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Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
300mm f4 af-s arrived, I just busted it out for the last hour of sunlight (in my backyard)
heres 2 shots

Also for the guy who couldn't decide on which telephoto to get, I recommend this lens and the 1.4x TC (Over the bigma for sure).
AF is faster, its much sharper and color accuracy seems better.

First pic with 1.4x TC, 420mm f5.6 (Wide open) ISO 800.
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D200Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsMaximum Lens Aperturef/5.7Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern846Focal Length (35mm Equiv)630 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2008:03:10 18:22:37Exposure Time1/640 secF-Numberf/5.6Exposure ProgramShutter PriorityISO Speed Rating900Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length420.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width3228Image Height2300RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlHigh Gain UpContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
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Heres a really heavy crop (no resize on this pic)
Again 420mm f5.6
ISO 450

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D200Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsMaximum Lens Aperturef/5.7Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern846Focal Length (35mm Equiv)630 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2008:03:10 18:20:34Exposure Time1/640 secF-Numberf/5.6Exposure ProgramShutter PriorityISO Speed Rating450Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length420.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1532Image Height1016RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlLow Gain UpContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Anonymous
>>138472
I like it :)
Sorry, no criticism, just encouragement.
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138483
Thanks, this is more of a lens "testing thread" for others to see, However there are a ton of birds around so I had something more interesting than Bark to take pics of :)
>> Anonymous
"that guy" OP mentioned here - update - i've decided to bite the bullet, sell as much shit as I can (including my desktop computer) and then save up for either the sigma 500mmf/4.5 or the nikkor 500mm f/4 - its probably gonna be a fuckin year unfortunately

I'd rather take the time to get the prime than have to start sacrificing f-stops for the same reach.
>> I||ICIT !!mknjFN/v/49
>>138528
just curiously, what will you be shooting with it?
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
>>138528

if you're going that far, go with the nikkor. the sigma won't hold nearly as much value over time.
>> Anonymous
how come these shots aren't so clean looking? is it the camera or the lens?

i've seen some shots from a bird in flight forum and they were fucking amazing, like national geographic stuff

i'll try and find examples, i like birding too but i use a 70-200 at 200
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138541
First one its the ISO 800 on the D200 that makes it look a bit grainy / low dynamic range
Second one is the extreme croppage and ISO 450

Both of them are also just snapshots from my backyard, Bird in flight shots i'm sure people post the best stuff they have. However I doubt many of them use the 300mm f4
Most serious birding people have like 300 and 400mm f2.8's with TC's on them for the extra reach.
>> Anonymous
hmm, well look, i'm not dissing our shots or anything

i like birding and so far can only afford the 70-200 and i use it at 200 then crop and it's fine resized

but i've seen some really great shots and i've asked people and they were using 300, 400 and 500mm lenses that can't zoom and the quality is supposed to be much better than the one i have

so i was wondering if i should be getting one but was turned off when i saw the shots from your 300mm
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138557
70-200 F2.8 VR Nikon?
or 70-200 F4 IS Canon?
or 70-200 F2.8 IS Canon?

I own the 80-200 af-s (pretty much identical to the Nikon 70-200 VR) However I use it with a 1.4x TC quite a bit, theres very little loss in quality, and AF speed isn't harmed.
that bumps it up to a 280mm f4 lens

the 300mm f4 I bought becomes 420mm f5.6, Which is a tad slow for hardcore birding shots, (In flight or static sunny days will be ok, but overcast in flights i might run into issues).

What i'm getting at is, its a lot of money for only a slight gain in focal length (for the same AF capabilities) I would stick with the 70-200 maybe grab a 1.4x TC, its cheap and will get you a bit closer anyway.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
the 70-200 is a bit sharper than the 300 f/4.
>> Anonymous
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okay, here's a shot, it's with a 300mm but i'm not sure of model, the quality is just stunning to me

yes, my 70-200 is the canon IS, cost me $1,000 but i can't always reach what i want unless i crop

the quality is good but it's nothing compared to the shots i've seen taken with the 300, 400 and 500 lens

Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 MacintoshImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution667 dpiVertical Resolution667 dpiImage Created2008:03:11 00:25:29Color Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width1514Image Height1001
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138566
Probably the 300mm f2.8
It looks kinda like a 1.4x, maybe even a 2x TC was used for that shot..
Also sunny day = insta win, since his ISO is probably as low as he can go and still shooting 1/1000th.
DOF makes me assume its around f5.6? maybe even f7.1?

