Nature New supertelephoto - some preliminary shots!

New supertelephoto - some preliminary shots! · 07:42 PM

So far, it's encouraging! I've been sidelined with a bad cold/flu for over a week. It was nice to get outside for even a little while, even though much of it was spent helping the neighbor install insulation in the crawl space of his home! I don't have the Gitzo yet, so I simply extended the first section on the Giottos tripod to keep it a bit more stable, since it was at it's max. load or slightly exceeded. The Wimberley WH-200 gimbal head really proved it's worth in the last image at such a low shutter speed.

I'm working on creating a birding environment in my recently changed back yard so I'm very happy to see activity on the feeder only within 30 seconds of setting it up!!

Carolina Wren:

Link to EXIF

Exposure Time 0.0012s (1/800)
Aperture f/7.1
ISO 640
Focal Length 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 2542 x 1994

Tufted Titmouse #1:

Link to EXIF

Tufted Titmouse #2:

Link to EXIF

Exposure Time 0.0012s (1/800)
Aperture f/10.0
ISO 640
Focal Length 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 3872 x 2592

Tufted Titmouse #3:

Tufted Titmouse #3 - crop:

Link to EXIF

Exposure Time 0.008s (1/125)
Aperture f/5.6
ISO 100
Focal Length 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 2845 x 2265

The last two images show how nice the details are, yet at such a low shutter speed (1/125 sec.). This lens' sharpness is certainly not an issue wide open at 600mm!!

Hope you enjoyed these images!

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 11-11-2009, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by goddo31

Incredible!
Looking forward to seeing more

Thank you - I hope to oblige!

Originally posted by Sailor

These look terrific to me. The first one is incredible.

Jer

Hi Jer, thank you and it's always a tough situation due to movement. Luckily for me I was already watching the wren in my viewfinder.

Originally posted by dcmsox2004

super shots marc.... you've certainly got that howitzer under your control.....
is there a better name than 'tufted titmouse'????

I hope it gets better with a sturdier set of tripod legs - thank you.

You can try Baeolophus bicolor - will that work? Supposedly the word titmouse descends from the Old English terms, tit (any small animal or object) and mase (small bird), essentially meaning one small, small bird. It's part of what is called the chickadee family in the US. Pick your options!

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 11-11-2009, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by daacon

Well done Marc - wow as mentioned those first couple are so life like , good luck with the backyard set up and hope you feel better soon.

Thanks Dave and I'm getting there!

Originally posted by sawtooth235

Marc, hope you feel better soon. It is obvious that a little thing like illness isn't effecting your images. Wonderful series, great sharp feather detail this lens is able to capture.

Ray

Appreciate it Ray and sometimes the lower shutter speeds still allowed a decent capture. It's phenomenal in optimal conditions, very good in decent to marginal conditions.

Originally posted by heliphoto

Yeah, it arrives today

. Actually, my decision to change systems was in part a reaction to your acquisition of this lens... I thought, "wow, I'll never find one of those - I wish pentax still made lenses for nature photography...", and then I realized that other camera companies still do, and that there are a lot more used super-tele lenses around for those systems.

Clearly the 5dII is not really a birding camera, but it gets me into the system and I can pursue a crop body and long lens if finances allow in the future. I think I'm going to keep my K20D / Tamron 400/4 / 1.7x AFTC for at least a little while as my super-tele solution.

I understand and hope you'll find the right choice! Look forward to your shots Josh.

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 11-11-2009, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by 8540tomg

Outstanding stuff Marc.

You keep setting the bar higher. Looking forward to a lot more of these amazing images.

Tom G

Tom, glad to share and thank you sir!

Originally posted by Mallee Boy

Whoooaa!! Superb Marc.

However, would you ask your Tufted Titmouse #2 to stop throwing his/her seeds at my screen and to also stop eyeing off my keyboard...its making me nervous....and a little bit guilty for not having a bowl of birdseed under my monitor.

It is that lifelike!!

I appreciate the kind words Grant - nice description...

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 11-11-2009, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by Sirfishalot

Marc,
These are looking very nice for "preliminary" images!
Can't wait to see what you come up with when you get settled in with the lens.
I don't think it could have gone to a better Pentaxian. Congrats!

JayT

Thank you Jay and hopefully the other feeders, etc. will bring in more participants!. I sincerely appreciate the props and I suspect I will enjoy this lens for a long, long time. Thanks again for everything and I hope you are doing well good sir!

BTW, the Gitzo tripods are here, but I must choose... tough decision to make...

