300 mm Nikkor, wide open at F2.8 and 1/125 sec. shutter speed:
The rule of thumb for shooting wide open with a long lens is to shoot the focal length as your shutter speed, so I should have shot at least 1/300 sec. for optimum sharpness, especially with a 6 1/2 lb. lens and the subject this close.
So I broke another rule, big deal. The lighting did not permit this, as the sun was very low and I was shooting hand-held.
I am still very pleased with the over all image and ambiance.
Appreciate the comment, Paul. I think digital has some real pluses. It has the added advantage of the 1.5 multiplier, which allows me to shoot with a 200 mm lens and not have to deal with the 6 1/2 pounds of the 300 2.8 mm lens.
But on occasion film is a requirement. This was shot with 25 speed Kodachrome which is no longer available. But 100 speed Fuji will certainly give plenty of latitude.
But I do suspect the real culprit here is my 3-year old scanner which has a 3.4 optical density. The one I have my eye on has a 4+ OD and should make for a big improvement in sharpness and color saturation.
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{K:150877} 4/7/2007
