Big Birds

[ozimax]

I wandered down to the "Agrodome" near Rotorua, which incidentally doesn't seem to be a place where people get agro, but a complex where Kiwis do all wild and wonderful things like flying on top of a giant fan, bungy jumping and other assorted madness. It's not that I'm scared of that sort of stuff, I just don't have the cash. So, I did the next best thing - went next door and started photographing some ostriches. Here's the results:

[iposiniditos]

great stuff. very sharp, great detail!

what lens?

#4 if i had to choose.

[ATJ]

The second one is my favourite, but they are all good. Lots of detail where it is needed.

[ozimax]

great stuff. very sharp, great detail!

what lens?

Canon 135mm F2 prime.

Cheers.

[zafra52]

I am with Theo. They all have great colour and sharpness, but for composition the 4th is my choice. I can see one needs to have good photographic equipment to produce anything similar.

[ozimax]

Actually, ostriches are very easy to photograph - they just stand there and gawk at you! Having said that, the 135 F2 is an astonishing lens, the only problem is the focal length on the crop camera. I am always having to back up to get some sort of shot in the frame. This would be the perfect lens on a FF camera.

[JeffGlue]

Really like the non-conventional composition in #1. Makes the shot more interesting!

[zafra52]

I only have zoom lenses so my pictures are normally not as sharp as yours and that is why I always sharpen them a bit. I also hate having to change the lens in the camera too often because of the dust. That is why I was thinking of getting the new Sigma 18 - 200 OS for my 30D, but I guesss you pay for the convinience with less sharp images. Dilemas.

[mickeyjuice]

Great quote for these birds

Love the last one - really shows their attitude, I reckon.

[ozimax]

Zafs, it is a dilemma indeed, increased sharpness or less dust. Many photographers carry two bodies and two lenses at all times, but I travel too lightly to even consider that.

As far as dust goes, I am fairly disappointed with the 30D. It has far more problems than my old D70. I found the 70-200 F2.8 also let in a lot of dust, not sure why as it was the only lens I used for months. Now I switch between the 10-22mm and the 135mm and the focal lengths suit me perfectly so I guess I will have to clean the sensor more often.

As far as sharpness is concerned, the 135 F2 is outstanding, not to mention the bokeh and low light capabilities, however, it is not as versatile as the 70-200.

Now, back to the birds again, they are amazing creatures and fun to photograph.

Ozi.

[Big V]

That second one is nice and sharp and so well exposed.

[Finch]

No. 4 is a standout for me, by a mile. We've all seen Ostrich pics before but the angle, sharpness and blue sky in background makes this pic a ripper.

Cheers