Posted by Ian Mason on February 19, 2008 at 6:13 PM
1D2n, 600mm f4 IS x1.4, straight out of the box! 1/200s, f8, iso 400. G1410 tripod.
Not the most exciting image but it most certainly is for me! Having got over the shock of handling this behemoth, it took me ages to even get a bird into the viewfinder. I'm reasonably happy with the quality, in the knowledge that it was foggy and I was just really hoping for the best with technique. I think I am more impressed with the background (no PS work) which was actually deciduous trees.
Critique most welcome, along with any advice on how to get the best out of this beast!
Posted by Paul King on February 19, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Hi Ian,
For an out of the box shot it is doing what it says on the tin!!! just practice and perseverence.
Posted by Chas Spradbery on February 20, 2008 at 4:10 AM
It might just be me, but you seem to have the focus point on the twig in front of the bird, rather than the actual subject, so the bird looks a tad soft with a nice sharp twig....
Nice image just the same though
Posted by Elliott Neep on February 20, 2008 at 5:26 AM
My advice is always use a tripod or large double beanbag for support. Also, you will need to stop down to make sure everything is sharp. There is such a limited depth of field with a 600 F4 at close range you need to shoot on f/5.6 - f/8. Other than that... enjoy one of the finest lenses Canon has made! P.s. You might want to go down the gym to build up your muscles!
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 20, 2008 at 5:27 AM
Ditto what Chas said - with small birds close-in like this move your AF area in the viewfinder so that it's on the birds head, eyes especially.
Another way would be to focus on the eyes, hit your AF lock and then recompose.
Then when you've done as Jeroen suggested you can move on to a Sig 300-800
Posted by Paul Inglis on February 20, 2008 at 6:49 AM
Hi Ian,
The twig certainly looks like where your AF locked on. Long lens technique is something that take's time and determination to master but once done there's no going back.
As for jumping from a 600mm f4 to the 300-800mm well, why stop there you could just go all the way to the 200-500 (400-1000mm).
The DOF on the 600mm at 6m is 1cm (.5 either side) so there is not a lot to focus latitude to play with. For that it is worth at F16 it is only 8cm (3.5 in front and 4.5 at back) so you really have to nail the focus when working close to minimum focusing distance. Hit the eye every time for that is what us humans center upon.
Posted by Ian Mason on February 20, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Many thanks for the input - very interesting and helpful. I had actually used the focus pre-set button on the twig before the bird arrived, so at least the lens is doing its job! I'm going to enjoy this!
Discussion
7 repliesNot the most exciting image but it most certainly is for me! Having got over the shock of handling this behemoth, it took me ages to even get a bird into the viewfinder. I'm reasonably happy with the quality, in the knowledge that it was foggy and I was just really hoping for the best with technique. I think I am more impressed with the background (no PS work) which was actually deciduous trees.
Critique most welcome, along with any advice on how to get the best out of this beast!
For an out of the box shot it is doing what it says on the tin!!! just practice and perseverence.
Nice image just the same though
Another way would be to focus on the eyes, hit your AF lock and then recompose.
Then when you've done as Jeroen suggested you can move on to a Sig 300-800
The twig certainly looks like where your AF locked on. Long lens technique is something that take's time and determination to master but once done there's no going back.
As for jumping from a 600mm f4 to the 300-800mm well, why stop there you could just go all the way to the 200-500 (400-1000mm).
The DOF on the 600mm at 6m is 1cm (.5 either side) so there is not a lot to focus latitude to play with. For that it is worth at F16 it is only 8cm (3.5 in front and 4.5 at back) so you really have to nail the focus when working close to minimum focusing distance. Hit the eye every time for that is what us humans center upon.