Owls & Focusing Points

[Michael Pancier]

Ok, what should I do different here?

I wanted to get both owls sharp. I focus on the front owl and set f stop to 20 and still not enough. So question, in these situations, where should I set my main focusing point?

40d+500 4.0L+ 1.4x tc II
on tripod
1/200
f/20
ISO 800 (in auto ISO mode)

[Gayle Clement]

Michael, I wonder if another round of sharpening would help here. I love the protective stance of the male.

[Fabs Forns]

Mike, they are so far apart, hard to get them both in critical focus. What I do is take two exposure, one in focus for each bird, if possible, and blend them.
The further away you are, the easier to get better focus.

[Ian McHenry]

Owls are really difficult if you focus on the eyes as usual way, problem is the OF bill.
IMO focus on the breast of the bird in the rear, then sharpen as req'd.

[Alfred Forns]

Michael with Super Telephoto lenses the hyper-focal distance is figured a little different It is actually half way

For this birds if the light is fading (and not much) you can try f 45.0 and the shutter speed at around 1/15 sec to record the ambient light. The flash will give you all the sharpness you need and the main light. Still you might need the suggestion by Fabs to make it work !!!

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Very nice shot Michael. Love the composition of your owls.
Regards,