The Gear Bag

As do most photographers, I often get asked about my camera equipment. You know, the usuals; How far does that thing zoom in? How much does that cost? I’m thinking of getting a new camera, what should I get? How good of pictures does that thing take?…and the like.

Well, as do most other photographers, I will attempt to answer some of these questions, and give you an insight in to my gear bag.

The Big Two

First off, you need to know that I am a Canon guy. I have nothing against Nikon, in fact, my rifle scope is a Nikon, and I think the optics are the best in the business. I just started shooting Canon years ago, and have never switched away. I really like the way it performs, and their glass is really good. I have had several generations of Canon cameras and lenses, and the progression has been easy for me.

My Photography History

I began taking pictures at a very early age. And usually, they weren’t of people. I liked to document the strange things I would find. As I hit high school, it was a natural progression to start taking photography classes as soon as I could. I had a great teacher, and as I progressed, he was fairly critical of my work. I learned a lot from him, and I still use a lot of what I learned today. I also was the photo editor for a couple years on the yearbook staff. Not a big accomplishment, but I did get to do things like shoot sports and other activities. Again, I have never liked taking pictures of people, but that was part of the job.

After my junior year of high school, I saved my pennies, and purchased my first “nice” camera. For the time, it had some pretty nice features, like auto focus, electronic controls, and auto exposure/speed. Pretty snazzy for a 35mm film setup. I continued my photography classes through my senior year in the form of independent studies. I spent a lot of time in the dark room and learned a lot about lighting and exposure techniques, as well as composition and subject selection. I was also the adjunct sub for the underclassmen photography classes on occasion. Not my given choice, but you do what needs to be done when you are “working” for the teacher.

After high school, I took a lot of landscape and nature photos, just trying to keep up on what I liked to do. I also did a few events such as golf outings, and banquets. I even shot one wedding for a friend. That solidified what I already knew…I am not a wedding photographer. Good for the experience, I guess. A few years later, my camera decided that it wasn’t going to work any more. I really don’t know why, but it worked one minute, and the next time I pulled it out, it didn’t. At that time, the digital technology was starting to be mainstream, and I didn’t have the money to purchase that, but I also didn’t want to invest in new film equipment. There it sat. A camera bag full of stuff that did nothing for many years. I contemplated selling it a few times, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Fast forward 10 years or so. With the old equipment still in a now dust covered Tamarac bag, I decided that I would begin the process of researching the world of digital single lens reflex cameras. DSLR’s to most people. What better way to justify the purchase of one, than buying one for your wife for Christmas? While my old lenses were still usable on the new equipment, I had a couple new lenses to choose from, and the freedom to take as many pictures as I could without changing film. It felt good to be using a “real” camera again. Now, I just needed find excuses to use it. Well, I did, when I was asked to shoot an RGS fun trial. It was kind of like riding a bike. Everything just came back naturally. After that, things kind of fell into place for me, and I was able to take this gig semi-pro.

Gear History

Photo Credit: Ken Rockwell

When I was starting out, my dad had purchased a Canon AE-1 at a pawn shop that came with a couple of lenses. One of which was a Sears lens, yep, Sears made lenses at some point. The important lens was the 50mm 1.4. Still a great lens in any generation. I took a lot of pictures with that camera, and using a manual camera really forces you to learn the basics of photography.

My first camera purchase was a Canon EOS Elan. Such a great camera for its time. I purchased a 28-80 and a 70-300 with that. I was able to cover a lot of bases with this rig. I really wish it still worked, as I would throw some film in it periodically, and shoot B&W just for fun.

Photo Credit: dpreview.com

When I decided to take the first step into the digital world, I bought a Canon Rebel T2i. Not really knowing about modern equipment, I shopped around and bought what I thought was the best in my budget range. I bought a combo kit which included another 18-55 and a 55-250, both with Image stabilization. All seemed legit to me at the time, and it worked pretty well. Still does, for the right things. I eventually sold the two kit lenses and purchased on lens that can cover a wider range. The 18-125 is what my wife still uses on “her” camera. After getting a few events under my belt, I quickly realized I was going to need better equipment.

