Using the new Panasonic Leica 50-200mm

 I received the newly released Panasonic Leica 50-200 mm f/2.8-f/4 lens yesterday.  I paired it with the G9 for this image.  This is the first and only image captured with this lens and I am in love with its quality.  A lot more testing to do but I have no doubt it will perform exceptionally well.  What is great is that the lens can be coupled with the 1.4x and the 2x teleconverters.  Stay tuned for more on this piece of glass.

Panasonic Lumix GH5s - Performance

The GH5s is a 10.28 MP camera optimized for movie recording and low-light performance. Its large individual pixel size allows impressive low-light performance to an extended ISO 204800, along with Dual Native ISO technology at ISO 400 and ISO 2500. The camera is designed for low light video parformance but its stills capapbilities are exceptional.  It records 14 bit RAW files that provide ample editing felibility and has a burst shooting rate of 12 fps with single-shot AF, or up to 8 fps with continuous autofocus. What I found trully impresive is the camera's capability to focus really fast in very low light conditions.The camera does not have in-body image stabilization nor does the 8-18mm lens.  This image was shot as a three image panorama, hand-held and stitched using Lightroom. 

Botany Project - Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily)

Once done, I am hoping to get these image printed as a coffee-table book. Here is another image (right side page) that I completed last evening.

A new project

There are a number of artists who have created some wonderful flower images that I admire and appreciate.  I have started a project that will take a year or more to finish but I feel it is worth the effort.  Here is an example of one of the elements from the project.

Milky Way Arcs Over Bar Harbor

Captured from the top of Cadillac Mountain last weekend, June 16, 2018. Please click on the image for a larger rendition.

The Milky Way and a Photo Workshop - Acadia NP

On a whim last weekend, we drove up to Acadia for a night.  The weather report looked decent so we took a chance.  The weather was just perfect.  The sunset was nice though a cloudless sky does not make for great images.  We waited for darkness as the moon went lower on the horizon and the stars appeared.  Not much waiting and we started photographing the Milky Way.  It is amazing how many cars just hang around with their headlights on (just perfect for astrophotography).  Folks running around without a care - so what if I hit your tripod - I did not mean to - it just happened.  We managed to get a few shots and a panorama that I will post later.We decided to come down Cadillac Mountain and head for Boulder Beach to photograph the Milky Way with the boulders in the foreground and Otter Cliffs as an anchor on the right. As we approached the walkway to the spot where you climb down, we met two photographers. Strangely there was a lot of shouting from some people down at Boulder Beach.  They were yelling about lights and how they were doing a workshop etc. - extremely rude.  The two photographers who were up on the walkway indicated that the workshop leader asked them to leave Boulder Beach as he was conducting a workshop. Excuse me - this is all a National Park and we all have a right to be there.  As a workshop leader, these people need to be considerate and courteous to fellow photographers - not be nasty and rude.  Based on this feedback Monica and I decided not to go down but shoot from the overlook above.  You need a light to get to the overlook so as Monica started toward the overlook the shouting started all over again.  She was rudely told to switch off her headlight - now must one walk in the dark and risk a fall?  There is a way to accommodate other photographers in situations like this.  Give them space and the time to set up, it is a public place after all.  There is enough room and the stars are not running away.  I did look up to see who it was that was conducting this workshop, I don't know him, but I hope he learns a little photographer's etiquette.Here is an image captured from Park Loop Road:

Nature Photography Day - June 15, 2018

It was June 30, 2014, 4 years ago that I photographed this Hyena in the Okavango region of Botswana.  Felt this to be an appropriate image for Nature Photography Day 2018.  I still have a few spaces open for my Tanzania Migration Safari in August - message me if you would like to participate.

Panasonic Lumix Firmware updates released

As mentioned in my previous blog, the firmware updates for the Lumix G9, GH5 and GH5S are now downloadable from: http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index.html 

Lumix GH5, GH-5S and G9 Firmware updates announced - (Availability May 30, 2018)

Panasonic yesterday announced new firmware updates for the Lumix DC-GH5 (Firmware Version 2.3), DC-GH5S (Firmware Version 1.1) and DC-G9 (Firmware Version 1.1) to further enhance their performance and usability. The firmware updates will be downloadable on May 30, 2018The new firmware includes the following upgrades: LUMIX DC-GH5 Firmware Ver.2.3 

1. Improvement of AF performance 
2. Improvement of Body I.S.(Image Stabilizer) performance
3. mprovement of sound recording performance
4. New functions
5. Other improvements

LUMIX DC-GH5S Firmware Ver.1.1 

1. Improvement of AF performance 
2. Improvement of sound recording performance
3. New functions
4. Other Improvements

LUMIX DC-G9 Firmware Ver.1.1 

1. Improvement of AF performance 
2. Improvement of Body I.S.(Image Stabilizer) performance
3. Improvement of High Resolution Mode
4. Improvement of sound recording performance
5. New functions
6. Other improvements

The new firmware programs will be available at LUMIX Customer Support Site on 30 May, 2018. http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.html

Black Swamp - Biggest Week in Birding

Went out to the boardwalk in Magie Marsh to see if I could capture a few images of the tiny warblers that migrate through the "Warbler Capital of the World" near Toledo, Ohio.Not an easy place to photograph but I feel good that the Lumix G9 paired with the Leica DG Elmar 200 mm f/2.8 prime and the 1.4X teleconverter performed exceptionally well.  Most important was my ability to severely crop and get a very usable image. The image below is another example of a severe crop.

