Best Photos of 2008
Best Photos of 2008
In 2008, my photographic pursuits took me (and often, Tracy and the girls as well) all over San Diego, the central coast and deserts of California, Canada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, up in a plane and south of the border. Here are the photos from 2008 that I consider my favorites, mostly for sentimental reasons but also because I think they are good images.
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| The Wave, an area of fantastic eroded sandstone featuring beautiful swirls, wild colors, countless striations, and bizarre shapes set amidst the dramatic surrounding North Coyote Buttes of Arizona and Utah. The sandstone formations of the North Coyote Buttes, including the Wave, date from the Jurassic period. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Wave is located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness and is accessible on foot by permit only. Image ID: 20607 Location: North Coyote Buttes, Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona, USA |
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| Brown pelican head throw. During a bill throw, the pelican arches its neck back, lifting its large bill upward and stretching its throat pouch. Image ID: 20257 Species: Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Location: La Jolla, California, USA |
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| Male elephant seals (bulls) rear up on their foreflippers and fight in the surf for access for mating females that are in estrous. Such fighting among elephant seals can take place on the beach or in the water. They bite and tear at each other on the neck and shoulders, drawing blood and creating scars on the tough hides. Image ID: 20369 Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California, USA |
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| California poppy plants viewed from the perspective of a bug walking below the bright orange blooms. Image ID: 20539 Species: California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, Eschscholtzia californica Location: Del Dios, San Diego, California, USA |
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| Dune primrose (white) and sand verbena (purple) bloom in spring in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, mixing in a rich display of desert color. Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Image ID: 20464 Species: Dune primrose, Oenothera deltoides, Abronia villosa Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Anza Borrego, California, USA |
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| UCSD Library glows with light in this night time exposure (Geisel Library, UCSD Central Library). Image ID: 20142 Location: University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA |
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| The Bellagio Hotel fountains light up the reflection pool as the half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas rises above them, at night. Image ID: 20559 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
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| A bubble ring. A young girl watches as a bubble ring ascends through the water toward her. Image ID: 20776 |
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| Middle Coronado Island, viewed from the south. Image ID: 21322 Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico |
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| Blue whale. The sleek hydrodynamic shape of the enormous blue whale allows it to swim swiftly through the ocean, at times over one hundred miles in a single day. Image ID: 21250 Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus Location: La Jolla, California, USA |
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| A great white shark swims underwater through the ocean at Guadalupe Island. Image ID: 21346 Species: Great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico |
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| Sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park. Image ID: 22100 Species: Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA |
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| Coyote, pausing to look for prey as it passes through Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Image ID: 21803 Species: Coyote, Canis latrans Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA |
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| Sunset at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, with sandhill cranes silhouetted in reflection in the calm pond. Spectacular sunsets at Bosque del Apache, rich in reds, oranges, yellows and purples, make for striking reflections of the thousands of cranes and geese found in the refuge each winter. Image ID: 21804 Species: Sandhill crane, Grus canadensis Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA |
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| Sea otters mating. The male holds the female’s head or nose with his jaws during copulation. Visible scars are often present on females from this behavior. Sea otters have a polygynous mating system. Many males actively defend territories and will mate with females that inhabit their territory or seek out females in estrus if no territory is established. Males and females typically bond for the duration of estrus, or about 3 days. Image ID: 21606 Species: Sea otter, Enhydra lutris Location: Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Moss Landing, California, USA |
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| Mariner Mountain, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, part of Strathcona Provincial Park, located 36 km (22 mi) north of Tofino. It is 1,771 m (5,810 ft) high, snow covered year-round and home to several glaciers. Image ID: 21107 Location: Mariner Mountain, Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada |
See also: Best Photos of 2007
I Love L.A.
After the warmth of the desert (grandparents #1 and #2, aunts and uncles #1-4, cousins #1-3), the snow-covered trees and mountains (grandparents #3 and #4), and the spectacular views and empty roads of the central coast (grandparent #5), our whirlwind holiday roadtrip to all our relatives took us to … Los Angeles (grandparents #6 and #7, aunts/uncles #1-2 again, cousin #1 again!). Hello Laurel Canyon! What a brutal reality check. Seen below is our view of the scenic 101 (southbound) as we roll toward Hollywood. I dread dealing with LA, sad and forsaken cesspool of traffic and smog and USC that it is. Its only redeeming quality is, of course, the Lakers.
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Merry Christmas!
