Figure 1 – Re-enactor at the Old North Bridge in British uniform, Concord, MA (c) DE Wolf 2014.

The other image that I wanted to show you from my first day out with my Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens is that of Figure 1. Again this is very close in and taken at 100 mm focal length.  In many respects it isn’t ideal.  Indeed, I’m sorry to say that I find it just a little boring!  It shows one of the character re-enactors at the Old North Bridge in Concord, MA, the beautiful site where the American Revolution began. The actor is in 18th century British uniform and standing guard at the grave and monument to the fallen English dead.

The emphasis should clearly be the red feather, which is way too cropped.  I couldn’r get further back.  Also I should have taken this at more of an angle.  Having the subject stare at attention is, well as I said, boring.  OK how about a synonym – soporific then.  Probably at 3/4 face would have been a great improvement.  But the interesting point is that I started thinking that the image wasn’t as sharp as my 70 to 200 mm would give.  Then I zoomed in digitally and saw that I could make out all the whiskers on his face and hair on his neck.  This is very acceptable. And before you ask ISO 400, Aperture Priority – AE, 1/200 s at F/8.0.  I’m pretty happy with the lens’ performance, at least at short focal lengths!