300mm f2.8 is what like $4000 new?

Your lens is probably the 70-200 F4 IS So you could always sell it and get the 70-200 f2.8 (would cost you another $1000) Then you could use a 1.4 or 2.0x TC, and get either 280mm f4, or 400mm f5.6.
Quality would be very close to what you showed in your picture.

If you already have the 70-200 f2.8 (and got a really good deal on your lens lol) Then pick up a Teleconvertor and see how you feel about it.
>> Anonymous
Nikkor 300mm f/4 IF-ED is the lens used and the camera is the d70

this is the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/anthony_m/246569285/

is that the same lens you have?
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138575
oh LOL I am wayy off

No I have the better version of that lens, the 300mm F4 ED AF-S
Regarded as being both optically and AF superior to the lens that was used in that picture.

Guess the sunny day did more for him than I thought. No exif data available in the full res pic, but I'm still guessing f5.6+. Where the lens performs even better.
>> Anonymous
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so is it because your picture was taken in bad weather?

because i was wondering why my camera and lens had better shots when i know i've seen amazing photos with a lens like your 300mm

because if the 300mm isn't better than mine, i'm not going to buy one

this is what i best have

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 40DCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 MacintoshImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2008:03:11 00:53:22Exposure Time1/320 secF-Numberf/5.0Exposure ProgramNormal ProgramISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/5.0Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length200.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1296Image Height1944RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
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this is if i crop really close to zoom in

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 40DCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 MacintoshImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2008:03:11 00:58:28Exposure Time1/400 secF-Numberf/5.6Exposure ProgramNormal ProgramISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/5.7Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length200.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1333Image Height2000RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138584
Ya I wouldn't recommend upgrading, maybe get the 1.4x TC and see how it works for you. its quite cheap.

Since you have a 40D, your high ISO's should be even cleaner than my D200's. So in similar light conditions you should have a bit of an advantage over what I can do.

Theres more skill involved in getting close to the birds than there is in getting the picture. IF you can get as close as your first shot even for 1/4 of your pictures you will trump longer shots every time.

Also your crop pic's AF is a bit off, the beak is OOF, and the back of the birds head is in focus.
>> Anonymous
hmm, canon also makes a 300mm like the one i have, with IS

it's about the same price

will there be a huge quality jump from my zoom to the 300mm? because the images are good right now but just not spectacular like the one i posted
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138631
Depends, is your 70-200 an F4 or F2.8 lens?
>> Anonymous
>>138634

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens is what i have

Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM is the one that's like the one people use i think
>> beethy !HJGkSBB3Ao
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vincent, I used the 300mm f4 IS (L series, canon lens).
It felt pretty awesome to use (although SO DAMN HEAVY) ..... but I honestly felt that my skills as a photographer were not good enough.
It was very very difficult to find good shots.

vincent, post more as you take em over the following days..!

here's 3 of mine.

1.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 400D DIGITALCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:01:20 20:00:42Exposure Time1/640 secF-Numberf/4.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/4.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length300.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width475Image Height850RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> beethy !HJGkSBB3Ao
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2.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 400D DIGITALCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:01:20 20:17:40Exposure Time1/640 secF-Numberf/4.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating400Lens Aperturef/4.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length300.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width457Image Height850RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> beethy !HJGkSBB3Ao
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3.

sadly i only got to use it for 1 day ...

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 400D DIGITALCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:01:20 20:43:37Exposure Time1/100 secF-Numberf/4.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating400Lens Aperturef/4.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length300.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width850Image Height846RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> beethy !HJGkSBB3Ao
excuse the horrible jpg artifacts, had resizer/converter prog set to 65/100
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138636
Tough Call, If I knew Canon's lenses a bit better I would be better qualified to say.

what else do you use the 70-200 for?
>> Anonymous
oh no, i want to buy a new one but keep the one i have right now

when i asked what i should upgrade to, people said 300/400/500mm lenses because they will be better than mine
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>138660
Ahh then, if you have the extra cash go for it. Also grab that 1.4x TC. Its cheap and on sunny days it gives you the option of getting it up to a 420mm f5.6 IS Lens.