10 replies to this topic

[Reciprocityrules]

This is a better image from the series.  I decided to bang my head against the wall with the prior image and post-processing, whereas this one was good right out of the camera. The lower resolution of the post does not do the original image justice; the original shows a lot better detail.  The green blob on the chest is a stain from whatever, and there is a blood stain on the left hand side of the tail about half-way down.  I could adjust some things in post - CC welcome.

 

300mm, f4, 1/2000, ISO 400, EV +1.7

 

 PC190937 Hawk LHF 12x9.jpg   968.92KB   1 downloads

[MarkM]

Half the ISO of the other one, otherwise the same settings (no EV?). This looks darn good to me. What is surprising to me is the aperture...I tend to use at least f/8 or more for a depth of field safety net, but I gotta try f/4 now. Thanks for sharing your process!

[Reciprocityrules]

Thanks Mark - I corrected the EV - it was the same as the other.  Regarding the f4; I just do it, but I am not sure if it makes any difference regarding the DOF or focal plane at a distance.  I use it for the light - I don't have a Nikon AF system, and I can use all the light I can get to allow my AF to function.  I will experiment this year with increasing the aperture setting, but shutter speed and ISO will suffer unless it's really bright.  I really like my lens, and it's been good at f4.  To be honest; I have developed a habit of keeping the EV dial handy during exposure testing.  I just have the f4 set on my preset BIF setting.  I still do not have the wherewithal to adjust a lot of things while acquiring a target, getting the AF locked and adjusting EV.  This will come with more practice.  I was thinking about my aperture settings and increasing them where possible, so were on the same page.  

 

That was a good catch on the ISO; I looked at the series and had one where the auto ISO was down to 200.  This image is not cropped.  All I did was up the fill light a bit and up the contrast a bit

 

 

 Hawk ISO 200.jpg   1.07MB   0 downloads

[Reciprocityrules]

I was a bit upset with Oly's last year, but the EM1MII has been pretty good for me; I accept them for all of their shortcomings now.  This is my bag.  It is 12" x 18" x 9" (30 x 45 x 23 cm).   I have the 300mm f4, the 40-150 2.8, the 12-40 2.8, the 60mm macro, a 1.4TC, my extension tubes, 2 Bodies - EM5MK II and EM1 MKII and room to spare.  I don't like toting around heavy bags; and even though I don't travel a lot, I generally take all my gear with me.  Perhaps one day I'll learn to use it all .  This kit covers 24mm to 840mm equivalents except for 421mm to 599mm. 

Attached Files

•  Bag.jpg   951.62KB   0 downloads

[geedee]

You sure filled the frame with that one Jonny, that must have taken some luc..err...skill...(-: Very nice indeed.

[Reciprocityrules]

It was luck.  In my last post, I mentioned stumbling....being flat on your back really helps out the neck with those overhead shots .

[David_MC]

Great hawk shots. As for the aperture, f/4 should have enough DoF for BIF especially with the 2x crop factor on th m4/3 sensor.

[MrWild]

Much better detail and great job filling the frame overhead.. not easy to do!   

[John W]

Good shot Jonny. Filling the view finder on a BIF is difficult. 

[Roderick]

Lovely, Jonny.

100% great.

Also, I admire your "dead fly " technique of shooting overhead birds.

[Reciprocityrules]

Thanks fellas!  Rod - when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.  Improvise - eliminate some variables on that image stabilization gizmo .