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Aug 8, 2018 10:58:04   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
Thanks, You may have saved me some serious $.
Longshadow wrote:
Bird looks great zoomed in.
(Seems like a GAS attack.)

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Aug 8, 2018 11:02:22   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
Distance was about 60 ft. Thanks for your input.
capmike wrote:
What you omitted from your question was the distance of the subject. The first image was at a distance of 25’, the second at 100 yards. Both with a D 850 and 300mm PF lens, with a 1.4 tele. It all depends on what satisfies your minds eye as the image you wish to obtain. Me, I want to see the individual feathers around the sparkle in the eye. Better equipment will yield a better image, if that is what you want.

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Aug 8, 2018 11:03:53   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
Thanks.
SonyA580 wrote:
Had the light been from a different or better angle you might have caught the birds's pupil or catch-light of it's eye.

Actually, if you look carefully, there are catch-lights in the bird's eye that can be brought out in Photoshop.

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Aug 8, 2018 11:06:31   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
Thanks, I appreciate your input.
PixelStan77 wrote:
Let the GAS attack pass. Super sharp capture in Download.

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Aug 8, 2018 12:22:38   #
IDguy Loc: Idaho
 
Shootist wrote:
Going back over bird shots I have taken, the best observation I can make about them is that some are good but very few (if any) are outstanding. While technique in both taking the shot and PP are always going to be a work in progress for me, I am wondering if I am at the point where my ability is being hampered by my equipment. I am considering trading in my Sigma 150-600 mm f 5-6.3C for a Nikon 200-500 f5.6. Attached is an image typical for what I consider my best efforts in shots and PP. Your opinion please, am I just having a GAS attack or would a better lens up my game?

Image shot with Nikon D7100 and Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3C. Focal length 600mm, f6.3, 1/320 sec, ISO 200. PP with PhotoNinja with final touchup in GIMP and cropped to 2027x1351pix size.

Sorry, I was using a Nikon D7100 vs the D750, my bad!
Going back over bird shots I have taken, the best ... (show quote)


Image quality is great. Composition would be better with catch light on eye.

I went from the Sigma 150-500 to the Nikon 200-500. It provided a significant upgrade to image quality and VR. But the Sigma 150-600 might be better to start.

Compare them on DXOMark. Be sure to use your camera, or at least same camera on each, for the comparision. Camera affects their lens results.

Reply
Aug 8, 2018 12:42:10   #
tdekany Loc: Oregon
 
Shootist wrote:
Going back over bird shots I have taken, the best observation I can make about them is that some are good but very few (if any) are outstanding. While technique in both taking the shot and PP are always going to be a work in progress for me, I am wondering if I am at the point where my ability is being hampered by my equipment. I am considering trading in my Sigma 150-600 mm f 5-6.3C for a Nikon 200-500 f5.6. Attached is an image typical for what I consider my best efforts in shots and PP. Your opinion please, am I just having a GAS attack or would a better lens up my game?

Image shot with Nikon D7100 and Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3C. Focal length 600mm, f6.3, 1/320 sec, ISO 200. PP with PhotoNinja with final touchup in GIMP and cropped to 2027x1351pix size.

Sorry, I was using a Nikon D7100 vs the D750, my bad!
Going back over bird shots I have taken, the best ... (show quote)


If you look at the best work of great photographers, you will see a common theme. The light is just right. Meaning, that they shoot at the right times in the right conditions. No different than taking a landscape photo on a rainy day and trying to make it look like a sunny day. Or taking a shot at noon and and spending all your time making it look like you took the photo at sunset.

If you have the time, go out when the light is perfect. Your photos will also look better.

Btw, I love Wyoming.

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Aug 8, 2018 14:39:00   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Shootist wrote:
Going back over bird shots I have taken, the best observation I can make about them is that some are good but very few (if any) are outstanding. While technique in both taking the shot and PP are always going to be a work in progress for me, I am wondering if I am at the point where my ability is being hampered by my equipment. I am considering trading in my Sigma 150-600 mm f 5-6.3C for a Nikon 200-500 f5.6. Attached is an image typical for what I consider my best efforts in shots and PP. Your opinion please, am I just having a GAS attack or would a better lens up my game?

Image shot with Nikon D7100 and Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3C. Focal length 600mm, f6.3, 1/320 sec, ISO 200. PP with PhotoNinja with final touchup in GIMP and cropped to 2027x1351pix size.

Sorry, I was using a Nikon D7100 vs the D750, my bad!
Going back over bird shots I have taken, the best ... (show quote)


I think the 200-500 is going to give you a boost in contrast and resolution, about a 10% improvement at 500mm and F8 and barely measurably better at F11. The Nikkor is hard to beat, even wide open. Both the Tamron G2 and the Sigma Sport are noticeably better than the Nikon, though. I looked at the Nikon, but ended up getting the Sport for it's better build quality, good wide open performance, and the extra 100mm. I have used a G2 and fold it to be just as good as the Sport, and almost 2lb lighter, plus it comes with an Arca-Swiss compatible lens foot, making it a great deal - and that would be what I would likely get if I were in your shoes. But I do like my Sigma.

