Wood Duck

[Doug Brown]

This is another low-light 50D torture test photo. I've been shooting straight JPEG when the light gets low because I really like Canon's in-camera NR, which I have set at standard. Technical issues aside, I posted this because I like the photo! :) Off to Bosque today to help Jim Neiger with his weekend workshop. Then another Bosque workshop midweek next week. If anyone from BPN is there, PM me and we'll try to meet up.

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/photos/416802952_gkSsD-O.jpg

Canon 50D, 300mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 3200, no flash, hand held

[bill kominsky]

Another winner Doug the clarity in the face portion is really and the water droplets very nice, still wish it were mine.
Doug what is the in camera NR ? Thank you.

Bill

[Doug Brown]

I'm referring to high-ISO noise reduction Bill.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Doug,
What are those white dots? I like the definition in the eye. The dof is very shallow. Looks good to me, as your other shots.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Doug Brown]

The white dots are water droplets coming from the bird. DOF is shallow due to the aperture of f/2.8. I don't think I could have pulled off this image stopped down; as it stands, I only got 1/640 shooting at f/2.8 and ISO 3200.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Doug,
I carefully looked at the image and noticed that you had shot at f2.8. I was trying to imagine the light conditions, and drew the same conclusions as you. I was wondering how shallow the dof is at 2.8 is even though it is a relatively shorter 300mm. I should have written clearly. I was asking about the big white oof circles. I am impressed with this camera even before laying my hands on it. It seems this camera is going to be much better than most of the photographers (I hope I me not included, as I am going to get this camera soon :-) ). I like this image.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Looks pretty impressive for the ISO setting. Maybe some more color noise reduction on the chest?

[Don Thompson]

Do I see a small amount of noise in the white area of the duck's breast? Even if so, very minimal for ISO 3200. Nice picture.

[Doug Brown]

The bigger spots are reflections in the water. I would estimate DOF to be roughly 8 inches, of which half is in front of the focus point and half is behind it. I suspect there would be more apparent DOF if there weren't so much motion blur.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Superb timing Doug and a fine capture of a straight on flight image. Well done !!!

[Fabs Forns]

I especially love the unusual color of the BG.

[Stu Bowie]

Superb headon shot Doug, and that head is pin sharp. Are you saying the in-camera NR ( set at standard) is more effective shooting in JPEG than RAW?

[Doug Brown]

Are you saying the in-camera NR ( set at standard) is more effective shooting in JPEG than RAW?

I'm saying that in low light, where I am forced to shoot at ISO 1600+, the in-camera algorithm does a very good job at controlling noise and preserving detail. At this early stage in my 50D torture testing, I find myself switching to JPEG when the light gets low. Of course, I could just as easily shoot RAW + JPEG.

Just to clarify, high-ISO NR is applied in camera to JPEGs only. The setting is noted in RAW files and DPP makes use of that info. The other RAW conversion programs do not use that info as far as I know.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for clarifing that Doug, much appreciated.

[Steve Wheeler]

Great perspective and image... Wonderful sense of motion and I too like the BG color.

Nicely done...

Steve

[Terry Sohl]

Just ordered my 50D, so I'm glad to see your posts on AF behavior. Well done.

[James Salywoda]

Not a perspective that you see to often and you did an excellent job with the conditions I love the background it really compliments the Woodie... Excellent Work!

[david cramer]

I think we should let Doug do all of our torture tests. Great image, Doug. It seems the AF works extremely well in low light too.