Purple Finch with Berries

[jfranciskay]

Taken in a backyard setup, overcast evening.



Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
Focal Length: 700mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure Time: 1/40s
ISO equiv: 1250

[Ray Rozema]

Exposure and detail right on. I am surprised at your SS I would think any bird movement would make it soft. Having the bird looking more at the camera would be helpful. The berries is so sharp they are a little distracting. Overall very good

Ray Rozema

[Randy Stout]

The lighting is very nice, background and berries work well together.

There seems to be some motion blur here, as the berries look sharper than the bird, and with that f stop would expect a decent DOF.

A slightly lower shooting angle would also help.

Thanks for sharing. The joy of set ups is, you can tinker with it!

Cheers

Randy

PS: I must have been typing at the same time as Ray!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Very nice shot, I like the set up, I like the angle and if anything would suggest a tad higher than lower as I get the impression your lens was a little lower than the bird's eye. If practicable I would suggest come in closer and dispense with the 1.4TC.

[jfranciskay]

Thanks for the replies! I was definately waiting for the branch and bird to stop moving and got lucky with a couple of sharp exposures. As far as the apparent softness in the breast feathers, I found that the feathers are so fine in this species, it is hard to retain the detail on image size reduction. At full size there is a lot of fine detail there.

@Jonathon - not sure I understand your suggestion. What will removing the TC and coming in closer provide?

[Jonathan Ashton]

It will give quicker AF and better optical performance and you won't lose a stop, also I appreciate the magnification of the bird will determine DOF but I think with the straight 500 you will get a little more DOF.

[Randy Stout]

[QUOTE=Jonathan Ashton;574044]Very nice shot, I like the set up, I like the angle and if anything would suggest a tad higher than lower as I get the impression your lens was a little lower than the bird's eye.

Jonathan:

I think we mean the same thing. The image would be stronger if taken at the same level as the bird. I stated that a slightly lower shooting angle(not position) would help. To me that meant a less steep upward angle to the bird.

Cheers

Randy

[Jonathan Ashton]

Ok Randy - no problem:)

[Daniel Cadieux]

The eye is sharp as can be, and for me that is what matters most. Nice BG and perch - well thought out in these aspects, but I agree setting the perch lower would yield more intimate photos of your subject(s). I think I'd prefer a looser comp with more room aboe and right and less at left Good job overall though...I like the image alot.

[Gary Jones]

A great comp with the berries and colours. Although the bird is looking away, it's angle mirrors the berries which works. Well done at 1/40th/700mm:)

[Geraldo Hofmann]

I like the image as it is but agree with Daniel more room to the right and top would be my choice ... or even a vertical crop ... but I am a n=big fan of verticals anyway.

Congratulations for this image.

Geraldo