Red-breasted Merganser, male

[Tim King]

Typically an overwintering lake bird here in southern ontario but occasionally you can find them in a pond.

50d | 300mm f4 L IS + 1.4TCii | HH/ground resting
ISO 200 - f7.1 - 1/640
cropped, leveled, toned and sharpened.

Lately my camera and lens have been batting zero in the sharpness/focusing department so they're off to get looked at.
Should I get a used 1D MKiii (3) or a new 7D? I'm leaning towards a 7d as there are more megapix and smaller sensor for my
focally challenged lens.

All the best.

[Frank Schauf]

Very nice shot. Great background and comp.

[Steve Wasson]

Love the "bad hair," Tim! Nice composition. I might tone down a the bright spots on shore a bit...

[vishaljadhav]

Lovely low level perspective , I like the details on the bird, highlight is the head lovely hair do and classical details.

[Mike Milicia]

No problem with sharpness on this one!
Love the hairdo and low angle.
Might prefer the bird a bit lower in the frame.

[Daniel Cadieux]

The details on the flanks look great, but that is where critical focus seems to be as the face appears soft to me. Nice low angle, colours. Some of the brighter spots in the BG could be toned down IMO. Either choice of camera would be a nice upgrade to your 50D, the 1D MkIII is getting a bit up there in age, I'd probably go with a new 7D (or a used MKIV if your budget allows it).

[Robert Holguin]

Terrific shot.
Love the raised head feathers, excellent low angle, and nice light.
Well done.

[Nick Palmieri]

Nice hair! I like the low angle and the exposure on the bird looks good. I think the environment/BG could be improved by toning down the bright areas in the BG.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice light and low angle, I like the water. head looks a bit crunchy to my eyes looks like the critical focus was on the back of the bird...

[PhilCook]

Great looking subject, and sharp detail and I do like the color of water and backdrop, all sits in the frame nicely as is, but maybe a little more off the bottom of the image

[Karl Egressy]

Beautiful image, really like the pose and colours. I owned the 50D, 1D MIII and still do the 7D.
The MIII was great for me (bought it used) but I think I was just lucky.
The 7D has about the same noise as the 50D but much better for for BIF and better overall.
I have a 1D MIV now as well and I just LOVE it. The best I have ever had. I will never sell it.