{"id":11803,"date":"2012-09-26T08:53:43","date_gmt":"2012-09-26T12:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=11803"},"modified":"2012-09-27T05:51:05","modified_gmt":"2012-09-27T09:51:05","slug":"canon-500mm-f4l-is-ii-hand-held-how-sharp-is-sharp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2012\/09\/26\/canon-500mm-f4l-is-ii-hand-held-how-sharp-is-sharp\/","title":{"rendered":"Canon 500mm f\/4L IS II Hand Held: How Sharp Is Sharp?"},"content":{"rendered":"<table>\n<tr>\n<td>ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image of a one year old Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was created at Fort DeSoto with the hand held <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/754507-USA\/Canon_5124B002_500mm_f_4L_EF_IS.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA5004LISEF2\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA5004LISEF2\" target=\"_blank\">Canon 500mm f\/4L EF IS II lens<\/a>, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/732113-USA\/Canon_4409B002_1_4x_EF_Extender_III.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA14XEF3\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA14XEF3\" target=\"_blank\">Canon 1.4x EF tele-extender III<\/a>, and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/827036-REG\/Canon_5253B002_EOS_1D_X_Digital_SLR.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAE1DX\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAE1DX\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS-1D X<\/a>.  ISO 1600.  Evaluative metering at zero: 1\/250 sec. at f\/6.3 in Manual mode. <\/p>\n<p>61-Point\/AI Servo Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2011\/09\/13\/rear-focus-tutorial\/\">here<\/a> if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version. <\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"728\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=728x90&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=2669&#038;link_target=y\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Canon 500mm f\/4L IS II Hand Held: How Sharp Is Sharp? <\/h3>\n<p>You saw some of the hand held images that I created with the 500 II, the 1.4X III, and the amazing 1D X in last Friday&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2012\/09\/21\/hand-holding-the-canon-500mm-f4-l-is-ii\/\"> blog post<\/a>. The images presented here give you an even better idea of what is possible with the 4-Stop IS system that was first introduced with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/542293-REG\/Canon_2746B002_EF_800mm_f_5_6L_IS.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA80056LISEF\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA80056LISEF\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EF 800mm f\/5.6L IS USM lens<\/a> and is part of the deal with all of the new Series II Canon super-telephoto lenses. Can you say incredibly sharp?<\/p>\n<p>With the image above I was working at 700mm (14X) at a shutter speed of only 1\/250 second.  The old rule of thumb for making sharp images hand held was 1 over the focal length of the lens, in this case 1\/700 sec.  The rule can obviously be thrown our of the window with 4-Stop IS.  Do note that with the new lenses it is important to set IS Mode 1 when photographing static subjects hand held (and to switch back to IS Mode 3 for hand held flight and action photography). <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>ngg_shortcode_1_placeholder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This vertical front-end portrait of the same bird was also created with the hand held <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/754507-USA\/Canon_5124B002_500mm_f_4L_EF_IS.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA5004LISEF2\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA5004LISEF2\" target=\"_blank\">Canon 500mm f\/4L EF IS II lens<\/a>, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/732113-USA\/Canon_4409B002_1_4x_EF_Extender_III.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA14XEF3\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA14XEF3\" target=\"_blank\">Canon 1.4x EF tele-extender III<\/a>, and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/827036-REG\/Canon_5253B002_EOS_1D_X_Digital_SLR.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAE1DX\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAE1DX\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS-1D X<\/a>.  ISO 2000.  Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1\/500 sec. at f\/6.3 in Manual mode. <\/p>\n<p>61-Point\/AI Servo Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2011\/09\/13\/rear-focus-tutorial\/\">here<\/a> if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version. <\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"728\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=728x90&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=2669&#038;link_target=y\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Coming Soon: The EOS-1D X Autofocus Guide<\/h3>\n<p>Sharp-eyed readers will note that for both of the images above I used 61-Point AF.  Ah, if it would be that simple&#8230;. The 5D III and the 1D X feature a fantastic brand new but complex AF system.  I am currently working on the EOS-1D X Autofocus Guide.  It will cover all of my AF-related menu item and C.Fn. settings and will include my reasoning for each setting and selection as well as numerous screen capture showing the AF system in action.  <\/p>\n<h3>1D X High ISO Performance<\/h3>\n<p>Note the incredible high ISO performance of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/827036-REG\/Canon_5253B002_EOS_1D_X_Digital_SLR.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAE1DX\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAE1DX\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera body.<\/a> The vibrant colors, low noise levels, and crisp detail&#8211;see image next&#8211;at ISO 1600, 2000, and beyond open up whole new worlds for nature photographers wishing to work in low light. As I have said before and often here, the 1D X has changed my approach to bird photography more than any other camera I have ever held in my hands. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>ngg_shortcode_2_placeholder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This is a 100% crop of the vertical front-end portrait immediately above. It is right out of camera: converted in DPP, unsharpened, no NIK.  <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>How Sharp is Sharp?<\/h3>\n<p>Note the incredible feather detail in this unsharpened ISO 2000 image viewed at 100%. Be sure to click on the image to see the larger version.  