Originally posted by Andi Lo

Great results Marc... gives me more confidence with pentax

Looking forward to more of your images with this lens!

Andi, much appreciated and I hope to share more very soon!

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 11-11-2009, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by pcarfan

Marc,

WOW! the deatil is out of this world. Absolutely amazing photographs.

Well, I'm hoping this rookie (me) with this lens will continue to improve. Sometimes the lighting is quite tough to work in, regardless of max. aperture, etc.

Originally posted by teedee

very nice shots! so nice dof too.

Thank you teedee!

Originally posted by HawaiianOnline

These are beautiful shots....

I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens....

Thank you HO, but be careful - that's a slippery slope you consider traversing!

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 11-11-2009, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by Jimbo

This could be the first time I have be critical of any of your shots Marc but I find the last two over sharpened and the first one is border. Love the shots. JIM

Hi Jim,

Thank you for the comments - there is never any reason for you not to ask nor for me to not answer or address your comments.

The first image had a fair bit of noise in it (quite dim - overcast, near sunset) and it was tough trying to bring up the exposure levels to the proper colors could be seen. If you look at the underside of the tail there is some telltale noise. I did my best. Regarding the last two images: believe it or not, I did some sharpening, but the information is all there to be captured. That's in part the effect of the AA filter on the sensor - it reduces sharpness. With one pass, nothing more: ~120% @ radius 1.2 pixels. That's why the background of those images are quite clean and uniform: there is very little grain of note (helped by ISO 100 of course).

I took the time to dig up the image and upload it to my gallery - for reference, this is the unsharpened image. Nothing but the straight conversion from the defaults of ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) into Photoshop, then saved as a JPEG:

vs the sharpened as discussed above:

I don't think I am being heavy handed in that sharpening in any way (?)

, I just wanted a better delineation of the feather edges. I hope that helps put some of your concerns to rest.

Regards,
Marc

Jimbo · 11-11-2009, 09:19 PM

Marc, no concerns buddy. You know me and I try so hard to get a sharp image with the goal of getting that straight out of the camera, failing more then I get it right. Love your bird shots and these are not exception. Crap, one day if I get half as good as you I will feel its a hugh step up. Cheers Bud and thank you for going through your process. JIM

cupic · 11-11-2009, 11:13 PM

Epic and sharp ....600 Im crying it will kill my bank balance that or the missus will

TFS

cheers

**wtlwdwgn** · 11-12-2009, 04:03 PM

These are all very good Marc, but that first one really hit me between the eyes.

I am so jealous. I'd love a lens like that. I guess I'll have to wait about 10 more years before the next one comes along.

**Marc Langille** · 11-12-2009, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by Jimbo

Marc, no concerns buddy. You know me and I try so hard to get a sharp image with the goal of getting that straight out of the camera, failing more then I get it right. Love your bird shots and these are not exception. Crap, one day if I get half as good as you I will feel its a hugh step up. Cheers Bud and thank you for going through your process. JIM

Hi Jim,

No worries and I just wanted to make sure it's obvious that the lens is truly that sharp! It's proof that very solid technique can overcome a low shutter speed even at very long focal lengths. That's despite using an inadequate tripod!

Sounds like you and I need to discuss Yellowstone and more!!! Need to work on the long lens technique... I guarantee that if you start practicing shooting with the Bigma and backyard birds you will see an improvement with the 70-200/2.8. Once you've used longer focal lengths regularly, the "shorter" lenses are truly a lot easier to use. That's because you hone your technique a great deal doing this...

I'd suggest doing winter season birding if possible so the impact against your landscape time is minimized and there are fewer leaves on deciduous trees to contend with.

Regards,
Marc

**Marc Langille** · 11-12-2009, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by cupic

Epic and sharp ....600 Im crying it will kill my bank balance that or the missus will

TFS

cheers

It would, no question good sir! Thank you and much appreciated.

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

These are all very good Marc, but that first one really hit me between the eyes.

I am so jealous. I'd love a lens like that. I guess I'll have to wait about 10 more years before the next one comes along.

I love songbirds in action, so I understand your comments very well about it's impact - thank you very much!

For now, I can offer you the option of living vicariously through my lens - would that work?

Regards,
Marc

**ramseybuckeye** · 11-12-2009, 08:33 PM

I'm expecting these to fly off my screen! WOW

**wtlwdwgn** · 11-13-2009, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by Marc Langille

It would, no question good sir! Thank you and much appreciated.

I love songbirds in action, so I understand your comments very well about it's impact - thank you very much!

For now, I can offer you the option of living vicariously through my lens - would that work?

