Finally...The sun doth shine

[rtbaum]

I have been anxiously waiting to test the new telephoto combo in decent conditions. Today, between snow storms, I have the opportunity.



With a severe crop, I see that I still need stabilization

[Ziggy]

Just a little soft but love that background.

[Shadowman]

Nice capture.

[Wavelength]

It is nice; it has sum blur due to camera shake i suppose...

[rtbaum]

Tried it on tripod, VR off. Sun getting a little strong



Not terribly wild about weird lines in bokeh, but seems to be a characteristic of this lens due to phase fresnel

[xpatUSA]

Tried it on tripod, VR off. Sun getting a little strong



Not terribly wild about weird lines in bokeh, but seems to be a characteristic of this lens due to phase fresnel

Quite a bit of adjustment noted in the XMP, nowt wrong with that of course.

On my monitor there's "less red" than the Cardinals around here. But when I darkened the image a bit, the bird color came right, but the bokeh became much more obvious - so now I understand the need for adjustment.

Didn't understand "phase Fresnel", not owning any Nikkor lenses. Anybody?

[Dave Humphries]

With a severe crop, I see that I still need stabilization

I am not surprised, there are limits - and 1/80s at 420mm, plus the crop, is beyond it (but we all do it at first with a new long lens)
Rest of the EXIF = ISO 400 and aperture f/5.6, 300mm prime + 1.4TC on Nikon D750.

However, I think that additionally you were unlucky that your subject has obviously 'done a little shake' within the 1/80s
The wings and tail are suffering from this, although the head was relatively stationery.
Don't know if you shot a burst and if any others are better - there's a hint there if you didn't

Nice bird and nice light, just a shame you weren't a bit closer - that'll come with practice I'm sure.

Cheers, Dave

[rtbaum]

Didn't understand "phase Fresnel", not owning any Nikkor lenses. Anybody?

The 300mm f/4 phase fresnel is a new offering by Nikon. Fresnel lenses are more frequently found in lighthouses where they are employed to adjust the beam of light to a more linear path. In the case of this particular lens, they reduce the thickness of the front elements, resulting in approximately 40% reduction in weight. This reduction in weight and VR are what attracted me to this lens. As I understand Canon has also used it in some of their long lenses as well. Could it be the way of the future?? I honestly do not know, but it will without doubt be appreciated come Spring when I range further afield.

[rtbaum]

I think I will keep it

[Dave Humphries]

Hey, I really like that latest one Randy

[IzzieK]

Count me in -- I like the last one...the cardinal seems to be a bit too red for me (or my monitor). The first one suffers from camera shake.

What? You got sunshine? We haven't seen the sun shine this way...we got rain, rain and more rain these last few days and more dumpings today too...

[Wavelength]

New inputs are really nice

[Wavelength]

Please bear with me Randy; i thought the last one needed a bit of brighten up.... i hope you take that easy