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Hi, Ken: I think you may be getting resolution confused with noise.  Lower ISO settings will give you better image quality, but not because of resolution.  Rather because of lower noise.  Higher ISO settings will increase your noise.  You should be able to go as high as ISO 400 without getting an objectionable amount of noise, ...

Ken: I took a look at the EXIF information, and with a monopod, the shutter speeds you're using should be fine, but allow me to make a few suggestions.  First, try to shoot your first shots with a new lens in controlled situations.  For example, shoot at a target of some sort handheld, with a monopod and on a tripod or other ...

Birdseye:I didn't mean to give the impression that I always shoot at f/8 - f/11.  When conditions permit or demand, such as less light, or if I need as fast a shutter speed as I can get, or if I'm going for a very shallow depth of field or great background, I'll shoot at greater than f/8.  It's just that when I do, I know I'm ...

You're welcome, TL.  Hope it helps. I don't use a cable release with the 500mm lens because I have a specific way of holding it while on the tripod to minimize movement, especially when the 1.4x is attached.  I then just shoot multifple shots (the 1D Mark III does 10 fps).  Out of all those, I usually get a couple of keepers.  ...

Kiwi: You're absolutely right.  Every lens, pro-level or otherwise, has its sweet spot in terms of aperture setting.  Every lens in your bag should be tested to find that best setting.  For most lenses that I've tested, it seems to be around f/8 to f/11 as you have also discovered.  There are many more factors, however, that ...

Thanks, guys, for the comments.  I was actually camping in an area looking across the Frio River to Garner State Park.  The elevation at the camp ground is quite high, and it just so happened that one of the kingfisher's favorite perches was located below me.  So, I simply set up my equipment, put up a lawn chair and ...

Here's a picture of a Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryl torquata) shot a bit north of its range, as near as I can tell.  This photo was taken along the eastern bank of the Frio River near the southeastern boundary of Garner State Park.  The park is located north of Concan, Texas.  I know there are at least two individuals, since I also have ...

Second that:  Yellow-crowned Night-heron.

EF-S lenses are a very good and economical choice for cameras that accept them.  Before investing in them, however, one should realize the fact that a lens can be a very long-term investment, whereas a digital camera is most likely a short-term investment.  Given that, then, you run the risk of buying an EF-S lens that only fits EF-S ...

Rob: Actually, you're right.  With my 100-400, I shoot at 400mm about 99% of the time.  I also shoot the vast majority of my shots from a tripod, so IS is less important for me, but there have been times when it was essential.  I don't know of a Canon 400mm f/4 IS prime lens, unless you're speaking of the 400mm DO, and that baby ...