Regards,
Marc

For the time being I guess it'll have to. Of course that means you'll have to lug it out hither, thither, and yon to satisfy our cravings.

mel · 11-14-2009, 05:35 AM

And here I was getting all pleased with myself for my Tufted Titmouse shot from my 400mm Takumar. Not even close to this in sharpness. Wow. Very nice and I'm feeling huge pangs of jealousy. Sigh.

I do love those little birdies though. I think they're my favorites.

Peter Zack · 12-06-2009, 10:09 AM

TT3 is incredibly sharp. Wonderful lens from the first results. Love the action in TT2 fussy bird tossing a perfectly good sunflower seed asside.

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11-11-2009, 07:23 PM	#36
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jimbo This could be the first time I have be critical of any of your shots Marc but I find the last two over sharpened and the first one is border. Love the shots. JIM Hi Jim, Thank you for the comments - there is never any reason for you not to ask nor for me to not answer or address your comments. The first image had a fair bit of noise in it (quite dim - overcast, near sunset) and it was tough trying to bring up the exposure levels to the proper colors could be seen. If you look at the underside of the tail there is some telltale noise. I did my best. Regarding the last two images: believe it or not, I did some sharpening, but the information is all there to be captured. That's in part the effect of the AA filter on the sensor - it reduces sharpness. With one pass, nothing more: ~120% @ radius 1.2 pixels. That's why the background of those images are quite clean and uniform: there is very little grain of note (helped by ISO 100 of course). I took the time to dig up the image and upload it to my gallery - for reference, this is the unsharpened image. Nothing but the straight conversion from the defaults of ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) into Photoshop, then saved as a JPEG: vs the sharpened as discussed above: I don't think I am being heavy handed in that sharpening in any way (?) , I just wanted a better delineation of the feather edges. I hope that helps put some of your concerns to rest. Regards, Marc Last edited by Marc Langille; 11-11-2009 at 08:14 PM.

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11-11-2009, 06:40 PM	#31
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by goddo31 Incredible! Looking forward to seeing more Thank you - I hope to oblige! Originally posted by Sailor These look terrific to me. The first one is incredible. Jer Hi Jer, thank you and it's always a tough situation due to movement. Luckily for me I was already watching the wren in my viewfinder. Originally posted by dcmsox2004 super shots marc.... you've certainly got that howitzer under your control..... is there a better name than 'tufted titmouse'???? I hope it gets better with a sturdier set of tripod legs - thank you. You can try Baeolophus bicolor - will that work? Supposedly the word titmouse descends from the Old English terms, tit (any small animal or object) and mase (small bird), essentially meaning one small, small bird. It's part of what is called the chickadee family in the US. Pick your options! Regards, Marc

11-11-2009, 06:46 PM	#32
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by daacon Well done Marc - wow as mentioned those first couple are so life like , good luck with the backyard set up and hope you feel better soon. Thanks Dave and I'm getting there! Originally posted by sawtooth235 Marc, hope you feel better soon. It is obvious that a little thing like illness isn't effecting your images. Wonderful series, great sharp feather detail this lens is able to capture. Ray Appreciate it Ray and sometimes the lower shutter speeds still allowed a decent capture. It's phenomenal in optimal conditions, very good in decent to marginal conditions. Originally posted by heliphoto Yeah, it arrives today . Actually, my decision to change systems was in part a reaction to your acquisition of this lens... I thought, "wow, I'll never find one of those - I wish pentax still made lenses for nature photography...", and then I realized that other camera companies still do, and that there are a lot more used super-tele lenses around for those systems. Clearly the 5dII is not really a birding camera, but it gets me into the system and I can pursue a crop body and long lens if finances allow in the future. I think I'm going to keep my K20D / Tamron 400/4 / 1.7x AFTC for at least a little while as my super-tele solution. I understand and hope you'll find the right choice! Look forward to your shots Josh. Regards, Marc

11-11-2009, 06:48 PM	#33
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by 8540tomg Outstanding stuff Marc. You keep setting the bar higher. Looking forward to a lot more of these amazing images. Tom G Tom, glad to share and thank you sir! Originally posted by Mallee Boy Whoooaa!! Superb Marc. However, would you ask your Tufted Titmouse #2 to stop throwing his/her seeds at my screen and to also stop eyeing off my keyboard...its making me nervous....and a little bit guilty for not having a bowl of birdseed under my monitor. It is that lifelike!! I appreciate the kind words Grant - nice description... Regards, Marc

