Steve'sDigicams

Wingman · Apr 6, 2009, 8:04 PM

I had an opportunity to photograph owls this past weekend courtesy of our local camera club. Perfect day for it (70F and Sunny) and I was in the company of several fellow photographers who were all N & C shooters--I was the only Pentax user that I could tell. These were taken with the K20D and the Sigma 70-300 APO DG. I was trying to capture as much detail with this inexpensive lens. Therefore, Ishot in RAW at ISO 100. Levels adjusted in PSE5.

Great Horned Owl

. . .up close

And a little Screech Owl

mtnman · Apr 6, 2009, 8:15 PM

Your shots demonstrate that the Sigma 70-300 APO DG is a good lens, especially considering the price. I have that same lens, and I've been quite happy with it when it's closed down a stop or two at the long end. I love the close up; you can really see whay owls have been called "wise" for so long. I wonder if you could recover some of the highlights in the patch of white feathers on the neck.

Wingman · Apr 6, 2009, 8:53 PM

mtnman wrote:

Quote:

I wonder if you could recover some of the highlights in the patch of white feathers on the neck.

Mtnman, I see what you mean about the blown highlights. I've given it another go around in PSE5 and replaced the image with a revised one...let me know what you think.

mtngal · Apr 6, 2009, 9:15 PM

I love the detail in these shots! Not sure how much more you can recover in the white feathers, but there isn't that much blown out now - I didn't even notice them until I read the following post and then went back and looked at them. You've done very well with them.

nhmom · Apr 7, 2009, 6:49 AM

These are great, jelpee. Nice and crisp.

We have an owl in our yard right now. Can't see it to tell what type it is. But, we're happy it's there. It seems to be keeping the flying squirrel population down to a minimum. They seem to have taken over our attic!

Patty

kazuya · Apr 7, 2009, 8:15 AM

those are very good, the second ones really good, i love the slightly low angle.

i think i would crop the top of the 3rd one to give it more balance

Wingman · Apr 7, 2009, 2:27 PM

Thanks Mtnman, Harriet and Patty. I'm scheduled to attend a Raptor shoot in a couple of weeks which I am looking forward to as well.

kazuya wrote:

Quote:

i think i would crop the top of the 3rd one to give it more balance

Kazuya: I took your suggestion cropped #3--I agree that it looks better balanced!

mtnman · Apr 8, 2009, 5:36 PM

Jelpee -- I'm amazed at the difference it makes. The white feathers look great!

Wingman · Apr 8, 2009, 6:05 PM

mtnman wrote:

Quote:

Jelpee -- I'm amazed at the difference it makes. The white feathers look great!

Mtnman: Since these were shot in RAW I was able to do some good "recovery" in PSE. While RAW processing is a bit cumbersome, it definitely has its merits! Thanks again for your feedback!

ennacac · Apr 8, 2009, 6:20 PM

Very nice and sharp images no matter what lens you used.

Tom

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Apr 6, 2009, 8:04 PM	#1
Wingman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hebron, Kentucky (northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati):KCVG Posts: 3,979	I had an opportunity to photograph owls this past weekend courtesy of our local camera club. Perfect day for it (70F and Sunny) and I was in the company of several fellow photographers who were all N & C shooters--I was the only Pentax user that I could tell. These were taken with the K20D and the Sigma 70-300 APO DG. I was trying to capture as much detail with this inexpensive lens. Therefore, Ishot in RAW at ISO 100. Levels adjusted in PSE5. Great Horned Owl . . .up close And a little Screech Owl

Apr 6, 2009, 8:15 PM	#2
mtnman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Central Vermont Posts: 1,760	Your shots demonstrate that the Sigma 70-300 APO DG is a good lens, especially considering the price. I have that same lens, and I've been quite happy with it when it's closed down a stop or two at the long end. I love the close up; you can really see whay owls have been called "wise" for so long. I wonder if you could recover some of the highlights in the patch of white feathers on the neck.

Apr 6, 2009, 9:15 PM	#4
mtngal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Frazier Park, CA Posts: 14,936	I love the detail in these shots! Not sure how much more you can recover in the white feathers, but there isn't that much blown out now - I didn't even notice them until I read the following post and then went back and looked at them. You've done very well with them.

Apr 7, 2009, 6:49 AM	#5
nhmom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern New Hampshire Posts: 5,054	These are great, jelpee. Nice and crisp. We have an owl in our yard right now. Can't see it to tell what type it is. But, we're happy it's there. It seems to be keeping the flying squirrel population down to a minimum. They seem to have taken over our attic! Patty

Apr 7, 2009, 8:15 AM	#6
kazuya Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 905	those are very good, the second ones really good, i love the slightly low angle. i think i would crop the top of the 3rd one to give it more balance

Apr 8, 2009, 5:36 PM	#8
mtnman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Central Vermont Posts: 1,760	Jelpee -- I'm amazed at the difference it makes. The white feathers look great!

Apr 8, 2009, 6:20 PM	#10
ennacac Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,166	Very nice and sharp images no matter what lens you used. Tom