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Tips & Reviews from Dean

Swarovski
  Swarovski, in my opinion, can't be beaten in the high quality optics market. I use my 10x40 el binoculars and an 80 HD with a 20x60 zoom eyepiece.

Canon cameras and lenses

 

I use 2 Canon 40D's & a Canon 7D for all of my photographic work.The fastest and sharpest lens on the market today, which is a must for anyone serious about photography, is a canon 300mm 2.8 lens. A superb all round lens is the Canon 100-400mm lens. I now also use a Canon 500mm F4 IS lens. 800mm f4   And a Canon G9


For Macro work I recommend a 100mm Macro lens. Of course let's not forget the standard 50mm lens which should always be close at hand. Coverters are 1.4 and 2x plus extension tubes.
180mm Macro Lens & 70-200Is

 

Canon 7D   CANON 7D

The Canon EOS 7D is an 18 megapixel digital SLR camera incorporating a new APS-C CMOS sensor designed and manufactured by Canon. Featuring a revised photodiode and microlens construction, the 7D’s sensor offers a versatile ISO range of 100-12,800. Other new additions include dual DIGIC 4 processors offering continuous shooting at 8fps, improved 19-point cross-type auto-focus system including Zone and Spot AF, Focus Colour Luminance metering system which measures from 63 zones, and an Intelligent Viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and 1.0x magnification. The Canon 7D’s 3 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dot resolution is used for the camera’s Live View and Movie modes, with Full HD 1080 video supported. The Canon EOS 7D is equipped with an integrated Speedlite Transmitter, making it easy to control external Speedlite flashguns with no additional accessories required. The magnesium alloy body offers weather sealing, an Integrated Cleaning System and 150,000 release shutter durability.

Canon 800mm LensCanon 800mm

I purchased this lens soon after it became available in the UK. I have been a Canon user for many years. My primary use is Bird photos, usually from a rather large distance., and this lens is the best I have ever used.. It's not for everyone, it's big and heavy and costly, but the performancy is fantastic! I highly recomend this lens if you need a lens of this length.

 

My Tripod & Head all from THG, Highly Remmended

GitzoSystematic tripod

Jobu Design BWG-LW

Black Widow Gimbal - Light Weight,

Tripods etc  "Heavy Duty" (but lightweight) model of Black Widow Gimbal is recommended for 400mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4 and 600mm f/4 users. NOW LIGHTER THAN BEFORE! 3lb 5oz (1.5 kilos) ....... And getting lighter ...... If your lens arsenal contains a monster-sized, back-breaking... click on the link !!!

 

stealth

Stealth Coat

Very pleased with the coat, very smart yet rugged, love the seat flap very useful to me as I spend a lot of time at Covenham & Toft Reservoir's, where I sit for long periods on my backside and there is also good pocket space . Trousers very practical, comfy and warm they work well with wellies.  Overall an excellent bit of kit.

Bean bag

 

A shaped Photographers bean bag. This Bean bag really fulfilled my needs especially photography out of the van, which has big windows and the bag shape makes it fit well down the window which gives it more stability.

Camera rest bean bags:  Nice big double bean bag, very well made used it at Donna Nook the other day, just does what a bean bag should.

Donut bean bag:. I filled this one to the brim great support superb on the Reservoir wall at Covenham.

Overall my personal opinion is, they are good value for money and well made.

 

Stealth Quick Release Camera Strap:-  

What a superb idea this quick release strap. In the past I have had to put straps on and take them off.  This now means I do not need two straps left on my camera at one time, as they can get in the way.  At £7.99 it is very reasonable, well made with good padding, another great piece of kit by Stealth. 

Quick release camera carrying strap with padded shoulder strap.
Made from Military grade webbing this carry strap has been designed and manufactured by ourselves.
From personal experiances we know that when working your camera on a tripod with a strap attached that the strap is constanly getting in the way so we designed this quick release system camera strap with high density shoulder strap.

Stealth wildlife

Stealth Wildlife, Camouflage Lens Cover:-

I have now used this cover for some weeks, so it is time for a review.   I going to compare a purchase I made off the Internet some years ago, which was very pricey & poor quality it frayed & ripped ... The Stealth cover is much thicker Neoprene and also fits better, it is cheaper  than the other one.  It is a must product to protect this expensive lens.

Not only adds that Stealth camouflage covering but also adds protection to your valuable camera kit
Manufactured by Stealth wildlife watching supplies in the U.K using 4mm neoprene.
Unlike other manufactures we over lock all of our edges to prevent fraying and peeling.

Stealth wildlife

Gitzo


Systematic tripods are the strongest and most stable available, and they also offer unsurpassed flexibility. This modular system can be quickly transformed between different configurations depending on the specific needs of a shoot. Choosing the carbon fiber version means you always have the ideal base model for both indoor and outdoor shooting, to which you can add a range of interchangeable center columns for normal use, heavy cameras or video work.

GitzoGH5380SQR Head


Review of Gitzo Head

Having used the Gitzo Head for some weeks now I can finally write my review on this product. We all know that Gitzo products are the very best and this is no different, a top quality head from Gitzo.

I have been using it on my Canon 500 f4 ,it has great easy movement and extremely safe. I have also tried it on macro work and it is superb, very quick and easy to use.

What more can you say about the Gitzo GH5380SQR Head , it will stand the test of time, it is very light and compact and there is no comparison for the work you need from this Head. It is a must for travelling, it is a well made bit of engineering


The systematic head is specifically dedicated to photographers who love to shoot with long and ultra long lenses for wild life, sport and action photography. Long lenses require ultra smooth movements, exceptional locking capabilities, minimized drift angle, “super fast” and intuitive operation. The systematic head features a revolutionary hydraulic locking system placed for the first time inside the ball. It is a completely new concept, not just a reversed ball head

The locking collar moves together with your equipment and you will always find the head controls, while keeping your eye in the view finder. The system allows you to set the friction by means of a button that sets the stroke of the locking collar. The head comes in two versions, quick release and 1/4” disc attachments. A small 1/4” to 3/8” screw adapter is included. The quick release system is lever operated to guarantee a safer and stronger operation.

Height - 10.1cm
Weight - 0.7kg
Maximum Weight - 30kg

Manfrotto and Lowepro gear

 

My tripod is a Manfrotto MN-053 with a birding kit.

Lowepro DryZone 200 which is a fully waterproof sealed bag which withstands water when submersed and will float when dropped off the side of a boat - I speak from experience !

Lowepro TopLoader 75aw is a great versatile bag with a waterproof cover. It's great for quick access to your camera and will take many different lens/body combinations.

Other essential items I carry are a portable hide and camouflage nets. I tend to use SanDisk memory cards, the Extreme III and Extreme IV in 4GB 8GB capacity. Competitive suppliers include 7Dayshop.com.

 

 

 

permajet

bogen, Gitzo

 

 

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust