Comments on: How to get sharp photos of birds in flight http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/ tips and tutorials for digital nature photography Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:18:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: BGenie http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-2/#comment-47207 BGenie Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:55:46 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-47207 I appreciate the tips. You covered a lot, but left out focusing. Do you recommend AF or CAF (continuous AF)? I can't see trying manual focus in this situation... Thanks, BGenie (shooting with Olympus e620) I appreciate the tips. You covered a lot, but left out focusing. Do you recommend AF or CAF (continuous AF)? I can’t see trying manual focus in this situation…
Thanks,
BGenie (shooting with Olympus e620)

]]> By: Vic Berardi http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-2/#comment-47130 Vic Berardi Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:15:07 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-47130 @ Caroline, Excellent camera and lens! I will try to answer your questions as best as possible. 1) Setting your camera for burst mode: On page 85 of your manual you want to follow the instructions for setting the camera in the "Continuous shooting" Make sure you see the image for this setting which looks like a staggered stacked deck of cards. Your camera shoots at a maximum of 3.9 frames per second which will be fine for birds in flight. 2) The question on how to set your camera is difficult to answer. Settings for proper exposure vary depending on light conditions. This is true no matter what mode you use, AV, TV or M. However, only in "M" do you have immediate full control. In "TV" or "AV" you're bound to the camera's metering of a scene unless you employ the exposure compensation feature. The "M" mode requires more thought but also gives you full control. Simply put, there is only one setting for exposure that is accurate! Personally I shoot in full Manual exposure mode (M), which requires much patience in learning, to the point that your confidence level is very high that you can accurately set your camera at the proper exposure. I select my aperture first depending on the lighting. I select the smallest aperture I can that still allows me to have an acceptable shutter speed for birds in flight (for me that's a minimum of 1/800 second.) Then I set the shutter speed. I think Steve has previously posted something on learning Manual exposure here on the PhotoNaturalist. There is also info on the web and in books. Hope some of what I said helps! Vic @ Caroline,
Excellent camera and lens! I will try to answer your questions as best as possible.

1) Setting your camera for burst mode:
On page 85 of your manual you want to follow the instructions for setting the camera in the “Continuous shooting” Make sure you see the image for this setting which looks like a staggered stacked deck of cards. Your camera shoots at a maximum of 3.9 frames per second which will be fine for birds in flight.

2) The question on how to set your camera is difficult to answer. Settings for proper exposure vary depending on light conditions. This is true no matter what mode you use, AV, TV or M. However, only in “M” do you have immediate full control. In “TV” or “AV” you’re bound to the camera’s metering of a scene unless you employ the exposure compensation feature. The “M” mode requires more thought but also gives you full control. Simply put, there is only one setting for exposure that is accurate!

Personally I shoot in full Manual exposure mode (M), which requires much patience in learning, to the point that your confidence level is very high that you can accurately set your camera at the proper exposure. I select my aperture first depending on the lighting. I select the smallest aperture I can that still allows me to have an acceptable shutter speed for birds in flight (for me that’s a minimum of 1/800 second.) Then I set the shutter speed.

I think Steve has previously posted something on learning Manual exposure here on the PhotoNaturalist. There is also info on the web and in books.

Hope some of what I said helps!
Vic

]]> By: Vic Berardi http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-2/#comment-47129 Vic Berardi Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:53:32 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-47129 @ Mac, thank you and yes "practice and more practice" is great advice!! @ Ian, thank you too! Not sure I would be able to help you but if you'd like to send me the photo, email me at VBirdman@aol.com @ Mac, thank you and yes “practice and more practice” is great advice!!

@ Ian, thank you too! Not sure I would be able to help you but if you’d like to send me the photo, email me at VBirdman@aol.com

]]> By: caroline http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-2/#comment-47102 caroline Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:40:08 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-47102 Hi, I have just bought a 5D mark II and I am using my 100-400mm lens as I am specifically wanting to shoot birds (we have hawks and Bald Eagles currently making regular appearnces in my local park!). I am mostly doing handheld for the very reason you point out-it's almost impossible to shoot these moving targets on a tripod or monopod. My question is-which setting should I have my camera on if the shutter is to be set at 1/1000 and the ISO 400 ie TV,AV or M ? And how do I set my camera to take a "burst"? I used to own a Rebel and it had the litle "sports" setting which when you held down the shutter button gave you a burst. There is no such selection on the 5D and I am struggling to figure this out even with the manual?? Thanks ps I love your hawk photos:) Hi, I have just bought a 5D mark II and I am using my 100-400mm lens as I am specifically wanting to shoot birds (we have hawks and Bald Eagles currently making regular appearnces in my local park!). I am mostly doing handheld for the very reason you point out-it’s almost impossible to shoot these moving targets on a tripod or monopod. My question is-which setting should I have my camera on if the shutter is to be set at 1/1000 and the ISO 400 ie TV,AV or M ? And how do I set my camera to take a “burst”? I used to own a Rebel and it had the litle “sports” setting which when you held down the shutter button gave you a burst. There is no such selection on the 5D and I am struggling to figure this out even with the manual?? Thanks ps I love your hawk photos:)

