Is this really the best I can do?
Jan 22, 2012 16:27:29 #
Yesterday, my wife and I watched whales off the coast of Hawaii (where we live) and I tried to shoot them as they frolicked. I am disappointed in the results. BUT - I realize my disappointment could be due to unrealistic expectations. Since this is my first 'nice' camera - I haven't a clue as to what I should be able to 'expect'. The Full size image is heavily jpeg'ed to fit it on here, but the crop is exactly as it was lifted from the original.
The specs:
Distance from whale: 1 to 1.5 miles
Camera: Sony NEX-5
Lens: Sony E-mount 18-200mm F3.5-6.3
Shot at: 200mm (300mm equiv), 1/800, F6.3, 800iso, stabilization off, on a tripod, manual focus, image size of 4592x2576, circular polarizer in place
So, My question is, is this as good as I should expect from this lens/camera combination? Would a high-end camera have done better? How much better? Is it possible to get a live nature shot in tack-sharp focus at this distance? How?
Thanks,
Kevin
The specs:
Distance from whale: 1 to 1.5 miles
Camera: Sony NEX-5
Lens: Sony E-mount 18-200mm F3.5-6.3
Shot at: 200mm (300mm equiv), 1/800, F6.3, 800iso, stabilization off, on a tripod, manual focus, image size of 4592x2576, circular polarizer in place
So, My question is, is this as good as I should expect from this lens/camera combination? Would a high-end camera have done better? How much better? Is it possible to get a live nature shot in tack-sharp focus at this distance? How?
Thanks,
Kevin
Full Size image. Whale Breaching
Crop of the whale
Jan 22, 2012 17:10:40 #
With that much cropping, there just are not enough pixels left to give you a decent image. Nothing that a $12,000 lens could not help. :-)
Jan 22, 2012 17:11:00 #
You just need a really long lens, which I don't think Sony makes
for that camera. I am not an expert on whale behavior, but I' d
guess they tend to stay away from boats. Still, good timing on the
shot.
for that camera. I am not an expert on whale behavior, but I' d
guess they tend to stay away from boats. Still, good timing on the
shot.
Jan 22, 2012 17:15:45 #
Understand that I have a reputation of not knowing of what I write but also not letting that stop me. My guess is twofold - either the whale was just too darn far off, to judge distance on open water is very tough without a reference point, and / or you need a longer zoom or fixed length. As to the rather drastically cropped picture I would surmise that any picture taken with any camera cropped to that degreee you would loss sharpness. For the little that I know of that camera it plays to very good reviews. Please continue to posts your pictures as I have just starting to think about a trip to see the whales and sure could use some hints.
Jan 22, 2012 18:05:47 #
Seems pretty awesome for that distance and lens. Great job focusing!
If the light allows it you may be able to get a better shot by reducing the exposure time even if you introduce some noise by upping the ISO even more to do it. Your camera should have state of the art noise reduction.
You may be able to dress it up a bit with sharpening in like Photoshop Elements.
If the light allows it you may be able to get a better shot by reducing the exposure time even if you introduce some noise by upping the ISO even more to do it. Your camera should have state of the art noise reduction.
You may be able to dress it up a bit with sharpening in like Photoshop Elements.
kevindcornwell wrote:
Yesterday, my wife and I watched whales off the co... (show quote)
Jan 22, 2012 18:09:21 #
Jan 22, 2012 18:12:54 #
BigBear wrote:
At that distance I would be ecstatic for mine to be that good.
Me too.
Jan 22, 2012 18:17:42 #
kevindcornwell wrote:
Yesterday, my wife and I watched whales off the co... (show quote)
You can always get in a boat! I was in a boat down in Panama, and though begging the captain to chase this whale, this is the only image series I liked. Weird day, Sky and Water same color, not much of a division, and absolutely, creepily dead calm.
The boat I was in was a fishing boat, and, of course, we continued fishing.
This was a Nikkor 18-200 at 200mm.
Nikon D2xs.
As Close As I Got
Jan 22, 2012 18:28:24 #
Wow - 8 whales all at once! What are the odds? And so evenly spaced!
Jan 22, 2012 18:30:12 #
CaptainC wrote:
Wow - 8 whales all at once! What are the odds? And so evenly spaced!
Love the humor!
Jan 22, 2012 18:30:24 #
CaptainC wrote:
Wow - 8 whales all at once! What are the odds? And so evenly spaced!
It's one whale, one jump, and Photoshop. ;)
Jan 22, 2012 18:31:51 #
CaptainC wrote:
Wow - 8 whales all at once! What are the odds? And so evenly spaced!
The new synchronized whale dancers. hehehehhe
Jan 22, 2012 18:33:18 #
PhotoArtsLA wrote:
It's one whale, one jump, and Photoshop. ;)
CaptainC wrote:
Wow - 8 whales all at once! What are the odds? And so evenly spaced!
It's one whale, one jump, and Photoshop. ;)
NO! :-)
Jan 22, 2012 18:33:46 #
Must be rare synchronized swimming whales!! You don't see them often! Nicely done.
You can always get in a boat! I was in a boat down in Panama, and though begging the captain to chase this whale, this is the only image series I liked. Weird day, Sky and Water same color, not much of a division, and absolutely, creepily dead calm.
The boat I was in was a fishing boat, and, of course, we continued fishing.
This was a Nikkor 18-200 at 200mm.
Nikon D2xs.[/quote]
kevindcornwell wrote:
Yesterday, my wife and I watched whales off the co... (show quote)
You can always get in a boat! I was in a boat down in Panama, and though begging the captain to chase this whale, this is the only image series I liked. Weird day, Sky and Water same color, not much of a division, and absolutely, creepily dead calm.
The boat I was in was a fishing boat, and, of course, we continued fishing.
This was a Nikkor 18-200 at 200mm.
Nikon D2xs.[/quote]
Jan 22, 2012 18:38:00 #
CaptainC wrote:
Wow - 8 whales all at once! What are the odds? And so evenly spaced!
~ really laughed out loud! Thanks, I needed that!
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