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First Kingfisher

Discussion

8 replies
Posted by Rob Ashton on August 25, 2006 at 6:22 PM
I managed to sneak out of work early today and spent 2 hours at my local RSPB site in Weymouth. I thought I'd go see if my 400mm DO IS lens was behaving properly since Canon replaced the IS system. I had my cheapo Kenko 2x and Canon 1.4x MkII stacked and wasn't expecting too much around mid afternoon. I managed a few reasonable shots of some dragonflies and then saw a pair of Roe deer out the corner of my eye. Of course when I turned round my beanbag fell out the hide window and sank into the reeds out of reach :frown: . Also, the deer were spooked and I managed a few shots before they vanished. I have never had the privilege of seeing a Kingfisher in real life and I was amazed when one came and perched in front of the hide. No fish in the mouth but I got a couple of shots off :jump: .

Canon 1D2n
400mm DO IS with stacked converters
AV f8.0 1/200th
ISO400

Rob
Posted by Jeremy on August 25, 2006 at 6:48 PM
A very nice composition, and the Kingfisher`s plumage is well complemented by the diffused background tones. Looks pretty sharp for stacked converters, although I would be inclined to sharpen just a tad more for web presentation. Also, colours do not look quite right to me; maybe a slight blueish/greenish cast? Probably my eyes, though.
Mind sharing which reserve? Radipole Lake? Lodmoor?
Cheers,
Posted by Phil Shaw on August 26, 2006 at 1:21 AM
Attractive shot, Rob. I particularly like the texture of the background. I'm not sure how you processed the shot, but the colours look dull on my monitor and I'm sure that you could bring a bit more out of the image in processing.
Posted by David Kjaer on August 26, 2006 at 2:07 AM
Hi Rob

Nice shot especially considering the 'stacked converters' - agree with Phil the colours are a little dull (levels adjustment should rectify) and a little more USM will improve an already fine image!

David :toast:
Posted by John Gardner on August 26, 2006 at 3:20 AM
Hi Rob,

I agree with the others regarding the colours being flat, but o/w fine capture given the stacked converters.

John
Posted by Chris Lloyd on August 26, 2006 at 3:24 AM
Hi Rob,

A very nice shot of something I have yet to photograph well. Great sharpness with the stacked converters. I agree with the colours however.

Regards Chris.
Posted by Rob Ashton on August 26, 2006 at 3:41 AM
Hi All,


Thanks for all your comments. Much appreciated. I was quite surprised at the result with stacked converters. I am saving for he Canon 2x MkII and this should improve things. This was at Radipol (Jeremy). I need to work on my PP workflow as my new TFT really pops the colours and sharpness and then I view on another monitor and things look muddy and dull.

Rob
Posted by Terry on August 26, 2006 at 2:40 PM
Hi Rob, remarkable with all that glass :) colours a little muted here also but a nice image anyway :)

Terry
Posted by PhilH on August 29, 2006 at 3:36 AM
A Nice image considering the stacked converters, it might have benn an idea to up the ISO to 800 to gain an extra stop which might of reduced the softness from the converters a touch, and as said the colours are a touch muted, which I actually quite like, I am always reducing the contrast on my KF shots...#

:toast: