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| Author | Post | |||||||||
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Graham Whistler
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I am getting on very well with my new 400-80mm lens as per my recent postings but with bird photography as we all know 400mm is not long enough and I was seriously thinking of getting the TC-24E Mk 3 it has good reviews in use with my lens. In past I would never consider a teleconverter but this one seems to have hit the spot what do you all think? I have just had a very good day on our local Titchfield Haven bird reserve with plenty to see and photo from their several hides. But as we all know in these places with telescope you get great views bur with Nikon 810 and 400mm not that good. In attached pix I have marked in the area of focus sq in camera viewfinder to show just how much you need to blow pixs up!( 1/800 sec at F11 320 ISO) This image even with D810 high res will not even look good with an A4 print! There was a photographer in hide with me he had a 600mm f4 Nikon on a D3X. I would not use it enough to spend £7000.00 to say nothing to the size and weight! The converted with my 400mm would give me 560mm lens with very little size or weight gain and I hope with good light levels little loss of quality. Attachment: Godwitt0389FocusPoint.jpg (Downloaded 124 times) |
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Ralph G Speer
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Graham, That shot looks pretty good. I have been there with my eagle interest. The converters work well. I am now using the 800 mm with the supplied extender on a D4s and love every bit of it. Have the 300, 400, 600, and now added the 800 to my set. Being I am now pushing 83 years, I refuse not to give in to the weight factor -- that's what tripods are for. You will love it all -- Photoshop and Lightroom works wonders . check out my gallery. RS |
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amazing50
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In my experience most teleconverters don't give as sharp a print as an equilivant crop from the same lens. Tests with the Tamron 150-600 and teleconverters and filters using a lens chart showed immage degration in all cases using D610 - 24Mg. pixils What I did for birding was buy a Nikon D5100 DX body, which gives 24Mg and 225-900mm eq. better than a crop even from a D800. |
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Eric
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I think you have to consider what type of bird photos you need. If you are trying to get a head shot of a sparrow then big investment is required. But some of the shots I prefer are 'whole bird plus some habitat'....and for that I find a 500mm on a DX is adequate for my purposes on most occasions. If I can't get the shot I want with that, I am not close enough. |
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Graham Whistler
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Ralph your camera bag must weigh a ton! Thanks for comments re teleconverters. I have also talked to somebody today who has the TC-14E AF-S Mk 3 and said it is a great improvement on the Mk2 and has should give good results with my 400-80 lens so I have ordered one. Will report more when I have it. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Ralph your camera bag must weigh a ton! Thanks for comments re teleconverters. I have also talked to somebody today who has the TC-14E AF-S Mk 3 and said it is a great improvement on the Mk2 and has should give good results with my 400-80 lens so I have ordered one. Will report more when I have it. I will be interested to see if you get acceptable results. I found the TC magnified limitations in my 80-200 f2.8 zoom that didn't show up without the TC. It only really worked well enough with primes.....so it went onto eBay pdq. |
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Ralph G Speer
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Graham, Be advised all III type converters don't work on all lenses. Autofocus cannot be used on most any thing over 2.8 -- see chart. The way I use them is focus manually and fine tune by hand. I am now trying the fine tune that is in the D4 & D4s (doing a lot of reading and trying - some good - some bad results) cameras. Shooting wide open at f2.8 on any lens and a high ISO to obtain a fast fast shutter speed seems to be the answer in most cases. Any way the chart is below for all glass. RS Usable lenses The following AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses can be used with the TC-20E  : En AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED* AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-I Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED* AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-I Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED * Autofocus cannot be used. AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR* AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED  * AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED* AF-I Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED* AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR* AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED  * AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED* AF-I Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED* AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED* • Other lenses cannot be used. Do not attach other lenses since the rear elements of the lens will touch and may damage the elements in the teleconverter. • Vibration reduction function can be used with the VR (Vibration Reduction) lens used with Nikon digital SLR (Nikon FX/DX format) cameras, F6, F5, F100, F80-series/N80-series**, F75-series/N75-series** and F65-series/N65- series** camera body. ** The Nikon N80-series, N75-series and N65-series are sold exclusively in the U.S.A. |
