Malachite Kingfisher - ISO4000!!

[Morkel Erasmus]

I had the privilege (actually, it now seems like a curse, or would-be curse - to my wallet that is! ) to test out the Nikon D3s during our recent visit to the Kruger Park and the Sabi-Sands.

This was taken on a rainy day at the Lake Panic hide close to Skukuza in Kruger. I used the Nikkor 200-400mm f4 VR lens - thus @ 400mm on a FF body the perch wasn't as close as usual through my APS-C camera.

Here are the FACTS about this shot:
1. 90% crop - NO KIDDING - THIS IS 10% OF THE ORIGINAL SHOT
2. crappy light conditions, it was drizzling (see the droplets in the BG)
3. 2 rounds of slight noise reduction applied to BG only
4. sharpened the bird slightly for web presentation

I think I've said enough...oh and did I mention this is my first decent MK in-flight shot?

Your feedback will be appreciated as always...

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 200-400mm f4 VR @ 340mm
f4.0 @ 1/6400 SS @ ISO-4000
Exp +0.3

[arash_hazeghi]

Very beautiful Morkel, nice freezing of KF in flight. nice details and SH too, not sure about the 2nd perch, would crop tighter if possible. No question Nikon FF has cleanest files at high ISO.

TFS

[Marc Mol]

Lovely inflight shot of one of my favorite elusive birds, agree on losing the second perch.
I'm surprised that the SS of 6400 wasn't enough to freeze the wings? Still a lot to like here, well done Morkel.
Did you get my PM on the Thom Hogan 200-400 review?
TFS

[Todd Frost]

Well done, gotta love the Nikon FF (on my wish list). Either way for me on the 2nd perch, as you mentioned the crop don't know if you have the file ness to remove it. TFS
Todd

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks guys...

Marc I was also surprised at the fact that 1/6400 wasn't enough as 1/3200 usually is with these guys. I actually think it's not motion blur as the wings look stationary, but that it could be that the wings fell outside the f4 DOF range? I got your PM yes and read the review but haven't had a chance to respond yet. Is that akin to your experience as well?

I don't think I can crop this any more ;)

[Kiran Poonacha]

Nicely done, I loved the pose and the distance between the bird and perch adds well here..

[Fabs Forns]

Terrific performance, now you are hooked!

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Fabs & Kiran...quite hooked...:eek:

[Deborah Hanson]

Really like the movement in the image. I love that the feet are reaching out for the perch - and that they are captured with such detail. The wing position and motion in the wings are attractive as well.
Colors of bird - beautiful.

Composition (slight crop as you indicated) is well done, for me. I like the weathered look of the perch.

Deb

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Deborah - this is actually a 90% crop, meaning that what you see on screen is 10% of the original image :)

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Unbelievable. Not only the low noise but the details in 10% of the image. If I take 10% crop from my 40D file at such high iso, I'll probably see only noise and no details:-)

[Deborah Hanson]

I guess I misunderstood about the crop - and agree, makes this more amazing.
Deb

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks again Deb and KD!