300mm f/4 first shots

dlplumer

Shot at f/4. I think it would have been sharper stopped down:scratch







Candid feedback appreciated

Thanks

jonh68

It looks to me the focus is slightly off It should be sharper than that unless you cropped severely. I usually use my 300 f4 at f4 and get sharper images. Do you have any test shots besides wildlife in a more controlled environment? These are not bad, just not sharp as you would expect a prime to be.

Giphsub

I like that 3rd shot. The first shot looks to me like it is front focused on the branch just to the left of where the bird is perched.

Ric Grupe

You are going to like that lens. It even does well with the 1.4 extender.

I found f/5.6 without and f/6.3 with the extender were optimal for birding. Remember you are dealing with a very shallow depth of field and small subjects...so that focus point needs to be right on the head.

Don't be afraid to up the iso to keep your shutter speeds at least at 1/250...or 1/400 with the extender.

That lens is very capable of great things.

dlplumer

Thank you
Thank you guys. I realized afterwards that I should have stopped it down a bit and that my dof was too shallow. I appreciate your coaching, and I will heed your advice. Much appreciated.

Harryb

What's the exif data on those captures? The lack of sharpness could be DOF or camera shake.

dlplumer

Harryb wrote:

What's the exif data on those captures? The lack of sharpness could be DOF or camera shake.

It's dof at f/4. I had it on a tripod. Better stuff to come. Thanks much Harry