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Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

Started Aug 24, 2021 | Discussions
Scottelly
Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens
7

OOC jpeg

OOC jpeg

OOC jpeg

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Scott Barton Kennelly
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Sigma SD1 Merrill
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JayDog Contributing Member • Posts: 926
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

Scott, nice photos their bud  !

Blackhills ?

Scottelly
OP Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens
1

JayDog wrote:

Scott, nice photos their bud !

Blackhills ?

Close Jay. I was in the Badlands. I'll probably be in the Black Hills tonight, not far from here:

OOC jpeg

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rick decker
MOD rick decker Forum Pro • Posts: 19,097
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

Hi Scott - first class...excellent all.  Are these from one area?

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Scottelly
OP Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

rick decker wrote:

Hi Scott - first class...excellent all. Are these from one area?

Thanks Rick. Yeah, they were all shot within about two miles on the west end of the Badlands National Park on the same day.

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Peter Slovakia
Peter Slovakia Contributing Member • Posts: 716
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens
4

Hi Scott.

Excellent photos with a 100-400mm lens.
Too bad they're not from RAW. It would be better and sharper.

All good Scott.
Peter Slovakia

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Scottelly
OP Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

Peter Slovakia wrote:

Hi Scott.

Excellent photos with a 100-400mm lens.
Too bad they're not from RAW. It would be better and sharper.

All good Scott.
Peter Slovakia

Maybe you're right Peter, or maybe I should have just edited them, retouching my sensor spots and adding some sharpness and what not.

Still . . . do you really think this little guy needs to be sharper?

OOC jpeg

How about this one?

OOC jpeg . . . yes, that's me.

Here's one I sharpened a bit for you:

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xpatUSA
xpatUSA Forum Pro • Posts: 23,017
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

Scottelly wrote:

Still . . . do you really think this little guy needs to be sharper?

OOC jpeg

Cute shot, Scott, but the big problem here is that it's posted full-size 4704x3136px, as is your wont. And how "sharp" it looks depends greatly on the size it's viewed at. In the post view above, DPR has done something that just about wipes out the detail of the animal. So it is that the mighty SD1 Merrill's "detail" is sadly missing from the post view.

In original size, DPR now squeezes it to fit into the vertical space of my browser which means a) it still lacks detail but b) clicking with the 'circle +' cursor upsizes it so somehow it is still a bit soft ... I have no idea whether DPR does that or FireFox ... as I sit here at my computer viewing your image I would  say yes, it needs much greater acutance ... not just "sharpening".

I'll be baaack ....

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xpatUSA
xpatUSA Forum Pro • Posts: 23,017
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens
1

xpatUSA wrote:

In original size, DPR now squeezes it to fit into the vertical space of my browser which means a) it still lacks detail but b) clicking with the 'circle +' cursor upsizes it so somehow it is still a bit soft ... I have no idea whether DPR does that or FireFox ... as I sit here at my computer viewing your image I would say yes, it needs much greater acutance ... not just "sharpening".

I'll be baaack ....

open both original size - tab back and forth ...

... look, I've got whiskers

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"It all depends on what the meaning of 'is' is ..." Our Bill C., as seen on TV.

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Scottelly
OP Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

Still . . . do you really think this little guy needs to be sharper?

OOC jpeg

Cute shot, Scott, but the big problem here is that it's posted full-size 4704x3136px, as is your wont. And how "sharp" it looks depends greatly on the size it's viewed at. In the post view above, DPR has done something that just about wipes out the detail of the animal. So it is that the mighty SD1 Merrill's "detail" is sadly missing from the post view.

In original size, DPR now squeezes it to fit into the vertical space of my browser which means a) it still lacks detail but b) clicking with the 'circle +' cursor upsizes it so somehow it is still a bit soft ... I have no idea whether DPR does that or FireFox ... as I sit here at my computer viewing your image I would say yes, it needs much greater acutance ... not just "sharpening".

I'll be baaack ....

Hmmm . . . weird. It looks quite sharp to me on my 13" MacBook Air, if I'm not mistaken Ted.

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xpatUSA
xpatUSA Forum Pro • Posts: 23,017
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

Scottelly wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

Still . . . do you really think this little guy needs to be sharper?

OOC jpeg

Cute shot, Scott, but the big problem here is that it's posted full-size 4704x3136px, as is your wont. And how "sharp" it looks depends greatly on the size it's viewed at. In the post view above, DPR has done something that just about wipes out the detail of the animal. So it is that the mighty SD1 Merrill's "detail" is sadly missing from the post view.

