New Lens Shooting Grace

[NorthernFocus]

If I get any new gear this time of year, Grace is the easiest moving target to try it out on. Nikon announced "lens only" rebates for the first time that I can remember. You normally have to buy a lens/camera combo. I'd been wanting to get the newly updated version of the 80-400mm VR but it was a bit pricey. The current deal is a 15 percent discount bringing it into a bit more acceptable range.

Anyway, here are some test shots. For my needs focusing speed and sharpness are the two main criteria in a long lens. These were all shot at 400mm and wide open at f5.6. It seems to do well.

1.


2.


3


4.


5.


6.

[rpcrowe]

Wonderful images of your beautiful Grace! Great job in nailing the focus (as well as exposure) in these shots... However, the ball in images 4 & 5 looks a bit strange...

[NorthernFocus]

...the ball in images 4 & 5 looks a bit strange...

Thanks for commenting, Richard.

You can't believe the PP headache that fluorescent tennis ball caused me. First, even with the 16bit version, I couldn't get the colors on-screen to look like the real thing. Then there is the issue that I assume you are referring to in that the ball looks odd even with it is in the same plane of focus as the dog. Sharpening made it look even weirder. The only thing I can figure is that it's a combination of the fuzz on the ball and the snow that's stuck to it. I just always looks like it is in a different place than the dog. Ironically shots where the ball is clearly outside the DOF look more natural. I guess because in that case there is no expectation of the ball being in focus. She lost all of her rubber "chuck it" balls. I think I'm going to buy a couple and reserve them for when I want to shoot photos with her

[Mike Buckley]

Grace makes your new lens look terrific!

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, Mike and John.

...The only thing I can figure is that it's a combination of the fuzz on the ball and the snow that's stuck to it. I just always looks like it is in a different place than the dog....

Duuuh. After further consideration, I've got it backward. The ball looks sharp when it's in the dog's mouth. So in the other shots it must be just in the edge of the DOF but not far enough to be obviously OOF. It never occurred to me and I spent quite a bit of time assuming that the ball should be sharp and trying to make it so. But looking at those shots again now and considering how flat the DOF is at 400mm, the ball is far enough ahead of the dog to be just on the edge of DOF

[jamn4ex]

Spectacular! All great shots but I just love 1.