Just Blame Nikon!

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 3, 2012455 views10 comments

Just Blame Nikon! (aka "Don't Bite That Tongue")

Hey all,

Sorry for not being too active in this gallery lately - but you can just go ahead and blame Nikon for it - if they hadn't starting shipping two new pro cameras at the same time...

I've been busy testing both new cameras (the D4 and the D800) so I can have them fully integrated into my field kit (including the part that resides in my brain) when things really ramp up in the field for me in a few weeks. I am sharing the results of my experiences with the new cameras on my website - for anyone who might be interested the easiest place to go to find out all the juicy details (or links to the juicy details) is on my blog (link below)...

When testing new cameras I use whatever is available subject-wise - but...truth be told...I have always found squirrels fascinating and love photographing them. I caught this one under overcast skies and he gave me one of their patented "I'm praying" poses (or "patiently waiting my turn" poses). While I was shooting this I was hoping the little devil didn't bite his tongue when the shutter went off...

Subject: Red Squirrel (Tamisciurus hudsonicus) posing for me!
Location: Findlay Creek, BC, Canada (my home)
Camera: Nikon D4
Lens: Nikkor 600mm f4 VRII lens. Tripod mounted on Gitzo 1348 carbon fiber tripod with Wimberley Head. VR on an in "Normal" mode (head was only loosely tightened to allow full panning and movement).
Exposure: 1/640s @ f11; ISO 3600. No compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.
Crop: Minor - this is about 85% of original image

If anyone is interested, there's a discussion about the ISO performance of the D4 on my website (in association with the image - just click on the "In the Field" tab below the image to reveal the discussion). Currently this image is right here:

http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/latest/detail_2.html.

As always...comments and critiques welcomed - probably best to view the larger version prior to doing so!

Cheers...thanks for looking...

Brad

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 3, 2012 at 3:22 PM

Poor guy. Someone has to field test all those new goodies. If you ever get tired of it, I would reluctantly be glad to take over.

As for the squirrel, he is a cute little bugger, and he gave you a wonderful pose—at 3600 unbelievable ISO!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on April 3, 2012 at 3:29 PM

Hey Phil,

Not complaining - tho' my bank account is. There's an ISO 9000 shot linked from my blog that's pretty much as clean (31 March entry) - check it out if you have the inclination...

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 3, 2012 at 8:59 PM

I've heard good things about the specs of the D4 Brad and this does show that. I can only hope the 1Dx fairs as well or close to it. It's WAY to expensive to make the switch...unless of course Nikon wants to help out with the cost....lol (that will be the day)

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on April 3, 2012 at 9:37 PM

Don't use your brand of camera, so can't comment on the equipment, but do like the photo. Very photogenic pose. Color, detail, sharpness all fine. Wish we had some of those around here. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on April 3, 2012 at 10:12 PM

Really cute image. I do like the tongue. Excellent ISO 3600 image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on April 4, 2012 at 8:20 AM

When I looked at the thumbnail image, I thought of the movie, "Honey, I shrunk the kids". I thought Brad has 'shrunk the grizzly'!

I didn't know you shoot squirrels as well. This is a mighty fine shot, esp when you look at the ISO. I will definitely visit your website and check out the blog.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on April 4, 2012 at 1:38 PM

Congrats on the new gear Brad (or is it to early for that

) I will definitely visit your blog to read reviews out of interest. This is a lovely image and the IQ indeed looks excellent for that ISO setting. Have fun testing.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on April 4, 2012 at 9:19 PM

Man, Nikon really did it right this time it seems. That D800 has me thinking of the dark side, that's for sure. Squirrels are fun, and this is a nice portrait of one.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Clinton Bauder on April 5, 2012 at 4:50 PM

Hi Brad,

I took delivery of my D800 last Saturday. Have to say your test shots are more interesting than mine!

Hope to get a chance to point it at some wild life soon, though UW shots will have to wait for a housing which may take a few months. Certainly I'm impressed with the camera so far but then I'm coming from a D200 so it's a BIG jump!

Thanks for all your good work reviewing the latest Nikon gear. It's very useful and very much appreciated.

Clinton

Registered on December 8, 2009, 31 Posts, 231 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on April 14, 2012 at 9:07 PM

Wow, awesome detail! Really nice squirrel image, Brad! Great pose and nice catchlight in the eye. Can't believe the ISO on this thing!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments