Bubbles

[James Shadle]

I purchased a used Sigma 300-800mm lens yesterday to tide me over until my Nikon 600mm AF-S is back from service.

This image was created this morning in Tampa Bay.
Nikon D300
Sigma 300-800 F5.6 APO HSM DG

800mm
ISO 800
1/1250 SS @ F7.1
Just about full frame with very little post shutter adjustment.

This baby Spoonbill was forging in water with foam that washed up.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi James,

Very cute man.... love the details, exposure control and BG. I would like to have a little more room at the bottom but that's about it!

Congrats!

[Sharna Lee]

James,
What a great image. The detail in the feathers is awesome. Very sharp focus. Nice colors AND it made me smile.

Sharna

[Lance Peters]

Nice james - and what do you think of the Sigma 300-800 - I love it.

:)

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hey, where's the rubber ducky?? Very nice portrait James...puts those beautiful baby blues in evidence.

[Blake Shadle]

Wow, that's sharp! Love the composition, background, and details. I don't think I've been by the house in a little while, can I swing by tomorrow? :D

[James Shadle]

Nice james - and what do you think of the Sigma 300-800 - I love it.

:)

Lance,
That was my first time using it. I was surprised how well is auto-focused and it seems sharp.
So far so good.
James

[Doug Brown]

Impressive sharpness, and it sounds like you really nailed this one in-camera. That's always a plus. I like it a lot!

[Gus Cobos]

Nicely done James.
I like it as is... Love that foam on the bill...:D

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

All are great,
I really like the eye contact,details,pose and bg!

[Raul Quinones]

Great shot, I was not aware of the dark eyes on the immature... so use to the red-eyes.
I like the composition and also the bubbles.

[Juan Aragonés]

Terrific details on the eye and bare parts. Love the soft light and the smooth BG James.

[Lance Peters]

Lance,
That was my first time using it. I was surprised how well is auto-focused and it seems sharp.
So far so good.
James

Look forward to seeing more - I find it to be vary vey good - sharpness is outstanding in my opinion, Downside of course is the size and weight. Never had any issues with the auto focus at all - nice lens IMHO.

[Judd Patterson]

Great work James! I love all the subtle colors on this juvenile and the bubbles make this image very unique. Congrats on owning a 300-800!! What the heck happened to the 600mm?

[James Shadle]

Great work James! I love all the subtle colors on this juvenile and the bubbles make this image very unique. Congrats on owning a 300-800!! What the heck happened to the 600mm?

Judd,
The 600mm has seen it's fair share. It has had 11 different bodies coming on and off of it over the years.
The contacts are so worn that I must tape "Hot Hands" hand warmers on the lens just above the contacts (Artie has made fun of me a couple of times). The heat would expand the metal contacts enough to function.

So the 600mm F4 AF-S I ED is off to Nikon service for new life.

James

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Love this image James. The coloring and the bubbles on the beak just put it over the top for me.
There is such an innocence in the look of this spoonbill and the eye really captures my attention. Love the caption too. Great work !!!!!