Second Nature
2022 is here and all is right with the world…for now anyway. January is a notoriously slow month for me photography wise and this year has been no exception. With its short, dark days that scream the sofa and netflix, rather than out and about taking photos in the cold. January is however becoming a time period where I seem to bring in new gear for the upcoming year, and this year really has been a bumper one. The move over to Fujifilm was completed after the success of the X100V with the acquisition of a brand new FujiFilm X-T4 camera body….
…and to go with it, a brand new Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens for more wildlife photography. This also came with a 1x4 teleconverter for even more reach.
Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens + 1X4 Teleconverter
Bringing this new set-up in will mean the end game for some of my older canon gear which I will begrudgingly relinquish as surplus to requirements over the coming months.
The time was right for me to upgrade and switch up my gear to a smaller, lighter and more up-to date set-up which I can also use for some video work possibly in the future.
I had not been totally happy with my wildlife set up even with the upgrade of the 7D to the MKII version, with the purchase of the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens just not blowing me away as I would have liked when paired with it. So it is Fuji’s turn to show me what it’s capable of with its lens stabilization and now camera body stabilization to hopefully make a difference when using a F/5.6 lens at its maximum aperture.
Mute swan
Camera - FujiFilm X-T4
Lens - Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens.
Mute swan
Camera - FujiFilm X-T4
Lens - Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens.
The new camera and lens arrived at the tail end of the month allowing me time to quickly test my new gear out before the months end. I was, immediately struck with just how quick it was to focus, how quiet the shutter was, and the blistering speed of the electronic and mechanical shutter which made staking photos perfect for me.
Heron
Camera - FujiFilm X-T4
Lens - Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens.
The only downside of the lens again is its aperture, at 400mm its like my previous lenses starting off at F/5.6, However judging from these images, the in-body and lens stabilization will go some way to improve my hit rate and ability to keep the ISO as low as possible. More tests are needed in the coming months as we get the hell out of dull, dark January but off to a promising start none the less.
Before the new camera and lens arrived, the year started off with the fantastic opportunity to photograph a male sparrowhawk after it had killed a pigeon in my garden. I scrambled around for my lenses as quickly as I could, and shot through the window so I didn’t disturb him feeding. The results in the dull january light are not perfect, but still a great opportunity to photograph this raptor eating so close to me all the same.
Male Sparrowhawk
Camera - Canon 5D MKIII
Lens - Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Male Sparrowhawk
Camera - Canon 5D MKIII
Lens - Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Male Sparrowhawk
Camera - Canon 5D MKIII
Lens - Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Male Sparrowhawk
Camera - Canon 5D MKIII
Lens - Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Dogs also made January interesting with several opportunities to get some images while celebrating the new year in the Mendip countryside.
Regis running
Camera - Canon 7D MKII
Lens - Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Regis running
Camera - Canon 7D MKII
Lens - Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Bilbo at the door
Camera - FujiFilm X100V
The rest of the Month was taken up with a bit of a mash up from my FujiFilm X100V which never really leaves my side. Its continued versatility still bringing me some interesting images even when i’m not really trying. Its just ready and waiting for when a photo opportunity presents itself.
Coastal pathway
Camera - FujiFilm X100V
Low Tide boats
Camera - FujiFilm X100V
The image below is a great example of being in the right place at the right time with the camera on me. I noticed this couple walking hand in hand across an open space so instinctively reached for my camera and took a quick snapshot of them as they walked. The image would have been missed when I used my canon gear due to the likelihood of my camera being in my bag and not around my neck.
couple walking
Camera - FujiFilm X100V
Flowers
Camera - FujiFilm X100V
Clifton Village Boris graffiti.
Camera - FujiFilm X100V
Hopefully February brings more opportunities to take the new X-T4 out and about to get some more wildlife images as we say goodbye to glum, boring january for another year.
FIN
