*OFFICIAL* Snapshot of the Day (one image per post please) #2

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

One more hawk from the 7D2. I think I may need to MA the 500 with the TC. I got a lot of soft pics using that combo, but it's hard to tell if it's equipment or technique

Well, the eye looks nice and sharp. Your DOF drops considerably as you go from 500mm to 700mm and you're shooting at f/5.6 there. Try shooting at f/8 and f/11 when the light is that good.

[dcstep]

Big 7x7 White-tail Buck at ISO 1600

Backlit Buck by dcstep, on Flickr
Love my 7D2. The AF system is right there with the 1D X, except for handling extenders on super-telephoto lenses. For this shot, I've got the EF 1.4x TC-III installed and it works like a charm.

Dave

[Itsed65]

Really nice one. I love the AF as wel, but I need to learn more about it. I tried using the auto in birds, but it selects the wing or the neck usually. Also for birds I think you are correct that I should stop it down to f8 or so.

That's actually the one thing I like about DPP is showing where the focus point was on the shot.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Really nice one. I love the AF as wel, but I need to learn more about it. I tried using the auto in birds, but it selects the wing or the neck usually. Also for birds I think you are correct that I should stop it down to f8 or so.

That's actually the one thing I like about DPP is showing where the focus point was on the shot.

I love that AF point thing about DPP. (I can see how bad I missed my intention).

Single-point AF or single-point expanded is the way to go. All those AF points sound so inviting, but the camera's likely to focus on the nearest point of the subject with contrast, which means a wing usually. At 500, 700 and 1,000mm the DOF is so shallow, even at f/8, that the eye will not be in focus. With single-point you're in control, but it's like trying to shoot a bird in the head with a .22. Maybe one day they'll develop eye-recognition. Wouldn't that be wonderful. Just turn on all the points and get one on the eye and camera will lock on. Dream on...

[M_Six]

Here's one where I thought sure I had a point on the player running, but quite obviously I missed and got the background people. Still an ok shot, but I would have preferred to have the guy running in sharp focus.


EIU Homecoming 2014 by EIU, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

The elk did not cooperate on Saturday and stayed away from the road, but I did catch this fellow lounging on a hillside

7D2 Buck in the grass by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Take a 14oz camera and mount it to a 9lb lens and extender, then go outside and shoot the moon handheld. Can't say I'm not happy. One of my better moonshots. The SL1 is *tiny* and yet it's no slouch. I have a Sigma 18-35 f1.8 coming soon and the new 24mm f2.8 STM pancake lens on pre-order. Both should turn this little camera into a great lightweight walk-around kit.


Moonshot 11/03/14 by Mark J Photography, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Nice!
I actually took a couple of moon shots tonight with the 400 5.6 + 1.4TC. I was putting the setup in my car to take out tomorrow after work to test out the image quality and f8 autofocus after work.

[M_Six]

Looking forward to the pics.

[ddk632]

Lighthouse Sun by ddk632, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Cool shot, David. Although I like the other one better. The wider angled one with the nice blue-to-orange gradient background.

[ddk632]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Cool shot, David. Although I like the other one better. The wider angled one with the nice blue-to-orange gradient background.

Yeah, I wanted the sort of washed out into the sun look with this one, considering the sunrise that morning was a dud.

But you're right, I think this shot appeals on a more general level.


Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse by ddk632, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by ddk632

Yeah, I wanted the sort of washed out into the sun look with this one, considering the sunrise that morning was a dud.

But you're right, I think this shot appeals on a more general level.

I like them both. And I especially like the lens flare in the first one. The second one is poster-size material, though. Very nice.

[Itsed65]

Two Bachelor Bulls by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

That one bull always seems to be smiling.

[Itsed65]

Playing around with f8 autofocus on the 7D2. I also used manual exposure plus auto ISO. So I set f8 at 1/800 and the camera picked ISO 1600 for this shot due to the shade. It's not as sharp as my naked 500, but it is a hell of a lot easier to carry around!


7D2 400 5.6 + 1.4TC by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

And one in the sunlight

7D2 400 5.6 + 1.4TC (2) by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Playing around with f8 autofocus on the 7D2. I also used manual exposure plus auto ISO. So I set f8 at 1/800 and the camera picked ISO 1600 for this shot due to the shade. It's not as sharp as my naked 500, but it is a hell of a lot easier to carry around!

I wonder if the sharpness issue on this one is due to the lack of IS on that lens. 1/800-sec. isn't all that fast for hand 560mm plus a 1.6-crop. I doubt that it's the TC.

[dcstep]

Not as sharp as I'd hoped, but a bird flying almost straight at the camera is tough for the camera to keep up with:


Gliiiide... by dcstep, on Flickr

[M_Six]

That's a damn nice shot, DC. Any lack of sharpness is not noticeable at the size above and most likely wouldn't noticeable on a wall print from 2+ feet.

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by dcstep

I wonder if the sharpness issue on this one is due to the lack of IS on that lens. 1/800-sec. isn't all that fast for hand 560mm plus a 1.6-crop. I doubt that it's the TC.

Very well could be. It was getting dark quickly and I didn't have time to take many shots. I will crank it up to 1/2000 next time and ride the wild auto ISO!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Very well could be. It was getting dark quickly and I didn't have time to take many shots. I will crank it up to 1/2000 next time and ride the wild auto ISO!

1/1200-sec. might do the trick.