I previously posted a picture of this species preening on a large fence.
Robert Amoruso commented -below- on it and I followed his advice.
"Keep finding that BG and get the bird on a more natural perch or in flight and you got a real winner"
This was not planed as I was taking some pictures of some very static ducks just bobbing around when this came in to my sights. I just pressed and panned. :eek: I added canvas to the bottom of this image as there was very little room - I like the blurred effect of the wings.
7d 500mm + 1.4, 1/320 @6.3, 640ISO. EV +2/3. Tripod set low.
Good one Tom! Nice focus head to tail. I'm ambivalent about the wing blur but don't ask me to do a better BIF that's for sure. As an aside, I'm interested in the x1.4 being used with the 7D, did you use manual focus? Or is it OK with the prime lens but not the 100-400 say. Thanks- I've just upgraded to the 7D.
The 1.4TC will permit AF with the main lens so long as it it is f4 or wider. Non Series 1 cameras consistently AF down to f5.6 beyond that you've had it. Any smaller and you will have to resort to taping the contacts which gives variable results - sometimes acceptable in good and contrasting light conditions..
Love the shot and I like the pose and the very sharply focussed head.
Not great with the tech stuff but i would say this set up is pushing the AF of the 7d. I bought the apparently expensive Arthur Morris 7d manual, did the settings for the camera in less than an hour !!! and was out using the same afternoon. I commonly use the custom settings and have been happy. I would have spent days trying to work it all out. At 6.3 the AF has done ok in this photo as it picked the neck and stuck with it.
I have never used the 1.4 with a 100-400 but have read different things about this set up.
I do find myself getting photos that are out of focus - the AF has picked the background or some other thing to focus on - usually not the bird.
Last edited by Tom Rambaut; 02-07-2011 at 05:26 PM.
Thanks for sending me the PM to come and see this. Killer image, I love it. As mentioned, sharp exactly where you want it sharp. I love the wing blur too. Great BG, nice down wing position and at a point just before he passes you - nice. And getting a sharp body at 1/320 sec. too boot - well done. An image to be proud of to be sure.
Pretty good image Tom. Must have been very close to you and you handled it well.
BIF is not an easy task Tom, especially when it is done spur of the moment like here. I tend to aim for BIF shots in places I know activity will take place and then I usually prefocus on an area I think the bird will enter the scene then it locks in quickly once I acquire it in the VF. I generally use center AF point and keep holding on the bird's head area and pan carefully. It kind of works at times. :) The prefocus can also be useful once you get to know the lens and camera and know how to manually prefocus while you try to quickly find it in the VF if the action happens quickly and unexpectedly. Best of luck going forward mate. :)
Little Pied Cormorant in flight
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