jack2964

@Oilinki

I am very impressed by the IQ of your bulbul images with the Canon 50sx.

At what focal length were these pics shot at and presumably hand held? And subject distance?

Oh thanks. The camera performs very nicely.

Details are here (clicking the photo on TV thread should take you to the flickr page): https://www.flickr.com/photos/pekkaoilinki/19036734482/

The lazy photographer shot was hand held, but sitting on the chair, 134mm on 1/2.3 sensor, so about 750mm on full frame sensor. Subject was 3-4 meters from me.

The second one 177mm, which equals closer to 900mm on full frame. Bird was maybe 6 meters from me. It's a bit fuzzy, but the look is fun.

Thanks Oilinki. You've have many superb images over at Flickr.

You've got me thinking of acquiring the 50SX.

And Chonburiram...your pic is possibly a Greater Adjutant Stork. Not 100% sure though.

@Oilinki

I am very impressed by the IQ of your bulbul images with the Canon 50sx.

At what focal length were these pics shot at and presumably hand held? And subject distance?

Good catch. Asian Barred Owlet.

I'd be very happy to get shots like those of your Roller and Dollarbird. That bottom dollarbird shot is very good.

I don't know if all your shots were at the long end @600mm and have no experience with your Tammy zoom

but have read that most zooms perform better if not pushed to its max FL.

Fab shots of the Indian Roller. Beautiful bird especially when caught in flight like you have.

Mind sharing what gear and settings you used for these shots?

Thanks UJ and BD much appreciated. That's a big relief saves me doing a 200km+ round trip.

I am on extension of stay based on retirement ( expires on 28 Mar 2015 but successfully renewed on 18 Mar 2015 and good to go till 28 Mar 2016) and my last entry into Thailand was on 29 Oct 2014. I made the standard 90 day report from my last entry date of 29 Oct 2014 possibly around 12 or 13 Jan 2015.

When I got my latest extension of stay on 18 Mar last week, the officer updated my 90 day report together with slip attached in passport that my next report is due 15 Jun 2015 which indicates the 90 days is calculated from the day I applied and renewed my extension of stay. But since my last report for 90 days was in Jan this year it would mean I would exceed 90 days if I were to follow the date (15 Jun 2015)on the slip now attached to my passport. Did the officer make a mistake and should I return to immigration office to set this right?

This was all done at Korat immigration which I have nothing but praises for as the lady officer went well past lunch time to complete my 3 applications all in one go. I did transfer of previous extension to new passport, got a new extension and multiple re-entry permit. Only hiccup was lack of letter from my embassy for the new passport although my embassy insisted there is no need for a letter. But all went well in the end.

I'll continue to use it and see how it goes. As for now it casts just as well as when I first got it.

I have this fairly new reel (bought in Oct 2014) and have been very pleased with its performance. I opened it up to give a clean and lube as it started to get a bit noisy on cast and retrieve and am a little surprised to see the spool bearing on the detachable plate side discoloured. Initially I thought it was just dirt but vigorous rubbing with a cotton tip made no difference.

Anyway I cleaned it up and did several test casts and am happy the noise is gone but the question remains; has the bearing suffered some kind of damage. If so what could have caused it as I fear new bearings would suffer the same fate if the underlying cause isn't fixed.

Reel is a Shimano Aldebaran BFS XG. Thanks for all input.

I hate those flies. Is that the hide at Kaeng Krachan?

This was from Chong Yen, Mae Wong NP.

I'd say so. How the heck did you get a shot like that (envious)?

From a blind Hanno so it is actually quite easy. The hard part is getting fast enough shutter speeds due to very low light and fighting off swarms of 'koon' (biting flies).

You can try this: http://www.7seasproshopthai.com/

They are not cheap but quite well stocked. You should find some there

I use them a bit simply because I am out in the sticks and the local stores are poorly stocked.

Good luck.

Anyone using the new Canon 7D2?

Can't afford one now but this guy whom I follow has a review specifically for birding in his website somewhere:

www.glennbartley.com/

Edit: add this link for the 7D2:http://www.glennbartley.com/blog/

Can't see him in your video but sure sounds like this one:

Oriental Magpie Robin a handsome common bird.

Common Tailor

400/5.6 @ F8; 1/2500sec; ISO500; Man mode.

Looks like a sensor clean in order there Jack.

Lovely shot but somewhat spoilt with the dust mark.

Thanks for pointing that out to me. Tbh, I didn't notice it at all. Is it the 'smudge' below its tail?

Could it not be a dirty lens?

Great shot - and the info is very helpful for me as I use the same lens.

I like the 400/5.6 it goes everywhere I go and am sure glad I didn't sell it awhile back when I acquired the 500/f4. The big one now sits in the dry cabinet most of the time and I am tempted to flog it.

Anyway, just prior to this shot I was after a Pied fantail in the shade and had dialed up the ISO a bit when this tailorbird showed up. There wasn't time to allow any adjustments as it often happens with these subjects.

I think I'll continue to use the 'smart charger' after each outing to fully recharge the batt overnight and then use the solar charger to maintain a full charge in between outings which can be many days or weeks apart.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

Perhaps I haven't been clear enough what I am asking about.

Let me try again.

I did some reading up on lead-acid battery charging and chargers and the chemical reactions that go on during the charge/discharge cycles but I'd admit I do not fully grasp all I read.

With dedicated ac powered battery chargers a fixed sequence is programmed to ensure optimum charge by automatically switching between modes when the unit senses some threshold voltage/current. With solar chargers, I am unsure if they have these capabilities and if they don't then the correct charge process is not followed and batt life would be compromised?