Having problems...

[uk2usa]

Well, I have found a beautiful wildlife refuge about 25 miles from where I live. It has been absolutely deserted anytime I have been there... which is lovely.
I am able to set myself in a nice hidey hole and wait for the waterfowl to come to me.... the sun is shining and I am happy to sit and wait.
The only issue is that when I shoot at the long end of my lens my focus becomes very soft.
I am using a Phoenix 100-400mm 1:4.5-6.7 AF Zoom on my D70. I know it is not the best lens... by a long way, but at the time was all I could afford.
I want to try and save some $ for a better lens, but have no idea what I should look for.
Suggestions for a good lens would be very welcome.
I will post some pics below which will show the issue I am having with the current lens.

[uk2usa]

Exif:
1/640"
F 6.7
Manual Mode
Focal length 390mm



Exif:
1/500"
F 6.7
Manual Mode
Focal Length 390mm


It occurred to me while I was posting these that my technique may be off... these were both shot with a tripod and I purchased a lens mount so the the lens is not affected so much by the wind - although today there was no wind.

Any suggestions would be warmly received - I will be heading out there again tomorrow.

[phoebe]

Axel, I sent you a PM.

[uk2usa]

Thanks... very much appreciated

[Lyle A]

It would be helpful to everyone if the solution was posted here.

[uk2usa]

The solution PM'd to me related to the time of day that I was shooting. The above shots were taken around lunchtime... I was advised to shoot in the first or last hours of the day.
The other advice that Ron gave me was with regards to my lens choice. He has recommended the Nikon f4 300mm af-s with a 1.4x teleconverter as a basic set up for me.

You can follow my learning curve by checking out update 2, update 3 and update 4.

The new lens and teleconverter should arrive within the next week... it will then be my intention to make a 'Camel Blog' to show my development.

I had initially planned on making the blog now, but the lens I use now has some issues and sounds like a cocktail shaker if I extend or collapse the zoom - looks like I ordered the f4 300mm just in time!!