Cootes (New Lens Test)

[John 2]

Up to now I have had two outfits. I use the Fuji for most of my work but kept the D7100 to use with a Tamron 150-600mm for nature. Fuji have at long last brought out their 100-400mm plus 1.4x converter and so the Nikon gear has all gone in Part EX. (sorry Nikonians - couldn't afford it otherwise).

These shots are fairly straight forward but were taken to see how the new Fuji lens performed. Not much around on our local Nature reserve at the moment except for the fact that I did spot the Golden Eye duck. Too far away to get a quality shot but worth recording because from what I read, it would normally not be found this far south. They apparently normally over Winter with Donald and then return further north for the summer. This one must have had a faulty GPS.

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[Shadowman]

Surprised you didn't spend a few days comparing systems, nice captures.

[John 2]

It's the weather John. This week we have had a dry and sunny Monday with the rest of the week into the W/E being wet - mainly drizzle. Fairly typical for this time of year I'm afraid.

[Shadowman]

It's the weather John. This week we have had a dry and sunny Monday with the rest of the week into the W/E being wet - mainly drizzle. Fairly typical for this time of year I'm afraid.

John,

I know how you feel, luckily we're going to get a few warm days and I hope to make the most of the limited time I'll have outside.

[Wavelength]

Wow, what a beauty of birds and the patterns in the water !!!

[NorthernFocus]

Nice detail in the coots. The lighter weight gear is definitely appealing now that they are coming out with longer glass. The tech isn't quite there yet for me to convert but it's getting closer...

[John 2]

Thanks Nandakumar, thanks Dan. Dan the weight saving aspect was something that I was quoting until quite recently. However, in truth for wildlife and landscape, by the time you add the weight of a long lens and/or a tripod plus head, the weight saved as a proportion of the whole combination, is quite small (I'm thinking DX format cameras when I say this). With usage, the major benefit of mirrorless for me has become the fact that what you see is what you get. Particularly with the XT-1's dial based rather than menu based adjustments and where the EVF, although not perfect yet, is pretty good. It means for instance, that dialling in exposure compensation is very easy and accurate. Where a scene has a small but important amount of highlight, a histogram doesn't give you an adequate indication of potential burn out. But your right, the tech isn't quite there (up to FF levels) yet but from all reports, the X-Pro2 with its third generation X-Tran sensor is getting pretty close.

[IzzieK]

Very nice detail of the water...well, the birds too. I do not like the first one very much but the other two looks like it is home with its grey feathers in blue water. I think I like the two grey ones because of the sarcastic look in their expression. The eyes have it.

[NorthernFocus]

...the major benefit of mirrorless for me has become the fact that what you see is what you get. Particularly with the XT-1's dial based rather than menu based adjustments and where the EVF, although not perfect yet, is pretty good...

I also like EVF for the same reason.

We're traveling to Italy this spring and the only camera that will be making the trip will be the little a6000. Though I may invest in some better glass before then.

[joebranko]

The detail on the eyes and feathers is outstanding!

[John 2]

Dan, enjoy Italy.. Umbria is on my bucket list. The light is apparently superb.

Thanks Joe, early days yet but I'm not regretting the purchase.