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Ralph G Speer
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Graham, I do have the 800 mm lens -- that came with a tele converter that Nikon tunes the converter for each lens. It's a 1.4 I believe. The mm shows just over 1000 mm in the data. RS |
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jk
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I purchased the Nikon 400mm f2.8 AFS because if I wanted to use the x2 converter then I would still have good AF. I have a therefore a 800mm f5.6 ultimately or if I put the 300mm f2.8 on the x2 then I have a 600mm f5.6 lens but on the 300 with TC there is noticeable softness which doesnt seem to be the same on the 400mm. I always use the combos on a tripod if I doing bird shooting and on a monopod for motor racing. |
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Graham Whistler
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Thanks for all above info. It should work OK with my 400-80mm as I have seen to reviews from people with same lens. I will be able to let you know how I get on in a few days. |
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Graham Whistler
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This is the test with the new TC-14E Mk3 Teleconverter. This shot is with the 400-80mm AF-S lens at 400mm plus converter = 540mm most of image as shot. Attachment: _DSC0399.jpg (Downloaded 102 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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This is same view moments later with no converter but lens at 400mm. Picture has been cropped so you can compare. I am hard pressed to see much in it and I think with converter sharpness is slightly better as image does not need to blown up to match. I am very impressed and camera auto focus works perfectly image looks just as bright in viewfinder no edge distortion with converter on but loss of brightness on finished image less that 1/2 stop to match exposure. Attachment: _DSC0402.jpg (Downloaded 103 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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My Error in fact with converter 400mm becomes 560mm |
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amazing50
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Looks like you got a good combination. Did 100% blowups and the 560mm is a better immage. |
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Graham Whistler
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When I purchased the 80-400mm lens I saw two reviews from users who also fitted the same teleconverter. It is a major step forward in design and now I have seen the results I understand why they charge £450 for such a small and light bit of kit!! It has 7 elements in 4 groups including elements with fluorine coatings.Nikon have done a 1st Class job on this it may mean loss of sales for them on the long 300mm to 800mm and costly prime lenses! As stated by Nikon there is no loss of any auto focus or exposure functions of AF-S lenses. They say that it needs a stop more exposure. I think it is even less than that I only made 1/2 stop to correct and match the two images. |
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Graham Whistler
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Hand held 560mm 1/400 sec at f8 VR working fine as is auto focus. This is about 1/3 of the full D810 frame. Attachment: StarlingC0408.jpg (Downloaded 96 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Hand held 560mm 1/400 sec at f8 VR working fine as is auto focus. This is about 1/3 of the full D810 frame. That's a lovely shot and compelling evidence of the combinations quality. Makes me think seriously about swapping my 500mm for the flexibility of this combination! |
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Graham Whistler
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What is very good, garden birds are small and not too near the house (at least 35 feet) and keep moving so you need to work fast. The D810 auto focus with this lens + teleconverter locks at once, no complaints! I have not done too much of this type of photography so am enjoying the challenge. |
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amazing50
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In Canada this combination would cost almost $8000  Don't know what kind of a discount would be offered to purchase the combo. NIKON D810 D-SLR BODY $3500. NIKON AF-S 80-400MM F/4.5-5.6G ED VR $3000. Nikon TC-14E Mk3 Teleconverter $550. Tax 13% $920. Total approx $7970. Prices from Henry's figures rounded. |
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Graham Whistler
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Still not as much as a set of long Nikon glass 400-800mm! Also with modern DSLRs working so well at higher ISOs the need for larger f nos is not so important. |
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Graham Whistler
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Another good afternoon at Titchfield Haven with the converter in place and lens at 400mm 1/500 sec f10 at 400 ISO. This is one of a series I took of this Black Tailed Godwitt that was feeding just in range. This is about 1/3 of the image so to get a pix like this filling frame you wold need an 800mm lens! Attachment: BTGodwitt0501.jpg (Downloaded 75 times) |