Do you see the photographer reflected in the bird&#8217;s pupil?  That&#8217;s me hand holding the 500 II.  Can you read the serial # of the lens??? (Only kidding.) <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/ANIM-GIF-Yellow-crowned-Night-Heron-NIK-40-17-_Q8R4338-Fort-DeSoto-Park-St-Petersburg-FL.gif\" class=\"aligncenter\" \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>NIK Color Efex Pro<\/h3>\n<p>As sharp and detailed as the original image is see how much better it looks with a 40% layer of the Tonal Contrast and a 17 layer of Detail Extractor applied.  I used a regular layer mask to paint away a large dark blotch or two that was brought up in the background. Then I eliminated the blotches with Content Aware Fill.  Note the differences especially in the feathers of the neck, sides of the breast, and what we can see of the wing coverts.  <\/p>\n<h3>NIK 15% Discount<\/h3>\n<p>As regular readers here know, NIK Color Efex Pro has drastically changed my digital workflow. You can save 15% on all NIK products by clicking <a href=\"http:\/\/www.niksoftware.com\/index\/usa\/entry.php\">here<\/a> and entering BAA in the Promo Code box at check-out.  Then hit Apply to see your savings.  You can download a trial copy that will work for 15 days and allow you to create full sized images. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/anim-gif-b-Yellow-crowned-Night-Heron-2nd-year-vertical-_Q8R4302-Fort-DeSoto-Park-St-Petersburg-FL.gif\" class=\"aligncenter\" \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Digital Basics Image Clean-Up<\/h3>\n<p>Clean-up as usual with a 40% Clone Stamp Tool, a series of Quick Masks with layer masks added, the Spot Healing Brush, and my beloved Patch Tool.  All of the above as detailed in Digital Basics, a PDF that is sent via e-mail.  DB includes my complete digital workflow, all of my time-saving keyboard shortcuts, and dozens of great Photoshop tips.  New that I used above to be added to the next free update of Digital Basics is softening the background using the Structure Slider in NIK&#8217;s Viveza.  I will do my very best to finish the DB update before I leave for the Southern Oceans on 15 October. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>ngg_shortcode_3_placeholder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>NYC Weekend Nature Photography Seminar<\/h3>\n<h2><center> Presented by Denise Ippolito\/<a href=\"http:\/\/deniseippolito.com\/\">A Creative Adventure<\/a> and Arthur Morris\/<a href=\"http:\/\/www.birdsasart.com\/\">BIRDS AS ART<\/a><br \/>\nHilton Garden Inn, Staten Island, New York.  December 8-9, 2012 from 9am-4:30pm.<br \/>\nWeekend: $169.  SAT or SUN: $99.  Lodging available for out of town guests.<br \/>\nSaturday: Image Capture      Sunday: Image Evaluation and Processing <\/center> <\/h2>\n<p>Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2012\/07\/01\/new-york-city-weekend-nature-photography-seminar-december-8-9-2012\/\">here<\/a> for complete details including the Saturday and Sunday schedules, club and group discount info, and registration incentives and for more info on the In-the-Field Seminar Follow-up Workshop. <\/p>\n<p>Artie, the grizzled veteran, is widely noted as one of the premier bird photographers, tour leaders, and educators on the planet.  Denise, who specializes in flowers, is the mega-creative up-and-comer, a popular lecturer, a skilled field instructor, and an amazing Photoshop wizard who will share her tips and tricks with you.  Both artie and denise are full time professional nature photographers. <\/p>\n<h3>BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours<\/h3>\n<p>Click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.birdsasart.com\/include-pages\/ipt-updates\/\">here<\/a> for complete IPT information including the current schedule and links to general IPT  info,  deposit and cancellation policies. and the required registration and release forms.<\/p>\n<h3>Shop B&#038;H<\/h3>\n<p><center><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/images\/affiliateimages\/728x90.jpg\" alt=\"B&#038;H Photo Video Pro Audio\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" border=\"0\" usemap=\"#Map\" \/><\/p>\n<map name=\"Map\" id=\"Map\">\n<area shape=\"rect\" coords=\"530,7,730,84\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/bi\/6633\/kbid\/7226\" target=\"_blank\" alt=\"photography\" \/>\n<area shape=\"rect\" coords=\"10,4,77,87\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/browse\/Professional-Audio\/ci\/12154\/N\/4294550705\/bi\/6633\/kbid\/7226\" target=\"_blank\" alt=\"Pro Audio\" \/>\n<area shape=\"rect\" coords=\"100,4,189,84\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/browse\/Computers-Solutions\/ci\/9581\/N\/4294542559\/bi\/6633\/kbid\/7226\" target=\"_blank\" alt=\"Computers and Solutions\" \/>\n<area shape=\"rect\" coords=\"210,10,294,83\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/browse\/Portable-Entertainment\/ci\/8565\/N\/4294542748\/bi\/6633\/kbid\/7226\" target=\"_blank\" alt=\"Portable Entertainment\" \/>\n<area shape=\"rect\" coords=\"316,13,401,84\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/browse\/Home-Entertainment\/ci\/4600\/N\/4294544179\/bi\/6633\/kbid\/7226\" target=\"_blank\" alt=\"Home Entertament\" \/>\n<area shape=\"rect\" coords=\"422,7,511,81\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/browse\/Photography\/ci\/989\/N\/4294538916\/bi\/6633\/kbid\/7226\" target=\"_blank\" alt=\"photography\" \/>\n<\/map>\n<p><img src = \"https:\/\/affiliates.bhphotovideo.com\/se.asp?e=331&#038;id=7226\"><\/center><\/p>\n<p><center><\/p>\n<h2>Shop B&#038;H.  Support the BAA Blog.  Support the BAA Bulletins.  Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of the links above or below.  We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Remember, B&#038;H ain&#8217;t just photography!<\/h2>\n<p><\/center><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> ngg_shortcode_4_placeholder <\/p>\n<p>This image of a one year old Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was created at Fort DeSoto with the hand held Canon 500mm f\/4L EF IS II lens, the Canon 1.4x EF tele-extender III, and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 1600. Evaluative metering at zero: 1\/250 sec. at f\/6.3 in Manual mode. <\/p>\n<p>61-Point\/AI Servo Rear [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[147],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-147","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11803"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11803\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}