Canon 7D wildlife clip in low light at DVinfo.net

Canon 7D wildlife clip in low light · October 10th, 2009, 05:07 PM

Hi all,
My EX3 is still being repaired after having major problems with it.
Not having the camera for 3 weeks was too depressing for me so I bought the new SLR Canon 7D. I heard it should work much better than the EX3 in low light due to the bigger sensor. Gave it a go in the last few nights filming the Grey-headed Flying Foxes feeding on a fig tree not far from my place in Sydney.
I am quite impressed with this camera. Very easy to operate, focusing in total darkness made very easy by the x10 magnification of the LCD which is awesome. Noise in 1250 ISO is acceptable to my eyes.
I am not sure I could do any filming with the EX3 in such conditions but will try it as soon as I get it back.
Please check out this clip - shot with the Canon 7D, 1920x1080, 25p, iso 1250, f4, 1/50, WB - 6000K, Canon EF 300 f2.8 IS with x1.4 teleconverter.
The only light source is one powerful HID torch which looks like a great device so far.
I have ordered another one as I feel working with two torches will eliminate more of the shadows and improve the overall image.

Your comments and suggestions are very welcomed and appreciated.

Video Gallery

Cheers,
Ofer
Ofer Levy Photography

Brian Luce · October 10th, 2009, 06:36 PM

Dude, I couldn't watch your video, those flying dingos were freaking me out! Too close to Halloween!
Footie looks great.
What are those 'torches' you used?

Ofer Levy · October 10th, 2009, 06:44 PM

Thanks Brian! I have been filming these bats for nearly two years now and I am totally in love with these harmless, intelligent and fascinating creatures!
Will let you know exactly what torch it is once I get the second one I have ordered in a few days. The reason for not telling you now is that I paid 400$ to an online store in the UK for this torch only to discover that what looks like an identical torch costs nearly half when ordered from the factory in China. I will let you know as soon as I get the one I ordered from China - it might save you nearly 200$...(-:

Cheers mate,
Ofer
Ofer Levy Photography

Kin Lau · October 11th, 2009, 07:05 AM

Nice gesture from the bat to end the video :)

They look like messy eaters.

Have you done any photography with that combo yet?

Ofer Levy · October 11th, 2009, 07:26 AM

Hi Kin, thanks for your comment.
This clip was shot with the 7D+Canon 300 EF f2.8x1.4 combo.
Cheers,
Ofer

Brian Luce · October 11th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Does the 1.6x converter degrade the IQ at all?

Ofer Levy · October 11th, 2009, 05:46 PM

Hi Brian,
I have a lot of experience with the Canon EF 300 f2.8 IS from my bird photography era. It is such a phenomenal lens that even when coupled with the x1.4 converter (type II) the image quality is superb in all aspects.
Cheers,
Ofer
Ofer Levy Photography

Jeff Wisener · October 15th, 2009, 02:29 PM

Ofer,

I am impressed, makes me want to shoot & edit some wildlife video.

October 10th, 2009, 06:36 PM	#2
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Dude, I couldn't watch your video, those flying dingos were freaking me out! Too close to Halloween! Footie looks great. What are those 'torches' you used?

October 10th, 2009, 06:44 PM	#3
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Thanks Brian! I have been filming these bats for nearly two years now and I am totally in love with these harmless, intelligent and fascinating creatures! Will let you know exactly what torch it is once I get the second one I have ordered in a few days. The reason for not telling you now is that I paid 400$ to an online store in the UK for this torch only to discover that what looks like an identical torch costs nearly half when ordered from the factory in China. I will let you know as soon as I get the one I ordered from China - it might save you nearly 200$...(-: Cheers mate, Ofer Ofer Levy Photography

October 11th, 2009, 07:05 AM	#4
Kin Lau Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 385	Nice gesture from the bat to end the video :) They look like messy eaters. Have you done any photography with that combo yet?

October 11th, 2009, 07:26 AM	#5
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Hi Kin, thanks for your comment. This clip was shot with the 7D+Canon 300 EF f2.8x1.4 combo. Cheers, Ofer

October 11th, 2009, 05:20 PM	#6
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Does the 1.6x converter degrade the IQ at all?

October 11th, 2009, 05:46 PM	#7
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Hi Brian, I have a lot of experience with the Canon EF 300 f2.8 IS from my bird photography era. It is such a phenomenal lens that even when coupled with the x1.4 converter (type II) the image quality is superb in all aspects. Cheers, Ofer Ofer Levy Photography

October 15th, 2009, 02:29 PM	#8
Jeff Wisener Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oceanside Ca & Bali Indonesia Posts: 158	Ofer, I am impressed, makes me want to shoot & edit some wildlife video.