A try without window and a little speed

This is the second image, the first was posted yesterday for those that didn't see it.
Here is another try with the Nikon 1 V1 mated with a Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. I took this without the window between the camera and the bird. I had better weather today with the sun out and without the heavy wind that we had yesterday, so I could shoot a little faster as you can see from the shooting data below. The result is posted here and I did a little PP. Sharpened a little and removed some offending twigs. I don't think it is as sharp as my D3S but certainly more than acceptable and much less crop than the D3S would have to have to get the same image. I printed this image at 13 X 19 and my I say it would pe a print to be proud of. All and all the V1 seems to do a better than average job recording. Camera data:
Nikon 1 V1
2012:01:24 11:09:39
200-400mm @ 400mm
1080mm (in 35mm film)
1/320 sec, f/6.3
Mode: Manual
Metering: Multi-segment
ISO: 100
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off
File size: 91.4MB
Image size: 1658 x 2103
Color space: AdobeRGB
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Color profile: Adobe RGB (1998)

Wheeler I am a Canon man so I don't really understand why or what the purpose of putting the lens on this camera is. I have had a quick look and it would appear you are putting a lens produced for SLR on a non SLR camera.
I do not wish to appear to be blunt or rude but I am afraid I do not think it is a good idea. I looked at the previous post also, both appear to lack any real definition, the images are not crisp - though I have to admit the bill on this image is. Looking at the plumage it is soft and lacks clarity. I have just checked out the data and you are shooting at the equivalent of 1050 mm so that is the equivalent more or less of a 500mm & 1.4 TC on a 1.6crop SLR, if the image is full frame your DOF will be very limited probably only 5mm or so if it wasn't full frame then I don't think the lens combination is working as the DOF would be greater.

I like the pose on this beautiful female cardinal and you chose a nice composition, but as posted I agree with Jonathan that the image appears soft. One thing to be aware of when shooting through open windows in cold weather is that heat escaping from your home will cause a slight blur as it hits the colder air outside...just something to think about.

Wheeler:

I think it is neat that you are experimenting with the V1 on the larger lenses. I have seen some amazing images posted with that camera, including some shot with a 2000mm Celeston telescope!
So, I think it can work very well, with certain limitations in the focusing, but with perched birds, I believe it can work quite well.

I do agree the image is quite soft as posted, but feel Daniel may have the explanation, heat escaping from the house. I have had this problem a lot shooting from cars in cold weather, the heat from the engine blurs the images.

Long lens technique obviously becomes critical with these focal lengths, although it certainly is possible.

Keep working it. I am so intrigued about the possibilities that I may rent a V1 and the adapter and try it this summer!

Cheers

Randy

Wheeler,

Thanks for the second try. I think that you should increase your ISO so you can have a deeper depth of field which should help get a sharper bird. Nice pose and composition.

First, thank you all for your thoughts on the image. May I say that I really don't understand Jonathan's comments. It would seem that he is offended by my experiments with the Nikon 1. It was my thought that the 1 V1 is a relatively new camera, has the unique ability to attach some of Nikon's best lenses, and with the very small sensor (2.7 crop), it would be of interest to some of the readers of the BPN as to what the results were given the conditions under which the image was taken. Instead of being interested in the results, he instead goes into a rant concerning how I shouldn't be doing this and explaining the crop of the sensor. Jonathan, may I ask what constitutes a DSLR. I thought it was a camera that was capable of using interchangeable lens, not one that was large, heavy and has a mirror that flips out of the way of the sensor. Let me take this oportunity to apologize for offending you. I also don't want to appear blunt or rude.

Mac,

I am not sure this camera is good for bird photography, the IQ seems very poor just like the last shot you posted. looks like a photo from a point and shoot camera...

Better luck next time with better gear

Wheeler if I have offended you I genuinely apologise, that was never my intention, neither have you insulted me, I really did not really understand the reasoning behind fitting an SLR lens to a non SLR camera.