In original size, DPR now squeezes it to fit into the vertical space of my browser which means a) it still lacks detail but b) clicking with the 'circle +' cursor upsizes it so somehow it is still a bit soft ... I have no idea whether DPR does that or FireFox ... as I sit here at my computer viewing your image I would say yes, it needs much greater acutance ... not just "sharpening".

I'll be baaack ....

Hmmm . . . weird. It looks quite sharp to me on my 13" MacBook Air if I'm not mistaken, Ted.

As I said above "how sharp it looks depends greatly on the size it's viewed at" ...

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Scottelly
OP Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

xpatUSA wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

In original size, DPR now squeezes it to fit into the vertical space of my browser which means a) it still lacks detail but b) clicking with the 'circle +' cursor upsizes it so somehow it is still a bit soft ... I have no idea whether DPR does that or FireFox ... as I sit here at my computer viewing your image I would say yes, it needs much greater acutance ... not just "sharpening".

I'll be baaack ....

open both original size - tab back and forth ...

... look, I've got whiskers

I'll have to take your word for it Ted. I'm using my phone to view right now Ted, and I really can't see much difference.  I guess a 6" screen just doesn't cut it, even if it is s lot better than my old smartphone screen.

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Scottelly
OP Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

Still . . . do you really think this little guy needs to be sharper?

OOC jpeg

Cute shot, Scott, but the big problem here is that it's posted full-size 4704x3136px, as is your wont. And how "sharp" it looks depends greatly on the size it's viewed at. In the post view above, DPR has done something that just about wipes out the detail of the animal. So it is that the mighty SD1 Merrill's "detail" is sadly missing from the post view.

In original size, DPR now squeezes it to fit into the vertical space of my browser which means a) it still lacks detail but b) clicking with the 'circle +' cursor upsizes it so somehow it is still a bit soft ... I have no idea whether DPR does that or FireFox ... as I sit here at my computer viewing your image I would say yes, it needs much greater acutance ... not just "sharpening".

I'll be baaack ....

Hmmm . . . weird. It looks quite sharp to me on my 13" MacBook Air if I'm not mistaken, Ted.

As I said above "how sharp it looks depends greatly on the size it's viewed at" ...

Sorry, I meant at 100% Ted.

Out of curiosity, does the last photo in this post look sharp to you Ted, or do you think it needs to be sharpened?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65419295

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Scott Barton Kennelly
https://www.bigprintphotos.com/

 Scottelly's gear list:Scottelly's gear list
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xpatUSA
xpatUSA Forum Pro • Posts: 23,017
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

Scottelly wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

Still . . . do you really think this little guy needs to be sharper?

OOC jpeg

Cute shot, Scott, but the big problem here is that it's posted full-size 4704x3136px, as is your wont. And how "sharp" it looks depends greatly on the size it's viewed at. In the post view above, DPR has done something that just about wipes out the detail of the animal. So it is that the mighty SD1 Merrill's "detail" is sadly missing from the post view.

In original size, DPR now squeezes it to fit into the vertical space of my browser which means a) it still lacks detail but b) clicking with the 'circle +' cursor upsizes it so somehow it is still a bit soft ... I have no idea whether DPR does that or FireFox ... as I sit here at my computer viewing your image I would say yes, it needs much greater acutance ... not just "sharpening".

I'll be baaack ....

Hmmm . . . weird. It looks quite sharp to me on my 13" MacBook Air if I'm not mistaken, Ted.

As I said above "how sharp it looks depends greatly on the size it's viewed at" ...

Sorry, I meant at 100% Ted.

OK, 100% it is, Scott:

Out of curiosity, does the last photo in this post look sharp to you Ted, or do you think it needs to be sharpened?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65419295

I'll take a look and ... I'll be baaack ...

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xpatUSA
xpatUSA Forum Pro • Posts: 23,017
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens
1

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

Out of curiosity, does the last photo in this post look sharp to you Ted, or do you think it needs to be sharpened?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65419295

I'll take a look and ... I'll be baaack ...

Here's what my new toy (Edge Detection) tells me, young man:

View original size+ to see the edges

Quite a narrow depth of field in the shot so not much in focus. Our good ole' Merrill has resolved in-focus edges very well. I myself might have tried for more micro-contrast in post - but how much is desirable would be your call, not mine.

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Scottelly
OP Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

xpatUSA wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

Out of curiosity, does the last photo in this post look sharp to you Ted, or do you think it needs to be sharpened?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65419295

I'll take a look and ... I'll be baaack ...

