#1

This is my first hand held flight image with my new 600II. This Black Vulture in flight was photographed with the hand held Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop off the blue sky 35 degrees up from the horizon: 1/5000 sec. at f/5.6. Central sensor Surround/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper version.

NIK Color Efex Pro did wonders for the blacks. See here for a before and after animated GIF.

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

It looks like the critical focus was sitting right on the head as it is nice and sharp.
Excellent feather details in the close wing and shoulder. Great shooting angle.
Great BIF picture, Artie. The new 600 is about as heavy as the old 500 which is pretty heavy to be honest.

Good that you have the new toy and I am looking forward to see the new images you will create with it. I bet it is a nice motivation to get out and try out the new 600 in different conditions.
Like the sharp eye and how the detail was brought out in the blacks with NIK (that I love too). I also like the fact that the bird was flying pretty much in level with you. TFS.

Great image. The head and near wing are incredibly sharp. Loved looking at the gif showing what you were able to do with it with Nik efex.

Nice flight shot! The details are just superb, especially on the head. If I have the money, the 600 II is definitely on my list.

Artie, this is an incredibly difficult bird to photograph well, yet you have chosen it to show how it can be done. The details on the head and wings are amazing.

Such sharp head focus and liking the curled wing tips....OK, so a bluer sky would improve, but I'm just jealous

Way to go Artie handholding the 600 :bg3: you will soon be a convert

very sharp head.

That is a very nice shot and sharp. Nice going man....

Lovely looking shot! Great shoulder workout too ;)

I love those bent up wingtips and sharp face

Lovely image with the details on the Black that are mind-blowing
Nice image handheld

I like the curves, details, sharpness and composition. Well done Arthur!

Excellent detail and flying pose, nice eye contact.