Nothing all that special about the lens or the camera...or my skills. They are rather grainy and washed out. Now, Thomas and Mike's pics are wonderfully clear. I would love to see the exposure info on Thomas' photo's here. (Where you using spot metering or evaluative? A tripod? White Balance? TV, AV? Exposure Comp?)
I am using a Cannon SX10 IS. It is a 10MP with cannons Digic 4® processor. It has a 28mm lens with 20X optical zoom and 1.4X - 2.3X - 4X digital teleconverters (80X total) with optical image stabilization which is very impressive since I can hand hold the camera at 80X. (That is probably why the pics above are grainy though— artifacts from the IS)
What kind of camera are you using Mike? Your pics are very clear at medium focal lengths.
I use evaluative metering most often, AV sometimes, but mostly Program. I usually Exposure Comp -1/3 or -2/3. All of these are handheld through the glass on my patio door, with the exception of the 600mm shots - those are on a tripod with a Wimberley gimbal head, but also shooting through the glass door (lens touching the glass).
For the fox and raccoon shots, I set up my tripod in front of the glass and draped a blanket over it (like a teepee). I remote mounted my flash with an off-camera cord and was down on the floor on my chest/elbows with just the lens poking through the blanket. So the flash is on a tripod, but the camera was hand held. Kept the red-eye out of the picture (same for the flying squirrel).
Here's all the Exif info you could ever want:
File name: _MG_0069.jpg (Grey Fox)
File size: 161873 bytes (800x629, 2.6bpp, 9x)
EXIF Summary: 1/250s f/8.0 ISO400 135mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/2.8
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 22:59:40
Exposure Time: 1/250 sec
F-Number: f/8.0
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority
ISO Speed Rating: 400
Lens Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 135.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 629
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 6480
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:03:11 20:34:39
Image Digitized: 2009:03:11 20:34:39
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 00
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 00
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 00
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: _MG_9985.jpg (Raccoon)
File size: 168268 bytes (800x533, 3.2bpp, 8x)
EXIF Summary: 1/250s f/7.1 ISO100 200mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/2.8
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 22:58:50
Exposure Time: 1/250 sec
F-Number: f/7.1
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority
ISO Speed Rating: 100
Lens Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure Bias: -0.7 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 200.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 533
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Manual
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 6992
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:03:08 01:09:35
Image Digitized: 2009:03:08 01:09:35
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 00
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 00
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 00
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: FS1.jpg (Flying Squirrel)
File size: 240346 bytes (2592x3888, 0.2bpp, 126x)
EXIF Summary: 1/250s f/5.6 ISO100 420mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Width: 2592
Image Height: 3888
Number of Bits Per Component: 16, 16, 16
Compression Scheme: Uncompressed
Pixel Composition: RGB
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Data Arrangement: Chunky Format
Image Created: 2009:05:26 23:09:01
White Point Chromaticity: 0.3
Exposure Time: 1/250 sec
F-Number: f/5.6
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority
ISO Speed Rating: 100
Lens Aperture: f/5.7
Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV
Subject Distance: 5.38 m
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 420.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 752
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Number of Components: 3
Resolution Unit: i
Chromaticities of Primary Colors: 0.6
Exif IFD Pointer: 400
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 1322
Bytes of JPEG Data: 7076
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2008:12:09 21:48:35
Image Digitized: 2008:12:09 21:48:35
Meaning of Each Comp: Unknown
Shutter Speed: 1/256 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 00
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 00
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 00
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: _MG_1444.jpg (Squirrel Face – Backlit)
File size: 92583 bytes (800x533, 1.7bpp, 14x)
EXIF Summary: 1/320s f/4.5 ISO800 600mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/4.0
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 23:00:16
Exposure Time: 1/320 sec
F-Number: f/4.5
Exposure Program: Normal Program
ISO Speed Rating: 800
Lens Aperture: f/4.5
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 600.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 533
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 5068
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:04:22 09:21:58
Image Digitized: 2009:04:22 09:21:58
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 60
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 60
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 60
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: _MG_1467.jpg (Squirrel – Peanut)
File size: 86300 bytes (800x533, 1.6bpp, 15x)
EXIF Summary: 1/320s f/4.5 ISO800 600mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/4.0
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 23:00:56
Exposure Time: 1/320 sec
F-Number: f/4.5
Exposure Program: Normal Program
ISO Speed Rating: 800
Lens Aperture: f/4.5
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 600.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 533
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 4594
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:04:22 09:26:17
Image Digitized: 2009:04:22 09:26:17
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 55
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 55
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 55
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: _MG_1470.jpg (Grey Squirrel – Drink)
File size: 98077 bytes (800x533, 1.8bpp, 13x)
EXIF Summary: 1/400s f/5.0 ISO800 600mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/4.0
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 23:01:09
Exposure Time: 1/400 sec
F-Number: f/5.0
Exposure Program: Normal Program
ISO Speed Rating: 800
Lens Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 600.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 533
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 4972
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:04:22 09:26:57
Image Digitized: 2009:04:22 09:26:57
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 01
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 01
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 01
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: _MG_1627.jpg (White Throated Sparrow)
File size: 114931 bytes (800x533, 2.2bpp, 11x)
EXIF Summary: 1/125s f/5.0 ISO400 300mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/2.8
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 23:01:23
Exposure Time: 1/125 sec
F-Number: f/5.0
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority
ISO Speed Rating: 400
Lens Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 300.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 533
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 7852
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:04:27 13:56:36
Image Digitized: 2009:04:27 13:56:36
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 64
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 64
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 64
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: _MG_1755.jpg (Chickadee)
File size: 57838 bytes (800x533, 1.1bpp, 22x)
EXIF Summary: 1/400s f/3.5 ISO400 300mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/2.8
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 23:01:38
Exposure Time: 1/400 sec
F-Number: f/3.5
Exposure Program: Normal Program
ISO Speed Rating: 400
Lens Aperture: f/3.5
Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 300.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 533
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 2700
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:05:10 16:53:38
Image Digitized: 2009:05:10 16:53:38
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 16
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 16
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 16
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: _MG_1190.jpg (Myrtle Warbler)
File size: 86106 bytes (800x533, 1.6bpp, 15x)
EXIF Summary: 1/125s f/4.0 ISO400 600mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/4.0
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 22:59:58
Exposure Time: 1/125 sec
F-Number: f/4.0
Exposure Program: Normal Program
ISO Speed Rating: 400
Lens Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 600.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 533
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 4906
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:04:19 14:46:16
Image Digitized: 2009:04:19 14:46:16
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 31
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 31
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 31
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
File name: _MG_1795.jpg (Goldfinch)
File size: 56609 bytes (800x533, 1.1bpp, 23x)
EXIF Summary: 1/800s f/5.0 ISO400 300mm
Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Photographer: Thomas P Scheuzger
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/2.8
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 240 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 240 dpi
Image Created: 2009:05:26 23:01:57
Exposure Time: 1/800 sec
F-Number: f/5.0
Exposure Program: Normal Program
ISO Speed Rating: 400
Lens Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 300.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 800
Image Height: 533
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Other Properties:
Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 240
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 778
Bytes of JPEG Data: 2815
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2009:05:12 09:41:49
Image Digitized: 2009:05:12 09:41:49
Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 26
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 26
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 26
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 4438 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 4445 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i