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 34° 3' 38.23" N, Longitude: 116° 13' 47.64" W, Coord: 34.06062°, -116.2299°
Filed under: California, Joshua Tree, National Parks, Photo of the Day on 12/25/2008
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| A hiker wandering the desert on Christmas Eve thrusts his arms skyward, praising the brilliance of God and Creation. Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA. Image: 22203 Species: Yucca brevifolia Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA  View this Image in Google Earth! |
Star Field and Joshua Trees
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 34° 3' 38.23" N, Longitude: 116° 13' 47.64" W, Coord: 34.06062°, -116.2299°
Filed under: California, Joshua Tree, National Parks, Photo of the Day on 12/24/2008
I got a new camera that is rumored to have very good low light performance. So I took it out last night to test it on the Milky Way Galaxy. While the skies were not as clear as I would have liked, I did get a sense for how it will work for night photos. It should be pretty good on evenings with clear skies and good seeing.
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| The Milky Way Galaxy shines in the night sky with a Joshua Tree silhouetted in the foreground. The lights of Palm Springs glow on the horizon. Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA. Image: 22202 Species: Yucca brevifolia Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
Snow Geese Blasting Off at Sunrise, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 48' 17.31" N, Longitude: 106° 53' 3.73" W, Coord: 33.80481°, -106.88437°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/23/2008
Another early morning blast off of thousands of snow geese (Chen caerulescens), viewed from near the flight deck alongside the main impoundment at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
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| Snow geese at dawn. Snow geese often “blast off” just before or after dawn, leaving the ponds where they rest for the night to forage elsewhere during the day. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21806 Species: Chen caerulescens Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of snow geese in flight and photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Sandhill Crane in Flight, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 50' 59.46" N, Longitude: 106° 52' 44.9" W, Coord: 33.84985°, -106.87914°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/22/2008
I had hoped to get a few good photos of a single sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) in flight during our visit to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Sandhill cranes are relatively large birds, meaning they are relatively easy to find in the viewfinder and they fly relatively slowly, helpful characteristics for a struggling bird photographer. The best ones I shot were taken on the final morning of our trip. This one was nearly at eye level, having just taken off from one of the crane pools shortly after sunrise.
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| Sandhill crane spreads its broad wings as it takes flight in early morning light. This crane is one of over 5000 present in Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, stopping here during its winter migration. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21797 Species: Grus canadensis Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and photos of Sand Hillcranes.
Golden Crane, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 51' 2.52" N, Longitude: 106° 52' 44.22" W, Coord: 33.8507°, -106.87895°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/21/2008
Here is another sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), backlit by a reflected gold sunset, wading through one of the crane pools at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
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| A sandhill crane, standing in still waters with rich gold sunset light reflected around it. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21805 Species: Grus canadensis Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and photos of Sand Hillcranes.
La Jolla Pelicans
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 32° 51' 0.75" N, Longitude: 117° 16' 13.01" W, Coord: 32.850211°, -117.27028°
Filed under: California, Pelican on 12/20/2008
I went down to La Jolla last week to check out the brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus). There is a fence blocking access to the cliffs now, which is unfortunate and a real shame. When I was going to UCSD (many years ago) we would leap into the ocean from these same cliffs. Alas, no longer, thanks to politicians and/or lawyers who have decided they know what is best for us and the birds. Anyway, the pelicans are starting to change into their winter breeding colors. I saw quite a few sporting a red gular throat pouch, a good sign, but I did not see many with well-developed chestnut neck color yet. Probably in January.
See our Guide to Photographing Pelicans in La Jolla.
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| Portrait of California brown pelican, with the characteristic winter mating plumage shown: red throat, yellow head and dark brown hindneck. Image ID: 23647 Species: Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Location: La Jolla, California, USA |
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| Brown pelican in flight. The wingspan of the brown pelican is over 7 feet wide. The California race of the brown pelican holds endangered species status. In winter months, breeding adults assume a dramatic plumage. Image ID: 20028 Species: Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Location: La Jolla, California, USA |
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| Brown pelican in flight. The wingspan of the brown pelican is over 7 feet wide. The California race of the brown pelican holds endangered species status. In winter months, breeding adults assume a dramatic plumage. La Jolla, California, USA. Image: 22142 Species: Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Location: La Jolla, California, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
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| A brown pelican preening, reaching with its beak to the uropygial gland (preen gland) near the base of its tail. Preen oil from the uropygial gland is spread by the pelican’s beak and back of its head to all other feathers on the pelican, helping to keep them water resistant and dry. La Jolla, California, USA. Image: 22144 Species: Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Location: La Jolla, California, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
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| Brown pelican. This large seabird has a wingspan over 7 feet wide. The California race of the brown pelican holds endangered species status, due largely to predation in the early 1900s and to decades of poor reproduction caused by DDT poisoning. In winter months, breeding adults assume a dramatic plumage with brown neck, yellow and white head and bright red gular throat pouch. La Jolla, California, USA. Image: 22145 Species: Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus Location: La Jolla, California, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more brown pelican photos.
