Just arrived back from the Kruger Park where I played with a D3, 500/4 VR and 1.4 and 1.7 converters. I was particularly impressed with the D3's autofocus accuracy and high ISO noise a capabilities. And the lens is incredibly sharp, even when used wide open with a converter attached (as was the case here)!!!
This roller was displaying during a territorial dispute with a neighbouring pair. All comments welcomed as always:)
Camera Model: NIKON D3
Date/Time: 2009:04:05 07:19:15
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Tv
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 1600
Lens: 500mm
Focal length: 700mm
Good background, excellent exposure, very sharp. I find the light angle to work here, as the side lighting really brings out the detail on the neck.
It does look to me that the head is turned away a degree or two, but it doesn't bother me much.
I like the scale of the perch, wish it wasn't cracked, but that is very minor/picky.
Composition works for me. Might like to see just a bit more space on right, but it is very close.
All in all, a fine picture of a wonderful bird. Wish we had some here!
Randy
PS: I would say the Nikon gear worked OK for you :)
Love your handling of the side light/exposure; draws you to the eye. The light, details, colors and BG all perfection; so what's new! Did you need no NR at 1600? Even the shadowed under wings look great!
Excellent colors, sharpness,
Love the pose, suggests unrest of the bird,
alarming the savannah...
As always, excellently done.
I'm also curious about the noise and ISO1600.
It is great that you can afford it with D3,
with my D80 I'm getting quite bit of noise at ISO1600.
Is it the difference between the cameras or am I missing something?
Chris these are one of my most favorite birds!!! Your image is stunning! The colors and sharpness are just lovely and the BG just compliments everything. I was in Botswana for 3 weeks about 10 years ago and I tell you I think all the time how to get back there.
Thanks for the comments guys! Ilija, I think the difference is indeed in the cameras. I know for a fact that the D300 is not nearly as good in the handling of high ISO noise than the D3.
Excellent image, Chris. Love the BG, pose and open bill. Nice to see you enjoyed the Nikon - I find the AF and metering really reliable. Ilija, the D3 (and D700) are especially good for low noise at high ISO. The resolution (12Mp) is essentially the same as the D300 but being full frame sensors the pixels are much larger and thus more effective at gathering photons. The D300 is very good for a DX size sensor ( I routinely use it at ISO 800) but the D80 is more analgous to the D200 which I tended to try and limit to ISO 400.
Thanks guys for the answer on the noise.
I was working today with my D80 at ISO800
and full sun and got a bit of noise :(
Well, it is a difference in a few bucks after all:)
I guess the noise to signal ratio is quite different
among the cameras regardless of the resolution.
Lilac-breasted Roller
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