Birds 2012

[johna901]

As mentioned earlier, I'm looking forward to shooting bird photos with my 70-400G lens on my NEX 5n. Because the weather is still unsuitable, I've done a comparison of that lens with A700 and NEX 5n bodies. The model bird is about the same size as a real goldcrest or firecrest (Britain's smallest birds) and I have stuck some real feathers on the base. All conditions identical except for swapping bodies. ISO 3200, No NR applied. This bird was much more obliging than others I have tried to photograph.
JohnA

[mvanrheenen]

Nice example of what the 5N can do, John! Do you use the EA-LA2 adaptor? If so, how does it focus the 70-400G and what about the batterydrain? I can imagine your battery will not last that long.

[DrScottNicol]

Mark
thanks for the comments.

re the first photo, there are a number of factors in play there - it was my first week with the a77, iso was 1250 (this shot was taken in the middle of a series of action shots requiring higher shutter speeds) and I was forced to install and process the images in lightroom at the time as my preferred raw processor didn't support the a77 so it was a bit of a steep learning curve all round that day. If I get a chance I'll reprocess the image in my new software and see if it looks better.

regards
Scott

[mvanrheenen]

Hi Scott,

I can imagine it being somewhat hectic in those circumstances. Don't get me wrong, I like the image very much! It's a beautifull bird and you picked a very nice composition and angle to capture the moment! Nice details in the plumage too!

Mark

[DrScottNicol]

Mark - I appreciate the critique.. I remember thinking at the time that when my software supported the a77, I'd reprocess my early shots but of course, I never quite got around to it



pixel peeping on my monitor, the original raw did indeed have a lot of red speckles coming through across the shot. To my eyes, the new one has a better balance between NR and detail - the red noise appears to have gone (certainly at 1:1). I've also tweaked the exposure / saturation / crop a little to emphasise the subject (bird) a bit more.
What do you think? Better / Worse / or just 'different' to the last version?

Scott

[mvanrheenen]

Mark - I appreciate the critique.. I remember thinking at the time that when my software supported the a77, I'd reprocess my early shots but of course, I never quite got around to it

Oh yes, I know that feeling! I have a bunch of "soon" to be reprocessed images too. I can tell you one thing: never gonna happen!

pixel peeping on my monitor, the original raw did indeed have a lot of red speckles coming through across the shot. To my eyes, the new one has a better balance between NR and detail - the red noise appears to have gone (certainly at 1:1). I've also tweaked the exposure / saturation / crop a little to emphasise the subject (bird) a bit more.
What do you think? Better / Worse / or just 'different' to the last version?

Scott

Background isn't a distraction anymore, it's much smoother this way! The crop does help with this. Didn't notice in your original image, but you can now clearly see the original was a tad too cool in color. Look at the beak and you see what I mean. The second image has a more warm and friendly feel to it. I think the plumage of this beautifull bird is more natural in color this way, although maybe a tad to yellow. This could very well be the result of the monitor here at the office. I like the processed image a lot. Thank you very much for reposting! I learned a new thing today thanks to you

Mark

[Dr. Harout]

Scott, you should settle for something in between. The second one (processed with your beloved software) is too contrasty, so in this matter the first wins. Noise wise... definitely the second. Anyway, I can say that you are a keen bird shooter (photographer, I mean)...

[Dr. Harout]

BTW, should we post shots of birds made in 2012 or that doesn't matter?

[Birma]

Interesting comparion JohnA - which adapter were you using? Would the A700 have any advantage in terms of continuous AF?

Scott - definitely prefer the second image - even the leather glove pops off the monitor here .

[mvanrheenen]

BTW, should we post shots of birds made in 2012 or that doesn't matter?

Hi Doc, please post the shots you want, even older ones!

Cheers,

Mark

[johna901]

Re. comments on my fake bird comparison shots, it was the LA-EA2 adaptor, and yes battery drain is heavy. Also focus needs better light than it does with the A700/70-400 combo. Nevertheless, the NEX 5n/LA-EA2/70-400 combo seemed to capture the real feather detail better. The shutter speeds were not idential: 1/500 on the A700 and 1/320 on the 5n. This is no doubt because the "translucent mirror" in the adaptor diverted some of the light.
John A

[Dr. Harout]

White stork couple:
#1 - I love you my froggy (storks do not eat honey )


#2 - Did I tell you how much I love your neck ( )


#3 - Stop beak-ing me, I'm hungry

[Dusty]

Another photographer who has morbid ideas about how to capture the essence of life as a bird. First Scott with the dove on the parking lot, now fried chicken! What is this world coming to?!

It must be noted that Audubon did his paintings of birds by killing them and then mounting them. So we're much better today!

Dusty

[Dr. Harout]

#4 - OK, OK in a moment


#5 - Off I fly


#6 - and now she waits


#7 - Hey, you with the SAL75300, can't you get yourself a decent 70-300 G SSM?

[Dr. Harout]

Dusty, you ruined my story...