Snow Geese on Pond, Bosque del Apache
Each morning I would watch the predawn blast off of snow geese from Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge’s main impoundment. Each time was impressive. Afterward, I would move to the crane pools, hoping to watch the cranes take off as the sun reached them and warmed them up. One morning at one of the crane pools a large “fly in” of geese took place just as the sun was cresting the mountains in the distance. These were the same geese that had lifted off from the main impoundment pool, only to settle down again by the thousands in a new pool, backlit by a golden sunrise.
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| Snow geese resting, on a still pond in early morning light, in groups of several thousands. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21808 Species: Chen caerulescens Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of snow geese and photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Blastoff, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 48' 17.31" N, Longitude: 106° 53' 3.73" W, Coord: 33.80481°, -106.88437°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/18/2008
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is famous for its early morning “blast off”, a stunning event in which thousands of snow geese (Chen caerulescens) take to the skies. It does not happen every morning, nor does it happen at the same time on those mornings on which it takes place. Sometimes it occurs in near dark, while other times it happens after the sun has arisen. The snow geese will rest on still ponds overnight. As dawn approaches and light grows in the east, the geese will increase their calls. It sounds like a gigantic buzzing, passing through the flock, rising and then quieting only to rise again minutes later. Eventually, one goose is startled into flight, perhaps by an approaching coyote or hawk, in such a way that all its neighbors join it, and the blast off begins. Like a wave, many thousands of geese will rise, with a chaotic sounds some have likened to a passing train. Passing overhead, the geese make their way afield in search of foraging opportunities or simply to settle down again at another pond.
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| Snow geese at dawn. Snow geese often “blast off” just before or after dawn, leaving the ponds where they rest for the night to forage elsewhere during the day. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21800 Species: Chen caerulescens Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of snow geese in flight and photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Joshua Tree National Park Sunrise
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 34° 3' 38.23" N, Longitude: 116° 13' 47.64" W, Coord: 34.06062°, -116.2299°
Filed under: California, Joshua Tree, National Parks, Photo of the Day on 12/17/2008
On Thanksgiving morning I made a quick sunrise run into Joshua Tree National Park. Fortunately the Starbucks near my mom’s in La Quinta opens at 5am so I was fully caffeinated for the drive. I got into my favorite part of the park about 45 minutes before sunrise, parked and walked for a while away from the road. It was very still. The only sounds I heard were a few birds and a distant rock fall. I took this photo just as the sun peeked above the distant hills.
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| Sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA. Image: 22100 Species: Yucca brevifolia Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more Joshua Tree National Park photos.
Snow Goose in Flight, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 50' 32.74" N, Longitude: 106° 52' 47.46" W, Coord: 33.84243°, -106.87985°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/16/2008
Our first few days at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge did not yield great opportunities to photograph individual snow geese (Chen caerulescens) in flight, primarily because the geese were spending the bulk of their day in the far northern corn fields, far out of reach of even the longest lenses. On our final morning, however, I took one last drive around the Farm Loop and found, to my surprise, a large gathering of snow geese just off the road, feeding in the near corn fields. Just two other photographers were there when I arrived. I am not much good at photographing birds in flight, they simply move too fast for me and I do not practice at it enough. However, after an hour and about 800 images, I was sure I had at least a few keepers: well composed (or at least well-enough) and sharp. About 25 photographers had gathered by the time the light was too harsh and I had to leave to catch my flight home.
