An owl and a windmill

vulkan75 · 25-04-2008, 9:16 PM

Just got back from the Isle of wight and had a quick squint through.

I mainly ended up taking family snapshots but did manage one or two test shots for the D300.

This owl shot was from a falconary display at a wildlife park.I wanted to test out the Fps and was really pleased with the performance.This was taken at the long end of the 18-200mm which isnt that much cop at the long end...The camera realy has made the most of a poor perfromer lens wise.

This second one is a token vulked shot..Its actually quite a pleasant shot straight out of the camera..but I like fiddling

Ill post some High iso examples later

dazza74 · 25-04-2008, 9:21 PM

of to a flier with your new D300. I do like the owl shot.

jenufa · 25-04-2008, 9:25 PM

Great images

onefivenine · 25-04-2008, 9:29 PM

The subject isolation of #1 reminds me of a macro shot.
Looks good.

icemanonline · 25-04-2008, 9:38 PM

Brilliant shots....the 1st is an absolutely stunning shot mate......and you can "token vulked shot!!"........my shots anytime

, That 2nd is well done. Nice start with the new gear....

icemanonline

TarMoo · 26-04-2008, 6:40 AM

Impressive owl shot. The D300 appears to get better performance of any give lens. From Ken Rockwell's site ...

Quote:

I've never said this before of any other camera, but the D300 actually makes it easier to create significantly better images than with earlier cameras.

The D300 has better color, better highlights, better shadows, it's sharper because it fixes lens flaws, and its superior AF system and viewfinder free us to compose more freely than any previous camera.

electrolyte · 26-04-2008, 7:14 AM

That's a great owl shot Alex. I like how the rest of the frame is dark. Impressive stuff.

denno75uk · 26-04-2008, 7:40 AM

Very nice owl shot. The black background really brings out the colours.

Are you not too impressed with the 18-200 then? Mate just got a D300 and that lens. I know the Nikon is probably the best of the 18-200 lenses, but does compromise for the range so I'm trying to talk him into investing in better glass. For want of a better word, something more befitting a camera of that quality. Be interesting to get your take on it.

IAN P · 26-04-2008, 8:06 AM

The owl shot is impressive.

pixelpixel · 26-04-2008, 8:26 AM

Excellent images, looks like you are enjoying your new toy.

richard plumb · 26-04-2008, 8:55 AM

that owl shot is spectacular. How did the black background come about? It looks pretty sunny by the way the owl is lit? the combination is excellent.

vulkan75 · 26-04-2008, 9:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasputin

Impressive owl shot. The D300 appears to get better performance of any give lens. From Ken Rockwell's site ...

I agree the D80 would never have got that owl shot with the 18-200vr no way.
The Af servo mode with 3d tracking is outstanding couple that with high frame rate and your not likely to miss the shot...still learning how to use it though

Quote:

Originally Posted by denno75uk

Very nice owl shot. The black background really brings out the colours.

Are you not too impressed with the 18-200 then? Mate just got a D300 and that lens. I know the Nikon is probably the best of the 18-200 lenses, but does compromise for the range so I'm trying to talk him into investing in better glass. For want of a better word, something more befitting a camera of that quality. Be interesting to get your take on it.

When I first had the lens I thought it was brilliant...and its still the best all round lens I own,but as Ive improved in my picture taking it just doesnt impress as often.I have a need

maybe want, for fast glass so maybe Im being a bit harsh but it might just be on and auction site real soon.

Lower down the focal range is good but as your pass 100mm the images are notoriously soft and thats starting to irritate me.

Dilema now is what to replace it with.

vulkan75 · 26-04-2008, 9:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard plumb

that owl shot is spectacular. How did the black background come about? It looks pretty sunny by the way the owl is lit? the combination is excellent.

Thanks its because the camera has metered the exposure of the brightly lit bird, The shady pine trees in the background then naturally underexpose.

stevegreen · 26-04-2008, 9:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulkan75

Dilema now is what to replace it with.

A Canon and some L glass?

Blue.Rocket · 26-04-2008, 9:30 AM

Thats a terrific shot of the Owl.
Vulcan auto or manual focus?.
Using a D80 I am dribbling to get my hands on this D300, just a little more savings and iam there.

SweetGirl · 26-04-2008, 9:30 AM

alex. saw this on ur flickr site.....really LOVE the owl shot....wow.....

mij · 26-04-2008, 10:05 AM

Like both

vulkan75 · 26-04-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue.Rocket

Thats a terrific shot of the Owl.
Vulcan auto or manual focus?.
.

Thanks, I use Af mostly because Im blind in one eye and it saves alot of fuss especially with moving subjects.
I occasionally use MF on lanscapes as there usually isnt a rush to get the shot.

The D300 does have a handy little feature for Mf though.In the viewinder you have a focus indicator that helps you know whether your in or out of focus on your selected focus point.Handy in low light or if your like me,dont trust your own eyes

vulkan75 · 26-04-2008, 10:14 AM

ISO 1000

Blue.Rocket · 26-04-2008, 10:21 AM

Dam! That bird is good and with ISO of 1000 , WOW.

I have tried to get birds and owls in flight with AF but it seems so slow.

mij · 26-04-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulkan75

ISO 1000

Superb.

Is that with the Nikon 18-200VR?

pixelpixel · 26-04-2008, 10:26 AM

Flip

thats stunning !

vulkan75 · 26-04-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue.Rocket

Dam! That bird is good and with ISO of 1000 , WOW.

I have tried to get birds and owls in flight with AF but it seems so slow.

It is on the D80 not so on the D300

Quote:

Originally Posted by mij

Superb.

Is that with the Nikon 18-200VR?

Yup

IAN P · 26-04-2008, 10:30 AM

Nice pic,what species is that,if anyone knows?

Spooky · 26-04-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulkan75

.This was taken at the long end of the 18-200mm which isnt that much cop at the long end...The camera realy has made the most of a poor perfromer lens wise.

Im with you there, I know a lot of people love it as its a one lens does all but I'm just not a fan with it wide or long.
If your looking for a 200mm you really cant get better than a Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR IMHO or the Nikon 80-200 2.8 can be picked up slightly cheaper from well known auction sites.
Great pics BTW, you have gotten more from your 300 than me already.

Liquid101 · 26-04-2008, 6:22 PM

Nice shots Alex - The owl shot is pretty special.

But could you be a sport, and not post any more D300 shots.

johnaalex · 26-04-2008, 7:40 PM

That owl shot is fantastic - don't give all the credit to the D300

julian_fraser · 27-04-2008, 12:51 PM

That amazing owl shot has GOT to worth a go here...

The rules mention no zoos but allows working dogs etc so this could fall under that umbrella?

vulkan75 · 27-04-2008, 3:41 PM

Thanks but it wont be allowed as its a captive bird at a safari park