American Avocet. Can I do better with this lens?

[powers_brent]

Canon XS, Canon EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III


@ 300mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec, ISO-200[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.26.45/IMG_5F00_6003.JPG[/img]








@ 300mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec, ISO-200[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.26.45/IMG_5F00_6004.JPG[/img]








@ 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO-200[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.26.45/IMG_5F00_6060.JPG[/img]





Is there much more that I can get out of this lens? I want to know if it is me or the glass or both?

[Bill W]

Brent....it looks to me that these pics were taken in a tough lighting situation; i.e. sun higher in the sky and more in front of you.


If this is the case, shooting earlier or later in the day w/the sun, at a minimum (preferably behind you), to your side will help the lens' quality.


So if I'm correct w/my assumptions, then yes you can do better w/this lens.


I shoot birds also and I know how uncooperative they can be....good luck.


Bill

[Jarhead5811]

I'm think, or at least hope,it's partly the lens. I've got anXSi that I sometimes use an oldEF 75-300 f/4-5.6 II on and it seems to sap the life out of what could otherwise be a beautiful shot. It needs TONS of light (keeping in mind light doesn't weigh much []) My shots with my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 andCanon 50mm f1.8 II don't suffer from this problem. It's a slow, cheap lens I guess you get what you pay for.

[powers_brent]

Bill - Yes the lighting was very harsh as I was shooting around 2-3pm. I will be going back out today to see if I can get some better shots. This lens came with the kit as a combo, and I realize that I will have to stick with it for a while until I can save up for a nice telephoto. But that will have to wait for quite a while. Some big bucks for those guys.

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

The bg is much brighter than the subject, your camera metered the bg instead of the bird. Try it when you have better lighting, either early morning or late afternoon. Looking forward to seeing your future post. With bad lighting any lens can look awful.

[Chuck Lee]

I agree with Bill W.


In this kind of light, the first thing is to comp down a little. -.3 to -.7 ev. Do to the harsh lighting conditions there are some blown out whites on the bird. Also, try shooting JPEG + RAW if you do not already shoot in RAW format. There is quite a bit of post prcessing that can help these kinds of shots and RAW will give you extra dynamic range to tame those highlights. Use curves in post to boost the shadowed area of the bird. Second thing is to stop down. Never shoot wide open if you can possibly help it. Try f8 next time and a little higher ISO to keep the shutter speeds above 1/500th. (1/800 is really good!!) I believe at f8, ISO 320, -.3 ev that first shot would have looked a lot better in an out-of-the-camera jpeg. With a good RAW editor like DPP, AdobeACR, SilkyPix, or Bibble that shot could be printed and hung on the wall.Your oh-so close. I'm also having a hard time spotting any CA (purple fringing) which these slow tele zooms are infamous for. Around the white areas of the bird there may be some but I'm not seeing it do to the reduction. Many programs now include fantastic correction tools for these pesky issues. Good sharpening techniques may also apply. Do some research and experiment.


Oh, I almost forgot, buy your lens a pair of polarized sunglasses. Woops, not a pair, it only has one eye!! Buy a circular polarizer for your lens and learn how to use it. You will loose .5 to 1 stop of light so in this condition you'll be shooting at ISO 640, but it's still very doable. The results will speak for itself!


One of my favorite all-time shots was taken with a $130.00 Tamron 70-300 f4-f5.6 DI Macro. The lens can limit you some but when used correctly can accomplish some amazing things.


Keep practicing and good luck!


Chuck

[powers_brent]

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Better?

[Rodger]

I'm not a skilled critique and I lack bird photography experience, but in my opinion round two turned out a whole lot better! Good job!


Did you do any post processing on them? I'd also be interested in the EXIF if you've got it handy.


-Rodger

[powers_brent]

Same set up as before Canon XS with 75-300 f/4-5.6 III


First @ 300mm, 1/800sec., f5.6, ISO 200


Second @ 300mm, 1/1000sec., f5.6, ISO 200


Third @ 300mm, 1/640sec., f5.6, ISO 200


Fourth @ 230mm, 1/1250sec., f5, ISO 200


Fifth @ 300mm, 1/800sec., f5.6, ISO 200


I did do some editing this time. I just bumped the saturation a little, adjusted the highlights/shadows, and did some sharpening. Felt like it warranted it this time. The previous shots would not have benefited as much with some post, at least I feel that way.

[Jarhead5811]

I'm impressed,I guess I can't completely use my cheap old lens as an excuse. [:P]


Of course I don't exactly want to let my wife see that that old lens is capable of much. It takes away some of my excuse to upgrade later. [6]