BEAUTIFUL WHITE COLLARED KINGFISHER

Place: Sepang Gold Coast, Selangor

Date: 17 May 2015

Local Name: Burung Pekaka Bakau

Yesterday i went to the Sepang Gold Coast hoping to photograph some seashore birds like the Sandpipers and Plovers. I was not sure they would be any around, just tried my luck, you would never know. The tide was low and the flat exposed for hundreds of meters toward the sea. It was a perfect condition for the shore birds to forage looking for crabs, small fish, snails and whatever they love to eat. Unfortunately, none showed up. I was frustrated.

The weather was overcast with a slight chance of rain, so the lighting was not fantastic. Not to worry because i shoot in RAW, it is very easy to adjust the exposure in Lightroom when i reach home.

Luckily, this little blue friend of mine was on the beach looking for crabs. The White-Collared Kingfishers are quite common in this area frequenting between the Casuarina trees where they perch and the beach right below them. Sometime they would perch on the concrete poles lining in the water marking the deeper areas. 

I managed to shoot some photos for your viewing below.

perching on a Casuarina tree scanning for crabs

flying fast to grab a crab

Got one!

fly back with a meal

taking time to swallow a crab

where did it go?

I swear i saw one crab just now!

Gotcha again!

My favorite perching pole

Back to where i started, enough crab for today.

Thanks for watching. Happy birding

GET RID OF THE UV FILTER TO GET SHARPER IMAGES

You know i have been wondering all this while why the images that i got from my Canon 400mm f5.6 non-IS lens not as sharp as the photos shot through the same lens by other photographers on the internet.

I have tried to eliminate one by one the variables that may affect the final image quality like using a fast speed of at least 1/500 second for stationary birds, 1/1000 second upwards for bird in flight, using AI servo, spot focus and sometimes spot with assist points. When the light is low i used flash with high speed synch mode so i can shoot faster than the standard 1/250 second on tripod. But still, i got slightly soft images when zoomed all the way on the computer screen.

I started to think that i got my self a lemon lens here, i bought it new from Canon. I did not use the 1.4X tele-converter with this lens because i will lose the auto-focus at f8.0 on my 5DMK3.

So yesterday i came across a debate of using the UV filter vs do not use UV filters, and how it may or may not degrade the image quality on the internet. Some say the UV filter usage is the remanance of the film days because the film is sensitive to the UV light, the modern image sensors in the digital cameras are not so sensitive and some has built-in low pass filter which cut out any UV light that go through the lens. Some use it for extra protection for the lens front element against dirt, moisture, fingerprint smudge and damages when they happen to drop the lens, and also for easy cleaning.

Now, i also use UV clear filters on all my lenses for protection at least because i was advised to do so by the seller when i first bought my DSLR. My most expensive one is Hoya HRT CIR-PL UV circular polariser filter which cost me RM280(USD77.00 at today's rate) which is quite expensive to me.

What i am interested in is does the 77mm UV filter i put in front of my Canon 400mm f5.6 non-IS L lens affect to a certain extent the final image quality of my shots for so long? This filter is a cheap one by i-lens and not the high quality B+W MRC filters that a lot of people recommend. Some discussion on various forums said that if you use a cheap filter it may affect the final image quality, it is better not to use them at all. 

So, i decided to do a simple test myself by shooting a few shots with the UV filter and some without the UV filter on to see if there is any difference in the final image quality. I used a very sturdy Manfrotto 055X PRO B tripod and used a 10second timer mode to eliminate any vibration during shutter release. I used the fine spot focus and f5.6 aperture for all the shots.

The results were amazing and can be observed in the example shots below that the usage of UV filter(at least the cheap ones) does affect to a certain extent the final image quality of my shots. Without the UV filter my images are sharper and more contrasty than with the UV filter on. I guess if i were to use a higher-end filter like the B+W ones, the result might be more positive as claimed by some on the internet.

Example 1:

This panel was about 200 feet away and was shot with a UV filter on

Without a UV filter on

Both of the images above were not altered at all and had only been cropped to get a more close-up look. The one without the UV filter is sharper and has better contrast overall. The screws on the right and left of the board, and the red and yellow round knob are sharper. The image with the filter on appears soft.

