Heron trial with new 1.4 TC

[Stagecoach]

Look good. Nice job of catching the eyes.

Thank you Jim,

I find that aiming to get focus on the neck of these gives a good target and the eyes hopefully will be within the DoF.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame,

I'm rushing off to work so I have to be brief but just to say they are all great, beautifully focused/sharp with lovely detail and soft light, and wonderful poses. I love the foot up in #1 and #4 and the moment in #2...

Hi Christina,

Thank you for commenting.

They certainly give a variety of poses and keep you busy, I just wish one had caught a fish for me

Here's one more, keeping an eye on me

No 6


Grahame

[IzzieK]

Almost late to this thread Grahame, but I particularly like #1 here because of the composition, not to say all of them are sharp. All the lightings on your images here are beautiful helping shape the birds. I was thinking of buying a TC but I can't make up my mind on whether to get 1.4 or 2x though I was sort of gearing towards 1.4x. You have shown good results here so far.

[chauncey]

Be aware Izzie that they will alter your f/stop.

[Brownbear]

If it's a minnow by the time their head is upright the fish has been completely devoured.

Another nice one...

Hi Christina,

They certainly give a variety of poses and keep you busy, I just wish one had caught a fish for me

No 6


Grahame

I was thinking of buying a TC but I can't make up my mind on whether to get 1.4 or 2x though I was sort of gearing towards 1.4x. You have shown good results here so far.

Izzie... Just to say that I have a 1.7 TC for my 300 mm lens. However, I rarely use it because in low light (typical for my BIF shots) I find focusing is especially challenging and even when I manage to focus, it's typically soft. So as soon as my budget allows I plan to ditch the 1.7 TC and purchase a 1.4 TC. ie; worth giving up the extra reach for a 1.4.

[Stagecoach]

Almost late to this thread Grahame, but I particularly like #1 here because of the composition, not to say all of them are sharp. All the lightings on your images here are beautiful helping shape the birds. I was thinking of buying a TC but I can't make up my mind on whether to get 1.4 or 2x though I was sort of gearing towards 1.4x. You have shown good results here so far.

Hi Izzie,

Thanks for commenting.

Whilst having only just started using the TC I already have some thoughts for you to ponder over before proceeding.

Firstly, I do not recall reading any review, actual test results or advice on a 2X TC other than that you will lose noticeable IQ and of course the light that is going to affect focus performance, and limit shutter speed unless at the cost of ISO. If the use is for birds from my experience to date it seems we are all already working on the edge of things.

Christina, who I believe has a good 300mm prime and we know has good practical experience at bird shots is considering the IQ difference between a 1.7x and 1.4x.

I believe you recently got a 150-500 mm so would you be considering a TC for use with this and have you read up on users results?

One other thing to consider is that once you have the TC fitted and if you are using a zoom it's going to increase the near end of the zoom (yes it will on a prime as well). This can be a problem when you suddenly get that perfect specimen get up close to you and he's too big for the frame

Grahame

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set, Grahame. Considering the challenge you threw at your equipment to focus in the backlighting etc, I think they look pretty darn good. I haven't even considered using a TC on my 80-400 but having seen these may just give it a test. Well done.

I haven't been around CIC a lot in recent months. I have to say that your bird work has improved dramatically. Not sure how much is equipment related and how much is technique, but the change is noticeable. Congrats.

[GBO25]

Excellent shooting Grahame. #2 and #5 for me.

[IzzieK]

One other thing to consider is that once you have the TC fitted and if you are using a zoom it's going to increase the near end of the zoom (yes it will on a prime as well). This can be a problem when you suddenly get that perfect specimen get up close to you and he's too big for the frame

Grahame...we went to Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge last Saturday in Illinois so I can tell you that trying to watch just a handful of eagles at this time of the year in the fog at 8 o'clock in my morning with a ranger is not my idea of having even anything worth taking a photograph of. But if I did not have my 150-500mm with me I would have kicked myself more. Those trees where the eagles were and looking for their nests was equally frustrating. Either too far or too tall or with not too much light at all. Not that we do not have any around my backyard, but all we found are squirrels' nest. It was fun working for our t-shirts though...but that's another story...I will upload some shots from that trip soon...

Thanks for the response. I always learn from you when you are around...

[Stagecoach]

Nice set, Grahame. Considering the challenge you threw at your equipment to focus in the backlighting etc, I think they look pretty darn good. I haven't even considered using a TC on my 80-400 but having seen these may just give it a test. Well done.

I haven't been around CIC a lot in recent months. I have to say that your bird work has improved dramatically. Not sure how much is equipment related and how much is technique, but the change is noticeable. Congrats.

Thanks Dan,

Nothing like pushing to the extremes when testing

I like to think any improvement is equipment related but I'm also realising lighting is a major factor. But to go a step further I went back to the D300 tonight to see how the 80-400 and 1.4 TX would perform with that. Will post later in this thread.

[Stagecoach]

Excellent shooting Grahame. #2 and #5 for me.

Thanks Graham,

[Stagecoach]

Here's a few more results of smaller subjects using the combination of the old D300 this time with Nikon 80-400 plus the TC maxed out.

Shot from my balcony early evening, no need to leave home to have fun now

All images only cropped on the width.

No 7 - 1/125s, f/10, ISO 450, 550mm


No 8 - 1/125s, f/10, ISO 200, 550mm


No 9 - 1/125s, f/10, ISO 200, 550mm


Grahame

[IzzieK]

Oi...all excellent shots, Grahame..I love them. #8 is having a bad hair day. What sort of birds are these...???

[Brownbear]

Great additions. I especially adore #8 for the expression on the birds face. (and the simplicity, and beautiful detail)