Sony vs Canon

 At one point, I was a Sony shooter, but I eventually switched to Canon. Why? Seven years ago, Sony mirrorless cameras were packed with features that Canon simply didn’t offer. So why did I switch to Canon? The answer is simple: Canon's mirrorless cameras now come with features that would have cost me a fortune to get in a Sony setup. But there’s more to the story—this video is about a similar journey.

Crop mode, should you use it?

I've often seen YouTube influencers advise against using crop mode, but I completely disagree. As long as you understand a few key points—crop mode does not increase your lens's focal length, it reduces the resolution of your photos, and you might end anyway cropping the image when editing on your computer—there's no reason to avoid it. It does not make any difference in the image quality if you crop in your camera or in your computer. 

Here is a nice video talking about this. 

All about camera modes

If you're just starting your photography journey, you might believe that reaching a professional level means mastering Manual Mode. After all, it offers full control over your camera settings and unlocks creative possibilities.

While this is partly true, it's important to consider whether Manual Mode is actually the best fit for your photography style. In many cases, other modes may be easier to use and can help you achieve better results more efficiently.

This video can help you in the process of understanding the camera modes and to pick which one is the best configuration for you. 

 

New camera for Bird Watchers

Nikon will be releasing by the end of February a new camera specially designed for bird watchers: the Coolpix P1100. According to news posted at PetaPixel: 'Nikon announced the Coolpix P1100, the latest member of its series of super-zoom bridge cameras. It features a massive 125x optical zoom lens that the company describes as the “gold standard” of its class.'

This camera offers an impressive 3000mm equivalent optical zoom and up to 12,000mm digital zoom. For those unfamiliar with the difference, optical zoom is achieved through the physical movement of the lens elements, while digital zoom is created by processing or cropping the image within the camera.

Naturally, the image quality at 12,000mm will be significantly degraded due to the limitations of digital zoom. Photos captured using optical zoom will be sharper, but even then, don't expect miracles. Once you exceed 1000mm, additional factors such as atmospheric haze can further impact image quality.

The camera is priced at $1,099.95.

For birders who prefer a convenient, all-in-one setup without the hassle of changing lenses and aren't concerned with top-tier image quality, this camera is a viable option. However, for photographers who are passionate about capturing high-quality bird images, this may not be the right choice.

Florida Sandhill Cranes matting

This was a rare and extraordinary event that few have ever witnessed. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, capturing a moment that many may never see in their lifetime.

Using panoramas or photo stacking to achieve more details

 When you mention a panorama photo most of us imagine a large landscape picture no thinking that you can use panoramas for other reasons. For example, to achieve a bigger level of details or sharpness or to fit a large object in your picture when you are using a zoom lens instead of a wide angle lens. The below picture is an example of these two techniques using LightRoom Classic to create the panorama.  

If your goal is to achieve the highest level of detail in a panorama, it's important to take multiple shots while adjusting the focus as you change the portion of the image you're capturing. Imagine your final picture divided into smaller quadrants. Focus your camera for each quadrant and capture the shot.

Next, repeat the process, but this time shift your quadrants so they overlap differently from the previous set, focusing on each one again. This technique ensures that the entire panorama remains sharp when stitched together. I find that this works better if you are shooting a landscape in portrait/vertical orientation.

The example below illustrates a panorama created with an insufficient number of quadrants. As a result, some areas are out of focus where they should have been sharp.

Keep in mind that Lightroom may refuse to create a panorama if your photos are not aligned along the vertical or horizontal axis. In such cases, you'll need to use Photoshop's stacking option instead.

Here is a very useful article describing the use of photo stacking for this purpose.

American Robin in Florida

 

American Robins are found in Florida, particularly during the winter months. Here's a bit more detail:

Seasonal Presence:

• Winter Migration: American Robins migrate south to Florida from northern states in the fall and are commonly seen throughout the state during winter (typically from October to March).
• Breeding Season: They are less common in Florida during the summer, as they generally breed farther north.

Habitat:

• They can be found in a variety of habitats, including parks, gardens, suburban areas, and open woodlands. In Florida, they are often seen feasting on berries and foraging on lawns for insects.

Diet:

• During their time in Florida, they rely heavily on fruit from native plants like holly, cedar, and cherry trees, in addition to worms and insects.

During my weekend visit to a local park, I managed to photograph one. Here are some of the pictures I captured.

  

Pictures were taken using a Canon R6 Mark I, EF100-400L Mark II and 1.4X Mark III Extender.