Long-tailed Duck with 1D Mark IV

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I went back to Barnegat Light today, the light was wonderful and the water calm. I figured out what the problem was that I had with the exposure of the Mark IV the other day. If you use RAW, you have to turn off the Auto Lighting Optimizer and the camera performs great. It is enabled by default. There is a very informative thread about this issue in the photo gear forum if you are interested: http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=54278
The image quality of the new camera is as good as I expected it to be and the AF performance is great, too.

http://www.pbase.com/image/121012319/original.jpg

1D4, 500f4, 1.4x, 1/640s, f/8, EC +0.67, ISO 400

[Randy Stout]

Axel:

Lovely bird, well exposed, sharp, with interesting water.

What gives the water the color? Reflections of the jetty?

Randy

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Axel:

Lovely bird, well exposed, sharp, with interesting water.

What gives the water the color? Reflections of the jetty?

Randy

Thanks, Randy! The afternoon light was subdued and turned slightly pinkish. The colors are due to the reflection of the sky.

[Bonnie Block]

This looks awesome, Axel! A difficult exposure very well handles. Thanks for posting this!!
Still waiting for one--this helps! :);)

[Gail Spitler]

Like the way the colors in the water complement the subdued colors of the LT Duck. Very nice
Cheers
Gail

[Todd Frost]

Nice looking duck, one I have not got the chance to see. Exposure, colors and detail look good. Glad to see canon may have made a few people happy with this body, hope it continues as it looks good so far. TFS
Todd

[Stu Bowie]

What a pose, and just love the light and soft pastel colours in this. Good to see the small wave infront of the chest. Well captured Axel.

[Martin Wallis]

I love the water being pushed out from the chest and the glassy reflective look of the rest of the water. Lovely light. Can only dream of a markIV:)

[Hendri Venter]

The IQ is outstanding. I'm impressed. I like the soft light and the calm water. Allround a fantastic image.

[Krijn Trimbos]

I try not to but do feel so envious of your new toy Axel! The results look great! Good sharpness, exposure in nice calm water! Love the colours!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Handled well mate. Love the eye contact, comp and complimentary reflection colors. :)

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I have never seen this species before. The colours in the water is amazing. Initially, I thought may be reflection of some oil floating in water. :D Lovely capture. Look forward to images in other ISOs.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I have never seen this species before. The colours in the water is amazing. Initially, I thought may be reflection of some oil floating in water. :D Lovely capture. Look forward to images in other ISOs.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

Thanks, Sabyasachi! I will post one with a higher ISO setting soon.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

What a duck. beautifully shot as well. Loved the pose and the wave at the front.

[Chris Kotze]

Excellent shot and super detail and exposure. Nice looking species

[Ted Willcox]

Hi Alex I like the posture and turn of the Duck and the water bubbling up in front. Give the image a sense of motion.
Ted

[James Salywoda]

I like the pose captured and looks great I do think this shot could use some more selective sharpening for the web.

[Joe Brown]

Congrats on the new camera. Very photogenic bird, excellent water and bg, Very well taken, excellent detail and exposure. For me, I would prefer a HA angled little more away from you.
Thanks for the update on the camera.
Joe