Example 2:

A tree trunk about 200 feet away shot with a UV filter on

Without a UV filter on

In this example the difference is so obvious. The texture of the tree trunk and the timber posts is clearer.

Example 3:

Palm leaf at 20 feet away with a UV filter on

Without a UV filter on

In this example the image without the filter is brighter and the lines are more well defined.

Example 4:

This wall light fitting was 30 feet away shot with a UV filter on

Without a UV filter on

In this example the one without a UV filter on is brighter, the fine lines on the side of the light and the light casing itself is sharper.However, in this example the difference might not be so significant.

Example 5:

This hole in the wall at about 200 feet away shot with a UV filter on

Without a UV filter on

In this example the image without the UV filter on is brighter, better white balance and sharper details and wire mesh.

In conclusion, not using the UV filter on your lens does improve the final quality of your images and may make a difference in showing the fine details of the bird feathers in your photos. Of course you might get a better difference in quality if you can invest a big sum of money and get yourself a 600mm f4 IS ll L lens which costs your arm and leg, but not everybody can afford that. Sometimes all you need is a little tweaking with your existing gears at your disposal to get the images that you can live with. For me, from now on i will be shooting without using a UV filter on unless it is really necessary, like shooting in a really dusty and wet environment which when using the UV filter can save me a lot of headache cleaning my lens later on.

One thing though if you decided to not using the UV filter and you are worried about damaging your lens, you should use a lens hood because it can absorb the impact in case the front of your lens bumped into a wall or something, and use a lens cap when you are not using your camera to prevent dust and moisture from messing up the front element of your lens.

Give it a try, until then happy birding. Thanks for reading.

CANON BG-E11 BATTERY GRIP FOR 5D MARK 3 REVIEW - PART 2

In my last Part 1 post i said i would come back with a feedback on the use of the grip in the field. Well, i managed to try it out during my recent trip from 2/5/15 to 4/5/15 in Fraser's Hill. My feedback is as follows:

1) Weight Issue

The weight of the grip plus two LP-E6 batteries attached to the 5DMK3 body with a Canon 400mm f5.6 lens is not such a big issue when hand carried, but if this set up is added with a flash like canon 600 EX-RT and a tripod plate, the total weight can be quite heavy. Hand holding this set-up and trying to focus a bird high up in the trees with non-stabilized lens like the Canon 400mm f5.6 can be quite a task. I could hand carry it and shoot a couple of shots but not for a long time, so using a tripod is necessary and recommended.

2) Battery Life

I inserted two Chinese made third party LP-E6 batteries which had less than 50% charge into the grip from the first day of the trip. The batteries were totally drained out only at the end of the trip. So that is a total of three days of usage with two 50% charged Chinese made third party batteries. I can safely say if they were 100% charged maybe they will last at least five days, and maybe a week for original Canon batteries? So that is the convenience provided by the grip with two batteries that i did not have to change the batteries so often especially at the crucial moments when the species i am searching appears suddenly in front of me. I still carried two extra batteries as spare just in case they ran out.

3) Weather Seal

I used the grip in a light drizzle during the last day of the trip near the Jeriau Waterfall area and i did not have any problem at all. I am glad i invested in the original grip instead of the third party China brands. Sure it will cost more but it will give me a peace of mind for years to come.

4) Form Factor

The grip will make the camera body look bulky but surprisingly i can hold the camera better with longer lens. It provides more grip when carrying the camera with one hand and more balance. Without the grip my 5DMK3 with a 400mm lens will be front heavy, but by adding the grip it was a lot more balanced and easier to hold steady for a good focus. However, i do have one issue. That is when used in a portrait mode the viewfinder is in the middle, a lot lower than the shutter button on the grip. It is awkward, something i need to get used to, but i do not think there is anything that can be done to solve this issue.