The first piece of my current puzzle that I purchased was the Canon 7d. A lot of factors went into this decision. It is very fast, water proof, and has the same control configurations of the pro bodies. While I would like to be in the realm of full frame pro cameras, this one has far more features that fit my style of shooting that you don’t find on “lower-end” pro bodies. To get the same features on a full frame camera I would have to spend many thousands of dollars, which is not possible at this time. Besides, you have to have goals…right?

My next step was to purchase some professional glass. Most people shooting the average camera do not notice small detail flaws in their images, but I do, and the only way to correct this is with high quality lenses. My first purchase was a 70-200 f4 L IS. This is by far one of the best lenses that Canon makes, and to this day, I haven’t seen the quality images that this lens produces. Unfortunately, the f4 wasn’t quite what I need for a lot of the conditions that I shoot from.(By the way, this one is for sale if you are interested…just let me know)

My next purchase was a 24-105 f4 L IS. This is a great all round carry lens that covers a multitude of situations. It is on my camera 90% of the time, and works great.

When it came time to upgrade the zoom lens, I went to the 70-200 f2.8 L IS. Pretty much an industry standard, this lens really performs well in all conditions. The image quality isn’t quite that of the f4, but it really is a great lens. This one will be in the bag for a long time. 3 lbs of glass plus 1.5 lbs of camera can be quite heavy, though…so….

One of the most important equipment purchases I have made is my Black Rapid strap. For the photographer on the move, this really is a must.

I do all of my post production editing in Lightroom 5 and some additional work in Photoshop CS5. I use a Macbook Pro for everything.

Of course, I have to have a bag that holds all this, so I use a Lowpro backpack style gear bag.

The Wish List

Some day, when I am a rich and famous photographer(yep), there are some equipment upgrades and additions I would like to do.

The first one will be the Canon 16-35 f2.8 L. I shoot in a lot of low light close range situations. This lens will cover a lot of those. Hefty price tag, but will be worth it.

My pie-in-the-sky purchase would be a Canon 1Dx. The bad-boy of all cameras, this really is the best camera for an all weather sports photographer. At $6700, it may be a long while before I get my hands on this one. A really, really long while.

The last thing I think I want is a 2x extension tube for my 70-200. There are times I would like to get a little closer in on my subjects, and this would help. Mostly, this would be for wildlife shooting and such.

Update 2016:

Canon 5d mkiii

Canon 7d mk ii

Canon 16-35 2.8L v1

Canon 24-70 2.8L v2

Canon 70-200 2.8 v1

Canon 2x Extender

FAQ

Here are some answers to the questions above.

1. How far does that thing zoom in?

While the 70-200 can have an ominous presence, it really is not a “long range” lens. It does cover distances of up to 30 yards really well. For close range sports, this is a must have lens.

2. I’ll bet that camera takes great pictures, doesn’t it?

In a word, no. It’s the who behind the camera that takes great pictures. The actual image quality of my camera is really not that much better than my T2i. They both have a similar sensor that shoots 18mp. My current body has better processors, but those really do not make great images, either.

3. I’m thinking of purchasing a camera, what should I get?

Good question. There are so many factors that go into buying a camera that is right for you. What, where, when, how, and why will you be shooting? Write the answers to those questions down, and then ask the first question. I usually tell people, “buy the best you can afford right now, and then invest in better glass before a better camera body.” If you have the answers to those questions, feel free to contact me, and I will be glad to discuss my thoughts with you.

4. I would like to start taking more pictures, so I’m going to get a good camera. Will that help?

Again, NO! Go learn the fundamentals of photography, first. While todays digital cameras are a genius in a small box, you absolutely need to know the basics first. Take a class, read tutorials, read blogs, and then practice, practice, practice. Like anything else in life, you need to gain experience before playing in the big game.

