White-fronted bee-eater

[Chris van Rooyen]

Another image from my recent trip to the Pafuri region of the Kruger National Park. At 800 ISO the D3 is silky smooth, and 500 VR coupled with the 1.4 extender is pin sharp.

Camera Model: NIKON D3
Date/Time: 2009:04:07 156:08
Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: 8
Exposure mode: Tv
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 800
Lens: 500mm
Focal length: 700mm
Focal length: 700mm (in 35mm film)

[Mark Dumbleton]

Superb Chris. Lovely composition and head angles here.

Im interested to hear why you have switched to the Nikon system. Is the D3 with 500 f/4 VR that much better than the 1D MK3 with 500 f/4 IS to warrant the switch, or are you switching to Nikon because of other lenses Nikon has ie 200-400 etc?

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks guys, I am certainly enjoying the dark side;)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great details, head angles and the open bills add to it. I assume this due to heat again? I might try to get a bit more details in the shadows.

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Not sure if Nikon is still on the dark side. ;)
Gonna be valid for Canon :D

Excellent image and you also convinced me as the switch to Nikon is a good step. :)
Can't wait to meet you in SA.

Szimi

[Kobus Tollig]

Great shot. Like the fact that you got the front side and back. Great comp. Well done on this

[Fabs Forns]

Terrific compo and the cream and peaches IQ of the D3 is obvious. I don't even think about it going up to 1000, especially with warm light. Files require very little if any p/p. Wish it had a crop factor, though.

There birds are soooo pretty :)

[Chris van Rooyen]

Indeed Fabs, but I'm quickly getting used to the full frame again:-) And the AF is so predictable and accurate!

Axel yes, it was a pretty hot day, I was also panting, sweating in my car behind the camera!

Gyorgy, I have no regrets so far..

[Randy Stout]

Fabs:

re: crop factor. I am anxiously awaiting the D400, hoping for some of the goodness of the D3 with the crop factor of the D300.

Randy

[Dave Barnes]

Interesting to see your swap to Nikon Chris, despite this the quality of your shots has not dropped. LOL.
With the frustrating problems that I had, I am not surprised.
I think the comp works well and the colour and detail spot on.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Wonderful image Chris. Great poses and gee must have been hot! Like the BG too!

Incidentally a friend of mine has the D3 and I had a little play with it quickly in less than ideal conditions and found the camera really good, though the controls felt awkward, which I am sure can be overcome. Glad you like the camera and lens combo.

[Simon Bennett]

Excellent symmetry with the heads, and greaa job with exposure.

[Marc Mol]

Another fine image Chris and welcome to the (now) sunny side. ;)
Do you have any plans on purchasing the 200-400? I have it and love it's versatility.

Cheers
Marc