Eland @ ISO-3200

[Morkel Erasmus]

As mentioned in my earlier Zebra post, I took my recently acquired 300mm f2.8 L IS USM out for a test run with the 1.4x TC-II over the weekend at a local game reserve.

This was right before the sun rose so light was scarce. We came across a herd of eland and I wanted to see how this light-sucking prime would fare at high ISO. I have never been afraid of pushing the ISO capabilities of my 7D if it meant getting a half-decent shot...it's better than just sitting there wishing you had a D3s

All comments welcome! Standard NR in LR3, 2 rounds selective NR on the BG, sharpening on eland after resize (NO NR done on eland after exporting from LR).

Techs:
Canon 7D with 300mm f2.8 + 1.4x
f4.0 @ 1/400 SS @ ISO-3200

[Hilary Hann]

I really like this image Morkel. I like the vegetation around the eland and the way she is looking at you. Good job with the NR and lovely soft background. The animal in the background adds to the depth of the image in my opinion.

[Marc Mol]

Love the surrounding flowered grassland here Morkel, could do with some sharpening on the Eland here on my cal monitor, and wondered why you didn't stop down to 5.6 with the tc, as this may have improved sharpness a bit?
I know I loved my 300 f/2.8 when I had mine, it's one of Nikon's and Canon's best. I wondered why you perhaps didn't purchase the upcoming Canon 200-400? Or you needed it soon, I suppose?
......spoken by a true D3s owner
TFS

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Morkel I like the habitat in this image and the realy nice light and texture on the Eland.

ISO3200, impressive, no discernible noise in not very strong light.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Marc, Pieter & Hilary

@Marc - I was still coming to grips with the DOF using the TC and wanted to test sharpness wide open. I didn't wait for the 200-400 as I indeed needed something good immediately, and got this 300mm from Dumay Boulle for a very good price secondhand.

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Morkel, like the shot, and rather impressive result for such high iso. I like the symmetry created by ear position and the horns. Also like the leaf in the mouth. Pleasing colours in the habitat too. Well done. Who needs a d3S. Only kidding...
cheers
Grant

[Dumay de Boulle]

Great IQ bud (you make that beauty sing)...Love the environment and soft light...Very nice image

[Steve Kaluski]

I like the POV here Morkel, it was as if you were sneaking a peek through the vegetation and disturbed the Eland through mid chew. The OOF vegetation is nice and subtle too. Not sure about the OOF Eland in the BG, but as Hilary has mentioned, it does give the image depth so it stays in.

Although viewing on laptop, I wonder if there is a slight 'blueness' in the actual Eland?

Enjoy your need toy.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Morkel - I like the pose and the leaf is a bonus. I don't mind the oof one in the bg. Interesting about the ISO, I haven't tried my 7D at much above 800.

TFS,
Rachel

[Robert Amoruso]

Morkel,

I too feel more sharpening of the subject is needed. I would suggest a slightly elevated position would have been better here so the large OOF plants in left FG were not so much at eye level.

Good positioning of the body and head to show off the Eland.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Excellent Morkel, high ISO is excellent for a crop camera. Personally would clone out dark spot in the BG. I also agree with Steve on shadows, they are slightly blue TFS.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the comments everyone!

agree, slight blue cast evident, thanks for pointing it out...

repost has cast removed and eland sharpened a tad more

[Brendan Dozier]

Nice detail and exposure, Morkel. The included habitat really adds nicely to the composition.
I too am amazed at the IQ you got with ISO 3200. Nicely done!

[Chad Cocking]

howzit Morkel! so i took your advice and joined BNP!

im impressed with this 7D at 3200! my camera cant give those results...or i have never been brave enough to try! did u over expose the RAW image and drop exposure in RAW processing to help with noise control?

nice comp and detail!

just a question; how do i get my image to display as a thumbnail on my post? i am using photobucket as the site i upload my images to...and then just past an image code into the thread?

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Brendan and Chad

Chad - glad you found time to join up. Will reply via PM