5. How much did that cost?

Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t cheap, but to get the best quality, the price cannot be a factor. Well, sort of, but you have to buy the best you can afford. If you plan to make money with your equipment, you need to be investing in the best.

I hope this was informative, and gives you some insight into what I have going on in the background. Do you have any other questions for me? Fell free to ask in the comment section below, so that others can see the answers.

An Upswing for SDP

As it turns out, the first weekend in October 2013 would be an upswing for SPD and my upland bird hunting “career”. Several months back, I was invited to attend and shoot the Al Litzenberger RGS chapters banquet and sponsor grouse hunt. I am quick to jump at opportunities to work with different RGS chapters, so I accepted the invitation gratefully.

On my way up to Harbor Springs, where the banquet was to take place, I took advantage of a couple hours in the woods on the way up. I stopped on some state land where I had hunted once before. Last year, the area held a decent number of grouse, so I figured that would be a good place to hit for a short hunt. As the dog and I made our way through, it quickly became apparent that the grouse were not here as in the year before. The rain was also picking up, and not making for an enjoyable stop. My dog doesn’t get a whole lot of time in the woods, so I wanted to give him a fair chance to find some birds. We only flushed on woodcock, which he had a solid find on a running bird and made a rather impressive retrieve, given his history. Not bad for a quick run through the water logged upland.

That evening, I attended the Petoskey chapter banquet. It was a great event, and lots of money was raised for successional forrest habitat. I did have the chance to meet and have a conversation with John Eichinger, the president of the Ruffed Grouse Society. He is a great guy with a great vision for the future of the organization.

The following morning, I met up with the group I was to head into the field with for the day. I had picked up John E. on the way to our morning hunt. We convened at place called Maple River Farm. This is a large tract of private property situated in northern Emmett county, that has been carefully planned out by owner Paul Keiswetter. We entered a building on the property dubbed ‘Grouse Hall’. This is a beautifully and meticulously built hunters dream lodge. No detail has been left unaccounted for. We met up with Paul, Keith Creagh(Michigan DNR Director), and Rex Schlaybaugh(NRC commissioner) for the mornings hunt.

Grouse Hunt Blog Lodge-2

The rain had not let up from the night before, so we took time to tour Paul’s facility, and learn about the history of the farm and what has done there to manage for grouse and woodcock habitat. As the morning went on, the rain let up a bit, and we decided to take to the field. Making our way back through the property, we drove past a couple of the areas that Paul had worked with Al Stewart on, in his efforts to create sustainable upland habitat.

We parked the trucks, donned our hunting gear, and loaded the guns(and camera). Paul guided us through a small patch of mixed young growth, with his setter energetically leading the way. The rain had let up, the the under brush was wet, but navigable. It wasn’t long before the dog had found point, and a bird took to the air. With a quick miss, we carried on. The birds were plentiful, and there were lots of chances for hits and misses. In total, we put up about 14 woodcock, and 8 grouse in a 1.5 hour hunt. They even bagged a couple of those to brag about later. I was able to grab some great photos of both the hunting party and even some birds.

As noon approached, the rest of the hunters were headed to Grouse Hall for lunch, so we packed up and headed back to the lodge. Lunch was great, and it is especially gratifying to have a big bowl of hot chili after a soggy hunt.

That afternoon, a large portion of the hunters embarked on a tour of the property that we had hunted, and go to see first hand the fruits of sound habitat management. The tour was led by Al Stewart, who escorted the party around. I was offered to trade the camera for the gun, and head out into the woods with our regional director Bruce Wojcik and a guy from the chapter named Dennis.

They made the call to put Corbin(AKA Special) on the ground for the afternoon. I warned them that he is not a champion hunting dog, so I wouldn’t take responsibility for his antics. However, he surprised me and went right to work. We don’t hunt with groups too often, so I had no idea what to expect. Rather soon into our hunt he put up a pair of woodcock. I shot one, and he retrieved it. I was feeling better about his performance already. He proceeded to put up 15 WC in a short 2 hour hunt. We shot 3 in total, and made our way to the trucks to ready ourselves for the dinner that evening. I was proud of the old hound and how he handled that afternoon. We parted the field just in time to miss the heavy downpour that continued on into the evening.

