Badger Cub

Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) – Essex.

Nikon D3, 200-400/f4 + 1.4x, Gitzo 3530LSV + WH2 head.
Manual exposure mode f6.3 ;1/640, iso 3200.
RAW image processed in Capture One; sharpened in Photoshop CS5; noise reduction using Noiseware Professional Imagenomic; full frame.

There is no direct light into this area as it is surrounded by trees but at this time of year, using the D3, I find that I can get away without using flash until about 8.20pm. This was photographed at 7.57pm just after this youngster emerged from a nearby sett. The raw file is pretty noisy but up to this level, the noise can be mitigated using noise reduction tools, though above iso 3200, the image looses too much intrinsic sharpness - for me at least. I would be interested to hear what people who are now using the D3s think of images shot at iso 6400 or higher in comparison with D3 images.

Well it's a great picture of the cub Phil. Excellent detail and the pose is very good. Perhaps a bit more space to the right but I fully understand it's full frame I cannot comment on the merits of the Nikons but to get a picture as good as this at 3200 would have been unheard of with film. Sometimes I think we are completely spoiled these days and I for one tend to look at the image as a picture first rather than worry about the amount of noise. After all if someone produced an image like this on film twenty years ago nobody would give a toss whether it was 'grainy' or not. I know I sound like Victor Meldrew going on about the old days but I really do think we sometimes look to much at the 'technical quality' rather than the content.

No nits from me Phil, the sense of movement is very nice and adds immensely. The D3 is doing it's stuff admirably.

Phil, as it happens I'm working badgers at the moment myself (see my latest blog entry at: http://desong.co.uk), so I can relate to the limitations you're describing. Had it not been for full-frame cameras, I'd imagine getting them in daylight will be a lot harder. Noise acceptability is subjective. Personally, I think up to ISO 3200 is good enough as is (I use D700) but beyond that requires careful PP and very accurate exposure. D3s I think would probably have at least a two-stop advantage, looking at some of the real-life examples on the net.

Regards,

Des

Like the shot Phil, can't help re the noise, because unfortunately I'm a Canon user

Andy...

Excellent shot. Absolutely agree with Lawrence.
JR

agree an excellent shot

Excellent shot

Really nice and good capture in the open

Working on a set I've found too - unfortunately, these ones don't surface till at least 10pm. A challenge.

Love the shot - just wish I could get a daylight view !

Cheers

Nice

Ian

Lovely shot.And head up too!
Canon user.Say no more!

Phil.

Beautiful Phil.

A great example of technology enabling an image to be created. As a Canon use ISO 3200 is still a dream....

Cheers

Austin

Great shot Phll


Really well done

Ron

Phil

Just superb.

Hi Phil
Great image, i now have a D3s and it is an improvement over 1600 and its very good at 5000, i am in the UK this week but am tied up so wont be able to meet and let you try the new toy

Dave

This animal as given you a superb pose,excellent image.

Keith.