Sigma 100 - 300mm f4 + 1.4x TC: does it cut the mustard?

Taken today under less than favourable conditions (low light, breeze and grey sky) at 1/320, f/4.5 and 800 ASA using a K20D and tripod. Processed in LR 3.3 with minimum sharpening. C&C welcome.

Juvenile Greenfinch by prsjnb, on Flickr">[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5466703416_5762ff70f5_b.jpg" class="comment_image" />

Juvenile Greenfinch by prsjnb, on Flickr" class="comment_image" />


Jon

Good composition and a lovely pose.

It lacks sharpness and contrast I feel.

Is this a crop?

Exactly what Peter said. A lovely photo though.

I'm still wavering on pulling the trigger on the 60-250 and although I've now dropped the *300 from the equation the only other option I'm considering now is this Tamron 100-300/4, supposedly a faster focuser than the Pentax due to the HSM and ultra sharp. It's a tad more expensive here than the 60-250 but adds a little reach (especially when paired with the AFA x1.70. Decisions, decisions !

Does look like a heavy crop to me. I know it seems in fashion to show birds as large as possible in the picture but personally I wish people would back off a bit and give a little more space around them as (IMO) it would look better (and sharper).

Would also clone out the twig in the background.

'tis a nice shot though.


Tamron 100-300mm f4 with HSM?

Is there such a thing? and if you are referring to the Sigma then even that has no HSM in Pentax mount. It's still faster to focus than the 60-250mm though.

Looks sharp enough on the wing. I think you need more DOF, possibly f/5.6 at least.

I've taken a lot worse

I agree, mostly

Filling the frame is OK but you need an awful lot of feather detail and this shot just doesnt have it, bird photography is not easy so in certain respects this shot has to be commended but its a long way off been in the same league as some of your macro's, you need to figure out how to get nearer and keep trying, and yes I have hundreds of shots just like this

Oops yeah, brain-fart. Sigma.

Thank you Mannesty, Frogfish, Mike-P, Algernon and Fatspider for the constructive criticism and advice. I have now re-edited the image and uploaded a copy to the gallery.

Have had the words 'closer' and 'sharper' engraved on the pentaprism of my K20D as a reminder

Negotiations now entered into with the family 'bread-winner' regarding release of funds for K-5 (better high ISO performance and hence ability to use smaller apertures and higher shutter speeds)and even longer lens. Sounds of laughter still ringing in my ears as I type

Jon

The one in the gallery is much better IMO.

Maybe needs a touch of noise reduction software just on the green background?

Mike-P wrote:
Right again and now done

Maybe I should get you to 'peer review' all my efforts before posting

Jon