That night, everyone in the hunting party were treated to a wonderful wild game dinner at Chandlers in downtown Petoskey. It was the celebration of a successful days hunt, combined with the fellowship of those who were like minded in their commitment to preserving our hunting heritage and habitat management. I was honored to be able to be a part of the day. Thank you to everyone for allowing me to tag along and document this fantastic adventure.

The next morning I headed out early, and met a couple friends for breakfast before heading out to give one last good effort at bagging a grouse that weekend. We drove down state for a while, and finally pulled off on a 2-track the had a small aspen stand adjacent. Once again, Corbin was invited to hit the ground, this time with a couple seasoned grouse dogs. Again I was nervous, as he doesn’t have a whole lot of experience working with other dogs. The first area produced a couple birds, but no shots. We quickly moved on to the next, with no luck there either. At the third spot, we saw one WC but were still empty handed. We ended the day empty handed, and sweating profusely from the now warm humid weather.

I wasn’t complaining, as I had one of the best bird hunting weekend of my life. I really hope this is the start of an annual tradition in my schedule.

The Game- NSTRA

They call it ‘the game’. Many of the hunting dog clubs out there are all about the individual achievement of each animal. While you may sometimes run with another dog and handler, you are competing for an overall win. NSTRA field trials are run a little different. The National Shoot to Retrieve Association is all about beating your opponent on the field. Each successful bird find and retrieve is worth points. You have one goal, and that is to find the birds before your brace mate does, in a half hour. Of course, getting to the bird first is just the start. From there you need to have near flawless dog handling if you want to earn the points. NSTRA is fast paced, and shows off the best a dog has to offer. The dog-handler relationship has to be finely tuned. To win, a dog has to be on its game, and it has to be consistent. The handler too, must manage their dog in a way that lets the judges know that they are in control, but are not controlling. You can read all of the rules HERE.

This past weekend at the NSTRA Michigan Regional Elimination, the heat was on. 34 dogs started the day on Saturday. By days end, there were only 6 left to compete. It is amazing how much emotions, good and bad, can flair when competition at this level unfolds. On Sunday morning, the 6 finalists ran 3 braces to determine the the top dogs of the region. Out of 6 came 4: 3 runner ups, and a champion. Out of those 4, 2 dogs compete in the “big dance” so-to-speak. The final run of the day is between the two top scoring dogs of the semi-final round. This brace run for one hour, and 10 birds are placed in the field. Only one dog-handler team can be crowned regional champion.

This year’s NSTRA Michigan Region Champion is Chip run by Scott Townsend. Chip is a stellar dog, and a staunch hunter. Chip is also the most affectionate dog I have ever seen. When he is not slamming on point, he is curled up in someone’s lap, or pawing at your leg for a scratch on the head. Congratulations Chip. You have a well deserved win.

Just because there is one winner, doesn’t mean that other dogs were lacking. I saw some fantastic dog work this weekend. This was a tough field, for sure. But like i said, this is a game, and there can will prevail.

I personally had a great time this weekend. Even though this was my third NSTRA event, I learned a lot about the game. I rode with a judge the whole time, end was able to gain insight into how things are supposed to go, and what he was looking for. I also would like to thank my hosts for the weekend, Chris Ritter, Mike Kibby, and Scott Townsend. I look forward to my next opportunity to shoot a NSTRA event.

Click on a link below to view the full album and purchase images. If I did not get very many, or any pictures of your dog(or quality ones), I apologize Because of the level of competition, I had to stay in the Ranger with the judge to shoot, and was not able to always capture both dogs in the field. If you would ever be interested in having professional hunting scenario portraits taken of your dog(s), please contact me.

