Potteric Carr -Help

[troutfisher]

Hi
I went to a local nature reserve today and among others got these.
They are taken with a Bigma(EXIF should be intact), tripod mounted but with the tripod head not locked,used as a support.I was in a hide ( Blind) about 50-60 yards away from the birds.
They were shot in RAW and I have done a bit of pp in DPP and CS2,I do not know if they should have been sharper or is this was I should expect from the lens at this distance.If they should be better any suggestions on how I can improve would be much appreciated.I am wondering if I would see a significant improvement with a 400L f5.6 or will I get them better with technique?

http://merlinphotographics.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p1011536700-4.jpg


http://merlinphotographics.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p657091555-4.jpg


http://merlinphotographics.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p930039895-4.jpg

Many thanks in advance
Regards

[artyman]

It look like the highlights are blown, what metering and compensation were you using. The Bigma is said to have great IQ so shortcomings are more likely to be user induced than lens induced. I have the 150-500 and the bad shots are attributable to me not the lens.

[davebreal]

Trout - You should probably have your camera set for spot metering to avoid blowouts on the main subjects. Also, looks like you have camera set for +1/3 Exposure Comp here (I think), with a light colored bird you may need to go in the opposite direction.

As always, your subjects need to be closer if you want great definition.

[troutfisher]

Thanks guys-evaluative metering so I'll have a go at spot metering.

[jmik26]

Like others have mentioned I would set your 40d to 0 EC and switch to Spot metering. This will help you get the exposure problem corrected. The other thing I noticed is your shooting ISO500 f/6.3 with 1/1000 + shutter speeds. I would try a couple at f/8 and see if they get a little sharper. If the shutter speeds get to low crank it up to ISO800.

One thing that has helped me a a lot with testing my abilities is sticking something in the ground and taking pictures of it. Take a screwdriver or a sharpie marker, something with some print on it, stick it into the ground, back up around 50-75 feet away and focus on the print of the object stuck into the ground. When you get back to the computer see which ones look the best. If you can get that correct you will have no problem focusing on the eye of a bird....Jeff

[BradM]

Spot metering may help, however at 50 to 60 yards from the subject the spot/cone of light being metered is probably going to be larger than some of the birds like the gulls captured. So it will be picking up on the background as well.

150-180 feet from these guys is just too bloody far to get a fine detail image, once you crop into the shot to pull the usbject up the resolution isn't there to support the fine stuff.

[troutfisher]

Gentlemen and /or Ladies

Thank you very much for the replies, they have been invaluable, I have a lot or work to do to improve my technique but a specific thanks to BradM-"its just too Bloody far" that comment was invaluable, I was expecting too much.

Thanks and Regards

Chris