First D300 Image

[Blake Shadle]

I've just got a new D300, and I have to say... I think I'm falling in love with this camera. I know it's a camera, and it's a bit unnatural to fall in love with an object... but we've been out on many dates and the future of our relationship is very bright!! :D

I made this image while out on the Hooptie Duex with Cheryl Flory :)

Shooting Solution
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: 70-300VR @ 300mm
Dynamic 3D AF on center point
Manual Exposure, 1/1250 @ f/5.6
ISO 400, Hand held

Thanks for looking!

Comments welcomed and much appreciated :)

[chad anderson]

Awesome. I really like the way the angle of the shot complements the posture of the bird. Nice light too.

As far as the camera, how does Micah feel about this?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very cool pose and great details. I might add a tad more space in front of the bird. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, to quote a famous movie line. :)

[Alfred Forns]

That is one outstanding pelican image Blake !!!! One of those cases everything works You got the light, pose, bg, exposure and sharpness !!!! Big Time Congrats !!!!!

Read the manual .... lots of goodies !!!!

[Patricio Murphy]

I've just got a new D300, and I have to say... I think I'm falling in love with this camera. I know it's a camera, and it's a bit unnatural to fall in love with an object...

Are you kidding? I'm a guitarist and a photographer. I'm in love with my guitars and my D200. Not only I fell in love with objects... I'm also polygamous!

BTW, amazing shot. Lovely bird, beautiful picture.

[Gayle Clement]

Beautiful, Blake. I love the detail in the feathers. You guys are going to make me abandon my D2Xs yet.

[Jim Poor]

Really cool pose. Looks like he's about to pounce on someone.

[Brian Wong]

Hi Blake!

The light, and detail is awesome! Have fun with your new love!

[Blake Shadle]

Awesome. I really like the way the angle of the shot complements the posture of the bird. Nice light too.

As far as the camera, how does Micah feel about this?

She also loves the D300. We're thinking of moving to Utah.

[Stephen Stephen]

Blake great pose and exposure. I'm sure that I could almost count every feather on that right wing!

[Randy Stout]

Blake:

I really like/love my D300, so understand the feeling. I was more interested in your lens choice. I haven't seen many images on the board here taken with that lens. How do you find it works, re: focusing speed, VR effectiveness, etc? Have you shot the 70-200 with a TC on the D300? Curious how the two would compare for BIF.

Wonderful image. I just smile everytime I see a great Pelican image/

Thanks

Randy

[Blake Shadle]

Blake:

I really like/love my D300, so understand the feeling. I was more interested in your lens choice. I haven't seen many images on the board here taken with that lens. How do you find it works, re: focusing speed, VR effectiveness, etc? Have you shot the 70-200 with a TC on the D300? Curious how the two would compare for BIF.

Wonderful image. I just smile everytime I see a great Pelican image/

Thanks

Randy

Hi Randy! Thanks, and I'm glad I'm not alone in my D300 love ;) The 70-300VR is the "working mans" solution to medium focal length with vibration reduction :D It's incredibly sharp, and fast to focus. The 70-200VR + 1.4XTC is much faster but also costs WAY more! You can get a new 70-300VR for around $500USD.

If you've ever used an 80-400VR, the 70-300VR feels twice as fast :) Not lightning speed, but it is AFS and can get the job done. I almost started to shed tears of joy using 3D focusing with the 70-300VR for the first time. It's very responsive and very accurate.

EDIT: Oh I forgot to mention the VR. It feels just as effective as any. It's active all the time, so you get that great VR noise as you're using it. I haven't really put the VR to the test yet.

[Haim Ziv]

Sharp and very beautiful pose.

[Randy Stout]

Blake:

Thanks for the input. Yes, I have a 80-400. Just got through using a 200-400 for a week in Florida. Kind of spoiled me. I have a 70-300 VR on the way to me, to replace my previous generation 70-300.. I was thinking about the 70-200 for next years IPT as a flight lens, but just might try the 70-300.

Randy

[Blake Shadle]

You're welcome! ;) If it's in your budget, the 70-200VR is a killer lens, but give the 70-300VR a test drive first and see how you like it. Let me know what you think.

[David Hemmings]

Hey, I love my camera:) Beautiful image! Can you email me at avianart@rogers.com I want to ask you about your tours.
Thanks Blake

[Blake Shadle]

Hey, I love my camera:) Beautiful image! Can you email me at avianart@rogers.com I want to ask you about your tours.
Thanks Blake

Sure thing ;) It'll be coming at you from my gMail address.

[Maxis Gamez]

Congrats in the new toy!!

Love the pose and light on this one!! I want you to check out my next post!!

Keep them coming!!

[Philip Pietri]

Technically this is superb but the artistic approach really makes the image. It's quite a unique pelican shot (it's almost scary). Great work and I'm glad you're making good use of your new new equipment. Erf.