First pics with my new 300mm L IS

[bindi]

Well today I finally had a chance to use my new canon 300mm f/4 L IS. I didn't find it very easy using a prime of this length, and the light was not good. I had to shoot at ISO 800 , wide open (f/4) , which I hate doing. But I just couldn't wait!

This picture (below) is only special in that the bird is my favorite bird that I personally know. He is wild, but he feels like a pet to me. I have known him for years, and he has a beautiful nature. Each year he comes into my house around breeding season, and sings and talks to me about how he would like to have some food to help impress his girlfriend, and help feed the babies. He is quite polite about the whole thing, but very persistent. Anyway, he convinced me, and now I am a slave to his bossy children. But he is lovely, smart, sweet, and companionable. Oh, his breed is a `grey butcherbird' one of my favourite Aussie birds because of the range of calls they have to express their feelings.




This pic below is of a huge spider I found in my garden today, which builds nest that can catch birds. I am debating whether to destroy it or not. It is a spectacular spider, and a tough decision!

[JP Cariño]

looking good bindi

[William Lim]

Very nice shots

[Ding Carpio]

What a name for a bird with a pleasant disposition.

Those are excellent shots at ISO800. Did you do any noise reduction and sharpening?

[Manny Illana]

congrats on the new toy! first shots look swell. it seems that you've got a sharp copy.

[Reyno Rosete]

Looks like you're off to a good start with your new addition...BIG...BIG...Congrats on your new lens Bindi !!!

[Romy Ocon]

Looking great, Bindi.... looks like your new toy is a keeper!

[tina mallari]

Beautiful shot on the grey butcherbird Bindi

I'm almost afraid to ask why it was named as such

[Farmer Nestor]

Huwawww !!

[Neon Rosell II]

Nice captures Bindi!! looks like you were able to get a good copy of the lens, the pictures are sharp. Congrats on your new toy!! Can't wait for more aussie birds.

Cheers,

[Bob Kaufman]

@ Bindi: Really great first shots on your new 300mm. Looking forward for more, maybe with a 1.4X?

@tina: It is called a butcherbird because similar to the shrikes, it impales its victims on thorns or barbed wires before eating them.

[bindi]

Hello everyone! Sorry about my slow reply- I think I am around 4 hours ahead of the Phillipines time. I really appreciate your feedback- thankyou so much for indulging me:)

That is a relief to hear it is a sharp copy of the lens! It looks sharp to me, but it is more comforting to hear it from experienced users, such as Tina and Neon. I wasn't really happy with my first shots with such a high ISO and narrow DOF, but I can see great detail in the spider, just like my canon 100mm macro shots! It may easily become my favourite macro lens, if my 550ex flash will carry light far enough distance.

The pics are out of the camera, no sharpening. At ISO 800, I see `colour noise' in the feathers of the bird, but I guess its better than camera blur, lol.

Tina, `Butcherbird' is a strange Nickname. Bob is correct-It refers to the way these birds hoard their meat, like a butcher stores meat in a larder. They will take some food, and `stash' it, and come back for more.

Sometimes they eat their `stash' later, and at other times they provide the stash to feed other family members. During breeding season they do it attract a girlfriend (they mate for life, around 20 years, but they still have to court their girlfriends each year all over again).

I'd better stop now:) I could talk all day about my friend the butcherbird. My nickname for him is `penguin' .Giggle:)

[mantarey]

I'm enjoying this Bindi, interesting.