5) Storage

I like to keep my camera together with the lens attached in my camera bags. My biggest problem with the grip attached to the camera body is that it cannot fit into the bag anymore unless i take the whole set apart. So now i have to carry the camera separately outside the bag which will expose it to knocks and scratches here and there. Unless, i buy a bigger bag to solve this issue which is another investment.

Anyways, i see more positive of using the grip and the grips is now permanently attached to my 5DMK3 body. You might want to give it a go.

Thanks for reading. Happy birding.

ORANGE-BELLIED LEAFBIRD

Place: Fraser Hill, Jeriau Waterfall
Local name: Burung Daun Bukit
Date: 4th May 2015

I went to the Jeriau Waterfall yesterday which is located about 4 kilometers downhill. Like always i was disappointed. I have never had any luck finding birds in the waterfall area save for a few Minivets, as long as i can remember. Yesterday it was the same story. But worst was the fact that i could not reach the waterfall due to the landslide that blocked the footpath and a stream that lead to the waterfall. Now, the last time i went to this place was in March this year, the landslide already happened. Hello! It has been two months and the collapsed slope and the trees still remained the way they were in March! Majlis Perbandaran Raub, the local authority in charge of maintaining Fraser Hill area, do we need to shout and highlight in the media before you start to take action? The waterfall is one of the features of Fraser Hill which attract the tourists, how long do you think the tourists will come here when there is nothing to do? Not everybody is a birder, not everybody is a golfer. Soon, when the birds are gone too, Fraser Hill will die a slow death.

So, after a 300meters walk to see the failed slope, i turned back and walked another 300meters to go back to the car parking lot to leave this place as it started to rain. As i entering my car, i saw movements in the trees in front. It was an Orange-bellied Leafbird looking for nectar from the red flowers. I managed to snap a few shots in the light drizzle with not so good light. I regret that i took the flash unit off, otherwise the images could have been better. Anyway, here are the photos for your viewing.

BLUE NUTHATCH

Place: Fraser Hill, Foodcourt Area
Local name: Patuk Gunung
Date: 4th May 2015

The last time i managed to take photos of the Blue Nuthatch was in the Cameron Highlands quite some time ago. Yesterday, while i was waiting for my wife to finish her lunch in one of the food court outlets, i spotted this little blue fella crawling up and down a tall tree by the roadside. The movement was very erratic and it was almost impossible to get the face in the photos, not to mention they are small in size. What i got was mostly the back that shows the light blue feathers against darker blue background. Anyway, i like to share these two photos for your viewing.

SPECKLED PICULET

Place: Fraser's Hill, Jalan Girdle
Local name: Belatuk Kerdil Gunung
Date: 4th May 2015

I came across this species at the three-way junction of Jalan Girdle on the way to the Telekom Loop. I was not sure what it was as it was very tiny crawling on and under the branches looking for insects high up the trees. The size was propably less than 10cm or 4 inches long which is pushing the limit for my Canon 400mm f5.6 lens especially at a distance of more than 20meters up in the trees under the shade. For this shot i used the Canon 600 EX-RT with flash extender set at manual zoom 200mm + 1 flash compensation to reach the bird with enough exposure. I used widest aperture of f5.6, auto ISO and 1/1000 shutter speed.

JAVAN CUCKOO-SHRIKE

Place: Fraser's Hill, Jalan Girdle
Local name: Burung Kelabu Gunung
Date: 3rd May 2015

BLYTH'S HAWK-EAGLE

Place: Fraser's Hill
Local name: Helang Hindek Gunung
Date: 4th May 2015

This beautiful hawk is common in Fraser's Hill area. You will see it flying around looking for prey. It has a very distinctive black and white stripes on the chest/belly with white tail that has broad black bars. It also has long black crest on its head.

This is the first time i managed to photograph it perching on a dead tree propably resting or scanning for prey. The spot was in front of a private bungalow overlooking the valley. In order to get to this spot take Jalan Mager until you reach the Singapore Residence junction, then turn left and drive about 200meters. You will see the valley and a few dead trees along the road. You might also want to try the opposite road(right turn) near Berkat Resthouse and Chinese Primary School where i had a few sightings there.

Good luck.