Red tail on a gray day

So once again, I am out to capture some railroad action with my 5D and 100-400 when this beautiful hawk lands just feet from me. My 7D was in the car with the 24-105 on it, so I just used what I had. The 5D was set to expose for trains below me, not a small bird against a bright gray sky, so I had to push them a bit in post, but they still came out OK I think. This guy was perched on the BNSF RR radio antenna in Pinole California. He took off, did a lap or so, then came back in for a landing one more time before leaving all together. I really should start setting up my 7D and 400 prime when i go train watching!

Those are very good for such a grey day. That 5D really shines with poor light. What was your ISO? These look pretty darn clean. I got some shots of a RTH today as well and I got lucky some sun came through a bit. I then tried to get him in flight but just couldnt due to the busy BG confusing the AF.

#2 & #4 are superb.

No Angle wrote in post #13870942
Those are very good for such a grey day. That 5D really shines with poor light. What was your ISO? These look pretty darn clean. I got some shots of a RTH today as well and I got lucky some sun came through a bit. I then tried to get him in flight but just couldnt due to the busy BG confusing the AF.

ISO 400 at 5.6 and 1 1/1000. They were way underexposed, but a little LR3 and a little Nik Dfine took care of the noise after I pushed up the exposure in post. The 5D files are way more forgiving than the 7D files in that respect, at least in my experience so far with it.

I'm going out tomorrow with my bird setup, so of course about 20 trains will come by while I am looking up for raptors

Itsed65 wrote in post #13871541
ISO 400 at 5.6 and 1 1/1000. They were way underexposed, but a little LR3 and a little Nik Dfine took care of the noise after I pushed up the exposure in post. The 5D files are way more forgiving than the 7D files in that respect, at least in my experience so far with it.

I'm going out tomorrow with my bird setup, so of course about 20 trains will come by while I am looking up for raptors

I am surprised you got any signs of noise at 400 with the 5D. I figured it would still look totally clean but I know adjusting exposure can make it come out more. The 7D is not as good but it is still not too bad. My shots of the RTh today were at 400 and 640 and I did not have to do anymore than 30-35% NR in CS5.

That's an outstanding group of RTH images under any conditions!
I'd agree w/Stan #'s 2 & 4 really caught my eye as standing out amongst the group. Very well done.

Great job! Loving #2 and #4 but all are well done.

Grey or not, great shots.
Al

Set up for them or not, those are great shots. Stick to birds, way more interesting than trains