CanAm Photo Expo the last evening

If you want to attend a truly great educational photography/videography expo then consider CANAM 2019.  This year the expo was held in Niagara Falls, Ontario.  The 2019 Expo will be in Buffalo, NY.  Three intense days of non-stop programs.Got a little time for some images on the last evening before returning to Boston.   

LUMINAR 2018 JUPITER Released and Offer Information

This update is free for all current users of Luminar 2018.Current users of Luminar 2017 may upgrade for $49 ($39 when you use my coupon code VERMA);

New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $69 ($59 when you use my coupon code VERMA); 

Here is how to get the update for the current users of Luminar 2018:On Mac: Please, launch Luminar 2018, on the Top Menu Bar choose Luminar 2018 > Check for updates.On Windows: Please, launch Luminar 2018, on the Top Toolbar choose Help > Check for updates. 

A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.

OFFER AVAILABILITY: April 12 - April 29 

What's included in the offer:

• Luminar 2018: the most powerful and technologically advanced photo editor for Mac & Windows (worth $69) - Luminar 2018 is a fast, versatile, and intuitive image editor, which can take your workflow from RAW file to fully finished image without needing to use any other image editor.

• The Complete Landscape Photography Guide ebook from Photzy (worth $50) - An outstanding guide written by professional photographer and writer Kent DuFault. This ebook has something for everyone, with 237 pages packed full of information and assignments that will transform your landscape photography.

• Aerial Photography & Video with Matt Granger (worth $79) - World-renowned photographer, Matt Granger will share planning, shooting and editing aerial stills and video. Matt will also demonstrate editing with Luminar 2018 on his still aerial images..

• Photography Tutorial by Daniel Kordan (worth $29) - Extensive tutorial with a full workflow demonstration by expert landscape photographer Daniel Kordan. This tutorial includes shooting and post-processing images in Luminar 2018.

• 119 Dramatic & Romantic Sky overlays (worth $29) - This is an amazing addition to your photo editing workflow, and will help give boring skies that ‘wow!’ factor.

• Splitsville Presets By Brian Matiash (worth $15) - Add a professional polish to your images with these cool presets.

CLICK HERE FOR LUMINAR - Jupiter

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Eurasian Spoonbill

Late February is the time when most Eurasian Spoonbils return North to their summer abode.  However I was luck to see a few stragglers at the Keoladeo NP.  The birds are still in breeding plumage though the colors are not a vibrant.I planning a 2019 photo tour and workshop for Birds, Tigers, Landscapes and of course Agra for the Taj Mahal.  Let me know by email or a comment if you are at all interested. 

Edelkrone FlexTilt Head 2

I have just completed a review of the Edelkrone FlexTilt Head 2.  The full article can be seen here.In addition I have added a landing page for this and future product reviews.  At some point I will add previous review links to this page.  The page is a sub menu under "Products"

More from SW Florida

Even though the copy of the Leica f/2.8 200mm lens is a pre-production unit I foun it performing exceptionally well.  It focuses fast and the camera and lens combination have no problems following birds in flight.  This was a very active nest.  The adult had brought 5 or 6 fish and regurgitated them multiple times. This was the first time I witnessed a Green Heron Sky-Pointing which is a very common mating behavior with Great Blue Herons and various Egrets.Ding Darling NWR was a big disappointment.  The birds were sparse with the exception of Pelicans, Willets, Dowitchers and Dunlins.  As the sun set, these Pelicans started departing the sand-bar they were on, probably to roost elsewhere. 

Anhingas can look good too

Really wanted to see the G9's performance with dynamic range and the ability to capture good shadow detail.  I was very pleased with the performance as you will see from these images.  

Burrowing Owls of Cape Coral

After a full day of disappointments at Corkscrew and Ding Darling, I got to Cape Coral just as the sun was setting.  Made it to three nests, each with just one owl.  There were two owls in the in the first one but one scampered down the burrow as I was focusing on the pair.All images were captured hand-held.This last image was captured after the sun had set and you can see the camera's performance at ISO 8000. 

Venice Rookery - The Lumix G9 and the Leica 200 f/2.8 + 1.4X

It was a very cold 40 degree morning at the Venice Rookery, Florida and I wanted to capture birds in flight.  Many of the birds were hunkerd down while a few went about their chores, bringing food and nesting material.  This image was captured using the Lumix G9 with a preproduction version of the Leica 200mm f/2.8 prime coupled with the 1.4X teleconverter.  The preproduction version is great and I am sure the production version will be even better.

Some More Birds Species of Keoladeo NP

A few more images of the over 300 species of birds found in Keoladeo National Park.    

Indian Peafowl at Sunrise

 The image above was captured on the first morning.  The following four images are a sequence of a male Indian Peafowl flying toward a snag and then instantly departing. These were captured on the following morning. I selected all the images to have the wings in the same/similar position.  These were shot with the Lumix G9 and the Leica 100-400mm lens.  Exposure triad: f/6.3, 1/1600 sec ISO 250 and 200 for the last image.