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| Snow goose in flight. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21813 Species: Chen caerulescens Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of snow geese in flight and photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Sandhill Cranes, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 51' 32.36" N, Longitude: 106° 52' 36.8" W, Coord: 33.85899°, -106.87689°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/15/2008
Each evening while we were at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge we positioned ourselves at one of the two northern “crane pools”, the ones located on the west side of the road as one approaches the main entrance to the refuge. For 30-40 minutes before and after sunset, sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) would fly in to the pools to spend the night, arriving individually as well as in groups of a few to a few dozen. In the east the sky took on a rich gold color, deepest right along the edge of the hills that formed the eastern horizon from where we stood. I would shoot a few frames as the cranes sank lower in the sky on their approach, just as they passed through the best color before slipping into the dark below the horizon.
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| Sandhill cranes in flight, silhouetted against a richly colored evening sky. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21831 Species: Grus canadensis Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Coyote, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 47' 57.26" N, Longitude: 106° 53' 9.27" W, Coord: 33.79924°, -106.88591°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/14/2008
One afternoon, after arriving at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, we planned to make a circuit of the Farm Loop in late afternoon before finishing at the crane pools. While transiting the center of the refuge we came upon this coyote (Canis latrans), surveying some marsh area from near the road. The coyote seemed in no hurry, holding its position long enough that I was able to pull out my longest lens (which fortunately was already on my best camera body) and get in position to snap a few frames. Eventually I was able to lay myself and my camera on the ground to get this particular frame.
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| Coyote, pausing to look for prey as it passes through Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21803 Species: Canis latrans Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Snow Geese on a Crane Pool in Afternoon, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 50' 56.94" N, Longitude: 106° 52' 45.87" W, Coord: 33.84915°, -106.87941°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/13/2008
Midday at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is, for photographers, pretty slow. The bird flight activity seems rather low and the light is harsh. We would return to Socorro for midday, to have lunch, clean up, and catch up on reading the news or having a nap. We would then head back to the refuge about 2:30 or 3pm to take a look at where any geese or cranes might be gathered, assess the winds and make our best guess as to where we should locate ourselves for sundown. On this particular day we found ourselves at 3pm at the south corner of the southernmost crane pool, watching the snow geese (Chen caerulescens) as they would take off in groups of a few dozen at a time. The high thin clouds, given a little pop in this photo with a polarizing filter, would provide some incredible color at sunset just a couple hours later.
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| Snow geese, and one of the “crane pools” in the northern part of Bosque del Apache NWR. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21811 Species: Chen caerulescens Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Photo of Sandhill Cranes at Sunset, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 51' 32.36" N, Longitude: 106° 52' 36.8" W, Coord: 33.85899°, -106.87689°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/12/2008
On our recent trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Skip, Ken and I were treated to several fantastic sunsets as we watched the sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) flying in from nearby corn fields to roost for the night in shallow ponds, where they are protected from coyotes. These three sandhill cranes are silhouetted against deep gold light about 15 minutes after the sun went down behind the mountains.
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| Sandhilll cranes in golden sunset light, silhouette, standing in pond. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21798 Species: Grus canadensis Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
See more photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and photos of Sand Hillcranes.
Histogram Check, Sunset, Bosque del Apache
View this blog entry in Google EarthLatitude: 33° 51' 2.52" N, Longitude: 106° 52' 44.22" W, Coord: 33.8507°, -106.87895°
Filed under: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico on 12/11/2008
A photographer checks the histogram on his camera, making sure not to blow the highlights in this crazy sunset. Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) are silhouetted in one of the crane pools at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico.
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| A photographer looks on the back of his camera to view his perfect image of yet another beautiful sunset at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA. Image: 21857 Species: Grus canadensis Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA View this Image in Google Earth! |
Canon 1D Mark II N For Sale
**SOLD.**
Canon 1D Mark II N: 8 frames per second action, sports and wildlife camera. 1.3x crop factor. I’ve used it primarily to shoot surf and sports. This thing is a real screamer.
Canon 1D Mark II N plus the original battery, one spare battery, original charger, all original cords, box, body cap, etc. I am the original owner, purchased September 2006. It is originally a full USA warranty body (now out of warranty). Approximately 57000 shutter actuations. No repair work has ever been required, or done, to this camera, other than periodic sensor cleanings at Canon Irvine. Serial number is 424978. Firmware is 1.1.2.
Here are some photos taken with it just last week (at Bosque) and a few weeks earlier (local):
http://www.oceanlight.com/1diin/
I am picking up another 1Ds series body and no longer need the high frame rate or 1.3x crop factor of the 1DIIn, so am selling it. The first $1500 takes it. Wire transfer, check (must clear first) or Paypal E-check are preferred. Buyer covers shipping, I prefer to use UPS but can send by FEDEX as well. United States sales only (sorry, will not ship overseas).