11-11-2009, 06:50 PM	#34
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sirfishalot Marc, These are looking very nice for "preliminary" images! Can't wait to see what you come up with when you get settled in with the lens. I don't think it could have gone to a better Pentaxian. Congrats! JayT Thank you Jay and hopefully the other feeders, etc. will bring in more participants!. I sincerely appreciate the props and I suspect I will enjoy this lens for a long, long time. Thanks again for everything and I hope you are doing well good sir! BTW, the Gitzo tripods are here, but I must choose... tough decision to make... Originally posted by Andi Lo Great results Marc... gives me more confidence with pentax Looking forward to more of your images with this lens! Andi, much appreciated and I hope to share more very soon! Regards, Marc

11-11-2009, 06:54 PM	#35
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by pcarfan Marc, WOW! the deatil is out of this world. Absolutely amazing photographs. Well, I'm hoping this rookie (me) with this lens will continue to improve. Sometimes the lighting is quite tough to work in, regardless of max. aperture, etc. Originally posted by teedee very nice shots! so nice dof too. Thank you teedee! Originally posted by HawaiianOnline These are beautiful shots.... I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens, I must get a copy of this lens.... Thank you HO, but be careful - that's a slippery slope you consider traversing! Regards, Marc

11-11-2009, 09:19 PM	#37
Jimbo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maple Ridge BC Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,368	Marc, no concerns buddy. You know me and I try so hard to get a sharp image with the goal of getting that straight out of the camera, failing more then I get it right. Love your bird shots and these are not exception. Crap, one day if I get half as good as you I will feel its a hugh step up. Cheers Bud and thank you for going through your process. JIM

11-11-2009, 11:13 PM	#38
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	Epic and sharp ....600 Im crying it will kill my bank balance that or the missus will TFS cheers

11-12-2009, 04:03 PM	#39
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	These are all very good Marc, but that first one really hit me between the eyes. I am so jealous. I'd love a lens like that. I guess I'll have to wait about 10 more years before the next one comes along.

11-12-2009, 06:33 PM	#40
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jimbo Marc, no concerns buddy. You know me and I try so hard to get a sharp image with the goal of getting that straight out of the camera, failing more then I get it right. Love your bird shots and these are not exception. Crap, one day if I get half as good as you I will feel its a hugh step up. Cheers Bud and thank you for going through your process. JIM Hi Jim, No worries and I just wanted to make sure it's obvious that the lens is truly that sharp! It's proof that very solid technique can overcome a low shutter speed even at very long focal lengths. That's despite using an inadequate tripod! Sounds like you and I need to discuss Yellowstone and more!!! Need to work on the long lens technique... I guarantee that if you start practicing shooting with the Bigma and backyard birds you will see an improvement with the 70-200/2.8. Once you've used longer focal lengths regularly, the "shorter" lenses are truly a lot easier to use. That's because you hone your technique a great deal doing this... I'd suggest doing winter season birding if possible so the impact against your landscape time is minimized and there are fewer leaves on deciduous trees to contend with. Regards, Marc

11-12-2009, 06:36 PM	#41
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by cupic Epic and sharp ....600 Im crying it will kill my bank balance that or the missus will TFS cheers It would, no question good sir! Thank you and much appreciated. Originally posted by wtlwdwgn These are all very good Marc, but that first one really hit me between the eyes. I am so jealous. I'd love a lens like that. I guess I'll have to wait about 10 more years before the next one comes along. I love songbirds in action, so I understand your comments very well about it's impact - thank you very much! For now, I can offer you the option of living vicariously through my lens - would that work? Regards, Marc

11-12-2009, 08:33 PM	#42
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	I'm expecting these to fly off my screen! WOW

11-13-2009, 10:58 AM	#43
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	Originally posted by Marc Langille It would, no question good sir! Thank you and much appreciated. I love songbirds in action, so I understand your comments very well about it's impact - thank you very much! For now, I can offer you the option of living vicariously through my lens - would that work? Regards, Marc For the time being I guess it'll have to. Of course that means you'll have to lug it out hither, thither, and yon to satisfy our cravings.

11-14-2009, 05:35 AM	#44
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	And here I was getting all pleased with myself for my Tufted Titmouse shot from my 400mm Takumar. Not even close to this in sharpness. Wow. Very nice and I'm feeling huge pangs of jealousy. Sigh. I do love those little birdies though. I think they're my favorites.

12-06-2009, 10:09 AM	#45
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	TT3 is incredibly sharp. Wonderful lens from the first results. Love the action in TT2 fussy bird tossing a perfectly good sunflower seed asside.