Had to run out to this local state park this morning to pull down my photo exhibit that had been there for a couple of months. I left the house early hoping to get some shooting in but heavy overcast skies didn't cooperate. Then on the way out at about 1030 I ran into this guy. I was still fighting poor light and could hardly scrap up enough shutter speed to pull off some shots. He was moving a lot so I had to go hand held.















Just a little more light and I think they would have really been good.

They are really good James. First three my picks.

I think they are really good anyhow!! Beautiful really!

Hey Jim,

Really well done. I thought so even more the second time I looked at him. LOL, Chanthee wants to adopt him. Somehow, I don't think that would be a good idea.

On a technical note, these shots look really 'perfect.' I am curious about your pp.

James

Thanks for the kind words all! James the PP was just a quick down and dirty. Auto levels and then adjusting shadows by about "20" using the shadow highlight tool. Then I resized and used a bit a smart sharpen to bring back the details.

On a side note, I used both a Canon 400mm AF and a Leica R 560mm MF lens to shoot these. The Leica was a bear due to the dark conditions and the coyote's movements. I was trying to trade off the better high ISO performance of the 5D with the Leica vs the accuracy of the 40D with the 400mm. At other times in good light the 5D / Leica combo gave me better results but this time the 40D combo won.

Hey Jim,

Which Leica body are you using? An R8? What do you make of it?

James

Actually I use an adaptor that allows me to attach the Leica Lenses to my EOS bodies. I do the same with some Contax Zeiss, Olympus OM, and M42 lenses. This limits me to manual focus and stop down metering but allows me to buy some really great lenses for a good price. Oh, and I'm even doing the same right now with a wonderful Mamiya 645 200/2.8 APO lens.

This was shot with the Mamiya of the 5D right before I ran into the coyote.



I'd love to try a Leica SLR with a DMR on it but I can't afford the cost. The lenses are quite cheap on the other hand if you shop with a bit of patience. Case in point, about a year ago I bought a 90/2.8 and a 135/2.8 Leica for a combined total of $300.

I would love to use my Leica lenses with my Canons. I used to do that a great deal when I was switching other film manufactures. Guess I just figured there would be other problems I might know how to deal with.

Where did you get the adapters? And are there other issues other than Manual focus?

I adore the Coyote. He/she is much more red color than any I have seen in our part of the country. I know what you mean about the light but until you brought it up, I could not take my eyes off your images!

Peggy,

Lots of sources for th adapter. I mainly use the pro versions at fotodiox.com or Haoda's AF confirm adapters. These adapters allow the AF system to be activated so that you get the normal viewfinder indication of good focus once you manually adjust the lense correctly. If your Leica lenses are R versions then a lot of them will work. A few have interference problems with the mirrors on certain EOS bodies.

Here is a wonderful source to check compatibility.

http://www.pebbleplace.com/Personal/Leica_db.html

I am currently using the following my 5D: 50/2.0, 60/2.8 macro, 90/2.8, 135/2.8, 180/3.4 APO, and the 560/6.8. These all clear the mirror of my 5D.

Thanks for the information.