One hour walkaround at SBG on Saturday morning

[pcool]

SBG is a rich with nature and beautiful environment....

[Pearlang]

Very nice birds.

[F2point8]

What is your setting? Most pics seem soft and less vibrant...
Agree SBG has alot of gems within.

[pcool]

Hi F2point8

I agreed, but I do not know why? Can seek your advice on how to improve?

Picture 1# 500mm, f7.1, 1/500s
Picture 2# 500mm, f10, 1/500s
Picture 3# 500mm, f10, 1/320s
Picture 4# 500mm, f6.3, 1/80s
Picture 5# 500mm, f7.1, 1/500s

Thanks.

[F2point8]

Originally Posted by pcool Hi F2point8 I agreed, but I do not know why? Can seek your advice on how to improve? Picture 1# 500mm, f7.1, 1/500s Picture 2# 500mm, f10, 1/500s Picture 3# 500mm, f10, 1/320s Picture 4# 500mm, f6.3, 1/80s Picture 5# 500mm, f7.1, 1/500s Thanks.

Wow, you use the 500mm big gun? Use of TC?
Are the pics all 100% cropped? ISO?

[pcool]

I am using Sigma 150-500mm handheld for all shots without TC.
Picture 1# ISO400 25% crop
Picture 2# ISO400, 50% crop
Picture 3# ISO360, 25% crop
Picture 4# ISO200, No crop
Picture 5# ISO400, 75% crop

Is it due to insufficent light?

Thanks again.

[gradesm]

Think your shuttle speed is not fast enough.. Looks like motion blur to me.
If u were following the 1/focal length "rule", pls remember that in your case (D300), it's 750mm when u consider the crop factor

[F2point8]

Originally Posted by gradesm Think your shuttle speed is not fast enough.. Looks like motion blur to me. If u were following the 1/focal length "rule", pls remember that in your case (D300), it's 750mm when u consider the crop factor

Agree with gradesm, for telezoom of 500mm you need very steady hand , best is to shoot with tripod. Your ISO seems to be OK for some of them but too low for #4 as shuttle speed drops to 1/80. If the shuttle speed drops to far below the 1/focal length, it is better to shoot with tripod. Use of fill in flash may be an option. Sorry but I am also learning and I am no expert.

[pcool]

Hi F2point8 and gradesm

Thanks for your advice, really appreciate it.


Regards
pcool

[Limsgp]

The last 2 seems a bit blown for the highlights. Actually you can use a higher shutter speed to reduce the exposure and it helps to reduce blur due to camera shake also. If picture turns out a "bit" dark, can always do some PP to brighten it.

A darker, sharp picture is better than overexposed blur picture, IMHO.

Originally Posted by pcool I am using Sigma 150-500mm handheld for all shots without TC. Picture 1# ISO400 25% crop Picture 2# ISO400, 50% crop Picture 3# ISO360, 25% crop Picture 4# ISO200, No crop Picture 5# ISO400, 75% crop Is it due to insufficent light? Thanks again.

[pcool]

Hi Limsgp

Thanks.

[NineEleven]

Hey I was there that morning too & took a pic of that exact bird in #1 but was with my 105 micro

Did u use flash for some of these?

[pcool]

Yes, I used flash to light up the bird, especially when shooting a bird up on a tree with bright sunlight or it will ended up with the bird underexposed, but background overexposed.