If you are serious about purchasing it, best is to phone, here is my contact info: http://www.oceanlight.com/html/contact_bio.html
Some generic marketing verbage:
The EOS-1D Mark II N is an upgrade of the award-winning EOS-1D Mark II. Still featuring 8.2-megapixel performance at 8.5 frames per second, the upgraded camera has a higher performance buffer to deliver a 48 frame burst in JPEG and 22 frame burst in RAW. LCD monitor size increases from 2.0 inches to 2.5 inches, and dual CF and SD memory card slots provide for separate RAW and JPEG recording. Color Matrix and parameter settings are replaced with Canon’s new Picture Style–6 pre-sets that simplify in-camera control over image optimization and processing.
Exceptional image quality is assured with an APS-H size (28.7 x 19.1 millimeters) CMOS sensor and high performance DIGIC II processor. The EOS-1D Mark II N also features 45-point Auto Focus and a start-up time of 0.2 seconds. Its wide 100-1600 ISO speed range is expandable to L:50 and H:3200.
First choice of professional agencies
Launched in January 2004, the EOS-1D Mark II fast became Europe’s best selling professional D-SLR camera. It secured the major share of sports and photojournalism worldwide, with the world’s leading wire agencies such as Reuters, Getty Images, and AFP choosing Canon professional products for their photographers.
Exceptional image quality, total reliability
Exceptionally high quality images are assured due to the combination of Canon’s DIGIC II processor and 2nd generation CMOS sensor, which features an on-chip noise elimination circuit to reduce the creation of fixed pattern and random noise. A low-pass filter placed in front of the sensor reduces false color and moire effects, while the infrared filter suppresses red fringing caused by sensor reflections and fog.
The EOS-1D Mark II N has a shutter durability of 200,000 cycles, and a weather resistant magnesium-alloy casing with over 70 dust- and moisture-resistant seals protects the camera.
A new Auto option is available on the Noise reduction menu screen, which offers automatic detection and correction when necessary of noise levels in images with exposures of 1 second or longer.
Compatibility and accessories
The EOS-1D Mark II N is compatible with all Canon EF lenses and the entire EX series Speedlite flash range. Canon’s E-TTL II flash system optimizes flash exposures by linking distance information from the camera/lens system to the 21-zone evaluative or averaged metering readings from the pre-flash.
Product Features
8.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel poly-silicon LCD display with 170-degree angle of view, both vertically and horizontally
48-frame burst in JPEG and 22-frame burst in RAW
Customizable in-camera file names–particularly useful for agencies and photo libraries
Captures images on CF or SD cards
Technical Details
Type: Digital AF/AE SLR
Recording Medium: CF Card Type I and II, SD Memory Card (1 slot each)
Image Format: 1.13 x 0.75 inches/28.7 x 19.1 millimeters
Compatible Lenses: Canon EF lenses (except EF-S lenses)
Lens Mount: Canon EF mount
Lens Focal Length Conversion Factor: Approx. 1.3 times
Image Sensor Type: High-sensitivity, High-resolution, Single-plate CMOS Sensor
Pixels: Approx. 8.2 megapixels
Total Pixels: Approx. 8.5 megapixels
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 (Horizontal : Vertical)
Color Filter System: RGB primary color filters
Low-pass Filter: Located in front of the image sensor, non-removable
Recording Format: DCF 2.0 (Exif 2.21): JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording provided Backup image recording enabled (Same image recordable on CF card and SD memory card)
Image Format: JPEG, RAW (12-bit)
File Size: (1) L (Large): Approx. 3.2MB (3,504 x 2,336) (2) M1 (Medium1): Approx. 2.6MB (3,104 x 2,072) (3) M2 (Medium2): Approx. 1.9MB (2,544x 1,696) (4) S (Small): Approx. 1.1MB (1,728 x 1,152) (5) RAW: Approx. 7.9MB (3,504 x 2,336) JPEG quality: 8. Exact file sizes depend on the JPEG quality, subject, ISO speed, etc.
