This article features a selection of hawk image rescue attempts that I did in post processing this morning. As regular readers will know I recently added Topaz Denoise AI to my standard post processing approach.
What follows are five handheld images, all captured at ISO-3200 in poor light with a Nikon 1 V3 and 1 Nikkor CX 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto zoom lens. The out-of-camera jpeg (OOC) is shown, followed by a jpeg that I processed from the corresponding RAW file for each photograph. The OOC images will illustrate that each of the photographs was underexposed.
Last year I tried some image rescue attempts with these photographs and was not happy with the results that I was able to achieve. Having added Topaz Denoise AI seemed to be a good enough reason to give it another shot.
So, let’s have a look at my latest hawk image rescue attempts, this time done with my revised post processing approach. I did not make any spot adjustments other than removing a few small streaks caused by snowflakes falling.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
Like many people who use DxO PhotoLab software I have a number of custom presets. I used a couple of them as the starting point for all of my hawk image rescue attempts in this article.
You will notice some differences in the processed files as I noodled around with a number of adjustments in the various programs that I use. The common dynamic with all of the processed images is that I gave myself a maximum of 5 minutes, including computer processing time, to complete each image rescue attempt.
In all cases I exported a DNG file from DxO PhotoLab 2 into CS6. Then I did some common slider adjustments. I also used Levels with some of the images.
Depending on the sample image I did some adjustments with the Nik Collection, typically with functions found in Viveza 2 or Color Efex Pro 4. I may have pushed things a bit too far with some images… but hey… I was only doing some testing.
After I was done using the Nik Collection, I ran the images through Topaz Denoise AI. I wasn’t expecting miracles, but just wanted to see if I could realistically use any of the images to at least produce some smaller sized prints. I believe will be possible based on these quick test image rescue attempts.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured hand-held using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. Photographs are display as 100% captures without any cropping.
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Hi,
I use E-M1 mark II with 2.0 converter for most of my bird photography.
I use Lightroom cc and I have just added Topaz de noise for my post process.
Do you suggest using Topaz through Lightroom or wait till finished processing and use it as a jpg for the final process?
Hi Phyllis,
I’ve never used Lightroom so I’m unable to reply based on any first-hand experience. I’d suggest experimenting with Topaz Denoise AI to see what works best for you. I wouldn’t want to steer you in the wrong direction by recommending a specific approach since I’ve never used Lightroom.
I use DxO PhotoLab as my main RAW processor. When I first got Topaz Denoise I tried it with just the lens corrections from PhotoLab and PRIME noise reduction turned off as well as a few other approaches. After experimenting a fair amount I decided to use Topaz Denoise AI in combination with DxO PRIME/DeepPRIME. My standard approach is to use PRIME/DeepPRIME (this depends on the image which noise reduction I choose) at the front end of my process. I export a DNG file into Photoshop CS6 for most of my adjustments, then end my process by using Topaz Denoise AI at the very end.
Tom
Glad to see such a fine series with the 1V3.
Have you ever tried to shoot migrating warblers catching an insect? Often they start for a flight from bushes or low twigs, and with luck there is a pattern of repetition, so prefocusing is often possible. – Would the autofocus of the E-M1X be able to “snap” on such an object, or is it just too erratic?
Hi Stefan,
The scenario you describe would be a piece of cake as long as pre-focusing is possible.
The auto-focus on my E-M1X is extremely fast and accurate. When using Pro Capture H mode I use single point auto-focus, 60 frames per second, with 15 pre-shutter release frames and my frame rate limiter set to 15 frames. When using these settings I can keep storing updated full resolution images (RAW plus jpeg fine if needed) in temporary memory while half-depressing the shutter release. After the bird has taken flight and has almost left the frame, I fully depress the shutter release to commit those photos being stored in temporary memory to my memory card. Like your Nikon 1 kit, when shooting at 60 frames-per-second the first frame sets focus and exposure for the balance of the image run.
As long as I had a 1/4 second to lock on the warbler and hold it while in Pro Capture H mode, there shouldn’t be any problem getting a run of 15 Pro Capture H images. I do this on a very frequent basis when photographing butterflies and small birds taking flight.
Nothing about the E-M1X is ‘erratic’. This is simply the finest camera that I have ever had the pleasure to use. It is a true ‘go anywhere, shoot anything’ camera. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else on the market, regardless of price.
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you for the reply. When I said “erratic” I meant the warbler. No insult of the E-M1X intended!
Prices for the E-M1X have fallen to Euro 2,000 in Germany. Hoping for a cheap 400mm zoom & bird AI.
Best,
Stefan
Hi Stefan,
🙂 thanks for the clarification on your comment! To answer your question on erratic subjects, as noted in my first replay, as long as I have at least a 1/4 second to acquire auto-focus and hold it on a bird, I am always confident I will get a good 15 image Pro Capture run.
I have an M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5.-6.3 on order with Olympus. I’m hoping to get it in early October. I anticipate that this will be a superb lens to match up with my E-M1X or an E-M1 Mark III. When the Bird Detection AI firmware is available later this year, I anticipate that the E-M1X coupled with this lens will be an amazing combination for birding and nature photography.
You will see some articles here using the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 in the near future. This lens is not weatherproofed, but is small, light and cost effective. It provides an equivalent field-of-view of 150-600 mm when compared to a full frame system. It does not accept teleconverters like the M.Zuiko 100-400. I can’t comment on performance yet as I haven’t shot with it… but that will be changing soon.
Tom