Ponies @ 800mm

[rick barclay]

Just testing the waters. I upped the resolution from 240 to 400 on this photo before I processed it. It seemed to help with the sharpnes. I used a
100-400mm with a 2x extender. Need opinions.

http://flashdaddee.com/ponies.jpg

[Digital Prophet]

I dig it. I think that it is a little dark, but that might have been unavoidable.

I took a swing at taking horse pics (http://boardexpression.com/beforum/modules.php?full=1&set_albumName=album18&id=IMG_19 44&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view _photo.php) a little while ago.

But I think that the environments that horses are in sometimes lend themselves to bad lighting.

- Digital Prophet -

[sGu]

what camera did you use? did you have auto focus with the combination?

[c0ntr0lz]

agree with Prophet a bit dark and looks a bit soft
nice work
how far away were you?

[rick barclay]

Thanks for the responses, guys.
Let me make one thing clear: that picture was taken with a 2x converter that I was using for the very first tiime, so the underexposure is correctable with use. Hopefully, by upping the resolution I can get better sharpening and
focus. I don't know, but I'm encouraged. At 800mm I didn't expect to see
tack sharp detail, and I'm happy I got what I got. The pictures should get
better with a little exposure and ISO correction. Also, I'm still learning
how to use the Mark II, which has in-camera settings for sharpness,
color, and auto-tracking that I haven't touched yet. So I'm figuring things can only get better.

I believe I had the auto-focus on, but I focused everything manually. I did
not try to auto-focus. I'm not sure how far away I was, except to say I was
maybe halfway situated between the finish line and the home turn. You'll
have to use your imagination, as I post this pic of the riders coming round
that turn. I would really be amazed to get any sharp pictures at 800mm,
and these are certainly worthy of newsprint if nothing else. Photos were
shot at 1/1250 sec, f/11, ISO 200, with spot metering.

And last I'd like to add: expect dark pictures in this type of setting. All these pics were taken under a full sun. As I was leaving the track, I had
an opportunity to take a great picture of a squirrel perched on a trash can.
I though I had a great shot, but to my utter surprise the raw images were
just about pitch black. Reason: I was in the shade and and didn't adjust
exposure or ISO. So, be careful when using a 2x extender.

http://flashdaddee.com/hometurn.jpg