Fantastic "Jumping Wolf" shot on film camera wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year
 

This image taken by José Luis of a wild wolf leaping over a gate in the Spanish mountains is simply superb, and just goes to show that content is king in both stills and moving images...no matter what your choice of camera equipment.

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year - Online gallery

Yes, great news that some film cameras are still in use! You have to say though that they are massively in the minority in the rest of the competition and have been for years now. Shame, but the advantages of digital for wildlife just can't be ignored.
Interesting also how the Nikon 200-400 has become a big pro favourite as its predecessor did years back.
Steve

Yes, the Nikkor MF 200-400mm f/4 was certainly a fab lens and still is today, along with its AF update model. Although I tend to prefer faster primes in most situations.

As good as the D3 and D3x DSLRs are, the Nikon F5 SLR system is still one of my favourites (although I use both systems). I'm hoping that the D4 will eventually offer what I want in a hybrid SLR, although I doubt if there will ever be an underwater DSLR to match the Nikonos RS SLR.

Hello Tony,
So you liked the Nikonos RS?...me too! Unfortunately, I must sell that system as my daughter goes to college next fall...$$$$! Know anyone who might like to purchase an extensive RS system in mint condition...complete with new and unused 13mm and 2X teleconverter (German)?

Never used one so I wouldn't know, do you still use it a lot? Be interested to know how it compares to the newer one.
Steve

Hi Jeff. Yes, I simply love the Nikonos RS system (far better than the Nikonos V) and use it a lot for underwater photography, especially the Nikon UW 50mm AF f/2.8 Macro and the fantastic Nikon AF UW 20-35mm f/2.8 zoom. An incredible chunk of glass and knife sharp!

If you want to sell a complete RS system plus lenses, your best bet is to advertise on diver/scuba websites and also on Ebay. There is also Jose Swaney, a USA seller who sells Nikons gear and you could also try to sell via his online shop (Ebay name joseswaney). I advise you to split the system up as it sells for more as individual items. A couple of guys on Ebay have tried to sell complete systems recently for $5-12,000 dollars, and not many have that sort of cash to spare for second-hand camera.

Steve, yes, the MF version of the 200-400mm f/4 Nikkor lens is incredible (although I, sadly, don't have one now) and is definitely one of the very best zooms in that range ever made. The AF version is slightly better in some respects, especially with the added AF, and the manual zoom & handling can be a bind for some people. The tripod foot is far better and more sturdy on the older MF version than the latest AF version. I would like to look for another one but they are very much sought after and fetch almost as much second-hand as the latest AF version. A number of top UK & USA wildlife photographers used to use the Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 MF lens (and some still do).

The 200-400mm f/4 works well and provides top-notch images on both film & DSLR cameras.

Thats a truly amazing shot, the edge is only taken off it a little for me by the fact it was so staged (but it would pretty much have to be). FWIW I still shoot film, as do many people still. I love the digital for convienience but there something very special about 6x7 velvia or panf.
The 200-400 is a great lens, it almost convinced me to switch over to Nikon. Anyone used the sigma 200-500 2.8 for video yet?

Loved my old manual 200-400mm and regret selling it to be honest! The newer 200-400mm is a cracker though and with MTFs Nikon G to EX adaptor I can use it for filming too! The old MF version is like gold dust and fetch more than the newer AF version!

I've been looking for a manual version of the 200-400 for a while now. - I'd love to see some video/stills shot with it Paul !?

The Wolf image is beautiful - What a great feeling it must be to nail an image like that after the process of habituation he had to go through. It shows real persistance thats for sure!

Frans Lanting and Heather Angel are two that spring to mind that used to use the old 200-400. They do come up for sale quite a bit now, with prices much much less than they were 10 years ago or so.
If anyone's interested there is another of the ultra high regarded and ultra rare Nikkors for sale at APERTURE PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALISTS IN PROFESSIONAL CAMERA EQUIPMENT. Nikon, Canon, Leica and other Professional equipment It's the 300mm f2.
Steve

Captive?
 

Interesting read

BBC's nature photo competition judge admits: Winner photo investigated due to fraud allegations — Suomen Luonto

A stunning picture...
10 out of 10

Proves once again its the camera operator not the gear that is the secret to success..

Ben

Yes, this news was on the television earlier in the week. It will be sad to find out if it was all staged with a captive wolf in action at night. The photo raised in power due to the very 'rare' aspect of capturing a wild European wolf. It will be a massive scandal if it turns out not to be photographed in the wild using remote infared-trap equipment.

It would be a shame! It's not the first time this has happened nor will it be the last!

Whoops............
 

So much for that then:

Wolf row photographer stripped of award - Nature, Environment - The Independent


CS

The photographer who cried wolf!

Jose still denies that it was a tame wolf; however the judges have looked closely at the photo to reveal that the wolf not only looks remarkably similar to a tame wolf residing at a zoo in Madrid, but also that the gate and landscape matches the capital's Zoological park.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition judges have stripped him of his £10,000 winner's cheque.

Tony,


What a shame this whole thing is!!!


The one criticism that does not wash however is that a wolf would not jump a fence!!!

I am out in the field at least 200 days a year and have done so for decades. I have seen all kinds of totally abberant behaviors by wildlife. I had deer jump over my head one time, who would believe that unless it happend to you. some where in the files I have a picture of a young man being hit in the head by a wild falcon.

It may have been a tame trained animal, but I doubt it is the one they compare it too!! they are not similar at all in my book.

If they were wrong they ruined this persons reputation, if not he got less than he deserved.

Guilty without adequate proof, or so it seems.