Expectations re 7DII + 600mm + 1.4X: I am very picky about the quality of my images. These shots of some perching red-tails were taken with a 7DII, canon 600mm IS II, Canon 1.4XIII.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I am very picky about the quality of my images. These shots of some perching red-tails were taken with a 7DII, canon 600mm IS II, Canon 1.4XIII. ISO ranged from 640 to 400, shutter speed from 1/800 to 1/1250, f/5.6. Mounted on a very good tripod and a Mongoose 3.6 gimbal head. Image stabilization set at 1.

This combination gives a focal length of a little over 1344mm. To me, the feather detail is not acceptable. My question: should I be expecting more with this combination or is this what I should be expecting at this focal length with the extender. I know the shutter speeds might be a little low, and I have had recommendations that IS should always be set to 2 with the newer lenses (I forgot).

Curious of your opinion.

Thanks

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Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Nalu wrote:

Curious of your opinion.

Thanks

You might want to get closer to the subject so you can lose the teleconverter and increase your shutter speed. I think too many people rely on the longer lens to do the work they could do with a bit more patience. Otherwise, the photo is OK. The lighting was nice as well.

Bill_de Loc: US

It seems to me that each image is sharp in at least one area. It might be that the shallow depth of field of the 600mm is the culprit.

Try getting some shots using a single spot for focusing, and get it on the eye. If you get the eye in focus, everything closer or further from the 'film plane' will be less sharp.

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mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Nalu wrote:

I am very picky about the quality of my images. T... (show quote)

Some 7D2's have been know to develop this problem. I have a 7D2, but I'm not a birder. There is a lot of controversy over whether its firmware related or not. Have you updated your firmware recently? Was the combo ever working to your satisfaction? Some folks have sent their bodies into Canon for various reasons and on return the focus is just not quite right with regard to feather detail. It could also be an MFA issue. Its an ongoing discussion. If you are interested you can PM me and I can send you a link to a 400 page (yes 400 page) discussion on 7D2 focusing on another site.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

I thought you didn't need IS when you used a tripod??????

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

foathog wrote:

I thought you didn't need IS when you used a tripod??????

With the newer lenses, I have been told always leave the IS on. If you are doing landscapes and have a tripod locked down, yes, you can turn it off. But with a gimbal there is going to be some movement. Leave it on, assuming the lens is so designed.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

What kind of remote trigger are you using? At 1344mm effective, you must be using one. If it is a corded one, I would suggest switching to a wireless. Also, you might at least try it without the IS.

Bill_de Loc: US

dsmeltz wrote:

What kind of remote trigger are you using? At 1344mm effective, you must be using one. If it is a corded one, I would suggest switching to a wireless. Also, you might at least try it without the IS.

A remote trigger with something that is moving doesn't usually work to well. Even head movement with such a shallow depth of field can require reframing and refocusing. With a long lens on a good tripod, it is more useful to drape your left arm over the lens and apply some downward pressure. And, of course, the highest shutter speed possible.

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oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Nalu wrote:

I am very picky about the quality of my images. ...

Then make your shutter twice as fast. close down 1 stop, drop your ISO to 300, use remote release, turn off IS, get rid of your vertical camera shake, and tune your lens, you have a constant focusing error.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, the first three appear to be front focused - the last seems to have better focus. Are you well micro-focus adjusted ?

If these are full frame, ( meaning you were that close) - I do think ( as mentioned) they could benefit from being at f8 with a tad more Shutter speed - which ultimately, leads to more ISO. The 7D II is a good camera - the friend I shoot with has one - but if are image fussy - we both agree ISO 800 to be tops for the 7DII - as with my Sony A77II. Loosing the 1.4X TC would help as regards ISO and greater DOF. As always, I recommend cropping and using well applied pixel enlargement techniques/software over using a TC - such as the Sony Clear Image Zoom I use with the A77II.

Finally, I think these images could benefit from some judicious PP enhancements such as increased contrast of the mid-tones resulting in more apparent feather detail.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Bill_de wrote:

A remote trigger with something that is moving doesn't usually work to well. Even head movement with such a shallow depth of field can require reframing and refocusing. With a long lens on a good tripod, it is more useful to drape your left arm over the lens and apply some downward pressure. And, of course, the highest shutter speed possible.

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If you are panning, why are you on IS 1. The lens you have has three IS modes. 1 is for a stationary objects.

chaman

I honestly believe these are fine. Try the increase SS (honrestly it would do nothing in this case) but the most important thing to try is to get closer and try without the extender. You can do a bit more PP on these to make these "pop". Light also was a bit flat and that will make the details less evident.

chaman

oldtigger wrote:

Then make your shutter twice as fast. close down 1 stop, drop your ISO to 300, use remote release, turn off IS, get rid of your vertical camera shake, and tune your lens, you have a constant focusing error.

The "error"is not constant. The second to last pic is very sharp. These are very nice pics of very good quality. Making the speed twice as fast will make NOTHING, he is already at 1250, more than enough. What I would try if a f/8 setting and adjust the exposure accordingly. Do not be afraid of increasing ISO, the 7DII handles noise very well and its easily adjusted in PP.

Bill_de Loc: US

dsmeltz wrote:

If you are panning, why are you on IS 1. The lens you have has three IS modes. 1 is for a stationary objects.

I'm not talking about panning. With such a narrow fov, if the bird turns it's head from right to left, and you want to keep more real estate in front of the bird than behind(direction it's looking) you need to reframe the image. It is a minor movement of the lens that can make a big difference at 1,000+ mms.

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oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

chaman wrote:

The "error"is not constant. The second to last pic is very sharp. These are very nice pics of very good quality. Making the speed twice as fast will make NOTHING, he is already at 1250, more than enough. What I would try if a f/8 setting and adjust the exposure accordingly. Do not be afraid of increasing ISO, the 7DII handles noise very well and its easily adjusted in PP.

These pictures are better than anything i've done but the OP said:
"I am very picky about the quality of my images. "
Shooting a 1344mm camera/lens/extender at 1/800 second is a poor choice.
Ancel made a few goodshots and suggested 1 over twice the focal length.