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jk
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Sell you a nice x2 converter sir ? Gives you a 800mm! Very good image Graham. |
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Graham Whistler
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But would it be as sharp? This new TC-1.4 seems to retain all the quality of the lens with no converter on board. The above pix is still only 1/3 of the frame but would produce a high quality A3 print, the true advantage of the D810 are now showing! |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:But would it be as sharp? This new TC-1.4 seems to retain all the quality of the lens with no converter on board. The above pix is still only 1/3 of the frame but would produce a high quality A3 print, the true advantage of the D810 are now showing! I think the old adage of not being too greedy with teleconverters, is ringing true as well. I've always felt 1.4 is enough....even before recent advances. |
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jk
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I'd love to test with my Kenko DG300 Plus x2 teleconverter. |
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Graham Whistler
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Pick ma building like I did with plenty of well lit detail and shoot it with your 300mm with and with out x2 converter crop 300mm pix to give same left right and it should show you most of what you need to see. P{ost them for us to see please. |
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jk
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The x2 with the Nikon 300mm f2.8 AFS is a SOFTER RENDERING compared to the x2 crop. I need to test with the 400mm f2.8 AFS but I dont have any buildings within a suitable distance to test. I will have to find a suitable target instead! |
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Graham Whistler
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I think Eric had a point about x2 converters it my just be a step too high and that is why Nikon have developed this TC-14E that I am so impressed with? |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:I think Eric had a point about x2 converters it my just be a step too high and that is why Nikon have developed this TC-14E that I am so impressed with? I have just sold my D7000 and plan a trip to WEX to do some shopping. I suspect this tele converter may be worth a try on my current lenses before I start thinning! |
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amazing50
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Would be interesting if it would work on the 500mm. |
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Graham Whistler
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It is listed in the Nikon instruction sheet as able to be used with about 18 AF-S modern lenses starting at 105mm macro ending at my 80-400mm but including the full range of big long latest lenses 300mm 400mm 500mm 60mm & 800mm They only include full AF-S so perhaps will not work as well with all the older lenses? I must be getting old one of my RPS Workshop Students, Robert Bracher took this pix of me , it came 1st in a comp at his local camera club! Attachment: Graham Whistler 001.jpg (Downloaded 51 times) |
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jk
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Fine photo of you Graham. |
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Eric
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amazing50 wrote:Would be interesting if it would work on the 500mm. The 500mm is a heavy beast. Graham's results with the much lighter 80-400 encourage me to swop it. |
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Graham Whistler
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Shame you are not local so you could try for yourself. Perhaps WEX have both items in stock and let you take some pictuters? |
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Graham Whistler
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Just returned from 10 days in East Anglia. I took these Black Tailed Godwits on the River Stour Estuary near Manningtree, part of a group of about 60 feeding as the tide came in wonderful sight! I took at least 25 shots with my Nikon D810, this was one of the better pictures as they came closer to me. Lens was 550mm (with converter) 1/640sec at f10 ISO 400 cloudy bright conditions. Great sight when they all took off but failed to get a sharp pix of this! Attachment: Godwits0722.jpg (Downloaded 33 times) |
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Eric
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Lovely sight in breeding plumage. Strange effect on the water surface though, Graham. It looks 'grainy'?? |
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Graham Whistler
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No just the tide comes up very fast and stirs up the mud. That is why the birds are there conditions produce lots of quick good food for them! (I was shooting in good light and only 400 ISO, exposure was spot on no after correction needed.) |
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Graham Whistler
