OwlsEyes wrote:
These are real beauties Gary. You've capture the best colors I've seen in this species... looks to have been a perfect day for Cedar Waxwings!
cheers,
bruce
Well thanks Bruce. I can't comment on that because this is the first time I've really gotten a good look at this bird Appreciated ! I'm gonna go back tomorrow morning and see how my Sigma S fares. I'm not sure I'm sold on the 400 4.5 with the tc. These were in dx mode and cropped though so that may explain why I'm not entirely happy with the IQ.
sum1sgrampa wrote:
Well thanks Bruce. I can't comment on that because this is the first time I've really gotten a good look at this bird Appreciated ! I'm gonna go back tomorrow morning and see how my Sigma S fares. I'm not sure I'm sold on the 400 4.5 with the tc. These were in dx mode and cropped though so that may explain why I'm not entirely happy with the IQ.
Well for a first go at it, you did really well. I'd love to have some of those pictures in my files.
Regarding the lens... teleconverters are a mixed bag, even when on good optics. I'm actually struggling with a dilemma related to lens choice and options... will take that discussion to the Nikon board so as to not clutter your thread.
From a web viewer's perspective, these pictures look really good. But, as you know, you're the one who knows the truth. Anybody who knows how to process their work with fidelity can make a less than perfect image look amazing for web output.
OwlsEyes wrote:
Well for a first go at it, you did really well. I'd love to have some of those pictures in my files.
Regarding the lens... teleconverters are a mixed bag, even when on good optics. I'm actually struggling with a dilemma related to lens choice and options... will take that discussion to the Nikon board so as to not clutter your thread.
From a web viewer's perspective, these pictures look really good. But, as you know, you're the one who knows the truth. Anybody who knows how to process their work with fidelity can make a less than perfect image look amazing for web output.
sum1sgrampa wrote:
I'm beginning to realize that maybe I was expecting too much. These birds are pretty smooth so maybe they just don't show that fine feather detail ?
Thus the name waxwing?... This is a specific name that applies to the morphology of their primary feathers... "The name "waxwing" comes from the waxy red secretions found on the tips of the secondaries of some birds". Citations "all about birds"
I think your photos look great and any lack of detail relates more to sun angle than anything else. Many bird species do not show the details in the barbs and barbules...
From my perspective, I would not hesitate to use the 400 f4.5 w/ 1.4x over the 500 PF... the only limit of the former is the marginally 1/3 stop reduction in light... on the other hand, you get an extra 60mm.
OwlsEyes wrote:
Thus the name waxwing?... This is a specific name that applies to the morphology of their primary feathers... "The name "waxwing" comes from the waxy red secretions found on the tips of the secondaries of some birds". Citations "all about birds"
I think your photos look great and any lack of detail relates more to sun angle than anything else. Many bird species do not show the details in the barbs and barbules...
From my perspective, I would not hesitate to use the 400 f4.5 w/ 1.4x over the 500 PF... the only limit of the former is the marginally 1/3 stop reduction in light... on the other hand, you get an extra 60mm.
cheers
bruce...Show more →
Appreciate the info Bruce. I really need to spend more time learning about my subjects I think your assessment is spot on. These birds were pretty much in shade and that certainly plays a role in fine detail. Thanks for taking a moment to respond. Appreciated !
George DeCamp wrote:
Fantastic Set, love those birds and you captured them perfectly!
Thank you George. Much appreciated
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Mickey wrote:
I always thought the cedar waxwing was such a classy looking bird. You've really done it justice.
DivineFocus wrote:
This is an excellent set that showcases the characteristic trimming of this bird. Really well done.
Thanks. I guess I got lucky that there were some mature adults there After Bruce's comment above I looked into them a bit more and found out the "waxy" tips get more colorful with age.
Appreciated ! I'm gonna go back tomorrow morning and see how my Sigma S fares. I'm not sure I'm sold on the 400 4.5 with the tc. These were in dx mode and cropped though so that may explain why I'm not entirely happy with the IQ. 