]]> By: Ian http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-47098 Ian Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:51:45 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-47098 i am so happy to have found you excellent article and pictures i went eagle shooting with my fz150 and and LT55 tele lens Some cam out semi well some OK I have one that i dont understand what i needed to do to improve can i send it to you? i am so happy to have found you excellent article and pictures
i went eagle shooting with my fz150 and and LT55 tele lens
Some cam out semi well some OK
I have one that i dont understand what i needed to do to improve
can i send it to you?

]]> By: Mac http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-45698 Mac Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:45:11 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-45698 Great advise. Eagles are now arriving in the Metro St Louis Area and it is good to find advise on capturing these birds in flight! Two things I would add, practice and more practice. Great advise. Eagles are now arriving in the Metro St Louis Area and it is good to find advise on capturing these birds in flight! Two things I would add, practice and more practice.

]]> By: Vic Berardi http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-42262 Vic Berardi Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:51:30 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-42262 Thanks for the comments Subramoniam, Dec. and jeevi! Several photographers are having very good success with Canon's 70-200 f2.8 IS II with both teleconverters. The combination gives you a lot of versatility and flexibility. However, some degree of sharpness and focusing speed will be sacrificed. jeevi, I use a 2X on my 300 f2.8 and get very good results, especially if I can stop down a bit. Thanks for the comments Subramoniam, Dec. and jeevi!

Several photographers are having very good success with Canon’s 70-200 f2.8 IS II with both teleconverters. The combination gives you a lot of versatility and flexibility. However, some degree of sharpness and focusing speed will be sacrificed.

jeevi, I use a 2X on my 300 f2.8 and get very good results, especially if I can stop down a bit.

]]> By: jeevi http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-41820 jeevi Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:54:16 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-41820 I havent tried a 70 mm 200mm with a converter before,now I have 300mm.2.8 and might try a 2.o converter soon,to see how it works.cheers. I havent tried a 70 mm 200mm with a converter before,now I have 300mm.2.8 and might try a 2.o converter soon,to see how it works.cheers.

]]> By: Dec. http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-41801 Dec. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:46:41 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-41801 Hi Vic, Thanks a million for all the advice above.....Cracking reading, very imformative......Just started a few months ago myself and loving it......Shoot with a a Nikon D7000 and just purchased a 70-200 2.8 which I find picks out the birds in flight very fast......HOWEVER I was thinking about adding a x 2 teleconverter to give me a total of 400mm @ F5.6......I realize this combo would make autofocus slower but what's your advice regarding image quality with converters???? Thanks Dec Hi Vic,
Thanks a million for all the advice above…..Cracking reading, very imformative……Just started a few months ago myself and loving it……Shoot with a a Nikon D7000 and just purchased a 70-200 2.8 which I find picks out the birds in flight very fast……HOWEVER I was thinking about adding a x 2 teleconverter to give me a total of 400mm @ F5.6……I realize this combo would make autofocus slower but what’s your advice regarding image quality with converters????

Thanks
Dec

]]> By: Subramoniam http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-get-sharp-photos-of-birds-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-40877 Subramoniam Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:22:37 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=1717#comment-40877 Vic That was a great read. Comprehensive guide to bird photography. Have seen through the comments that all are Can-Nikons. Perhaps I am an odd one out. I use a SONY 70-300G on a A200. Pretty sharp lens though it is f5.6 at 300mm. I am thinking if to get a Tamron 200-500mm to exend my reach. But at the back of my mind I feel G lens is more than enough only thing to upsize the photo. How to do it? Is it just to resize to 1.6 times to make it equivalent to 500mm? I don't think so as FOV of 500mm is lesser. Any idea? Vic

That was a great read. Comprehensive guide to bird photography. Have seen through the comments that all are Can-Nikons. Perhaps I am an odd one out. I use a SONY 70-300G on a A200. Pretty sharp lens though it is f5.6 at 300mm. I am thinking if to get a Tamron 200-500mm to exend my reach. But at the back of my mind I feel G lens is more than enough only thing to upsize the photo. How to do it? Is it just to resize to 1.6 times to make it equivalent to 500mm? I don’t think so as FOV of 500mm is lesser. Any idea?

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