Folders: Folder creation/selection enabled
File Numbering: (1) Continuous numbering (2) Auto reset (3) Manual reset
Color Space: Five standard types plus two types that can be registered with color matrix
Interface: IEEE1394 for image data, USB 1.1 for direct printing, NTSC/PAL for video output
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom, Color temperature, PC-1 to PC-3 (Total 10 settings)
Auto White Balance: Auto white balance with the image sensor
Color Temperature Compensation: White balance bracketing: ±3 stops in full-stop increments; White balance correction: ±9 stops in full-stop increments; Blue/Amber bias and Magenta/Green bias cannot be set together during white balance bracketing
Viewfinder Type: Eye-level SLR with fixed pentaprism
Viewfinder Coverage: Approx. 100% horizontally and vertically with respect to the effective pixels
Viewfinder Magnification: 0.72x (-1 dpt with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eyepoint: 20mm
Dioptric Adjustment Correction: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
Focusing Screen: Interchangeable (10 types), Standard focusing screen: Ec-CIII
Mirror: Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 37:63, no mirror cut-off with EF 1200mm f5.6 or shorter lens)
Viewfinder Information: AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), Exposure (shutter speed, aperture, manual exposure, spot metering circle, ISO speed, exposure level), Flash (flash ready, FP flash, FE lock, flash exposure level), White balance compensation, JPEG recording, Number of remaining shots, Memory card information
Depth-of-Field Preview: Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Eyepiece Shutter: Built in
Autofocus Type: TTL-AREA-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS Sensor
AF Points: 45 AF points
AF Working Range: EV 0-18 (at ISO 100 at 68 degrees F/20 degrees C)
Focusing Modes: Autofocus, One-Shot AF (ONE SHOT), AI Servo AF (AI SERVO), Manual Focus (MF)
AF Point Selection: Automatic selection, Manual selection, Home position (switch to register AF point)
Selected AF Point Display: Superimposed in viewfinder
AF-assist Beam: Emitted by the dedicated Speedlite
Metering Modes: 21-zone TTL full aperture metering (1) Evaluative metering (linkable to any AF point) (2) Partial metering (approx. 13.5% of screen) (3) Spot metering: Center spot metering (approx. 3.8% of screen); AF point-linked spot metering (approx. 2.4% of screen); Multispot metering (Max. 8 spot metering entries) (4) Centerweighted average metering
Metering Range: EV 1-20 (at 68 degrees F/20 degrees C with 50mm f1.4 lens, ISO 100)
Exposure Control Systems: Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Flash metered manual exposure
ISO Speed Range: Equivalent to ISO 100-1600 (in 1/3-stop increments), ISO speed can be expanded to ISO 50 and 3200
Exposure Compensation: AEB: +/-3 stops in 1/3-stop increments. Bracketing methods: 1. Shutter speed or aperture 2. ISO speed; Manual: +/-3 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments
AE Lock: Auto: Applied in One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved; Manual: By AE lock button in all metering modes
Shutter Type: Electronically-controlled, focal-plane shutter
Shutter Speeds: 1/8000 to 30 seconds (1/3-stop increments), X-sync at 1/250 second
Shutter Release: Soft-touch electromagnetic release
Self-timer: 10-second or 2-second delay
Remote Control: Remote control with N3 type terminal
EOS External Flash or Dedicated Speedlites: E-TTL II autoflash with EX-series Speedlite
PC Terminal: Provided
Drive Modes: Single, low-speed continuous, high-speed continuous, Self-timer
Continuous Shooting Speed: Low-speed continuous: Approx. 3 shots/second; High-speed continuous: Approx. 8.5 shots/second
Max. Burst During Continuous Shooting: JPEG: Approx. 48 frames (Large/JPEG 8); RAW: Approx. 22 frames; JPEG+RAW: Approx. 19 frames
LCD Monitor Type: TFT color liquid-crystal monitor
Screen Monitor Size: 2.5 inches
Pixels: Approx. 230,000
Coverage: 100% with respect to the effective pixels
Image Display Format: Single image, Single image (INFO.). 4-image index, 9-image index, Magnified zoom (approx. 1.5x-10x), Rotated image
Highlight Alert: In the single image and single image (INFO.) formats, any overexposed highlight areas will blink in the image display
Sound Recording Methods: The voice annotation recorded with the built-in microphone is attached to the image
File Format: WAV
Recording Time: Max. 30 seconds per recording
Menu Categories: (1) Shooting (2) Playback (3) Setup
LCD Monitor Language: 15 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
Battery: One NiMH Pack NP-E3; AC power can be supplied via the AC adapter and DC coupler
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Updated: February 3, 2012
