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I usually instruct my wildlife photography workshop participants to first think like a landscape photographer, prioritizing seeing and capturing the environmental wildlife photo option when the right scenario unfolds. While I love tight wildlife portraits, those are often more readily available than an image of the animal in a beautiful landscape.
Following such advice is complicated by using a long focal length prime lens, especially those in the 600mm F4 class. While these lenses create the best tightly framed, blurred background wildlife imagery, prime lenses require sneaker zoom to adjust the amount of the scene in the composition, and wildlife is not often patient enough to wait for the long sneaker zooming this narrow angle of view requires to sufficiently change the composition.
The long-lens environmental portrait strategy that more frequently works is watching for distant animals. On this afternoon, my crew was photographing a relatively close bull when another bull appeared far behind us at almost the perfect distance for 600mm. I say almost because the composition was slightly tight. Capturing some additional canvas in subsequent images enabled stitching a slight panorama that provided a little breathing room to the pines.
A common problem with long focal length long-distance photography is heat shimmer. While this image is mostly void of that problem, small indications of it still exist.
Join me to photograph the elk rut in Rocky Mountain National Park this September (2025). I recently learned that a repeat tour participant had to cancel their reservation for both weeks due to medical reasons, so I have one opening for each or both weeks of this not previously announced yet filled tour.
Special Offer: Sign up for both weeks and get two bonus days plus transportation from and to Denver.
Learn more: Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park Photo Tour
Contact me for more information or to sign up.
A larger version of this image is available here.
ISO 640
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A huge bull elk is a spectacular sight, especially when it is in rut mode. What if that was the view in your camera's viewfinder? I have that opportunity for you.
Join me to photograph the elk rut in Rocky Mountain National Park this September (2025). I just learned that a repeat tour participant had to cancel their reservation for both weeks due to medical reasons, so I have one opening for each or both weeks of this not previously announced yet filled tour.
Special Offer: Sign up for both weeks and get two bonus days plus transportation from and to Denver.
Learn more: Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park Photo Tour
Contact me for more information or to sign up.
The 1/125 sec. shutter speed used for this image is often too slow to stop the motion of wildlife. However, elk are usually relatively still when bugling.
With the camera in manual exposure mode with auto ISO selected and the top dial configured for shutter speed, a quick roll of the dial enabled fast adjustment to a slow shutter speed when the elk's motion paused. The result was the camera immediately auto selecting a considerably lower and less noisy ISO setting than was in use moments before.
Aperture is the third image brightness component of manual exposure. I photograph wildlife with a wide-open aperture unless increased depth of field is desired, such as when multiple animals are in the frame.
A larger version of this image is available here.
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Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department:
| Category | In Stock at the Moment |
|---|---|
| Canon EOS Cameras | R5, R6 II, R, R7, R10 |
| Canon RF Lenses | 15-35, 70-200 F2.8, 100-500, 200-800, 135 F1.8 |
| Sony Alpha Cameras | a9 III, a1, a7R V, a7C R, a7S III |
| Sony FE Lenses | 16-35 F2.8 II, 24-70 F2.8 II, 28-70 F2, 100-400, 200-600, 50 F1.2, 85 F1.4 II, 135 F1.8 |
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We're going to like this lens. The Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens page has information about (including MTF charts) and expectations for this model.
Support this site by ordering the RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM from B&H | Adorama | WEX
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From Canon USA:
Canon U.S.A. Announces the New RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens: Elevating Content Creation for the Next Generation
MELVILLE, NY, January 22, 2025 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to unveil the new RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens, joining the Canon RF28–70mm F2.8 STM as a more affordable f/2.8 zoom option for Canon mirrorless users. Designed for modern content creators, this lens delivers outstanding image quality, portability, and versatility—ideal for use across both photo and video.
Whether filming cinematic video or shooting intimate photo portraits, the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM provides sharp details and vibrant colors to elevate content with ease. Its compact, durable design makes it the perfect companion for creators working in both urban environments and remote locations, offering performance typically reserved for larger lenses.
Engineered for professionals and beginners alike, the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM combines fast autofocus, smooth aperture control, and outstanding optics. With the wide f/2.8 constant maximum aperture and ultra wide-angle zoom coverage, it captures high-resolution, crisp footage, while minimizing technical challenges, allowing creators to expand their creative vision. The lens also features focus breathing correction, which smooths video transitions during focus changes—an essential asset for filmmakers aiming for a polished, professional look in evolving shooting environments.
Additionally, the lens incorporates advanced stabilization systems for both stills and video. Coordinated control with Peripheral IS minimizes distortion at the edges of wide-angle shots, providing clear, crisp images across the entire frame. For video, coordinated control with Movie Digital IS enhances stabilization, making it perfect for handheld or highspeed shots, keeping footage steady and smooth even when walking or shooting in changing settings.
As demand for dynamic, high-quality content continues to grow, the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM stands out as an indispensable tool for photo and video content creators, landscape and travel enthusiasts, and everyday photographers alike—and the flexibility to meet the needs of today’s fast-paced digital world.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens is available and currently scheduled to ship on February 11, 2025, for an estimated retail price of $1,149.00*.
* Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.
Interesting release from Canon Inc.:
Canon develops CMOS sensor with 410 megapixels, the largest number of pixels ever achieved in a 35 mm full-frame sensor
TOKYO, January 22, 2025— Canon Inc. announced today that it has developed a CMOS sensor with 410 megapixels (24,592 x 16,704 pixels), which is the largest number1 of pixels ever achieved in a 35 mm full-frame sensor. This sensor is expected to be used in applications that demand extreme resolution in various markets including surveillance, medicine, and industry.
