Considering switching from Olympus to Canon

[piXelatedEmpire]

I've been an Olympus shooter for about 18 months or so, using first an E620 & 70-300mm lens and now an E30, 50-200 SWD & EC14 teleconverter (EFL 580mm). While I've really enjoyed shooting and learning with this gear, I feel like I've come to a crossroads with my photography.

I'm ready to make a significant investment in some good quality glass, but unfortunately with all of the speculation about the future of Four Thirds systems, I'm not willing to spend several $1,000s on an Olympus lens.

So, I'm considering making the switch to Canon.

My research has led me to the 7D, which by all accounts looks to be a pretty decent birding camera. While researching lenses, I've basically settled on the 100-400mm L IS USM lens. My main subject is birds, and while I've read very good things about the 400 f5.6 prime, I live in a forest/bushland type area, with a few good reserves with quite tame birds, so the versatility of a zoom lens is a must. I figure this will be a decent combination to produce quality bird images while I learn how to use the new Canon set up. It also enables me to lust after a 500 f4 & 1.4x tc combo for the future.

Questions:
Will the Canon 430 EX II be a sufficient external flash for bird photography?
Any monopod recommendations for this combo?
Which backpack would you recommend for this set up?

Any hints/tips/links for settings etc for the camera/lens/flash combo to really get the most out of this gear?

Thanks in advance :th3:

[Kym]

Your ideas are about right. The alternates being Pentax K-5 or Nikon D7000.

As for the flash, spec seems ok, also consider using a better beamer to get more light onto the subject.

[Gemini2261]

I am considering upgrading to the 7D & this is the recommended Canon camera for birding. I have the Canon 100-400mm L & I can tell you you will be please with it. I use it heaps & not just for birds. Like you the birds I encounter can be quite close & at times I have not been able to shoot them because I am too close & if you move back they fly off. At the moment & am using a 500D which has been great to learn the fundamentals with but now I am finding that the fpm is too slow for what I want to do & even more importantly the buffering speed is so slow it is painful to watch the birds flying by!!

The backpacks I use are the Lowpro Flipside 200 (http://products.lowepro.com/product/Flipside-200,2082,14.htm) & 400 (http://products.lowepro.com/product/Flipside-400-AW,2116,14.htm). I use the 200 most, access is from the back so no one can pinch your gear & spun around on your waist it converts into a nice clean table area to change your lenses. In the 200 I can carry, a flash (if I want), 1 body, 100-400mm l, 24-105mm L, 50 mm. It has side pockets for lots of bits & a hidden tripod carrier. The 400 holds way more, my back is broken so I stick to the 200 mainly now.

Flash I have the 580 & to tell you the truth I am not a fan of flash so I don't use it.

As far as the monopod, if I use a tripod I use a conventional Benro...I don't think a monopod will stop much movement. :confused013. I don't have much trouble keeping the shutter speed around at least 1/500s. The lens is heavy & it will be even more so with a 7D. My right arm is not functioning at the moment (Torn Rotor cuff) & severe pain but I have been able to manage shooting all day recently with pit stops & analgesia. With the IS on & keeping the shutter speed up I can still get a sharp shot. So it is possible to manage this set up even with a physical problem.

This pic was something I took with the 100-400mm L the other day that was a bit different :eek:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5598711059_546e38fcb9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/juanitamarchesani/5598711059/)
Phyllorhiza punctata (http://www.flickr.com/photos/juanitamarchesani/5598711059/) by Gemini2261 (http://www.flickr.com/people/juanitamarchesani/), on Flickr

[Gemini2261]

Oh & I forgot to mention I highly recommend using a shoulder strap set up such as Black Rapid 5 & connect the strap to the lens collar of the 100-400mm L....WAY BETTER!!! :th3:

[Art Vandelay]

Sounds like a good combo you have planned.

Having both the 580 & 430 flashes, for birding go the 580 for a couple of reasons,
1/ you're often trying to get more reach than they're really designed for, so every bit of grunt helps.
2/ The rotary dial on the back of 580 is quicker/simpler than the 430 to + or - flash compensation or to dial it in manually.

[piXelatedEmpire]

Great post Juanita, thanks very much for taking the time. Those backpacks look great. I'm heading into the city tonight to get a look and feel for the 7D and various lenses, I'll be sure to check out some backpacks as well.

[PH005]

You cant go past the Lowepro mini trekker AW in MHO. Well made, comfortable, not too big and not too small. I can fit my 40D Gripped, w Sigma 120-400 in it with room for flash, filters, batteries etc. Check it out.

[Michaela]

For birding I am using the 7D / 100-400 combo and I'm very happy with it. I combine this with the 580EX II flash, a Manfrotto 681b monopod and 498rc2 ball head (though I'll be changing this to the 322rc2 once I get around to changing the grip to left-handed :rolleyes: ) and a Black Rapid RS-5 strap. If I take a backpack for just this gear plus filters, spare batteries, etc, I use a Lowepro Fastpack 250, which has a good sized top compartment to carry some lunch, etc, otherwise if I want to take other lenses as well I use the Lowepro Flipside 400.

[piXelatedEmpire]

Where abouts did you buy your Black Rapid RS-5 strap from Juanita & Michaela?

[Michaela]

Where abouts did you buy your Black Rapid RS-5 strap from Juanita & Michaela?

