I was intrigued by the V1 when it was announced, not so much as a stand alone camera, although it can be quite good there, but as a way to really stretch out the reach of my AFS lenses. When I joined Artie for the SW Florida IPT, I took along a V1, the FT1 F mount lens adapter and some unanswered questions. How well would it autofocus on the larger lenses, would I be able to work with the limitation of center point AF only, was this just a gimmick, or a real tool.
Well, I have to say I came away impressed. Shooting my 600 at an equivalent of 1620 mm, at f/4, is an interesting experience! Plus, the rig is a lot easier to carry around! People kept asking what happened to my camera! It does look kinda of silly to have a cell phone sized camera on the end of a big lens, but you use what gets the job done.
So, V1 with FT1 600VR f/5 1/1600 ISO 100
Post: Minor crop from left and right for comp. Very light pass with low opacity detail extractor from Color Efex Pro. Selective sharpening with Photokit Sharpener.
I will report a few more little tidbits as I wade through more of the images.
Hi Randy,
This is wonderful. I love the curves and the diagonal lines and the wind blown feather on the back. Ha angle police will be very happy with this! Whites look good as well. I like the blue in the BG. No nits from me,
Gail
Randy, nice composition as Gail mentioned. Even though the whites are not hot I would like to see more detail. The angle of the sun here did not help IMHO. The eye certainly does bring you in.
I actually thought the IQ was pretty good, and wondered if because I left the whites at about 250 in some areas, that some monitors weren't resolving it well.
I went back and lowered the exposure enough to bring the brightest whites to 230 ish. Will be curious to see if that makes any difference for folks. I will also check the original on my work monitor, which doesn't handle the whites as well as my main monitor.
I really do appreciate the input. I could have teased more apparent detail out of the whites with detail extractor in Color Efex Pro, but was really trying to show a 'straight' image without lots of post processing.
Cheers
Randy
Last edited by Randy Stout; 02-24-2012 at 08:13 AM.
Hi Randy, I really like the pose with the S curve of the neck. Great whites and yellows, and your repost, although subtle does look a better. The clear smooth BG looks good too.
Thanks for showing what the V1 can do with heavy glass ! I've been on the fence about this, but it looks by your example that, at least under 'portrait' conditions, it's a worthy tool for photographers of all levels.
Your RP did improve then IQ on my monitor, though the whites didn't concern me in the OP.
exceptional work Randy!
I am testing one out in the Kgalagadi these next 2 weeks.
Not attaching it to prime glass though - will be using the 10-30mm and 30mm+ lenses.
If you can scrounge up the FT1 adapter, you have to try it on some of your AFS lenses. What a hoot. Yes, some limitations, but it is pretty amazing to stick it on a 70-300 VR or 70-200 and have so much reach in such a light package. I could easily see this as a great light travel kit when you just can't carry a big body!
Beautiful portrait shot, Randy. You have good enough details in the white but it remained white oppose to gray.
I should look up the camera body mentioned, although it might not apply to Canon shooters.
Repost looks great.
I have known a few guys in Malaysia that have been using this body with 300mm f/4 and longer lenses. Amazingly, they have gotten some shots at a much wider fstop yet able to get the birds in focus.
Keep them coming.