contrast and colour (which includes being viewed on a PC) :
the 400E a 9.9,
the 180-400 a 9.8
and the 80-400 a 9.0 (granted we're talking about a f/5.6 wide open @ 400). It does fall somewhat behind in contrast, colour and bokeh IMO, image quality
at times can be excellent.

Another reason I rarely use my 80-400 these days is the very stiff zoom ring, within 1 year of purchasing (Sept 2013) the complete inner zoom workings had seized,
requiring a complete replacement under warranty. Dust had penetrated right through the glass layers! Not good. I now would not take this into a dusty environment, which unfortunately rules out most of Sth/East Africa for me.
There are numerous forum threads on this problem, so this isn't a one off. I still think it's a fine lens granted one is aware of it's poor sealing qualities.
I think those who own/owned the previous 100-400 Canon push/pull dust sucker, would understand its weaknesses.

Thanks Marc, about what I thought it would be. I also had to pay a lot to fix that dust sucking vacuum the zoom creates. Now I baby it and when the wind blows, it is not used!

 

[marc]

Many thanks for your kind words and positive comments folks, much appreciated!