Least Bittern

Hi Barbara
Nice framing detail and color.  How do you like the change from a 7D- 400L to a 7Dll 100-400L mark 11 with a 1.4x?
Is there a difference in focus speed using the 100-400 Mark ll with a 1.4x?
Peter

Hi, Peter.  I find the change to be remarkable.  The camera itself just seems to do a better job.  Regarding the lens and teleconverter, to be honest with you I haven't used the lens without the teleconverter.  With the teleconverter the autofocus is completely different from the 7D.  Most times I just press the button and it focuses.  I presume it should have done that with the 7D, but I had problems with it, possibly user error.  I don't have whatever problem that was with the 7DII.

I've always used for NPN only images that are sharp and detailed (with a few exceptions per feedback) at 100% size.  I know that my 400L is a good lens, and I got some good images with it, with good image quality.  But with the 100-400 WITH the teleconverter I find that I'm going to have to start taking a lot fewer shots, because rather than my having to look through my images at 100% in Photoshop to find the sharp ones, I'm looking through them to find the not-sharp ones.  I also LOVE having the zoom, way more than I thought I would.

I understand a teleconverter is pretty much guaranteed to lessen image quality, but in envisioning myself trying to take the teleconverter off and put it back on while holding the lens in one hand and with the camera around my neck I don't see a pretty picture there.  What I see is my dropping the lens.  Of the four or so images I've posted with the new gear, I think only one wouldn't have needed the teleconverter.  I'll keep an eye on that as I go and see what a better percentage is to see whether I ought to try changing it.

 

This is very good as posted. Least Bittern is always nice to see and a real treat to get one out in the open and within camera range like this. Colors lok natural and tones look good.

Looking at the small amount of water showing on the right I think this is few degrees off level, and that also shows a little with the reflection of the reeds just in front of the bittern.

You might also consider using the spot healing or clone brush to remove the two yellow flowers near the topright.

Beautiful capture, Barbara, and I am so glad that you are so satisfied with your new equipment.  It sounds like you got the perfect fit.

Very nice capture, Barara!  The bird stands out from the busy surroundings quite nicely.  Exposure, colors and focus are excellent. The little bit of water showing in the upper right corner is a tattletail level indicator but  not very noticeable. 

Barbara,
Delightful capture the Bittern stands out so well

I agree with Ken
It really does stand out
Well done
John

Good color, detail, and pose.  The Bittern stands out well against the background and it's a nice habitat shot.

I like this a lot Barbara!  Great pose and perfect exposure on the bird.  Very sharp and detailed.  The bittern stands out quite well against the background in spite of its somewhat chaotic nature.  That the background directly behind the bird is mostly dark is, I believe, a primary reason why this works so well.  Although the two yellow spots are likely natural, I find that they do distract my eye from the subject, so, as others have said, I would clone them out.  Looks like a clockwise correction would also be helpful for those with a discerning eye.  Overall, a very effective image.

Excellent, Barbara.  Really good detail in the Bittern and excellent exposure.  I also like the size of hte bird in the frame.

Not much I don't like about this image.  Very nicely done.  Good levels of detail.  Generally very clean.  If it were mine, the only thing I might do differently would be to clone out the yellow out of focus dots in the upper right hand part of the frame.  They are kind of a eye magnet.

Nice job getting this Bittern out in the open, Barbara. Very nice detail in the bird. I love that pose. It could use a bit of clockwise rotation to level the visible areas of water. Great job!!!!