Vtcats wrote:
Arbitrage, your shots are so unbelievably clear and sharp (as well as most of the others here, IE TGPhotography, Phishbone, Douglas L, and AGeoJo to name a few). I have total respect for the skill set all of you continuously demonstrate. While I’m working on improving my panning skills etc, I’d love to know How much is hand held and how much post processing are you doing? IE, Just Lightroom/CaptureOne or also additional programs like Topaz. I use Capture One and Topaz the most.
I feel with my own shots, I need higher shutter speeds than most of what I see from this group, and most of my birds are perched. Few that are BIF.
Also, I have the A1 but longest Lens is the 100-400 GM. ...Show more →
I shoot handheld about 95% of the time. The only tripod shots I can think of in the past year were Short-eared owl shots with the A9II/600GM.
I use LR and then run Topaz Denoise (usually the Clear option).
Vtcats wrote:
Arbitrage, your shots are so unbelievably clear and sharp (as well as most of the others here, IE TGPhotography, Phishbone, Douglas L, and AGeoJo to name a few). I have total respect for the skill set all of you continuously demonstrate. While I’m working on improving my panning skills etc, I’d love to know How much is hand held and how much post processing are you doing? IE, Just Lightroom/CaptureOne or also additional programs like Topaz. I use Capture One and Topaz the most.
I feel with my own shots, I need higher shutter speeds than most of what I see from this group, and most of my birds are perched. Few that are BIF.
Also, I have the A1 but longest Lens is the 100-400 GM. ...Show more →
I feel flattered to be mentioned with some of the other names on your list. I have learned much from people on here who share their tips or settings.
I can only speak for myself. I am 99.9% handheld for wildlife. Very rarely I will use a gimbal/monopod/tripod waiting for a perched bird to launch.
I only use Lightroom and Topaz DeNoise. I usually use the "Clear" module of DeNoise on "Auto." If the result still is lacking I try other modes or settings. Lately I think the results are not as good as previously but I don't know how much is in my head or is actually due to updates from Topaz.
A couple more images from this weekend:
Sony ILCE-1
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
ƒ/6.3 600.0 mm 1/2500 500
Sony ILCE-1
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
ƒ/6.3 600.0 mm 1/3200 500
Sony ILCE-1
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
ƒ/6.3 600.0 mm 1/3200 500
Heavy crop
Sony ILCE-1
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
ƒ/6.3 600.0 mm 1/500 1000
Osprey from the kayak...this guy never disappoints in giving me one or two dives each morning in the exact same spot. Was feeling weak today so brought out the small lens.
TGPhotography wrote:
I feel flattered to be mentioned with some of the other names on your list. I have learned much from people on here who share their tips or settings.
I can only speak for myself. I am 99.9% handheld for wildlife. Very rarely I will use a gimbal/monopod/tripod waiting for a perched bird to launch.
I only use Lightroom and Topaz DeNoise. I usually use the "Clear" module of DeNoise on "Auto." If the result still is lacking I try other modes or settings. Lately I think the results are not as good as previously but I don't know how much is in my head or is actually due to updates from Topaz.
It is certainly not in your head in regards to Topaz. The Clear module changed for the worst awhile back. I think it was even before the new name. I re-ran some older images from this winter through the latest Topaz and the results from the older version were much better. Because of that I've been having to add more sharpening to the Tiff once back in LR before exporting.
arbitrage wrote:
Osprey from the kayak...this guy never disappoints in giving me one or two dives each morning in the exact same spot. Was feeling weak today so brought out the small lens.
Gorgeous lighting on those Geoff , you still leave bird eye AF priority on for BIF ?
multibit wrote:
Gorgeous lighting on those Geoff , you still leave bird eye AF priority on for BIF ?
Yes I just leave it on all the time except for a few times when it is grabbing weird things like spots. I haven't experimented if it makes any difference (that would be hard to do). Certainly the BEAF was not active for these osprey shots.
phishbone wrote:
Some of us are stuck at work, jerk; no need to rub salt in the wound. I knew that was you I saw this morning.
Exact same tree and exact same dive straight from the tree. He aborted his first dive about 2m above the water. Dove again very shortly and got the flounder again. Pak got the shots from your typical land-locked location.
Unfortunately my timing must have matched Sunday's timing exactly. I had the same shot just an inch or so above the water and then that same shot with just the wings showing. I was hoping to get the talons just touching the water shot...maybe next time.
Of interest, the consistency of perfectly focused shots over the dive was better with the 600GM. I don't think it missed a single one but the 200-600 had some just a bit soft even though I had more DOF due to the larger f-stop. Nothing jumping to the background or anything but certainly a bit off.
arbitrage wrote:
Yes I just leave it on all the time except for a few times when it is grabbing weird things like spots. I haven't experimented if it makes any difference (that would be hard to do). Certainly the BEAF was not active for these osprey shots.
Thanks Geoff , I'm getting a few BIF a little off with the 200-600 although its not bad when it does get them . Just trying to find which tracking sensitivity works best with the A1 200-600 , currently at 4
multibit wrote:
Thanks Geoff , I'm getting a few BIF a little off with the 200-600 although its not bad when it does get them . Just trying to find which tracking sensitivity works best with the A1 200-600 , currently at 4
I'mnot sure about what Tracking Sensitivity works best. I was running on default 3 for awhile but in the past week have been on 1. I like 1 for my 600Gm but not sure about the 200-600.
If you have fast enough SS (like 1/2000 or faster) I would try using OSS Off for BIF. Similar to how this helped a lot to mitigate 200-600 on A7RIV problems I think it helps a little to increase hit rate on the A1 also. I still find the A1 with 200-600 to be very good but the high pixel density shows flaws that I didn't see with A9 files.
I was watching this very young hummer for a while yesterday, he/she could barely fly but was bullied by a male in the garden frequently. Feel sorry for the little guy.
I knew that was you I saw this morning.
