Backyard Wildlife 2

[Dixie]

Went back out this afternoon and shot some more. All of these were shot with the Canon 10D, EF 100-400L f/4.5-5.6 IS USM, ISO 800, w/2X TC full zoom (800mm), f/11, shutter speeds varied, all shot with monopod and IS on.

These first two are another cardinal (maybe the same one, but who knows). The lousy branch in the lower right messes them up, but I am posting them anyway because this bird has character. :):

1/125 second

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/18103839-M.jpg

1/125 second

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/18103836-M.jpg

Female Goldfinch, 1/125 second

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/18105452-M.jpg

House Finch, 1/125 second

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/18105455-M.jpg

Squirrel, keeping an eye on the photographer, 1/60 second

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/18105454-M.jpg

I think I like that 2X TC and it seems to work pretty good with the 100-400.

[Khaos]

And I've read that the 2x cause shots to be too soft. Yeah right. Looks sharp enough to me. Now I may just have to buy one to use with my 70-200.

[Dixie]

And I've read that the 2x cause shots to be too soft. Yeah right. Looks sharp enough to me. Now I may just have to buy one to use with my 70-200.
That's what I heard as well. Plus, the squirrel was shot at 1/60th of a second which is pretty good even using a monopod when shooting at 800mm. ...and I cropped out about 25-30% of the image area to get what you see so it's not even full frame. :D

[bfjr]

Don't look soft to me.

Looks real good to go, Dixie :thumb

[Harryb]

Hey Dixie,

Those finch shots are really good:thumb The pics had excellent sharpness for the kit you were using. I've used a 2x TC before and found it to be hit & miss but you seem to be having better luck with it than I did.

[Tim Kirkwood]

I think these are all very good indeed


Thanks for sharing


Tim

[Dixie]

Thanks one and all.

Harry, the monopod really seems to help out on holding it steady. Since I was shooting at the highest focal length plus the 2X TC, I was pretty pleased with the results. I think I may also get a 1.4X TC and that should sharpen things up a bit more. Of course if I do that then I will need some longer glass to make up for what I lose going down to a 1.4 TC.