Question to you Bird Shooters: I have attached a photo of a Robin I captured here in our local park, probably one of the sharpestest I have ever done. I have seen the work that some of...

BruceK Loc: Texarkana, TX

I have attached a photo of a Robin I captured here in our local park, probably one of the sharpestest I have ever done. I have seen the work that some of you other bird shooters do, and it is truly amazing. My settings were ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/500. I should have a sharp pic with good detail, yet the upper 1/2 of the shot has no DOF or is out of focus. Is my lens out of whack? Got any suggestions?

Red Robin

(Download)

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I see you were using a 55-250mm zoom lens at full extension... Back off from the extremes on the focal length as they tend to be the least sharp IQ wise. Try to shoot with that lens at about 200-225mm max. That should make a difference. Also, how far are you from the subject ? How severely was it cropped ? That can affect sharpness as well...

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

BruceK wrote:

I have attached a photo of a Robin I captured here in our local park, probably one of the sharpestest I have ever done. I have seen the work that some of you other bird shooters do, and it is truly amazing. My settings were ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/500. I should have a sharp pic with good detail, yet the upper 1/2 of the shot has no DOF or is out of focus. Is my lens out of whack? Got any suggestions?

I call that image a success. DOF is perfect in that image. If the background were in focus, it would detract from the subject.

Don't know what lens you are using, but DOF looks like what would be expected at f/5.6.

Mike

TraceyG Loc: SW, Fl.

If you are shooting with an f/5.6 that is why. I use that so I get a good bokeh. You want your subject in focus, not your background.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Tracey is on the money. The shot is out standing as the subject is in focus. If you had went one stop higher or smaller aperture you would have more depth of field. For me it is perfect.

BruceK wrote:

I have attached a photo of a Robin I captured here in our local park, probably one of the sharpestest I have ever done. I have seen the work that some of you other bird shooters do, and it is truly amazing. My settings were ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/500. I should have a sharp pic with good detail, yet the upper 1/2 of the shot has no DOF or is out of focus. Is my lens out of whack? Got any suggestions?

BruceK Loc: Texarkana, TX

Thank you Screamin Scott. It is about a 50% crop. Subject was about 25' away. Thanks for telling me about the 200mm range. I have had some difficulty in this area, and that may be my solution.
Thank you Blenheim Orange, I used 55-250 kit lens at full bore.
Thanks TraceyG. I did want some bokeh & this seemed more that what I wanted. I guess there is still time to learn.
Thanks Old Timer. If it is pleasing to you and the others, I am grateful.
Thanks again for the suggestions and comments.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

You just got the shot that others are striving for...be happy!!...good job!!

BruceK Loc: Texarkana, TX

Thank you rlaugh! Your comment brought a smile to my face:-) just gotta keep shooting!

kurtinnj Loc: Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Your shooting at a 5.6 you should be at least F8. However the birds eye is ok. So I think the shot is OK. Like someone else said, be happy. Nice shot.

BruceK Loc: Texarkana, TX

Thank you kurtinnj. I had thought about the f/8 setting. I am still on a learning curve. Yep, I'm happy.

kurtinnj Loc: Rio Rancho, New Mexico

First call me Kurt. I was shooting eagles on the Hudson River today. I was using a 500mm lens, your sharpness is better. So like I said be happy. Look at Hudson river eagles at
kpnavratil.com

BruceK Loc: Texarkana, TX

Ok Kurt. Your eagle images are beautiful. I am particularly fond of the birds in flight. Maybe you can help me out with that. I have not had any good success with that type of shooting. Is there any settings you would suggest to start with? Seriously man, you have some great shots.

kurtinnj Loc: Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Bruce
I am not that happy with my shots, not sharp as I would like. Sometimes you just got to get lucky. Keep a fast shutter speed and watch your back grounds. Also KEEP level.

TraceyG Loc: SW, Fl.

BruceK wrote:

Thank you Screamin Scott. It is about a 50% crop. ... (show quote)

I think that if you saw this Robin in a shot where the background was in perfect focus like the Robin is....you would loose the Robin (the grass is too busy). Most professional bird photographers that I know of shoot at f/5.6 they are striving for that effect. In bird photography, you are shooting the bird, not the scenery...

KlausK Loc: Brewster, NY

Not an avid bird shooter here, but I can easily agree that you have a very nice shot here!
If you wanted to be really nit-picky, there seems to be a little bit of front-focus going on. The grass in front of the bird is a little bit more in focus than the bird's eye (which is still o.k. though).
If a bird pro shooter (with the best possible equipment) had taken this shot she/he would have probably used something like a 300mm f/2.8 fully open, to throw off the background even more. No worries about that!