Ultimate Air Dogs…Photography Lesson Learned

While attending Outdoorama this weekend, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to grab some shots at the Ultimate Air Dogs competition. Of course I wasn’t the only photog there, because, who doesn’t want to get shots of dogs jumping into water, right? Well, I had to learn my lesson the hard way, but I am not set up for shooting fast action in low light situations. Of the few shots that I did get to turn out, they were grainy, and not what I was hoping for. Using a flash wasn’t an option, but given my equipment, I’m not really sure what I could have done differently. Oh, well. I had a good time watching, and even ran into a couple competitors that I have met through different dog venues.

The Klinefelter Boys

Today, I did some shots of the Klinefelter dogs. They are a diverse group of small dogs, with big personalities. Here are some of the shots. They live on a farm, and have all the space any dog could ever want. Check out their page here: Elk Island Winery. A few of the photos on the web page are mine.

I give you Oscar, Angus, and Macaroni

“The best of both worlds”…APLA Michigan

Up until a couple years ago, having a dog was never really that important to me. After all, I’ve been hunting for many years, and usually did just fine. I did know that if I were to ever get a dog, that I wanted a chocolate lab. I don’t really know why, but I just like them. Now that I have one, and one that likes to hunt, my outlook has changed. When I learned that there are labs that can point, that changed my outlook even more. To have a chocolate lab that will point…that’s the best of both worlds. I now have my sights set on a pointing lab, as soon as my dog has worked through his useful years. I’m in no rush to replace him.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to check out an APLA event, was to watch these dogs in action. It is also a good place to make some connections with people and trainers. The other reason… taking pictures of dogs doing water work is never boring. The sheer determination and enthusiasm with which these dogs perform, is inspiring.

On Saturday, I was invited to shoot the APLA Michigan hunt test, by my friend Dave. It was beautiful day to be out watching these dogs. The event was held at Omega Farms in Williamston, MI. Even with both man and beast present, there were wild ducks and geese flying past all morning. It is great natural setting for a dog test. The tests were held on several different ponds and fields that simulated hunting scenerios quite well. Because of the high level of certification that was at stake, I was not allowed to shoot the entire event, but I was able to grab some nice images. Below is a slideshow of the event. You can visit the full photo gallery HERE, to view and purchase photos, or use the menu above to search through sportdogphoto.com.
Enjoy.
Dave

Work in Progress

A Work in Progress

Like this website, my blogs are a work in progress. I am not the best a keeping a blog, but I have tried in the past, and will continue to do so as I find time. My first blog is all about Michigan’s great outdoors. It started as a blog to review michigan campgrounds, but soon took on new life forms, and now I cover all of my adventures around the state. You can read that here. http://michiganoutdoorexp.com. My most recent post is for Holiday Park Campground, located in Traverse city, MI. A great place, I might add.

I have decided to continue that blog, because I have already built content on it. It is a work in progress, and will most likely undergo a URL name change in the near future.

As for Sport Dog, I will keep a blog of the events that I attend and shoot. Probably not the most exciting reading, but it will be a way for me to add some back story to the photos that are posted on my site. If you just look at the albums, it may kind of all run together. Sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words, and sometimes it may take a 1000 words to develop a picture. I appreciate you stopping by, and hope that you will continue to follow this blog for the latest news from Sport Dog Photography.

The Latest

Now, to the latest. I would like to expand my collection of fine art photo’s, and offer them for sale, at what I consider reasonable prices. I have looked at many art photographers works, and some of the prices are quite high. I understand…if you are making a living as an artist, the money has to come from somewhere. I am fortunate, and am not relying on that as my sole income. I am just hoping to share some of my art with others. I am also working on an art print that I will be offering for sale, with all of the profits going to a specific ministry. I would like to do this periodically, and hopefully benefit some groups that need it. In the mean time, check out my website, or you can see my other art prints here. Here is one that I have been working on lately. Enjoy.

-dave

Author: daveldman8@gmail.com

About daveldman8@gmail.com