Hand-to-hand with Mr Robin - round 2

[Raider]

Well my pictures last time were a bit disapointing:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17569939

The images were soft, mainly because either the focus was off, or because I was just too far away, and so when I cropped they looked a bit poo.

Anyway yesterday after digging over the garden I was amazed to see our resident Robin was willing to come right up to me, within 2 or 3 feet at times. It was a bit dark in places, so I had to use ISO1600 for all but the last shot, but I think the results are much better, mainly because I was very close. I used 200mm for all but the last shot, and at times he was so close that I couldn't focus, even in macro mode! Next time I should have a 100mm prime at the ready!

They were all shot with Canon 350D + Sigma 70-300mm AGO DG btw.
Comments welcome as always

 

[Raider]

wow, brilliant

that lens is only £160, i'm suitably impressed, are they sharpened much in PS?

They were slightly sharpened after the resize, but only a tiny bit. The fine structure of the feathers makes them look sharpened. Here's an original (just resized) for comparison:

 

[Raider]

Thanks for the comments. It's partially restored my faith in the Sigma, although it's revealed the obvious solution to my previous problems: at 200-300mm I just need to get closer!

Hence for longer stuff I need to go to 400mm or more. Hence me looking at 300mm F4 + 1.4x extender.