Rainbow Bee-eater with food

[Ofer Levy]

1D Mark II, Canon 500 f4, x2+x1.4, 1/160, f16, iso 320, tripod, full Wimberley, hide, about 60% of full frame

Taken near Sydney a few years ago. Working with stacked converters is not ideal but I think IQ is still better than having to crop from an image obtained with the 500x2. If anyone has a different experience - please correct me if I am wrong. I guess I should conduct a serious test one day....

[Daniel Cadieux]

IQ does look great considering stacked TCs + big crop! I love the great view of the doomed catch too, I can almost see its legs wriggle. Neat red eye.

[Ofer Levy]

big crop!.

Thanks for your comment Daniel! This is not a big crop as I mention in the detail - this is 60% of full frame.

[Daniel Cadieux]

...to me that is a "big" crop as I hate throwing away something like 40% of the image away, but I realize it is not a big enough crop to affect details that much if at all :). I do appreciate you having included this with your techs as I find that is an important piece of data when viewing images!

[Ofer Levy]

...to me that is a "big" crop as I hate throwing away something like 40% of the image away

Your standarts are too high for me. Not sure I understand how you mange to get full frame shots or near to it with a 100-400 lens....:confused:

[Ron Caswell]

Excellent image, Very crisp and colorful, Ron

[Troy Lim]

Ofer,
Amazing shot,details and BG. Wish that was the kind of image I create.

[Gal Shon]

Oohhh... I remember this one...
That is a stunning image.

Regarding the crop, all I can say, when you start measuring how much was left from your original file,
it is always a surprise for photographers I set with, how quickly you get to the 70% zone.
I honestly think, that measuring your crop makes you a better photographer in your next sessions (with a similar sized bird)

[Ofer Levy]

Oohhh... I remember this one...
That is a stunning image.

Regarding the crop, all I can say, when you start measuring how much was left from your original file,
it is always a surprise for photographers I set with, how quickly you get to the 70% zone.
I honestly think, that measuring your crop makes you a better photographer in your next sessions (with a similar sized bird)

Thank you for your input Gal! It is all very nice in theory...:D In real life, to get this shot 60% of the frame means you sit in your hide in the minimum focus distance from a bird that isn't that big....;)
The vast majority of my images are 75% of full frame or more however - I was very happy with this 60% or so crop.

[Gal Shon]

Ofer, I'm sorry but you got me all wrong. maybe its my english...
I wasn't judging you or your crop, read this line again

it is always a surprise for photographers I set with, how quickly you get to the 70% zone.

[Ofer Levy]

Ofer, I'm sorry but you got me all wrong. maybe its my english...
I wasn't judging you or your crop, read this line again

No worries! ;)
I won't be surprised if the vast majority of all the images presented in this forum are way below 60% of full frame...
Luckily, with the awesome cameras we are using today - even relatively large crops can look great on web and even produce decent prints.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Excellent work with superb detail !!! Well done Ofer.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Your standarts are too high for me. Not sure I understand how you mange to get full frame shots or near to it with a 100-400 lens....:confused:

Hey Ofer, I rely on one or more of the following: hides, audio, patience, luck, tame subjects, bird feeders, luck, set-ups, larger subjects, luck.:) I suppose I've set high standards for myself, but until I can get my hands on a larger prime (or have my wife approve of such a purchase:D) then that is what I will have to do with the 100-400.

I won't be surprised if the vast majority of all the images presented in this forum are way below 60% of full frame...

I agree, and that is why I think it is good info to include with posted techs. I'm sure many beginners do not realize how difficult it can be to get full-frame images of small birds...and many are surely surprised to see how much of a crop many images really are.

Luckily, with the awesome cameras we are using today - even relatively large crops can look great on web and even produce decent prints.

I agree here too...and like you the majority of my images are at least 75% full frame. I'd be extremely happy with the result you had here - perhaps I should crop more at times instead of not pressing the shutter button!

[Susan Candelario]

Ofer,
Beautiful b/g, colors and details! Not to mentioned the wonderful story telling image. Great job.
~Susan

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent Ofer, love the HA and the bee, nice and sharp.

60% is not a big crop IMO. I can get great IQ for web with even 20% crop. If the files are clean and sharp you can crop a lot, if they are a bit soft and noisy you can't :)

[Danny Laredo]

Ofer, I remember this one but waiting for the ones with the dragonfly.
Stiull a super image

[James Salywoda]

Stunning I wish it was mine as this is "Spectacular" well done Ofer. Excellent Work!