First shots on new Canon rig & first Owl

MKIIN, 600 USM, ISO800, 1/80 @ f4, shot from car.
So I considered staying home and testing the new body and lens with some targets in the garden but the weather forecast convinced me otherwise. What a decision that turned out to be - I've been looking for a Barn owl for some time and today I got really lucky, but what a mess I got in!! I completely lost track of the controls on the new body in my excitement, the focus point was all over the place, I got up to f14 mistakenly, dialed in +0.67 comp and made an absolute hash of the opportunity. Luckily the Owl treated me with the contempt I deserved and just sat there with a rather superior look on his face whilst I fought with the new equipment. The best composed shots I ruined by clumsily closing the aperture right down resulting in 1/6s shutter speed and even IS couldn't help me keep that sharp. As I left I swear I heard it laugh.
I have two sharp images from my first owl encounter and this is one.

Regards

JohnS

Under the circumstances John you should pat yourself on the back, by the look of this shot you have captured the detail brilliantly, look forward to seeing more shots with the new set up. The vole is a real bonus!

Vince

Cheers Vince, I kept thinking a week ago I would've nailed this with ease with my D2x and 300-800 and I think that added to my frustration. On the other hand would it have been sharp at such a low speed without IS? I somehow doubt it. The second shot I have is sharper still but the bird is not looking at the camera unfortunately.

Regards

JohnS

Gosh is this a wild owl, i'm so used to seeing captured work I didn't give this pic much thought, fantastic capture then, well done and all that. Ceratinly can't grumble at the gear.



Tim

Yes Tim this is a totally wild owl and represents the first wild owl I've ever seen let alone photographed. This is a search that's lasted well over two years so I'm sure you can understand just how excited I got hence the frustration at the fumbling with the gear.

Regards

JohnS

You may have fumbled some of the opportunities, but you didn't fumble with this: it's a cracker.

Michael S

Hi John

Cracker of a shot and with prey as well - my only wish would have been a little more room at the bottom of the frame and to lift the shadow areas a little!

David

Hi John
wonderful shot with your new gear. Great Image. Once you get used to your new gear you will be over the moon.
John
Aberdeen

Hi John

A great start with the new kit, a fine barn owl image.

cheers

Sean

A fine result.Look forward to more.

Great Barn Owl, fumbles or no fumbles a fine result.....

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