For some time now I've been very unhappy with shots from my EOS500 and 70-300mm combination to the point where I've been considering a replacement. But as ever the first thing to check is operator error. Now there is no getting away from the fact that the 70-300mm is not sharp at 300mm wide open. But what I'd failed to realise was just how much better it is stopped down and how good the IS is even at relatively slow shutter speeds. The following shots were taken at Broadway Cemetery this lunchtime. All are stopped down to f16 or more leading to shutter speeds of as low as 1/30s even at ISO400. But here's the thing, they are really sharp and not at all noisy.
So basically I've been ballsing it up all this time by not working with the limitations and strengths of the equipment. I hope to get get out and get some more shots before too long.
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatus
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Common Darter
Sympetrum striolatum
Harlequin Ladybird
Harmonia axyridis f. spectabilis
Canon EOS 500 70-300mm IS USM
2 comments:
Glad you sorted that Brian. With f16 you are getting greater depth of field and with that lens not having the sharpest focussing on it, you have got more of the image in focus by extending the DOF. The 70-300 is very poor for light fully extended and so opened up to say f4, it just hunts for focus and rarely finds it unless you have exceptionally good light.
Thanks for that Roy. In fact this lens is surprisingly good at focussing. Even in low light and fully extended it is very fast and accurate. It is just very soft wide open.
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