Ordered mine direct from Black Rapid. :)

[Gemini2261]

I think you can buy them on ebay quite cheaply now. I bought a Chinese version for about $10 to start with, just to see if would solve my problem. It had been great... so now I will buy the Blackrapid 5 as Michaela has (the 5 was not available when I started trialling my Chinese thing). I have found that the pockets that the BR 5 offers will be great for my iphone, keys, cards & little bits ...I will most likely buy a BR 5 today :th3:

[Gemini2261]

I just checked & the BR site is probably cheapest with the conversion today $73.40 inc post...not bad...ebay was slightly dearer.

[piXelatedEmpire]

So I got to take a 7D and the 100-400L for a test run tonight, and I must say I was pretty impressed. The weight is noticeably heavier than my current E30, 50-200 & EC14 setup, but not considerably. The extra reach was nice. The AF seemed to be quicker on the Canon set up as well.

Unfortunately the guy I dealt with at both Micheal's Cameras and Teds on Elizabeth Street (Melbourne) didn't have much of a clue at all. The guy at Micheal's couldn't believe I would even consider the 100-400L over the newer 150-500 and 50-500 Sigma lenses. And I couldn't believe the prices they wanted for this gear. I'll save a packet either going grey or second hand.

Anyway, I think I'm converted. I'm now in the market for a 7D and 100-400L lens. And time to put the Oly gear on eBay.

[Gemini2261]

So I got to take a 7D and the 100-400L for a test run tonight, and I must say I was pretty impressed. The weight is noticeably heavier than my current E30, 50-200 & EC14 setup, but not considerably. The extra reach was nice. The AF seemed to be quicker on the Canon set up as well.

Unfortunately the guy I dealt with at both Micheal's Cameras and Teds on Elizabeth Street (Melbourne) didn't have much of a clue at all. The guy at Micheal's couldn't believe I would even consider the 100-400L over the newer 150-500 and 50-500 Sigma lenses. And I couldn't believe the prices they wanted for this gear. I'll save a packet either going grey or second hand.

Anyway, I think I'm converted. I'm now in the market for a 7D and 100-400L lens. And time to put the Oly gear on eBay.

From what I understand (& I am no expert) there is no comparison in the quality of the sigma & Canon lenses...you get what you pay for & there are ppl on here that have had to send new sigma 50-500mm back 3 times under warranty & still got problems with it :confused013

[screamer]

The 7D is a great camera with very rapid autofocus and high fps - so it will be good for bird photography. Don't know the 100-400mm L but have a look at http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ for a review (also the 7D if your interested).

I have the Lowpro Mini Trekker AW and find it's pretty good for virtually all my gear. You might want to look at a Crumpler - Industry Disgrace strap - I find it great.

I also buy most of my stuff from eBay - much cheaper than shops such as Teds. I also get a bit from B&H in the US and find them excellent.

[piXelatedEmpire]

Well I've listed all of my current Oly gear on eBay.. the transition to Canon begins! :th3:

[Ross the fiddler]

Well I've listed all of my current Oly gear on eBay.. the transition to Canon begins! :th3:

Hi Adam,
as I've said elsewhere, we're going to miss you in the Olympus sites but I'm sure you're going to have fun with the new setup. I also use the Lowepro Flipside 400 which holds a reasonable amount to the extent it can be quite a heavy pack if loading it up completely. It is useful for changing lenses without taking the bag off or putting down & also I use the Q-Strap system which is a copy of Black Rapid at a good price but I would still get the Black Rapid ConnectR-2 for a more solid & reliable connection plus you might prefer one of the BR fasteners & or tripod plate version, although the Q-Strap plate system is quite reliable by itself. The Q-Strap, I bought from Link Delight, but Black Rapid gear, I would only get it direct from them as they are well priced & efficient at posting the goods out to you. Which ever strap brand you use, the sling strap is a vast improvement over the neck strap for heavy gear.

Cheers mate, I'll look for your posts here instead of those other sites.

[piXelatedEmpire]

Cheers Ross.

I've got a Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW that I use when I'm out and about, and the 7D and 100-400L will fit snuggly in there. I'll look at the Flipside 400 as more of a storage solution, not so much as a field use bag.

[piXelatedEmpire]

Well the Oly gear is all but gone :( ..

BUT my new 7D and 580 EXII arrived today! :th3: :th3:

Just waiting for the 100-400 L so I can start playing with the new gear! :party6:

[Shelley]

Well the Oly gear is all but gone :( ..

BUT my new 7D and 580 EXII arrived today! :th3: :th3:

Just waiting for the 100-400 L so I can start playing with the new gear! :party6:

Well ain't that the best news - I am really pleased for you Adam. Cannot wait to see what you produce with that combo, particularly after the learning curve.

Congrats and the 580exII is an awesome flash - I have really been using it a lot lately and can say I am beginning to get my head around it.

:th3:

[piXelatedEmpire]

Thanks Shell, I'm super excited about trying out the new gear.

My 100-400 L arrived today, now I'm set to go! :th3:

[Art Vandelay]

Great stuff. Looking forward to seeing your results with the new combo.

[PH005]

You will definately need and benefit from a decent Monopod. I got a new Manfrotto 680B with 234RC tilt head for under $120 on ebay. :th3:

[piXelatedEmpire]

I just picked up a Manfrotto 679B and 234RC for $90 ;) was delivered today :th3:

[Arg]

Can we expect the focusing problem emails to start any time soon?

[piXelatedEmpire]

Don't rain on my parade Arg :confused013