Local Burds

[MVers]

Had a chance to get out and test my new MKIII with the 100-400--what better way to do so than on some yard birds. There seems to be a sizing issue, so try not to be critical on the crops since the window cuts a lot of the frame off.


White-breasted Nuthatch
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/3206923307_e165e9cd2a_b.jpg
White-throated Sparrow
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3206919267_1dbffb7842_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3207760594_9b3d52c662_b.jpg
Red-breasted Woodpecker (heavy crop)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/3207758098_79ea954f06_b.jpg
Dark-eyed Junco
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3206909537_30373b0350_b.jpg
Tufted Titmouse
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3207751074_91da0b9cb3_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3206902061_e58c43d26d_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/3207743900_01b3f27cb6_b.jpg
American Tree Sparrow
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/3207740616_19c1e7f30d_b.jpg


Also tried out a new processing technique as well. What do you guys think?


-Matt


Here are a few more...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/3207220673_d3e7d1fa05_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3208072236_a2825aa682_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/3207223239_96bfb09249_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3207228617_d5751143d7_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/3208775550_87e1f7f343_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3207925615_3a0fd743a6_b.jpg

[Kyle Webb]

MVers,


Great stuff! I'm impressed. I just got a 1D Mk III also and I love the image quality. Keep up the good work!


Kyle

[gonchar]

Very well done! good job.


I'd suggest trying to frame things a bit differently, consider your 4rth from the top picture, has a red-headed bird on it, notice how it sands out from a quite interesting background VS. other photos of same color bird on same color background ... but even those turned out quite nicely.

[MVers]

Very well done! good job.


I'd suggest trying to frame things a bit differently, consider your 4rth from the top picture, has a red-headed bird on it, notice how it sands out from a quite interesting background VS. other photos of same color bird on same color background ... but even those turned out quite nicely.
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>





For the framing, it seems this site does not autoformat images to fit the page, instead it auto-crops so all of the images posted were cropped to an extent. As for the image of the red-breasted woodpecker, it was taken from an entirely different angle and distance than any of the other subjects and that is why the background looks the way it does--different. Anyhow, I thank you for your comments :)

[MVers]

Thanks, Kyle :)

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

Excellent burds images MVER. Your images width should not exeed 800px to avoid crop. Looking foward to seeing more[:)]

[Stephen Probert]

Thanks for posting, I love these shots!

[MVers]

Thank you for the comments guys!

[Jessica Robinson]

Very nice! I think #2 is my favorite. The detail in the feathers and color is excellent, and very nice soft backgrounds. Were most of these closer to the 400mm focal length?

[MVers]

Very nice! I think #2 is my favorite. The detail in the feathers and color is excellent, and very nice soft backgrounds. Were most of these closer to the 400mm focal length?
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>





Thank you, Jessica. Yes they were all shot at 400mm, if not just short. It also helps when the closets treeline/backdrop is a good 200ft away--makes for some nice bokeh :)

[luisev]

Great pictures... where these handheld?

[MVers]

Great pictures... where these handheld?
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>





Thanks, Luise. These were all tripod mounted.

[bongo]

Wow. Incredible. I can onlyaspire to take photos like these. So sharp, beautiful background blur, composition is spot on.


This might sound like a ridiculous question but I'm going to ask it anyways: Hypothetically, if you took the same photos with the same lens and processed them the same way, but used a digital rebel xti instead of the Mark III, how would the image quality differ?

[MVers]

This might sound like a ridiculous question but I'm going to ask it anyways: Hypothetically, if you took the same photos with the same lens and processed them the same way, but used a digital rebel xti instead of the Mark III, how would the image quality differ?
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>





Aside for the additional .3x crop factor the XTi offers the IQ wouldn't differ all that much--in fact I'd put money on no one being able to tell the difference viewing on the web. Performance (Specifically AF and high ISO), OTOH, is another story.

[Dann Thombs]

Cracking shots. Great detail, great composition. Makes me want to get out and start some birding.

[MVers]

Makes me want to get out and start some birding.
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>





haha Do it!

[Dann Thombs]

I should while the branches are still bare and all the little ones are still popping about.

[Alesya]

Startlingly sharp and crisp shots, amazing. And the bokeh is gorgeous. I just wish I had that lens and camera. :) Although you shouldn't have framed them so tightly, but you already mentioned that :)

[atulmehta1000]

Hi! The pics are just great. In fact I am already contemplating on buying one of the following : 18-200; 100-300 ; 75-300;55-250.... and am totally undecided on what to go in for. Your 100-300 pics though are super.

[neuroanatomist]

I am already contemplating on buying one of the following : 18-200; 100-300 ; 75-300;55-250.... and am totally undecided on what to go in for. Your 100-300 pics though are super.


Welcome to the TDP forums!


Just to be clear, those pics are with the 100-400mmf/4.5-5.6L IS, an L-series ("http://www.The-Digital-Picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-L-Lens-Series.aspx)zoom lens that offers much better image quality than the100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 (which is a mid-range consumer zoom that was discontinued some time back). The 100-400mm offers much better IQ than any of the 4 lenses you list above. It also costs more than all of the 4 lenses you list combined! If you're looking for excellent IQ in the approximate cost range of the above lenses, consider the 70-200mm f/4L (about the same cost as the EF-S 18-200mm). I'd recommend that over any of the above lenses, assuming you're interested in the telephoto end and have something to cover the wide angle and normal range.