Birds of Mt. Tabor Park, Portland OR

All taken with the 7D2 and 500/4 II, handheld.

Northern Flicker:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LfCz​NM

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LL8z​Jd

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LfCz​DD

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/M31N​aq

Were you using flash? The light looks nice and even but they all look a tad hot to me. Otherwise the IQ is sharp with your setup. Very good handheld work. The warbler shot is really nice.

No flash. By hot, you mean I should dial down the whites? Weird, I already pulled the highlights slider down all the way to make sure I got feather detail in the white areas. Maybe my monitor is too dark or something, I'll have to check.

Nice ones, Sam. The Flickr shots look like they could use a bit of contrast to punch them up a bit and bring out the greens in the surrounding a little bit; the Warbler looks pretty dead on and the Chickadee does look a tad bright, to me. Assuming you're using LR, instead of pulling Highlights all the way down (which tends to flatten out your whites a bit too much, in general), try doing a balance of Whites and Highlights (20 -30) and then adjust your tone curve 15 - 20 for Lights and Highlights and see what you think of the results. Should be able to retain detail in the feathers without flattening or darkening things too badly that way.

Thanks, Eric and Greg! I will check on them when I get back home from work this evening and dial things down a bit. Appreciate the feedback!

By the way, the 7D2/500 II combo felt heavy the first time I took it out, but it has grown on me (figuratively, that is) and hand holding it isn't too much of an issue. I hiked for 3 hours with it and didn't feel fatigued. The IS is incredible on the lens, and the IQ is of course just superb. It costs a pretty penny for sure, but it really is something else in terms of what it produces.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #18127909
Thanks, Eric and Greg! I will check on them when I get back home from work this evening and dial things down a bit. Appreciate the feedback!

By the way, the 7D2/500 II combo felt heavy the first time I took it out, but it has grown on me (figuratively, that is) and hand holding it isn't too much of an issue. I hiked for 3 hours with it and didn't feel fatigued. The IS is incredible on the lens, and the IQ is of course just superb. It costs a pretty penny for sure, but it really is something else in terms of what it produces.

I will certainly admit to a tiny (huge) bit of jealousy there ;D

Nice work Sam.

Snydremark wrote in post #18127911
I will certainly admit to a tiny (huge) bit of jealousy there ;D

YOLO!

At least that's what I tell myself. At close to 8 grand, it is the largest discretionary spending purchase I have ever made. Definitely had to gulp a couple of times and take a deep breath before I hit the order button. But hey, people buy BMWs or other luxury cars, while I am content with my Ford Focus. If they get driving pleasure from their vehicle, I don't feel too bad about it.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #18127967
YOLO!

At least that's what I tell myself. At close to 8 grand, it is the largest discretionary spending purchase I have ever made. Definitely had to gulp a couple of times and take a deep breath before I hit the order button. But hey, people buy BMWs or other luxury cars, while I am content with my Ford Focus. If they get driving pleasure from their vehicle, I don't feel too bad about it.

Yep. My company signed with a Publisher this year, and as part of the deal I got a hefty retention bonus in Aug and have another one coming in Dec; between the two of them, I should have one of these guys by early next year I also used to ride a motorcycle, but I just can't support TWO expensive hobbies