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Yesterday out with my 80-400 plus converter but even with 550mm could not get very close to these Avocets with two young in my local reserve Titchfield Haven. This is still about 1/3 of the D810 full frame! Doing much better with focus now expanded to 11 hotspots on auto focus. Attachment: Avosets with young.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Yesterday out with my 80-400 plus converter but even with 550mm could not get very close to these Avocets with two young in my local reserve Titchfield Haven. This is still about 1/3 of the D810 full frame! You have to make a few decisions when it comes to bird photography... Am I happy with habitat bird shots, where the bird is shown in its surroundings? If so, using 500mm and public hides may be sufficient. Do I want full frame, see the mites on its back, images? If so, you need big lenses AND STILL some extra local knowledge to get closer than your average hide. You also need time and patience...and maybe specialist supports to cope with toting lots of heavy equipment.......  Attachment: image.jpg (Downloaded 20 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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That could only be a photographer from USA! "AND STILL some extra local knowledge to get closer than your average hide," I agree with that Eric 100%. Even a 1000mm lens would not have given me a full frame of a single bird at the distance those Avocets were! When in France a few weeks ago there were a big group of Avocets on one of the salt flats and we very slowly walked closer taking cover but at 200 yds they were off! I am new to this type of photography but am greatly enjoying the fun and challenge of it! I now am using 11 points of focus setting rather my former single one for birds and am getting far better more pin sharp results. Birds in the air are another story! |
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jk
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Graham Whistler wrote:That could only be a photographer from USA! I have to say that the best way to photograph birds and most wildlife is to observe them from a distance then get a portable hide and wait patiently, even if it is uncomfortable and takes days. All the fulltime animal photographers take months/years to get their great pictures. Art in any form is not easy or painless! |
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Robert
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I remember reading or hearing somewhere that an aspiring African photographer submerged himself in a muddy watering hole out in the wilds, for days on end, he was rewarded eventually with an outstanding image, which kick started his career. |
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Graham Whistler
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I had 14 yrs working in African Game reserves taking pictures for the Rhodesian Tourist Board. Yes these are wild White Rhino but they got so used to me that after 3 weeks I got this close and could use my 67 Linhof with a 180mm lens! Pix on me was taken by the game ranger I worked with using my Nikon F2 (yes film camera) Attachment: GW Rhinos 1970.jpg (Downloaded 70 times) |
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Robert
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You had a little more hair then!!!  Must have been a wonderful experience Graham. It more than sad the way Africa has gone, although no doubt things were far from perfect back then. |
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amazing50
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The only thing that rig from Miami is missing is a beer cooler. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:I had 14 yrs working in African Game reserves taking pictures for the Rhodesian Tourist Board. Yes these are wild White Rhino but they got so used to me that after 3 weeks I got this close and could use my 67 Linhof with a 180mm lens! Pix on me was taken by the game ranger I worked with using my Nikon F2 (yes film camera) That's an amazing capture of your courage and determination Graham. Looking at your footwear, I am reminded of the old joke about the two photographers shooting lions in the wild. On reaching a very close location one guy takes a pair of Nike running shoes from his bag and puts them on. As he does so, the other guy says " what on earth makes you think you can outrun a lion?". "I don't have to...I just have to outrun you". I wonder what the other photographer in your shot, had on his feet? |
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Graham Whistler
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Much the same protection from snakes! Am getting on very well with the new 80-400 plus converter. Also using 11 point helps a lot with bird photography. |
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Graham Whistler
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Out with the 400-80 plus 1.4 converter at Titchfield Haven our local reserve yesterday 14 pairs of Avocets nesting now. This was best I could do all morning from hides you just can not get close enough.This is still using part image only to get them large enough, this is a big plus with the D810. Images also at 400 ISO at 1/640 sec at F11 hand held. I'm doing much better now with auto focus and am now using 9 point dynamic active areas. Attachment: Avocet0986+chick.jpg (Downloaded 50 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Tichfield Haven again yesterday getting skills up with the new lens. Auto focus works better at 560mm for subjects like this Shoveler Duck with chicks and good contrast against the water. The Avocets much harder to get them sharp, they also move quickly. Again not able to see the USA Yellow Legs as it had flown up river with the Godwits. Attachment: S Duck1056.jpg (Downloaded 45 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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See what I mean focus on bird near camera is slightly soft. Hand held at 1/640 sec lens at full 560mm this pix is about 50% of full frame. Weather was cloudy bright so less contrast and Avocets white perhaps not helpful for auto focus also the lens is f4.5-5.5 max f no. May be by paying all the extra for a long lens with f2.8 auto focus would be helped a bit more and give more sharp pixs. No complaints on sharpness of this lens when it hits the mark. But I am new to long lens bird photography and as some of you have said: not easy. Also I know I needed a faster shutter speed for this shot but no time to do so as the 2nd bird took off without telling me! Attachment: Avocet1049.jpg (Downloaded 44 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Starting to get a bit better at in-flight, still not quite sharp. This 400 ISO lens + converter at 550mm 1/640 sec at f13 Attachment: Avocet1080.jpg (Downloaded 36 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Getting there, I have been talking to some RPS top notch bird photographers and news is: Best setting for spot on sharp flight pix use at least 1/1600sec. Forget 51 point as it lets camera go even if not quite sharp, use 9 point or if your skill is good single point always gives spot on sharpness if your aim is good! My 80-400mm AF-S is very sharp for static pix, as my lens tests show but experts tell me it's auto focus is not quick enough for 100% good results of flight pixs of birds. Fast auto focus will be slowed up even more with x1.4 Mk 3 converter. Now the bad news for me is D810 will never be camera of choice for fast action photography. Partly because the small battery can not really power a long lens as well as full pro camera like D4S. I have cured this a fair bit by fitting the extra battery grip MB-D12. The camera now has the feel of my old friend the D3X. This has helped a lot. Now with 9 focus points and extra battery power results are getting there as with this seagull pix. I am told the big Nikon lenses has much quicker focus reaction than my 80-400mm.ie I would do a lot better with a 500mm f4 Nikon latest lens! There is no doubt that the D810 is super for studio and landscape photography but now I lust for a 500mm F4 Nikon lens and an F4 body for my bird photography! Attachment: Gulls1484.jpg (Downloaded 26 times) |
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jk
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Graham the Nikon 400mm f2.8 AFS is more flexible. Can be used with a x3 converter if you need to go long! I might be getting rid of my Nikon 400mm if you are interested. |
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Eric
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Interesting thread. It doesn't surprise me that higher shutter speeds are the order of the day. But I would be taking a serious appraisal of my results and needs before shelling out £5000+ for a lens. I have seen some exceptional images captured with lesser lenses so it must be possible. |
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jk
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I think the serious birding lenses are the new long 300, 400, 500, 600mm AFS VR lenses. Personally I prefer to have the camera and lens on a tripod and use a fast shutter speed which means that VR is a waste. I sometimes wonder if AF is actually useful as I can remember the days before AF when I seemed to be able to catch focus really quickly by knowing the sport. Maybe it was youthful reflex or exuberance! |
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Graham Whistler
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I shall not be rushing out to get a £5000 500mm lens just yet as I'm starting to get results with what I've got. Also how long before D4S is replaces with D5? |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:I shall not be rushing out to get a £5000 500mm lens just yet as I'm starting to get results with what I've got. Also how long before D4S is replaces with D5? Well I would be very pleased with some of those images!:thumbsup: |
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jk
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Graham Whistler wrote:I shall not be rushing out to get a £5000 500mm lens just yet as I'm starting to get results with what I've got. Also how long before D4S is replaces with D5? Well according to my rumour mill it will arrive early 2016. Full spec unknown! But it looks like 24MP which is what the D4 should have been. The rest is icing as a D750 does all I want and is probably a lighter package. I need to make my final decision regarding Nikon v. Fuji before it is released. |
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Graham Whistler
