Another from the bird park

[Yisehaq]

Agree with TT - 1st shot is really cute but isn't sharp enough.

The second shot (gotta be honest) just doesn't do it for me. It's too centered and the angle is not that interesting IMO.

Yeah, the first shot is not sharp enough and I feel the same of the second one. I have some more shots of the second and will try to process one of them.
For the first one, I don't know why it is not sharp enough.
The EXIF is 300mm (70-300mm sigma),
f8,
1/500,
ISO 400.
Shouldn't it be sharper with this exif? I am having problems with sharpness and I don't know why.I try to use higher that the focal length rule for the shutter speed but still face sharpness issues. any advice.

[zenon5940]

When I want very sharp pictures, I use a SOLID tripod and a remote control. If I don't have the remote control (I use the Nikon ML-3 ) with me , then I'll settle for a delayed shutter so as to eliminate possible camera shake. Of course, in all case I'll do a very precise manual focus on the subject.

[Greg_Nuspel]

I am having problems with sharpness and I don't know why.I try to use higher that the focal length rule for the shutter speed but still face sharpness issues. any advice.

Have you looked into testing your camera for back or front focus problem. I have a D80 that focuses behind the point indicated. It's going out for repair.

[Marko]

It could be a repair problem as Greg mentioned...BUT it could also be that you are not holding the camera steady enough and should be using a tripod with this lens for birding shots.

1/focal length of the lens is not law, it's only a guide for minimum shutterspeed.

For longer lenses I have found that this guide DOES NOT always hold true. In this case, maybe 1/500 was not enough handheld.

You'll want to do some simple tests if this continues. Try 1/500 with a tripod and without. See if you can see a difference. If I had to bet, you will see a difference. Hope that helps - Marko

[Yisehaq]

Thank you all. I will expriment this weekend and share the result with you in case there is any interest.

[jlabel]

Interesting birds, I have never seen em before. I think you have the right exposition and focus, but I think you may want to work the composition a bit more.

[Yisehaq]

Thanks jlabel for your comments.