Late yesterday I found my very first (Eurasian) Spoonbill - half way across the other side of the reserve - and was really pleased to be able to get some images similar to the attached. I was pleased with the exposure - since I used to burn whites too often - and pleased with some of the activity and postures of the subject. In an ideal world, I would have been closer and lower and the background would have been better. The image has had only the smallest amount of PP in LR2 - including a crop off the sides and about 20% off the top.
I was using a Canon 1DMIII, with a 500 f4 and an EF 2X II mounted on a gitzo tripod. I had 1/800 sec at f/8.0 and ISO 400 (Sunny 16 is sinking in at last, I think!).
But, I was disappointed with the image quality - simply not sharp enough! So here is my question - Is this level of quality always going to be the case with a 2X extender? Or can I expect better results by working on my camera stabilizing technique? I have read Artie on the subject, but don't know where the limits of the technique and the technology lay! Or should I have ratcheted up the ISO and gone for a higher shutter speed with this focal length?
Images made with the 2x are not as sharp as those made with a 1.4x. To improve the sharpness you could stop down to f/11. Higher shutter speeds help to prevent vibration.
i agree with axel, and will add that i have seen excellent images, in regards to sharpness, from canon TC's, even the 2x. this image has loss of sharpness due to camera shake or the large crop.
More ISO will definetly help - as axel said IQ is always going to be worse with a 2X converter - I have found it does take practise when using a 2 x on a long lens - so much of it comes down to having a fast enough shutter speed and your technique has to be spot on.
Hi Gerald,
I like the composition...agree with the techs. and the good advise given...In my opinion, the main issue here is your shutter speed...a higher shutter speed will reduce the vibration, stop the action and give you sharper details...:) looking forward to your next one...:cool:
Hi Gerald You can make sharp images with the 2X down to ridiculous shutter speeds. Again is always best to have a high shutter speed and if possible close down one stop ... however do not hesitate to shoot wide open.
If you look in past bulletins Artie has lots of images very sharp and wide open. You do need to take all the play out of the camera lens and hold it steady !!!
Many thanks for your thoughts. Seems the take-away is that I need to work harder at taking the play out of the lens to get the sharpness I aspire to! Maybe a little help from a higher speed as well, but it is the old story that it is the "nut that holds the wheel" that needs to be tightened!
Image quality with 2X Extender?
