Immature Red Tail
Aug 26, 2015 10:37:55 #
Not quite as sharp as I would like, but I am working on it. Suggestions are always welcome.
Hand-held Canon 7DII at ISO 500, 400mm DOII lens + 1.4III extender. 1/1600 at f/6.3.
Hand-held Canon 7DII at ISO 500, 400mm DOII lens + 1.4III extender. 1/1600 at f/6.3.
Aug 26, 2015 11:00:47 #
This is actually a darn nice shot ! Unfortunate that the eye is in shadow.
The biggest fault I see is maybe in the post process. There does seem to be an overall very light haze to the image - and some processing artifacts.
The biggest fault I see is maybe in the post process. There does seem to be an overall very light haze to the image - and some processing artifacts.
Aug 26, 2015 12:52:31 #
Thanks for the look Larry. There was a significant crop here so it was fairly noisey and needed sharpening. I also applied a little camera shake filter. The area around the eye could be lightened with a quick mask. Still working on my Photoshop techniques as well as learning to hold this lense especially with a 1.4x attached. Curious about your comment re post processing artifacts.
Again, thanks for the look. I will be posting some shore birds from Montana in this section usoon.
Again, thanks for the look. I will be posting some shore birds from Montana in this section usoon.
Aug 26, 2015 15:06:54 #
Appears to be a bit of forward focus. The talons are in very good focus. Has this lens and camera been calibrated using the micro focus adjust.
On my Sony, I can set a setting for the lens, and I can also set another setting for the lens plus TC. It remembers both.
And it doesn't take a fancy setup to micro focus calibrate a lens. Pick a nice target with good contrast at some distance. Take a shot as is, and another with the setting +2 and another at -2. Then using the images fully magnified, decide which is the worst. You want to know if it is focusing too close or too far and then rule out the worst. Then pick a new value in the direction you need to go and do the same. After several tries, it should be right on. I find that I can see a difference with even a change of 1.
When doing this, be sure to keep track on paper which image is what setting because you can forget. And delete an image after you decide it is the worst and limit yourself to 3 images at a time. I magnify and then switch images while in magnified view so I can go back and forth easily because as you get close, the judgement becomes more difficult. Use a tripod.
On my Sony, I can set a setting for the lens, and I can also set another setting for the lens plus TC. It remembers both.
And it doesn't take a fancy setup to micro focus calibrate a lens. Pick a nice target with good contrast at some distance. Take a shot as is, and another with the setting +2 and another at -2. Then using the images fully magnified, decide which is the worst. You want to know if it is focusing too close or too far and then rule out the worst. Then pick a new value in the direction you need to go and do the same. After several tries, it should be right on. I find that I can see a difference with even a change of 1.
When doing this, be sure to keep track on paper which image is what setting because you can forget. And delete an image after you decide it is the worst and limit yourself to 3 images at a time. I magnify and then switch images while in magnified view so I can go back and forth easily because as you get close, the judgement becomes more difficult. Use a tripod.
Aug 26, 2015 20:50:49 #
Maybe I should also take this time to reiterate my feelings about using support with this kind of lens (4 1/2 lbs).
As you may know, I have been shooting about 4 years now with a 300 2.8 W/2X. ( 6+ lbs) I started out using a monopod and that worked reasonably well. Then I developed the bodypod with facial stabilization which, generally speaking, works better for most subjects ! The bodypod may look a little funny - and it does take a few minutes to "suit up" - but you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with it - especially with regards to holding focus on the right areas and holding composition - AND be relatively comfortable while doing so ( ergonomics) for extended periods of time - not to mention total mobility !
The suspenders that I use are optional - depending on the relative weight of your camera/lens combo and the duration of time you expect to be actively shooting. Also optional, is a back brace - having the same considerations in addition to any specific physical issues you may have. The pod part of the bodypod can also be used as a car pod.
Since none of this stuff is available commercially, I can personally make small quantities available for sale if interested.
As you may know, I have been shooting about 4 years now with a 300 2.8 W/2X. ( 6+ lbs) I started out using a monopod and that worked reasonably well. Then I developed the bodypod with facial stabilization which, generally speaking, works better for most subjects ! The bodypod may look a little funny - and it does take a few minutes to "suit up" - but you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with it - especially with regards to holding focus on the right areas and holding composition - AND be relatively comfortable while doing so ( ergonomics) for extended periods of time - not to mention total mobility !
The suspenders that I use are optional - depending on the relative weight of your camera/lens combo and the duration of time you expect to be actively shooting. Also optional, is a back brace - having the same considerations in addition to any specific physical issues you may have. The pod part of the bodypod can also be used as a car pod.
Since none of this stuff is available commercially, I can personally make small quantities available for sale if interested.
Aug 26, 2015 21:05:13 #
JimH123 wrote:
Good advice. Thank you!Appears to be a bit of forward focus. The talons ... (show quote)
Aug 26, 2015 21:43:22 #
imagemeister wrote:
Looks real good. I can see how this would improve things.Maybe I should also take this time to reiterate my... (show quote)
Aug 27, 2015 09:40:55 #
No doubt this would help Larry. Very ingenious. While up in Montana I realized I was not getting the sharpness I was looking for and hence now have a "good" tripod and Mongoose gimbal head. Unfortunately the package was complete late in the trip and did not have a lot of opportunities with the combo. Lets see how I do the tripod but your suggestion is "on the plate".
Thanks again. Appreciate your comments.
Thanks again. Appreciate your comments.
Aug 27, 2015 11:58:33 #
Sep 5, 2015 12:04:30 #
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