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well done love the bg and low level
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Awesome light, terrific comp, pose and exposure. Wow, what a gorgeous specimen. Looking forward to more from your trip!
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Lifetime Member
Lovely pose and plumes. I would take some off of the left side to give it more power.
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BPN Member
Beautiful whites, pose, and BG. The eye and bill might be able to take just a tad more saturation.
Jack
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Thanks for the critques. Looking back over the three years images we've been going to Florida my shots have improved dramtically. I would say 90% due to critiques and advice from BNP.
Marina, agree a crop may give the image more power but I like negative space and in this image the extra colour it brings.
Jack, will give it a bit more on the saturation, thanks.
Kind regards.
Stu.
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Very nice Stuart. Something about that image tells an interesting story.
Question - I'm curious as to your experience with that Sigma lens (general sharpness, how fast it autofocuses). I see you shot this with D300 (I have D300s and D700). I'm looking at that as an alternative to some of the Nikon glass. I like the fact that it's a lot smaller than the usual 500mm f/4.0, but don't like the fact that it doesn't have VR. Perhaps that doesn't matter - you tell me.
Thanks,
Pete
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Hi Peter,
The Sigma is a great lens if you only need 500mm. I wouldn't use the lens wide open and sharpness doesn't do it for me until F6.3 by which time it's razor sharp. TC's are a bit hit and miss and find it best sometimes MF'd. VR, well, not having used a lens with VR I haven't missed it and have got sharp images down to 1/60th sec.
It is lighter, smaller and cheaper. However, if I could go back in time I'd hae gone for a used Nikon non VR. I've had some wonderful images using this lens but this Chrismas will be upgrading to a 200-400vr/500vr.
I would say if you do go the Sigma route, buy from a shop with a return policy. From new I had to send mine back to Sigma UK who then sent it back to Japan for 'focus issues'. The lens was returned with a note saying nothing was found but the lens was now magically fixed!
regards.
Stu.
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Excellent pose and details.
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Stuart, I like the comp. as-is. whites couldn't have been better. perfect exposure. loved the pose and the plumes. angle, BG, sand....lots of things to like here.
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Stuart,
Much thanks - appreciate the information - very helpful.
I've seen some of the used Nikons (non-VR) from time to time but hadn't been paying too close attention. I'll keep a closer eye out now.
Pete

Originally Posted by
Stuart Hill
Hi Peter,
The Sigma is a great lens if you only need 500mm. I wouldn't use the lens wide open and sharpness doesn't do it for me until F6.3 by which time it's razor sharp. TC's are a bit hit and miss and find it best sometimes MF'd. VR, well, not having used a lens with VR I haven't missed it and have got sharp images down to 1/60th sec.
It is lighter, smaller and cheaper. However, if I could go back in time I'd hae gone for a used Nikon non VR. I've had some wonderful images using this lens but this Chrismas will be upgrading to a 200-400vr/500vr.
I would say if you do go the Sigma route, buy from a shop with a return policy. From new I had to send mine back to Sigma UK who then sent it back to Japan for 'focus issues'. The lens was returned with a note saying nothing was found but the lens was now magically fixed!
regards.
Stu.
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Thanks Kaustubh, Frank, I love Florida!