Oystercatcher - Nikon V1 at 1620mm

[Randy Stout]

This handsome fellow was imaged this past Feb. while helping out with Artie's SW Florida IPT. It was pretty funny to see folks expression when they saw the tiny V1 stuck on the end of the largish 600VR. The camera has some real restrictions for bird photography, but its not easy to get 1620mm with Nikon gear!

V1 600VR f/6.3 1/640 ISO 100 Gitzo/Wimberley

Post: CS5 selective sharpening, small crop from right, added sliver of canvas above, cleaned up a few tiny twigs on beach.

Mud not my favorite foreground, but thats where he was standing!

I liked the tucked up foot, head angle, vivid colors, soft background and colors.

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

Hi Randy,
I remember this guy!
I like it for all the reasons you have stated- tucked up foot, head position and soft BG. That little V1 does a pretty good job.
Nice image,
Gail

[rajojomanik]

That is amazing at 1620mm!!!!

Great background and lovely pose. I remember seeing a pair at DeSoto with the help from Gail.

[Ofer Levy]

Interesting experience! I wonder how big can you print this file as a high quality print?

[RakeshDhareshwar]

No nits at all . as perfect as they come . Awesome catch , Randy !!!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Randy, The first thing that hits me here is the excellent exposure on this fellow. OC's arent easy to get right, but you have nailed the blacks nicely. Super pose, sharp, and I do like the BG. Im fine with the mud, so would liked to have seen a bit more below.

[Daniel Cadieux]

This setup has very good IQ!! Great exposure, and I like the very subtle rippling in the water. I'm OK with the mud here. A bit big in the frame, but it does show what can be done with this gear.

[Doug Brown]

Don't mind the mud at all Randy. I like the pose and the pretty water behind the bird. Detail is quite good, especially considering the focal length. Whites could go a little brighter IMO, as they look somewhat gray. What kind of glass did you have mounted on the V1? I'd like to see a photo of that tiny body mounted on some serious glass!

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Doug - the V1 was on my 600VR. Image a cell phone stuck on the bag of that lens. Looked pretty silly.

Ofer - I haven't printed this one. Judging by the look of the raw file, it would do well. Not the same as a pro body, but quite respectable. It helps that it is almost full frame, so not much cropping. The camera has a 10 MP sensor.

Cheers

Randy

[Colin Knight]

The foreground is great, it's natural and unobtrusive. It's a bit tight in the frame for me. Great colors and head position.

[arash_hazeghi]

looks pretty good for a small sensor camera. Although I think at f/6.3 it is already diffraction limited. would be better off using a d800 and just cropping your files.