Not having seen the rest of your images, if the one you posted is representative - then composition, lighting and opportunity (being in the right place at the right time) are all areas of improvement that you can address without spending another nickel. If you use your lens at F8 and back off slightly on the zoom, to about 500-550, you will get sharper images. At 500mm I am pretty sure your max aperture is F5, btw.

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Aug 8, 2018 19:12:02   #
d3200prime
 
rpavich wrote:
Nope. It's always about getting better as a photographer and not getting more gear.

You are having a G.A.S. attack.

Shoot more, spend less.


Spot on! It will be interesting to see how many hogs get GAS when Nikon brings their mirrorless line to the market. I have a feeling many whom say "It's always about getting better as a photographer and not getting more gear" will fall. Not you, of course. Nor me.

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Aug 8, 2018 19:18:20   #
tdekany Loc: Oregon
 
d3200prime wrote:
Spot on! It will be interesting to see how many hogs get GAS when Nikon brings their mirrorless line to the market. I have a feeling many whom say "It's always about getting better as a photographer and not getting more gear" will fall. Not you, of course. Nor me.


Lots of diehard Nikon or canon fans will switch, even though they were anti mirrorless.

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Aug 8, 2018 20:19:38   #
Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA
 
First off nice shot. Second try not to over process. Three better equipment does at times helps. I have the big Sigma lens that I use on a D-7000 and D-800 and it produced some really nice images. About a year ago I bought the Nikkor 200-500 5.6 6.3. I believe the Big Nikkor produces more keepers than the Sigma, if I do my part. I also think it is an excellent up grade. Try using a higher shutter speed 500 or better. Happy Shooting.

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Aug 8, 2018 23:58:32   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
Thanks for the input. Been using the Sigma 150-600 C for about 18 months and find it a bit soft (too high expectations?) in most images beyond 450mm or so.
IDguy wrote:
Image quality is great. Composition would be better with catch light on eye.

I went from the Sigma 150-500 to the Nikon 200-500. It provided a significant upgrade to image quality and VR. But the Sigma 150-600 might be better to start.

Compare them on DXOMark. Be sure to use your camera, or at least same camera on each, for the comparision. Camera affects their lens results.

Reply
 
 
Aug 9, 2018 00:02:58   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
Thanks for the advice, had to work on the house today and missed some really good light. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon will find me not so busy and I can get out to apply some of the advice from responders to my post.
tdekany wrote:
If you look at the best work of great photographers, you will see a common theme. The light is just right. Meaning, that they shoot at the right times in the right conditions. No different than taking a landscape photo on a rainy day and trying to make it look like a sunny day. Or taking a shot at noon and and spending all your time making it look like you took the photo at sunset.

If you have the time, go out when the light is perfect. Your photos will also look better.

Btw, I love Wyoming.
If you look at the best work of great photographer... (show quote)

Reply
Aug 9, 2018 00:07:52   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
Good response with lots of info. Thanks for your input. I will add this to other's comment in making a decision.
Gene51 wrote:
I think the 200-500 is going to give you a boost in contrast and resolution, about a 10% improvement at 500mm and F8 and barely measurably better at F11. The Nikkor is hard to beat, even wide open. Both the Tamron G2 and the Sigma Sport are noticeably better than the Nikon, though. I looked at the Nikon, but ended up getting the Sport for it's better build quality, good wide open performance, and the extra 100mm. I have used a G2 and fold it to be just as good as the Sport, and almost 2lb lighter, plus it comes with an Arca-Swiss compatible lens foot, making it a great deal - and that would be what I would likely get if I were in your shoes. But I do like my Sigma.

Not having seen the rest of your images, if the one you posted is representative - then composition, lighting and opportunity (being in the right place at the right time) are all areas of improvement that you can address without spending another nickel. If you use your lens at F8 and back off slightly on the zoom, to about 500-550, you will get sharper images. At 500mm I am pretty sure your max aperture is F5, btw.
I think the 200-500 is going to give you a boost i... (show quote)

Reply
Aug 9, 2018 00:09:08   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
Thanks for joining the discussion.
d3200prime wrote:
Spot on! It will be interesting to see how many hogs get GAS when Nikon brings their mirrorless line to the market. I have a feeling many whom say "It's always about getting better as a photographer and not getting more gear" will fall. Not you, of course. Nor me.

Reply
Aug 9, 2018 00:13:13   #
tdekany Loc: Oregon
 
Shootist wrote:
Thanks for the advice, had to work on the house today and missed some really good light. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon will find me not so busy and I can get out to apply some of the advice from responders to my post.


If you get lucky, do let us know by posting some examples.

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