rrayr2002 Loc: New Jersey

Used tripod but it was a little windy.

chauncey Loc: Rochester, Mi

Yes...a little motion blur...none of the leaves are in good focus.
Egrets are difficult to correctly capture as the only texture comes from light and shadow, proper lighting and exposure are critical.

MtnMan Loc: ID

When I blow it up the leaves behind the left of the right bird look in focus suggesting that is where your camera was focused. You are likly using a long lens so the depth of field might be shallower than you think.

I usually use spot focus and put it on the key object; in this case the bird. I'd try for the eye.

I would likely use matrix exposure metering on this, though.

rrayr2002 Loc: New Jersey

This was spot metering.

chauncey Loc: Rochester, Mi

If you have "Live View" availiablity that is able to show a histogram...IMHO, that is the best way to "meter" a scene.

My workflow involves shooting in manual mode and adjusting SS wanted/needed, f/stop wanted/needed, followed by ISO to push that hystogram to the right without touching that right side.

rts2568

Difficult rrayr2002
,
Difficult because, I suspect it is possible that this is sharp but, it is simply impossible to know if this is true from the photo condition doubts on the image you've submitted here.

See the enhanced copy Ive attached here also

This enhancement I've done of your shot suggests the possibility of sharpness but without a better sample and otheer details, it is not possible to tell at this stage. I have enlarged this shot up considerably more than your sample and the same doubts echo in my head, though the one I have looks better over all than the one on my screen.

There is a hint of mild camera shake from wind or whatever. There is also a stronger hint that your lens or you sensor doesn't give good resolution and etc, etc. The focus appears to be as correct as can be but again, that is also difficult to define accurately.

To give an informed reply, we would need:

1/ To Know if this is crop & how much by.
1b/ Is this shot the result of some sort of post processing; by whom and which software package - will lead to other questions if so.
2/ A hint of the make and weight of tripod,
3/ The type of pan or ball head used,
4/ The make & model & age of camera, It might help if we know the sensor size too, at least until we know the model etc.
5/ The make and model of lens used
5b/ If a zoom, the focal length taken at & if you have questions about other shots taken at different focal lengths.
5c/ Also need to know the aperture & shutter speed used
5d/ Also need to know the ISO set at the time.
5d/ Was a converter used? and etc.
6/ Were filters used & which ones.
7/ Was the mirror locked up
8/ Was a cable release or other remote device used
9/ Another image to compare with it,
10/ How far were you from the Egrets.

If you can provide all of the above, and assure us that the lens and or filter/s were properly cleaned and a lens hood used, then a few of the more informed UHHers can attempt a guess of the answer to your question.

rts26568

is it sharp - give us more to go by!

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

If those birds would only stay put :-) Nice shot, Rray.

Archy Loc: Lake Hamilton, Florida

:thumbup:

rts2568

Great choice, though we must ask, on which part/s and did you balance with incident reading while anticipating the stark contrast correcting that would be needed on the final result.
However, this doesn't help too much with assessing "..sharp...".

rts2568

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

If you are using a tri pod did you turn off the IS?

Pappy

rts2568

Good one Pappy0352, somebody is still awake.

Perhaops if 'rrayr2002' is reading this, perhaps they will rush out and take a self portrait of themselves using the gear as it was when they shot the two egrets? That would fill in a few gaps for those puzzling over how to overcome the lack of info rrayr2002 did/didn't provide first off.

Hear from you sooooon 'rrayr2002'?

rts2568

rrayr2002 Loc: New Jersey

If is the same as VR the answer is it was turned off.


1/ To Know if this is crop & how much by. Cropped 50%

1b/ Is this shot the result of some sort of post processing; Cropped only. by whom and which software package - will lead to other questions if so.

2/ A hint of the make and weight of tripod, Opteka 4 lbs.

3/ The type of pan or ball head used, Factory mount on tripod

4/ The make & model & age of camera, It might help if we know the sensor size too, at least until we know the model etc. Nikon D7000 Aprox 6 months 1200 clicks.

5/ The make and model of lens used Nikon 70-300VR

5b/ If a zoom, the focal length taken at & if you have questions about other shots taken at different focal lengths. 300mm
5c/ Also need to know the aperture & shutter speed used 5.6 and 1/1600 Shutter priority

5d/ Also need to know the ISO set at the time. ISO 400

5d/ Was a converter used? and etc. No

6/ Were filters used & which ones. Clear filter only.

7/ Was the mirror locked up No

8/ Was a cable release or other remote device used Vello wireless release.

9/ Another image to compare with it, See attached pic 50 yards, hand held 300mm VRR on, ISO 100, Shutter speed 1/500 F 5.6

10/ How far were you from the Egrets. 160 Yards accoring to range finder

rts2568

Brilliant rrayr2002, nice collection of answers, just what was ordered:

Some simple suggestions/advice:
1/ The tripod is too light for breezes with either of those lenses you mention:
2/ Lock the mirror up when shooting - as a matter of routine:
3/ Don't hand hold a 300mm and then expect to crop.

Yes rrayr2002
Both are out of focus, strong suggestion of "movement' but could also be that both lenses need a good clean or, are too poor quality for your kind of requirements.
I'd strongly suggest that you take the advice herein into consideration and try again. If you are completely satisfied that you have followed the these guides to the best of your ability, trade your existing lenses for better ones.

I suggest this latter because your camera (yes, for Nikon it is VR incidentally), your D7000 has a more than adequate sensor to give you the sort of results that you were expecting, and indeed, as you should’ve finished up with.

To help you get your head around this, I have attached an enlarged version of your second shot (print size written on it), taken with the 300mm – Unforgivably blurred:-

If you are happy with the make and model of both lenses, then keep them until you convince yourself they are or aren't doing the job you expect of them.

In any case, get yourself a better tripod or, be very wary when using it until you can replace it.

I've also attached a couple of shots that I recently took with a 1/1.7th inch sensor in a Nikon compact. That sensor is 1/20th the size of a 35mm and therefore 15 times smaller than your D7000. If you think, when you look at these attachments and decide that they display better definition/sharpness than your sensor has, then you need to first examine very carefully, your technique, assess honestly (no brand loyalties here now rrayr2002), those two lenses of yours and seek further advice if this outcome flops, after your further tests.

Don't forget, for this kind of shot lock your mirror up on a sturdy tripod, using the wireless or infra red remote.

One final suggestion to help you take seriously rrayr2002, the realistic examination of your techniques. Those shots of mine attached were all hand held by me, a shaky boned 70 year old and shown here at 72dpi & low resolution. There are two more sent separately to help balance things out here. You will also notice that they have information printed on them regarding size and focal length etc.

Hopefully you won't need to contact us again?

rts2568

A flyer, but not an Egret


Mulga snake

rts2568

The other two examples I promised rayr2002

rts2568

Sorry, no water birds, wrong time of day.


As above

rts2568

rrayr2002

Sorry old chap, your Egret too, is now attached.

rts2568

Your Egret enlargement