[mfwild13]

I was beginning to think you had a reason for the slightly strange bokeh on this one ....



... but the RAW image shows the Robin to be pretty sharp so I guess its just the lens all by itself!

Full image just re-sized for web

100% crop with no processing at all

EXIF: ISO400, 400mm at F5.6, 1/800 sec

[Venomator]

Originally Posted by dod

Venomator, what do you mean VR? These were either on the monopod or handheld after the head broke on the monopod

Sorry Dod - forgot myself ... VR, as SammyC suggests is certainly Nikonese Vibration Reduction. Impressed you captured these handheld and/or monopoding ! My Blackies (see thread) were VR 400 and handheld !

Just overlooked the fact a few people still have Canon gear ! Sorry ...

[dod]

Right, this was really bugging me so did a test. This time using tripod, Mirror lock up and cable release. Activated lock up and waited 10 seconds each time before taking a shot. Focus was on the stone which was beside the robin yesterday, camera was placed in as near identical position as I could get it.

That strange bokeh effect is still there so the lens does produce it. Granted my hand held efforts weren't as sharp as they could have been.



bigger version here

[SammyC]

Did you try the technique that Matt outlined to see if you could stop it? Just for completeness sake?

[IanC_UK]

Thats an excellent article Matt, i may have to try using the old tripod a bit more with the 100-400, even with the IS, as pointed out by Rob (Arkady) and CT in my Marwell pics, it is a bit soft in not so good light

[Arkady]

Originally Posted by IanC_UK

Thats an excellent article Matt, i may have to try using the old tripod a bit more with the 100-400, even with the IS, as pointed out by Rob (Arkady) and CT in my Marwell pics, it is a bit soft in not so good light

Don't use the VR feature (or Canon equivalent) when the lens is mounted on a tripod! It'll cause really bad blurring - it's designed to work to combat small movement - if there isn't any then it goes all Pete Tong on you.

We did loads and loads of testing on this at both the School (Cosford) and at the SF training centre.

Turn VR OFF when tripod-mounted. Please.

[CT]

Good point by Rob there - unless the IS/VR system can detect movement it can't work anyway, so is pointless on a tripod.

[Rich]

Yep, the Canon instructions back that point up IIRC.

[Venomator]

Originally Posted by Rich

Yep, the Canon instructions back that point up IIRC.

Ditto Nikon too !