All comments and guideance truly appreciated.
Canon 40D
100-400 @ 400
1/800 sec
f/7.1
ev -2/3
ISO 400
Cropped from horizontal shot
Eastern Kingbird
All comments and guideance truly appreciated.
Canon 40D
100-400 @ 400
1/800 sec
f/7.1
ev -2/3
ISO 400
Cropped from horizontal shot
Generally speaking a nice image but it suffers from a couple of problems. The image suffers from front focusing, the image is sharper in front of the bird. Also the HA is less than optimal. Also I would crop out the stick in the upper right corner.
Robert
HI Dave - like the catchlight in the eye and the slightly open beak, do agree with robert on the other points.
:)
keep em coming
Thank you Robert and Lance. These comments are exactly what I am looking for to improve my shots. I agree with each point. Your time is much appreciated.
So, how do you improve the front-focusing problem?Originally Posted by Dave Woeller
I don't think this was an equipment problem. The shot was handheld, and I'm thinking it's one or another of two conditions. First, I may not have had the focusing sensor acuratley placed on the birds eye, or ( and I have noticed that I have done this one without realizing it), the 100-400 has the manual focusing ring toward the front of the lens and I subconciously grab and hold the lens there because it feels balanced. If I am turning the ring (which does provide fine focusing in auto focus mode) it would tend to throw the focus spot off just a tad. Can one of the experts here shed some thoughts? Am I way off base. I really need to get on my tripod more. Only testing will show if it's my technique that caused it.
Hi Dave,
I have had the same problem using some of my lenses, if I grab the focus ring for balance sometimes the AF will stop for a second.
Now for the best AF accuracy I always recommend making sure your diopter adjustment is correct and that you can see the focus screen etchings dead on. Then I recommend using Back button AF, with the * button of with Nikon and the new canon bodies the AF on button at the back. This allows you to focus on the eye then by lifting your finger you stop AF so you will not get a focus shift the last second as it can happen with front button AF and the shutter on the same button. Give it a try it might work for you.
Others use AF lock or one shot AF.
Robert
Agree with the noted focus problem All you need to do is focus on the eye of the bird not the body.
Using the read button is a solution. Robert showed me a few years back and I gave it a try for six months. It did not work for me, I rather lock focus when I have to. Do recommend to try but give it a fair amount of time ... one thing that makes if fun is letting some one use your camera :)
good thread!! i like the info here. dave, looks as if you were shooting in some fairly harsh light. softer light would give the camera the opportunity to capture both the darker and lighter details at the same time. keep em coming!!!
Hi Dave,
I like the composition, the bird is out in the clear...Agree with the techs. given...looking foward to your next one...:cool:
Wow ! This is all great stuff. I'll definately give Roberts tips a try. It is certainly encouraging to have this much help. So much to learn, so little time.
Harold yes the light was really harsh and miserable. Thanks to all for the encouragement.
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