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As you see from seagulls pix now following help I had from my RPS expert bird pix friends I am getting good sharp pictures of birds at last! Also the extra battery pack on the D810 has boosted focus speed of my 80-400 lens. I think the best bit of advice was do not use 51 point focus for flying birds (Nikon do tell you in instruction book to use this for flight pix bad news!!!!) as it lets camera take photographs when camera is not quite in focus. The 9 point setting was used on the seagull pix and that is very nice and sharp as were plenty of other pix I did on same day. When you get skills of following better also try on old friend single focus point best of all. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Graham Whistler wrote: No doubt a 'lighter package' out of the box...the D750 weighs the same a as the D7100. Of course it lacks the weight of the battery grip portion that the D3/4/5 models have, but adding one will still make it a lighter load. The only thing I would say is that stepping 'down' from a D3 to a D750 I did notice a speed of responds drop. Not a problem in normal use but I rattled off 10 raw shots in quick succession and card writing did slow...but that might be the SD card I was using as it was different to the CF card in the D3. I am getting the battery grip for the Fuji XT to see if it's feel in the hand improves. In terms of weight and functionality with the V4 firmware it may be a close run race between the D750 and the XT for general use. Of course for long lens use the DSLR will always win. IMHO |
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jk
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The battery grip on the Fuji does change the feel of the camera but only if you are using it all day and dont want to be bothered with frequent battery changes. No improvement in handling IMHO except the battery last longer and you can set up to use the grip battery first so when that is low you battery change so the internal XT1 battery is a backup/overflow. There is a D750 battery grip I am sure. I always found the Nikon battery grips to be a worthwhile extra. D750 battery grip.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meike-2-4G-Wireless-Remote-Control-Battery-Grip-for-Nikon-D750-as-MB-D16-/271905984775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f4edc1107 |
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Eric
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jk wrote:The battery grip on the Fuji does change the feel of the camera but only if you are using it all day and dont want to be bothered with frequent battery changes. No improvement in handling IMHO except the battery last longer and you can set up to use the grip battery first so when that is low you battery change so the internal XT1 battery is a backup/overflow. IMHO the D750 doesn't need a battery grip ...to help with holding...the deep grip affords that more than other Nikon bodies. |
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jk
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Interesting. I havent seen or touched a D750 so I dont know. The D810 would be good but it has too many MP for daily use. The more I use my D600 the more I like the 24MP rather than 36MP or 12MP. |
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Graham Whistler
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JK: The D810 would be good but it has too many MP for daily use. The more I use my D600 the more I like the 24MP rather than 36MP or 12MP I think you make a good point there JK. My recent bird photography has showed up quite a few of the downside of the D810. Mainly images blown up from small portions do not look nearly as good as I thought they should! There is noise and grain there and sharpness is not what it should be. But as stated in above lack of sharpness is more down to poor focus so I hope I am getting on top of that. I will keep reporting in this link as I gain more experience of this very difficult branch of photography.I hope to go down to the reserve again later this week when this much needed rain goes away. |
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jk
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I would be interested to see a side by side comparison of D810 and D750 but this is difficult especially with bird photography. I am tempted by either a D810 or a D750 but I need to really test the Fuji XT1 with the new firmware thoroughly before I make any decisions about new gear purchase. |
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Graham Whistler
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The D810 produces landscapes and studio photography almost as good as you can get with any DSLR today. But the camera is perhaps not the right tool for high speed action and very high ISOs. Compare this flight pix using the much faster shutter speed and 9 point focus and battery grip MB-D12. See previous flight pix, this shot was taken on same day as above gulls. Attachment: Avocet1535.jpg (Downloaded 56 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:The D810 produces landscapes and studio photography almost as good as you can get with any DSLR today. But the camera is perhaps not the right tool for high speed action and very high ISOs. Nice sharp image there, Graham. :thumbsup: |
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jk
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Interesting results here. I am not a lover of DxO testing but ...... Pixels definitely dont rule!! http://photorumors.com/2015/07/08/canon-5ds-and-5ds-r-cameras-tested-at-dxomark-compared-with-nikon-d810-and-sony-a7r/ |
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Graham Whistler
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I am still working hard at my project and learning more. This is one of my latest better efforts, birds posing great but too far away so this is only 1/3 of the D810 image and pushing thing a lot but the A3+ print is not too bad! Sharpness still not as good as I would like. Getting to know some very serious photographers on my weekly trip to Titchfield reserve. One man at this session with new Nikkor 500mm F4EA AF-S FL ED VR on a D4 body. The new lens costs £8149 compared with the previous 500mm at a modest £5890 that he traded in for the new lens.He also said the new lens is sharpest he has ever had and lock on focus is best ever in speed. ( I think I saw him drive off in a very nice Merc!). He kindly let me have a go and it locks on very much faster than my set up. He also agrees that 9 point is as far as you should go and even that is hit and miss. Best pin sharp flight pix will always be if you are skilled enough with single point. Attachment: Avocets1769s.jpg (Downloaded 38 times) |
