Bald Eagle

Hi Richard,

This is a nice setting for this great bird to be imaged.

The Nikon 80-400 ED VR lens is an excellent telephoto. I have it as part of my Nikon lens collection. I found that in lab testing this lens that at 400mm, it provides the best definition at F/5.6.

I did note that you used F/8, which is ok, but I notice a slight decrease in the performance level of the scene. Since the Eagle is the main attraction, DOF is not required. At F/5.6, you would have a better isolation of the bird and your ISO could be reduced to ISO 200, too.

As a system, everything would work towards obtaining the fullest capabilities of the Nikkor at the 400mm setting.

Very good shot, though.

Best Regards,  Mike

Mike, thank you!  This is a good piece of glass with the problem of slow AF as I wrote in the Nikon forum here...

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00Sgyg

But, you can do some great work with it.  I have found it sharpest at f8 as have other testers and writers.  But, lenses vary and your point is well taken.

Dick

I should also add that this image was taken handheld from a moving boat.