CHG_CANON wrote:
Example Images
Each example image, below provided as attached files in the replies below, shows the original crop from the camera, with a 1:1 crop of the details. The images all follow / demonstrate most (or all) 8 of the ideas above. The merged images have been resized to 2048px on the long side, but the 1:1 crop shows the actual details. The images are processed in Lightroom and the merged examples are created in PSE10 from the export files from LR. The square crops are 800x800 of the 1:1 processed details. You'll have to launch the attachment (or download) and zoom to the 100% zoom to see the same level of detail.
1. Panning Technique
The F-86 Sabre shown below was tracked with BBF until the plane reached the almost closed position when I then began capturing frames. The use of the 1.4x extender reduced the maximum aperture of this configuration to f/8. Experience has show the extended lens is a bit sharper around f/11. For the low(er) light on this cloudy day, I picked the slowest shutter I could use to free this fast moving subject (1/800) and balanced the ISO to the aperture. I captured probably 5 to 8 images as the plane passed, picking and keeping only the best of the group.
2. Focus Peeking
The Sony mirrorless a7II provides an invaluable tool for using manual focus lenses: the 10x focus peeking zoom in the Electronic View Finder (EVF). The manual focus / non electronic lens doesn't report the aperture to the camera. I'll guess this example was from an aperture around f/5.6. The shooting technique was to focus specifically on the blossoms and then shoot a burst of 3- to 5-images, allowing for any movement due to the slight breeze. Typically, I focus and shoot and then repeat by refocusing. Over the 10 to 20ish images that might result, usually there will be one if not several that are better focused than the rest. Again, I just find the best one and delete the rest.
3. Testing your lenses
The second of the two images below shows a technique for testing the 'corner sharpness' of your lenses. The first image of the security light shows an extract the 1:1 pixel level sharpness at an aperture between f/5.6 and f/8. The manual focus / non electronic lens doesn't report the aperture to the camera. I likely focused at the base of this multi-story bay window, in the foreground of the image. The extract of the security light shows some of the details of the image.
The second image shows a technique for 'testing the corner sharpness'. Note how the camera is held diagonally. You can do this for landscapes too, having the natural horizon pass through the frame's corner rather than the left- and right-sides of the frame. This technique then gives you 'details' in the corners to access the corner sharpness of the lens for each available aperture. Shoot the same image over and over after different apertures until you can confirm the sharpest results in the corners, when 'corner sharpness' is a desired result in your image. I know from experience this lens (FD 24mm f/1.4L) will need to be at f/11 or smaller to have the sharpest corners along with the point of focus. For this image, the corners are not relevant for this composition.
4. Single AF point on the animal's eye
I came away with probably 30 individual frames of this snowy egret. The bird moved slightly over about a 15-minute period as well as the sun / light changed slightly just before sunset. For Canon EOS bodies, using a single AF point will yields the sharpest results along all the other aspects of good shooting technique. I placed that single AF point the bird's eyes. The camera was in BBF. I would place the AF point, hold the BBF, release 2- to 3-frames. I rest my arms for a minute or two and then repeat the process, sometimes also moving the AF point by a position or two and / or change between landscape and portrait orientation to give composition options larger within the resulting images.
5. Single AF point on the statue's eye
Whether an animal or human or statue, a good composition technique is to always place the sharpest focus on the nearest eye of the subject. At f/2.2, the depth of field of this lens is rather narrow. The goal of the composition was to isolate this statue from the details of the background wall.
b Example Images /b br br Each example image, b... (
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Thanks for your thorough and amazing response...will use...
Thanks Jeff...another lens I have considered...
Sounds great...I am in the Western burbs, Hampshire, but get downtown fairly often...would love to do a meetup...Do you know Sven Brogen?
Thanks MJ...great insights...when you see a photographer (and you are correct about his entire body of work) of this skill, it does make me want to work to be a better photographer..."use it as inspiration..."
Is this a 5.6 500 Prime? Have looked at this lens...
Subject selection is always the basis of any shooting decision...I agree that the technique can use a lot more upgrade...we are both in Chicago-area...do you teach or have seminars that you would recommend? Thanks...
No. His was done in LR and then Topaz DeNoise...
By comparison, here is one of mine...with D500/Sigma 150-600/ 1/4000, f10, ISO 1250...
This image is from Scott Wells...He uses a Nikon z9 with a 600mm lens...I have a Nikon D850, D500, and am using a Sigma 150-600 lens...is it every possible to get this level of sharpness without a mirrorless camera and a prime lens? These images are amazing...
Clark, looking forward to your Alaska series...Happy New Year...
DonB wrote:
All great shots, wish I could have been there! You have provided next best. What can you tell us about N307X7?
OSHKOSH—Wisk Aero conducted the first public autonomous demonstration flight of its developmental electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi July 25 during EAA AirVenture, remotely flying the aircraft for four minutes over Runway 18/36 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The fifth-generation Cora technology maturation vehicle performed two full passes over the runway, transitioned from vertical to wingborne flight and reached a height of 33 ft. above the ground. Its gross weight for both takeoff and landing was 2,400 lb. because it carried no fuel and no people.
The Gen 5 Cora has 12 electric motors and propellers for hovering, two fixed wings and a pusher propeller for forward flight. It has a two-seat cabin. Wisk is also exhibiting a mockup of its Gen 6 vehicle, a four-seat, high-wing, fully autonomous aircraft that will forgo a pusher propeller. Instead, it will have six tilting propellers in the front for vertical and horizontal flight, and six fixed propellers in the back for vertical lift.
The Gen 6 vehicle is being certified as a special-class aircraft to FAA Part 21.17(b). Although it will not initially be a fully conforming aircraft, Wisk considers it a “product,” not a prototype, that comes with the necessary foundation of systems engineering and requirements to be certified. The company, now a Boeing subsidiary, has not set a date for certification.
OSHKOSH—Wisk Aero conducted the first public autonomous demonstration flight of its developmental electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi July 25 during EAA AirVenture, remotely flying the aircraft for four minutes over Runway 18/36 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The fifth-generation Cora technology maturation vehicle performed two full passes over the runway, transitioned from vertical to wingborne flight and reached a height of 33 ft. above the ground. Its gross weight for both takeoff and landing was 2,400 lb. because it carried no fuel and no people.
The Gen 5 Cora has 12 electric motors and propellers for hovering, two fixed wings and a pusher propeller for forward flight. It has a two-seat cabin. Wisk is also exhibiting a mockup of its Gen 6 vehicle, a four-seat, high-wing, fully autonomous aircraft that will forgo a pusher propeller. Instead, it will have six tilting propellers in the front for vertical and horizontal flight, and six fixed propellers in the back for vertical lift.
The Gen 6 vehicle is being certified as a special-class aircraft to FAA Part 21.17(b). Although it will not initially be a fully conforming aircraft, Wisk considers it a “product,” not a prototype, that comes with the necessary foundation of systems engineering and requirements to be certified. The company, now a Boeing subsidiary, has not set a date for certification.