Lone Wolf

Hey Gary,

Very sweet! And I totally envy the experience! Great leading lines and flow to this one - just a solid, solid shot - especially given you only had seconds to capture it.

I notice you use the 600 plus 1.4x TC combo a lot - maybe it's time you forked out for the new 800mm f5.6 (along with that D4s you're drooling over)?

Later...

B

Gary,

Really like this one. Those eyes are amazing. All teh techs look spot on. I hope I get a chance like this at some point in my life. Must have been thrilling.

With all the snow and sunlight, it must have been a challenge to keep everything under control. But sure looks like you did. Really nice shot of this guy. He stopped and gave you a pose and you were ready. He doesn't look too deep in the snow although the BG track sure looks deeper. Nice composition and colors are spot on with loads of detail.

Excellent - sweet habitat image. Also nice to see that the wolf looks well-fed and very healthy.
Sandy

Thanks for the comments folks. Brad, I have thought about that Nikon 800 5.6 and matching teleconverter. I haven't seen many photos out there from this rare lens (hey, maybe "someone" could do a proper review of that puppy), I'm sure it's quite adequate. Lately I have been trying to get by without the 1.4 on my 600, but I just had a gut feeling the morning I took this shot that I might want some reach and just happened to have the 1.4 on. I do detect a slight loss in image quality when using the teleconverter, but the penalty is small and mostly a concern if "pixel peeping". Have you considered the 800 Brad? I wonder how much longer before technological improvements in camera and lens technologies make the big bulky wildlife gear history? Hope you don't mind the tangent, but Brad started it.

Hey Gary,

If you're using Photoshop CC you might find it interesting to compare shots of the 600 shot native and then upsized to equivalent magnification increase as stacking on the 1.4x TC (using the new "Preserve Details" algorithm for enlargements) vs. using a TC. I've done the testing myself and the results were virtually indistinguishable.

On the 800: funny you mention the testing - Nikon is trying to get me one right now so you might just see that review! I know a few guys with them and I've seen lots of their shots, but real hard to make any assessments of other's images (and they haven't done any head-to-heads) with the "granularity" needed to conclude much. But have to say that getting one (permanently) isn't a priority for me...with my shooting style and normal subject matter I don't think I'd use it nearly enough to justify the cost (and even now I use my 600 only about 25% as much as I use my 400 2.8, and I'm sure I'd use the 800 even less than the 600).

Cheers...

Brad

Thankyou Brad. Yes, the bare 600 is so sharp I wondered if just cropping in might achieve the same thing as using a 1.4, but without loosing a stop of shutter speed. I'll have to pay more attention to make sure I'm checking the right box to "Preserve Detail" in CC, thanks again for the tip.

Wow, fantastic. I love any good look at a wolf in its winter coat. This is nicely framed with the tree and the angle ridge of snow leading away from it.

Max

Great job capturing this, Gary. I am envious also!

An awesome capture of a very rare opportunity Gary. He is one handsome wolf. A very pleasing composition.

Sweet Photo

Great shot! I love the setting. Wolves and snow just seem to go together.

Hello Gary

I too love Wolves. Great Surprise Capture. You did Very well to move fast and get this guy before disappearing.


Cheers

Bill

Wonderful shot (love the comp) of one of my favorite animals; very well done Gary!