Can the Canon 7d Mark II See in the Dark?

Brody watches the snow fall - Canon 7d Mark II - ISO 16,000

I've never used a camera that has had the ability to create a usable image above ISO 3200.  At ISO 16,000, the 7d mark II can take a picture in light that is so dim that autofocus is nearly impossible. Brody lies on our front lawn in the pitch dark, watching the first snow flakes of the season flutter down.

In the picture below, taken at the Columbus Zoo, I couldn't even tell what I was looking at.  Brody said he saw an owl- but it didn't look quite right in the dark to me.  After a look at the interpretive sign next to the cage, I realized this shadowy figure was a tawny frogmouth, a notcurnal dweller of forests in Australia.  I could barely make out the outline of the bird, let alone see any coloring or pattern.  I wasn't even sure if I had my focus correct- it was that dark.  At ISO 16,000 the 7d Mark II made an image that blew my own vision away.

-Tom

Tawny Frogmouth - Canon 7d Mark II - ISO 16,000

Polar Encounter

It's not every day that you see both children and adults smiling this much- but that is what is happening at the recently opened Polar Frontier exhibit at the Columbus Zoo.

Tom

Columbus' Most Famous Baby

Thousands have been flocking to the Columbus Zoo to see this baby elephant, born March 27, 2009. May 5th was his fourth day outside, and perhaps his first day outside available to the public. We hit things just right today- not even a line to see this amazing baby animal. He's so small he doesn't even look real- almost like a little robot, yet his movements are quick if not deliberate and coordinated. Go see him if you able.

Captivity

I usually try to make zoo animals look their best, but I couldn't help taking this shot. For those of you that shoot at the Columbus Zoo, you know the Markhors, a rare goat native to the Western Himalayas. When they were first added to their enclosure at Asia Quest, the rock climbing male promptly shot right up the wall that was supposed to enclose him, prancing on the roof of the exhibit above the viewing area.

It seems that each time I see these fascinating creatures, there is more fencing installed in the enclosure. Have they had multiple escapes? I'm not sure, but I wouldn't doubt it.

Still though, this is one of my favorite exhibits at the zoo, I just wish there wasn't so much chicken wire. I guess I'm being somewhat selfish. I'm showing this image not to rail against captive aniamls, but to vent my frustrations about how smart and athletic these creatures are that they could easily escape an enclosure that I'm guessing was specifically designed for them, and is now partially wrapped with wire which makes it quite a challenge to get a clean image.

Tom

Hear Me Roar

Today, Megan, Weston and I went to the Columbus Zoo to see the brand new baby elephant, born on March 27th. He was on display from 11:00 to 1:00. We arrived, and there were dozens and dozens adults plus an army of children lined up at the zoo gate just to buy tickets. We bypassed that, being members, and thought we were in like Flynn. We walked to the elephant building, saw another huge line winding around the building, and then spotted a "one hour wait from here" sign. Whew!

Needless to say we didn't wait in line, giving me time to capture this image of the Zoo's male Lion.