The newly developed CMOS sensor features a resolution equivalent to 24K (198 times greater than Full HD, and 12 times greater than 8K). This enables users to crop any part of the image captured by this sensor and enlarge it significantly while maintaining high resolution. While many CMOS sensors with a super-high pixel count are medium-format or larger, this extreme resolution sensor is compacted into a 35 mm full-frame format. This allows it to be used in combination with lenses for full-frame sensors, and it is expected to contribute to the miniaturization of shooting equipment. As data readout of a CMOS sensor tends to take longer as the number of pixels increases, achieving a CMOS sensor with a super-high pixel count requires advanced signal processing technology. The newly developed sensor employs a back-illuminated stacked formation in which the pixel segment and signal processing segment are interlayered and also includes a redesigned circuitry pattern. As a result, the sensor is capable of achieving a super-high readout speed of 3,280 megapixels per second, delivering video at 8 frames per second2.
This sensor3 also features a “four-pixel binning” function that virtually treats four adjoining pixels as one, thereby improving sensitivity and making it possible to capture brighter images. When this function is in use, the sensor can capture 100-megapixel video at 24 frames per second.
By leveraging the technology it has accumulated over many years as a leading imaging company, Canon has developed breakthrough products including CMOS sensors with super-high pixel count and ultra-sensitivity, and SPAD sensors, which detect faint traces of light even in dark areas. Canon will continue to advance its technology and contribute to the transformation and further development of society.
Additional information
The sensor is scheduled to be displayed at the Canon booth at SPIE Photonics West, a leading global conference for optics and photonics held in San Francisco from January 28-30, 2025.
1 As of January 21, 2025 (According to a survey by Canon).
2 Applies to both color and monochrome sensors
3 Monochrome sensor only
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Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department. Be the first to checkout when B&H reopens tonight at 6:15 PM ET:
| Category | In Stock at the Moment |
|---|---|
| Canon EOS Cameras | R5, R6 II, R50, R100 |
| Canon RF Lenses | 24-70 F2.8, 24-105 F4, 28-70 F2, 70-200 F2.8, 100-500, 85 F1.2 DS, 100 Macro, 1.4x |
| Sony Alpha Cameras | a1 II, a9 III, a1, a7R V, a7C R, a7 IV |
| Sony FE Lenses | 16-35 F2.8 II, 12-24 F2.8, 24-70 F2.8 II, 28-70 F2, 70-200 F2.8 II, 300 F2.8, 400 F2.8 |
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Learn more about the new DarkLight 14L and 20L Tactical Camera Backpacks at Think Tank Photo.
Don't forget that you'll get a free gift and free shipping when using this site's links for your purchase at Think Tank Photo ($50.00 minimum purchase required).
The B&H Mega Deal Zone is live! Through Thu, 1/16, at 11:59 PM ET, save big on over 1,700 items.
Consider this a remorse elimination sale, your semi-annual chance to buy the item you regretted not picking up in a prior Deal Zone sale.
While you will likely find browsing all 1,700 items worthwhile, that is a lot of items. The links shared above are in best selling sequence, allowing you to quickly see the most popular deals.
Also consider browsing the category you are interested in, or type your favorite brand or product type into the "Search Within Box". Here are some ideas:
- Canon
- Sony
- Sigma
- Tamron
- CFexpress Type B
- CFexpress Type A
- SDXC
- SanDisk
- Lexar
- Think Tank Photo
- Lowepro
- SmallRig
- Apple
- Godox
- WD
- Robus
- Gitzo
- Docking Stations & Hubs
- Dell
- Datacolor
- Pelican
- Crucial
- B+W
- Vello (including lens adapters)
- Xcellon (card readers and USB Chargers)
- All Gradus Brands
- AA Rechargeable Batteries
- MANY more!
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Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.
Litepanels takes us behind the scenes of "Wicked" to see lighting at a level beyond what most of us will create.
Get your Litepanels at B&H.
Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department:
| Category | In Stock at the Moment |
|---|---|
| Canon EOS Cameras | R3, R5, R6 II, R6 II kit, R10 |
| Canon RF Lenses | 24-70, 24-240, 100-400 |
| Sony Alpha Cameras | a1, a7R V |
| Sony FE Lenses | 28-70 F2, 100-400, 300 F2.8 |
When your target subject can be found in a variety of locations, try the location with the most attractive environment first. The low growth in this field turns red and purple in the fall, making it a perfect choice for white-tailed deer photography. And, the subjects were cooperative this afternoon.
One of the cool features deer (and many other animals) possess is the ability to make their hair stand straight out. Yeah, what if people could do that? This buck marched in from far across the field to exert his dominance over another buck I was photographing, and as the dominant buck approached, he raised his hair to appear larger and more intimidating.
While this shot seems not to have required the performance of the Canon EOS R1, this was the only moment the buck looked at me with both ears forward, and the R1's fast continuous frame rate ensured that the perfect look was captured.
Deciding where to place the buck in the frame was continuously on my mind as it approached. Usually, I prefer to leave more space toward the side of the frame the body is facing and more space toward the side the head is looking at.
In this case, the head is facing the camera, calling for a centered framing, and the background has the symmetry that usually supports a centered subject. The deer's body is moderately pointed toward the viewer's left, calling for a little extra space on the left side for an overall balanced image.
Other moments with different angles and background variations called for other framing, and the R1's Eye Control and Eye Detection AF allowed instant changes.
A larger version of this image is available here.
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