Here's what my new toy (Edge Detection) tells me, young man:

View original size+ to see the edges

Quite a narrow depth of field in the shot so not much in focus. Our good ole' Merrill has resolved in-focus edges very well. I myself might have tried for more micro-contrast in post - but how much is desirable would be your call, not mine.

Unfortunately I can't see thg that image Ted . . . at least not on my phone, using the Samsung browser, which could be the problem, I guess. Is it a .png? It shows up all black for me.

I didn't sharpen the OOC jpeg Ted. I guess I should be converting raw files, and sharpening them more in SPP than thg he way they are looking right out of the camera.

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Scott Barton Kennelly
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xpatUSA
xpatUSA Forum Pro • Posts: 23,017
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens
1

Scottelly wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

Out of curiosity, does the last photo in this post look sharp to you Ted, or do you think it needs to be sharpened?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65419295

I'll take a look and ... I'll be baaack ...

Here's what my new toy (Edge Detection) tells me, young man:

View original size+ to see the edges

Quite a narrow depth of field in the shot so not much in focus. Our good ole' Merrill has resolved in-focus edges very well. I myself might have tried for more micro-contrast in post - but how much is desirable would be your call, not mine.

Unfortunately I can't see thg that image Ted . . . at least not on my phone, using the Samsung browser, which could be the problem, I guess. Is it a .png? It shows up all black for me.

No problem, Young Man.

I took a crop from the middle and repeated the exercise:

Again view original size+

It is a JPEG and shows that Merrill "detail" capture very well, IMHO.

I didn't sharpen the OOC jpeg Ted. I guess I should be converting raw files, and sharpening them more in SPP than the way they are looking right out of the camera.

I disagree - your OOC JPEGs look very good to me.

The big of advantage of converting from raw in SPP is the fixing of mistakes (e.g. wrong WB, highlight recovery, etc.), not the different sharpness in the conversion - which you normally crank down anyhoo!

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Scottelly
OP Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,028
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

Out of curiosity, does the last photo in this post look sharp to you Ted, or do you think it needs to be sharpened?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65419295

I'll take a look and ... I'll be baaack ...

Here's what my new toy (Edge Detection) tells me, young man:

View original size+ to see the edges

Quite a narrow depth of field in the shot so not much in focus. Our good ole' Merrill has resolved in-focus edges very well. I myself might have tried for more micro-contrast in post - but how much is desirable would be your call, not mine.

Unfortunately I can't see thg that image Ted . . . at least not on my phone, using the Samsung browser, which could be the problem, I guess. Is it a .png? It shows up all black for me.

No problem, Young Man.

I took a crop from the middle and repeated the exercise:

Again view original size+

It is a JPEG and shows that Merrill "detail" capture very well, IMHO.

I didn't sharpen the OOC jpeg Ted. I guess I should be converting raw files, and sharpening them more in SPP than the way they are looking right out of the camera.

I disagree - your OOC JPEGs look very good to me.

The big of advantage of converting from raw in SPP is the fixing of mistakes (e.g. wrong WB, highlight recovery, etc.), not the different sharpness in the conversion - which you normally crank down anyhoo!

Ah, thanks for the info. Ted. Normally that is what I use SPP for, but most of the time I get the white balance pretty close, so I can adjust the OOC jpeg slightly, and I'm happy with it. I'd be more picky, if I were planning to make a really big, expensive print from my processed image though, no doubt.

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xpatUSA
xpatUSA Forum Pro • Posts: 23,017
Re: Wildlife with a Sigma SD1 Merrill and 100-400mm OS lens
1

Scottelly wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

Scottelly wrote:

I didn't sharpen the OOC jpeg Ted. I guess I should be converting raw files, and sharpening them more in SPP than the way they are looking right out of the camera.

I disagree - your OOC JPEGs look very good to me.

The big of advantage of converting from raw in SPP is the fixing of mistakes (e.g. wrong WB, highlight recovery, etc.), not the different sharpness in the conversion - which you normally crank down anyhoo!

Ah, thanks for the info. Ted. Normally that is what I use SPP for, but most of the time I get the white balance pretty close, so I can adjust the OOC jpeg slightly, and I'm happy with it. I'd be more picky, if I were planning to make a really big, expensive print from my processed image though, no doubt.

And, by getting more picky, you'd be carrying a neutral reference like a WhiBal - so as to take a Custom White Balance for the scene before you, eh?

Pardon the sarc, my shots are never that important and my Kodak gray/white card has never been used much for that purpose yet!

So, like your good self, the nearest preset white balance is good enough most of the time ...

... in fact, the only time that I ever put that card to serious use was when I was battling the infamous SD14 green cast ...

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