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jk
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Oh dear. Seems like Graham is going to raid his pension pot for a new 600mm f4 AFS VR or the 500mm. Graham dont forget to say a swift thank you to George Osborne and remember to collect back the VAT It makes it so much cheaper. |
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jk
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Before you purchase look here. http://nikonrumors.com/2015/07/26/nikon-rumored-to-announce-a-new-200-500mm-lens.aspx/ |
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Graham Whistler
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Sorry did not put in tech spec for latest pix above: Lens plus 1.4 converter at 550mm 1/3 of full frame used. Cloudy bright Exp: 1/1600 sec f10 400 ISO. 9 Point Autofocus on cont tracking. Motor drive on fastest settings. This shot was 2nd of 10 shot burst, other shots were all as sharp but not so interesting.So I'm hand holding it much better now I think my movie work is helping me pan and keep up with the birds. As for spending all that money (I would also need a new D4s body as well taking cost up to £12000 even taking off VAT it is still £10,000!!) and humping a 3 kg lens plus D4s or perhaps D5 body at 75 yrs old is not going to be much fun. For a bit I shall stick with what I've got as landscape and still life are my main interest and I'M very well set up for that. |
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Ralph G Speer
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Graham, Go for it. Have the 4S and 800mm Tele. I am pushing 83 and would not give them them up. Believe me it's one great combo. Planing to go for the new 600 from what I am seeing on the net. Like your work very much. Keep it going and don't look back. Ralph |
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jk
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There is a D5 coming at end of this year or early next year if my rumour mill feeds are still good. The D4 goes to f8 for AF maybe the D5 will improve this. Also it will get to 24MP which is I believe the sweet spot for ISO sensitivity/pixels numbers/low luminance noise. |
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Graham Whistler
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As stated will hang on for a bit it's a lot of money and I would wait to see if D5 comes out as as JK states it sound like it could be a perfect camera. D810 is super for 90% of what I do but the high pic count does not seem to help too much when you blow up bird pix from 1/3 of image to make a pin sharp A3+ print see dig grain in this section of the A3+ print. Not too good is it? That is at 400 ISO and exposure was spot on so it has not been cooked in Photoshop. I think JK has a good point about waiting to see what and when the D5 comes out. I also, after learning on the birds all winter will see just how keen I am before spending all that money that could give us a two month holiday in a nice warm place over winter! Attachment: Section1769s.jpg (Downloaded 31 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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This also makes you think with great care about spending all that money. This Hornbill I shot a few days ago at Marwell Zoo with my little Sony RX10 1/320 sec f3.5 200mm eq lens setting at 200ISO. Very little noise and well able to blow up to a pin sharp A3+ print!!! Attachment: Hornbill0620.jpg (Downloaded 31 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:This also makes you think with great care about spending all that money. This Hornbill I shot a few days ago at Marwell Zoo with my little Sony RX10 1/320 sec f3.5 200mm eq lens setting at 200ISO. Very little noise and well able to blow up to a pin sharp A3+ print!!! But in fairness, Graham, you know that you are never going to need extreme tele lenses when shooting captive creatures. As soon as you put WILD in front of LIFE it puts zeros on the price of the equipment and/or a huge commitment to field craft and local intelligence to achieve the same standard of images. I remember many years ago wanting to film spotted woodpeckers especially at their tree 'nest'. After lots of attempts, which I have to say produced a lot of good cut away footage, I heard of someone who lived in a wood and who had woodpeckers in the tree 10foot outside their bedroom window! The shots I got were superb with short range teles...and it was a very comfortable hide. Lol WILD woodpecker ....sat on my patio... 200mm lens..... Attachment: image.jpg (Downloaded 30 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Super shot, we have them on our lawn sometimes but I never seem to have a camera handy. |
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Graham Whistler
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Another afternoon out with 550 and D810 and at low tide had some interesting light on the wet mud. This was hand held 1/1600 sec at f10 400 ISO and this is a bit closer to camera so is perhaps 50% of total frame and makes a good quality A3+. (JK tell me when you have had enough of this saga!) Attachment: Avocet1863.jpg (Downloaded 20 times) |
