Blue Kingfisher TEC110FL 40D

[gregbradley]

I took this one this morning. The TEC110FL is quite light and makes a superb telephoto lens.

Canon 40D on a Manfrotto tripod.

http://www.pbase.com/image/140383405

Greg.

[supernova1965]

Nice one Thanks:thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Thanks Warren.

The image has created quite a bit of interest over in the TEC Yahoo Group.

Basically the scope is sharper than more expensive Canon telephoto lenses and is among the best lenses ever.

Greg.

[RickS]

Nice shot, Greg.

I saw a comparison of terrestrial images between an expensive Canon tele and an AP 130GT recently and the AP images were noticeably more detailed.

Cheers,
Rick.

[adman]

and only slightly less portable than those bigger canon lenses also!

[Octane]

Greg,

That is an enormous call to say that TEC lens is sharper than Canon lenses.

To be honest, I can see softening in the "original"-sized image.

Is it acceptable and will it make decent prints? Yes. But, pit that up against a 500mm or 600mm f/4L Canon, there's no comparison.

H

[RickS]

Astro-Physics vs Canon 800 5.6L EF IS:

Discussion thread:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-ug/message/56513

Comparison images:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-ug/photos/album/1253671559/pic/list

Unfortunately, I think you need to be a group member to see the images.

[renormalised]

Nice shot, Greg, exceptionally crisp:)

I thought, for a very small moment, that you were going to say..."the CDK17 is very portable and makes a great telephoto lens" :):P:P

[adman]

I got my FS60 out this afternoon with the DSLR attached thinking I'd do a comparison of my own.

One thing you notice fairly quickly is the lack of autofocus. The scopes may well take shots that are as sharp or sharper (I do not have the skills to pick them apart), but in many situations the lack of autofocus makes the scope next to useless in comparison to the lens.

Adam

[gregbradley]

Fair enough. I was really only quoting Percy Mui who has extensive experience in lenses not my own experience. He described his as the best lens he has ever used.

There may be some slight softening as it is manually focused and looking through the 40D finder may not be the best way to focus. I should use live view. Also the scope is being hand held on the tripod so there is some rocking movement in the scope when the shot is taken. So consider that as well. Also its a 40D not a 5DMk11 that was used.

I'll take some more trying to overcome those 2 points.

Here are some Canon 600mm F4 shots. Some are very very sharp and others not so much. The lens seems very capable. But in the end it is something like 17 pieces of glass versus 6. The autofocus and image stabiliser no doubt play a large part. Perhaps higher ISO and quicker exposure times and live view focusing would be my best bet.

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=canon+600mm+f4&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=1vTwTr7fDNGcmQWT8cCIAg&sqi=2&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=599

Greg.

[troypiggo]

I like it. Think it's a sacred kingfisher.

[gregbradley]

Thanks for that. I don't really know the names of the birds. I should find a site where they are listed. This one lives around my house.

I sharpened up the image a bit. Focus Magic is a Photoshop plug in and very good. Apart from a little bit of blown highlights its about as sharp as I can get it.

Greg.

[rally]

I think he is possibly a Forest Kingfisher (male).

The Sacred Kingfisher's I see around my place have a more emerald green tinge through their blue feathers and the front chest is more buff than white. They come to nest here Sept/Oct and depart around March.

If my file server was working I'd include a piccie of a Sacred Kingfisher but 6 power failures in 20 minutes caused by lightning destroyed it a couple of days ago !

Cheers

Rally

[gregbradley]

Yes I think you are right Rally. The bird looks like the sacred kingfisher somewhat but closer to the forest kingfisher and it is a forest location.

Greg.