small birds at distance: i dont seem to get WHAO pictures after cropping , how can you tell if lens is not up to par , or the operator nik D300 with a old but like new nikon nikkor 800...

agillot

i dont seem to get WHAO pictures after cropping , how can you tell if lens is not up to par , or the operator nik D300 with a old but like new nikon nikkor 800 mm [ 1988 ] ED . am i cropping too much ??? tripod only with this beast .

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

agillot wrote:

i dont seem to get WHAO pictures after cropping , how can you tell if lens is not up to par , or the operator nik D300 with a old but like new nikon nikkor 800 mm [ 1988 ] ED . am i cropping too much ??? tripod only with this beast .

You always need to keep in mind that when you CROP an image, you are literally throwing away pixels which cannot be retrieved. Your D300 only has 12MP to begin with, and if you throw away 80% of those pixels by cropping, your remaining image does not have that much resolution left.
Also, with an 800mm lens you are looking through a LOT of atmospheric distortion and compression. All that will soften your image as well. Long lens photography is an art form in itself and takes LOTS of patience and dedication to master.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

Use a tripod with that beast.

chaman

A long lens is not a telescope, friend. Try to get closer to the subject. The main thing here is not a tripod (which you need) but that you are too far away. And, of course, you were also cropping too much. All those will join up to give you a soft and noisy image.

Jim Bob

chaman wrote:

A long lens is not a telescope, friend. Try to get closer to the subject. The main thing here is not a tripod (which you need) but that you are too far away. And, of course, you were also cropping too much. All those will join up to give you a soft and noisy image.

You ain't never lied.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

You need to get much closer to the bird or get the bird much closer to you. Raptors generally have a wide exclusion zone and will keep you out of it if they see you. (And they have eyes like a hawk.) Get out of sight, wear camo, use a blind, or all three. Cropping is always part of the game unless you have captive subjects. But the amount of cropping you did here is way too much.