First Good Shot with new 400/5.6

Hey everyone! It's been awhile since I've posted, but I just received my new (used from BH) 400/5.6 to help me along with my new birding hobby. I just got it today and camped out next to the feeder for an hour or so and when I was about to give up, one of my frequent visitors flew in for some lunch!

Lightning situation back there isn't the best (feeder is pretty much in shade all day and the bushes in the background are almost always in direct sunlight), but I did my best in post to fix the exposure balance. C&C is always welcomed!

40D, 400/5.6 @ F8, 1/400, 1600 ISO on a monopod

Very nice Patrick and congrats on the new lens. Try using a speedlite with a flash extender.

2n10 wrote in post #16949640
Very nice Patrick and congrats on the new lens. Try using a speedlite with a flash extender.

Hi John, thanks for the reply!

I searched BH and found this "Better Beamer VX3 Flash Extender" to recieve the best reviews. Its just under $40. Would you recommend this or do you have another recommendation?

Looks like you got a pretty sharp image considering the lighting conditions. Have fun with that new lens! My only issue with it is focusing distance. Quite often I am too close!

Nice. I'm on the fence between the 400 and the 28-300l.

I set up a couple speedlites on stands next to my hummingbird feeder. I thought it would scare them but it was no problem.

Congratulations on the new lens.

Go to where the good light is and shot whats in it. ...

Great start with you new lens, Patrick.
Keep them coming!

Great photo and great lens. You'll have a blast, guaranteed.

Congrats on the new lens and lovely shot. The gentle light looks great on this subject.

Thx for the replies everyone!

Could anyone recommend me a good flash extender? I have a Speedlite 580EX II

See jhayes thread in "Bird Talk" section-Better Beamer Alternative.

I swear they do stuff like this on purpose, lol. Then fly up in the tree and laugh! Turned out well considering your bg. Congrats on the new glass too. I would suggest that you go out and find some pretty branches and plant them in the ground, in the sun high enough so they are above your feeders. They will come land on your planted perches so they can survey the buffet below them. You can get some great shots if you have your feeders and perches in the sun with the background in the shade. If they are, which it sounds like still scared of that glass and you, get a blind. Either a tent type or a cloth cover type, both work well.
Having said all that, Welcome to the addiction..... Seriously ! I am completely hooked....
Hope to see more, Good Luck to you! Oh, also you don't need a flash too!