Sony A7R for Wildlife Video

March 28, 2016 by daveblinder in Uncategorized, Video, Wildlife Videography and tagged New Jersey Nature Photography, Sony A7R, tamron, video, wildlife photography | Leave a comment

As Spring warms up our Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, wildlife activity in general does pick up. I am mostly resuming where I left off last year with local wildlife videography in attempts to challenge myself, and also to entertain viewers. My “new used” Sony A7R has been my primary camera of late, and for wildlife jaunts, I have my trusty Canon EF mount Tamron SP 150-600mm VC lens paired using a Fotodio Pro adapter.

Below are three recent wildlife shorts that I have filmed and edited in various natural areas in New Jersey.

March Waterfowl at the Manasquan Reservoir

Wood Duck at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Tree Swallows at the New Jersey Meadowlands

More recent wildlife photography and videography is viewable on Dave Blinder Nature Photography on Facebook

Tamron SP 15-30mm lens, first impressions

March 23, 2016 by daveblinder in 2016, Tamron and tagged landscape photography, nature photography, New Jersey Nature Photography, Tamron SP 1530mm VC | Leave a comment

It has only been a couple of weeks now since I purchased the new Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC wide angle lens for full frame. I bought the lens to further invest in my real estate / architectural photography work, but naturally I will still give the SP 15-30mm a workout with my outdoor shooting. I am pairing the lens to both my Canon 6D and also my Sony A7R (via Fotodiox Pro adaptor).

As expected the lens was ready to go as soon as I opened the packaging. The frontmost element is bulbous, which is just a fact of the matter when using such an extremely wide POV with a fast F/2.8 aperture. The finely crafted incorporated lens hood and also the slide-on lens cap do well to protect the front element. There is also no threading for filters on the SP 15-30mm, although after market adapters seem to be springing up. I have not tried any filters with the lens yet.

So what do I really think of the SP 15-30mm VC?

It is wide on full-frame, very wide. When effectively composing a landscape photo at the lens’s broadest field of view we get a grandiose amount of scenery captured in a single frame. Knowing how to use an ultra wide lens to its full potential will be a challenge to new comers.

The SP 15-30mm VC is also extremely sharp. Fine detail is recorded throughout the entire frame. I am confident that my landscape photography will come to life in large prints after reviewing my camera raws. Expectedly, there is an acceptable level of distortion in the corner of the frames. I actually enjoy the slight “cathedral-effect” on my nature photographs but distortion is easily corrected in all camera raw converters.

Tamron’s SP 15-30mm VC is a sleek and attractive full frame lens capable of creating sleek and attractive photos. I look forward to using the lens for future low-light and night sky shooting. With the current retail price-point near $1200 Tamron has provided a great deal of value at a nice price point.

To view my most recent uploads:

Flickr or Instagram

For Fine Art prints or updates on my upcoming gallery showings contact me at daveblinderphotography@gmail.com

Tamron SP 15-30mm VC + Sony A7R. 1/15th F/14 ISO 80. Buttermilk Falls in New Jersey

Tamron SP 15-30mm VC + Canon 6D. 1/50th F/11 ISO 320. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey

Tamron SP 15-30mm VC + Sony A7R. 15mm F/14 ISO 50. Black River Park in New Jersey

Tamron SP 15-30mm VC + Canon 6D. 15mm F/14 ISO 100. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey.

2016 Maple Sugar Fest photos

March 6, 2016 by daveblinder in 2016, Uncategorized and tagged MCPC, New Jersey Nature Photography, New Jersey Photography, NJ, volunteering | Leave a comment

I volunteered for a few hours of photography and also videography yesterday with the Morris County Park Commission at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham New Jersey. The event, 2016 Maple Sugar Fest, drew out hundreds of local families and got them involved in fun stories, hikes, and even tastings of local Maple products. Maple Syrup use dates back to at least the Lenape natives and is an important part of our local heritage.

My favorite part of the event? Seeing so many happy faces of all ages and colors involved in high quality outdoor education. I could see the faces of future conservationists and environmentalists in the children that attended.