Re: [LRflex] Re: New Image

Doug Herr wrote:


>
>A male, Pine Grosbeak ... a common sight in the Eastern Rockies.
>http://www.main.furnfeather.net/nab_grosbeak(male).htm
I'm impressed with what you've been able to do with the 400 f/6.8 & extender on this camera body. This photo looks a bit soft, you might be pushing its capabilities as far as it can go. 

Hi Doug!
Over-all, the 30D does very well. But, when cropped, as this shot is, there simply aren't enough pixels to restore it to 20x30cm (8x12") size without obvious degradation.
A bigger problem is that although the camera is very capable, in most situations, the finder is not particularly bright and with an f12.6 lens combo, it is difficult to do manual focusing. Aram's suggest of using Nikon's DK-21M eyepiece magnifier helps, considerably, but tends to fall off and get lost. I'm already on my second one!
The last potential problem with this shot is the photographer ... who was shaking his monopod a bit, due to the -20C temperatures.
The plane of focus is just behind the grosbeak's eye. DOF is so low that although his eye is "in focus", his beak is pushing the limits, although his back body feathers are well within the range.
I have noticed that since I've been using the 30D, my failure rate with the 400 and particularly with the 400+2x is much higher than with this lens combo on the R8 or R9. With shorter, brighter lenses, it does very well, indeed! My hummer shot, from last June, was made with the 80~200/f4 Vario, and is just fine... by any standards... even as a 30x45cm (12x18") print.
I knew the 30D was a stop-gap measure when I bought it, and I'm already considering something with more pixels and a brighter finder.... preferably without spending too much "folding green". I hear good reports of the finders in both the 40D and the new Oly E3, but I have not had the chance to play with either. (Comments, anyone?)
The lighting looks like the sun was low on the horizon right behind your back. I'm not a big fan of this direct lighting, however birds rarely give an opportunity to use anything other than what we're given.
It was around 11 AM, Dec. 20th, with the sun extra low due to the norther latitude. Not my preferred lighting, either, but what you see, is what you get!
The bark of the tree in the background is very bright and is competing for my attention with the bird; I'd like to have seen a duller or less-prominent background.
This, perhaps I can cure. I will try to see if I can change it, using my new, favourite toy, The GIMP. Given the complexity of the shot (small branches, etc) it should take me hours! I'm not looking forward to that, but will report back, if successful! 

Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

---

David Young,
Logan Lake, CANADA

Wildlife Photographs: http://www.furnfeather.net
Personal Web-pages: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt
Stock Photography at: http://tinyurl.com/2amll4


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