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jk
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Super sharp Graham. That is the advantage of the D800/810 as the extra pixels allow you to crop without boosting the 'grain'. Be interesting to see side by side original/crop. |
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Graham Whistler
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Whole file as requested JK. As stated I would say 50% used for finished pix. By way this was taken using single point focus it always give sharpest pix with 9 point you do get images as sharp but you also get some that are only OK! The Avcoet was moving quite fast but in one direction so could be tracked during the burst of about 6 pixs. Attachment: _DSC1863.jpg (Downloaded 74 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Another afternoon out with 550 and D810 and at low tide had some interesting light on the wet mud. This was hand held 1/1600 sec at f10 400 ISO and this is a bit closer to camera so is perhaps 50% of total frame and makes a good quality A3+. (JK tell me when you have had enough of this saga!) Lovely image Graham...keep 'em coming. |
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jk
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http://nikonrumors.com/tag/nikon-af-s-nikkor-200-500mm-f5-6e-ed-vr-lens/ Info coming soon ? |
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jk
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The D5 hoves into sight in January 2016. http://nikonrumors.com/category/nikon-d5/ Interesting. I missed out on the F4 and then went digital. I missed out on the D4 will I go for a D5. I actually doubt it. |
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Graham Whistler
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"Now we are teenagers" Lock on time with auto focus seems to be the main problem with this bird photography. My set up works well with nearly static shots like this but flight pix are another story. It's all about focus lock on time, and also I am told using the x1.4 with my 400-80mm lens slows it down even more. Also I now use at least 1/1600sec shutter speed even if I have to push ISO. As you all saw my early tests proved that with static shots my set up is pin sharp. I never need or use VR, waders heads are moving all time so fast shutter is vital. I have met lots of very serious bird photographers this last three months and they all use long prime Nikon or Canon lenses. Many think nothing of having two or even three long prime lenses and at least 2 top camera bodies. As and RPS friend said to me the other day it is a rich man's game! I am think very seriously about a Nikon 500mm f4 AF-S but not bothered with VR as I use fast shutter all the time now. Perhaps a good 2nd hand one? Attachment: AvocetsTeenagers.jpg (Downloaded 60 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Have taken the plunge at £5700: x1 New AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4 ED VD should be with me this week. Did not trade in my 80-400 as LCE only offered me much less than 1/2 and it was new Jan this year! I did not go for the new FL one as it is over £8000 and reports are that yes tiny bit lighter but not going to give seriously better pix, also they do not have any! |
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jk
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Wow. That is serious birding lens. Well done. Looking forward to seeing the results. |
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Graham Whistler
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Just back from a wet 3 weeks in Ireland. I took the 80-400mm plus 1.4 converter as it is more compact than my super new 500mm also did not want to risk the new lens in locked car etc! To amuse myself on several wet days in our holiday cottage on W Coast I had a go at birds on the feeder in the garden out of the window. They were so tame I moved the feeder to 15 feet and just took all pix I wanted to hone my bird skills. Several new things JK said VR no use with long lenses so I did tests as light was poor a lot of the time. Still got pin sharp hand holding with VR 1/125 sec at 650mm. So was then able to cut down high ISO and also stop down more. After three days of wet weather days at the window I was getting 70% good results only failures were birds moving their heads. So happy with this lens and converter that I am not going to sell it!! Watch this space I will soon post some results from my new 500mm F4 AF-S. So at least I now know I can now trust VR with slow shutter speeds! Attachment: Greattit2023s.jpg (Downloaded 39 times) |
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Iain
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Super sharp shot there Graham. |
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Graham Whistler
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The Avocets have left our local Titchfied Haven 4 weeks ago so today I followed them to Poole Harbour they are up to 2000 overwinter here. They were asleep waiting for tide to go out exposing the vast feeding area of mud flats. At last they took off and gave me a fine flying display and this is one of 25 shots I got. Still using the 80-400 plus x1.4 extender. This was 1/1600 sec with 9 point focusing. Attachment: Avocets2343.jpg (Downloaded 29 times) |
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Iain
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We're a long way from that number up here Washington wwt had 16 there this year and RSPB Saltholme had 30+ |
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