Kookaburra

[RockOne]

Took this photo tonight..just on sunset when the light was very dodgy. Had to use ISO1600. The photo is handheld at 1/30 second using 75-300mm lens at 300mm.
It worked better than I thought it was going too, even if it isn't the best picture I've ever taken :-)
EOS300D + 75-300mm

[TammieO]

Wow, you have some steady hands. I'm impressed with the noise level (I've yet to try iso1600).

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Woah, very risky shutter speed and ISO, but you definately must have hands and arms of steady steal, because that's pretty clear! Not sharp sharp, but pretty sharp for a hand held shot at such a slower shutter speed. Good job, love the bird. Very pretty.

[tupe]

Nice work, Steve! That's a keeper!

[RockOne]

Thanks all. I was surprised at how steady I held it...I'm wondering what it would have looked like if I'd had a 100-400 IS.

[Paul A]

Great job.

[Drk Orange]

There is a modified firmware available online (not endorsed by Canon in any way) that allows you to go up to 3200. It is a little noisier than your photo, but still quite usable.

Here is my shot of a kooka, taken in daylight.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~miketz/sssf/UrbanCookaburra.jpg

[RockOne]

Thanks Paul & Drk Orange.
Great picture...nice feather detail. I haven't upgraded to that firmware, mainly because software and computers hate me and something is sure to go wrong :-) :-)..considering I've used ISO1600 about 3 times in 18 months and am upgrading to the 20D by the end of the year I'm not sure its worth the risk :-) !