Hover fly

[Simon Spiers]

I took this picture hand held yesterday with my Sigma telephoto lens.
I have set all the camera settings to normal (parameter 2) and shot this jpg fine.
The result was sharper than I haver ever seen from this camera:)

Why is this so sharp and the owl pictures I take so soft?




http://hometown.aol.co.uk/SSpiers/images/hoverfly.jpg

[Learner]

wow, enviable shot! *** dreaming of a canon 20D!****

[Leorooster]

Great shot.

[fortinaa]

You do have some good detail there! I checked your posts for some bird shots. The only thing I can think of is the lighting. It makes a huge difference in the detail that shows up. I've never had a backlit bird/photo come out as sharp and detailed as on lit from over my shoulder. Also, compare squirrels, dogs, and other furry mammals. Lots of times the fur is so fine or matted, we mistake it for being soft or lacking detail when it isn't the case. I'm wondering if the very fine feathering on the owl pic of yours I saw isn't a case of that. Keep trying, and for kicks, use a flash when the object is backlit and see if it makes a difference.