Sony has, imo, a remarkable exposure method that helps make the issue of proper exposure for whites a non-issue. The technology is referred to a "zebras". When set up properly, zebras will show up on over exposed portions of your frame and can be controlled by whatever parameter you choose (aperture, shutter speed, or ISO). With birds or other action subjects when you need to react quickly, I find adjusting ISO to be the easiest method. It's my understanding that this is not the same as blinks, in other systems. Tell me if I am wrong; blinkys are applied to the
JPEG image you are looking at in your camera and can misrepresent the proper exposure of a raw file which has greater dynamic range. Using zebras requires a bit of calibration for the camera you are using, but once set up properly, can provide a method of controlling highlights in whatever situation you are encountering, not just white birds. Other manufactures may also provide this exposure control method but I am not familiar with them. Good luck.
I haven't read through all the posts, but don't forget silent shooting. Big deal in wedding and wildlife shooting. And, of coarse, the cost of film and processing.
My wife has this camera. I avoid taking it out and playing with it because I might like it compared to my full frame Sonys and prime lenses. HMMM, maybe you have convinced me try it out. Nice stuff here.
I don't know exactly how heavy your Tamron 150-600 is, but the weight and potential camera shake may not be the only culprit causing unsatisfactory images. For instance, I was not happy with the results of my Sony 200-600 while hand holding and felt the lens was either just not sharp, or it was my inability to hand hold this lens without camera shake due to my aging arms. But, in part, listening to Patrick Murphy Youtube video commenting on this lens, and other Sony telephotos, and his comments on the need for high shutter speeds to get sharp images this Sony zoom, I started increasing my shutter speed, not worrying about the impact of high ISO's. Guess what, this lens is actually very sharp and I am a happy camper. So, if you haven't already returned the lens, take it out and shoot at shutter speeds at or above 3200 and see what you think about the results. You might decide to keep it.
You have something really interesting and lovely here. I would try a crop from the bottom up focusing on the movement of the birds. It's a bit confusing with the sharp birds in the foreground and the movement higher in the frame. I would turn it into more of a panorama crop. Love the image.
Nice shot. Love the saturation on the bird. Is this a crop? My complaint would be that the bird is right in the middle of the frame. Would love to see him a bit more to the left and him placed a little higher in the frame in that he is looking down at you. The fact that the bird is looking right at you creating the interaction between the viewer and the bird adds a bunch to the image. Well done!
Nice image. Love the background separating the bird. My only suggestion would be to loose the upper left leaf. A bit distracting to me. Good stuff!!!!!
How is the snowpack up in your neck of the woods. Although we are not in Montana during the winter months, we will be down in the Ennis area for the summer. From what I hear, it has been a very dry winter and river water flows are are expected to be really low. Could be a bad fire season. Lovely images by the way.
It's a great program to confirm that you are getting the most out of your raw exposures.
Love the light. Nice shot.
Jaguar made some beautiful cars back then and this is a wonder example. But if I recall correctly when my Dad had one back then, they were very temperamental, as beautiful things typically are.
Nice images. I would love to see how you processed these. Thanks for the offer.
I remember some saying the original 400 DO was not sharp. You proved them wrong Larry. Great image.