A case for Digital Zoom in bird photography

[John_Reed]

Everyone knows that image quality suffers when you switch to digital zoom, right? In fact, in terms of attrition of image pixels, they drop off as the square of the digital zoom factor. I myself have lectured in this very forum about the evils of this seemingly frivolous feature of most digital cameras. But there is something to be said for using it anyway. Using DZ lets you achieve intimacy with little birdies that you couldn't otherwise get without it, as you're framing and shooting. Take the following Goldfinch shot:
http://john-reed.smugmug.com/photos/12434019-L-1.jpg
This was taken with my FZ10 at full zoom + a 1.4X telephoto boost from my Canon TL-55 extender, and 1.8X digital zoom, for a total of ~1089 mm of telephoto "reach." Without the digital zoom, I could see the bird up on that branch, but he/she just wasn't close enough to see the facial expression. With the digital zoom kicked in, I could see the eye, which enabled me to snap a cute photo of the bird chowing down on those buds. Yes, the same result could have been obtained by cropping from a smaller optical-only image, but grabbing the bird's expression would have been a totally hit or miss proposition. :o

[haikai]

nice photo :) curious... how far away were you physically when you took the picture?

hai

[John_Reed]

nice photo :) curious... how far away were you physically when you took the picture?

haiWhatever the height of that tree was. I don't know, maybe 20-25 feet?

[Rhys]

speaking of bird photography, what are these two little fellows. I took these two when I was in Charleston last weekend.

My goodness. what a difference. Sunny with blue skies and 20 Centigrade in South Carolina and then fly back to grey skies and 4 degrees in Britain. Ugh!

[John_Reed]

speaking of bird photography, what are these two little fellows. I took these two when I was in Charleston last weekend.

My goodness. what a difference. Sunny with blue skies and 20 Centigrade in South Carolina and then fly back to grey skies and 4 degrees in Britain. Ugh!Rhys, I think the black one may be a male, and the brown one a female, both Cowbirds. Anyone who knows better may easily correct me, as SC is out of my area. Why didn't you stay in Charleston? ;)

[Rhys]

Rhys, I think the black one may be a male, and the brown one a female, both Cowbirds. Anyone who knows better may easily correct me, as SC is out of my area. Why didn't you stay in Charleston? ;)

I'm only permitted 90 days with the visa-waiver scheme. I spent from 17th September to 7th December in Columbia, SC with trips to NC, GA etc. We did stay in Charleston for a few days a couple of times.

I had to return to Britain (ugh) in order to continue my quest for a K1 visa. This trip was a trial live-together with my girlfriend at the end of which I purchased for her this ring...

[John_Reed]

I'm only permitted 90 days with the visa-waiver scheme. I spent from 17th September to 7th December in Columbia, SC with trips to NC, GA etc. We did stay in Charleston for a few days a couple of times.

I had to return to Britain (ugh) in order to continue my quest for a K1 visa. This trip was a trial live-together with my girlfriend at the end of which I purchased for her this ring...That looks more like a WEDDING set than something a GIRLFRIEND would wear? ;)

[D70FAN]

I'm only permitted 90 days with the visa-waiver scheme. I spent from 17th September to 7th December in Columbia, SC with trips to NC, GA etc. We did stay in Charleston for a few days a couple of times.

I had to return to Britain (ugh) in order to continue my quest for a K1 visa. This trip was a trial live-together with my girlfriend at the end of which I purchased for her this ring...

As the very astute and articulate Scooby-Doo once said...Ruh-Roh!

Do what everyone else does... come in through Mexico, or even better Canada... :rolleyes:

[judge9847]

... in via. Austria, pack some muscle, write a business plan that says in the fullness of time you'll be president, con everyone into believing you can act, get popular and get elected as Governor of a state somewhere.

Eazy-peazy ;) Anyone can do it.

But do you remember the last ambitious Austrian to strutt the world stage? You do!! Good!!! So perhaps it'll never happen again ... perhaps.

[John_Reed]

... in via. Austria, pack some muscle, write a business plan that says in the fullness of time you'll be president, con everyone into believing you can act, get popular and get elected as Governor of a state somewhere.

Eazy-peazy ;) Anyone can do it.

But do you remember the last ambitious Austrian to strutt the world stage? You do!! Good!!! So perhaps it'll never happen again ... perhaps.Rhys isn't as old as he looks! ;) Though he's probably still older than Mozart, another "ambitious Austrian" who still struts the world stage hundreds of years after his physical death. Not to mention my favorite Austrian of all time, Col. von Trapp. :p Out here in "Keliforneeya," we're somewhat skeptical about Ahnold's presidential chances.

[Rhys]

That looks more like a WEDDING set than something a GIRLFRIEND would wear? ;)

It's a white gold engagement ring.

And the photo was taken with my trusty Nikon 3100 :D

[Jonathan Gingerich]

Assuming they were a pair, I believe they are Boat-tailed Grackles.

Jon.