Had a few visitors in our pool awhile back, thought you'll might enjoy our palm tree negotiating quackers, this couple has been dropping into our backyard the last 5yrs. These were shot from my bedroom, the window had just been cleaned. They had just finished bathing and were on their way out the pool for some sunning, they did not stay for cocktails tho
Jerry, I like those shots because they are not boring, they have a dynamic feel to them, and the pool "environment" has made me chuckle....something not seen commonly.
Your shutter speed is kinda OK for showing a major wing blur, but you are also taking significant chances with the motion blur of the entire bird. I'd suggest something between 1/1000 sec to 1/2000 for them ducks...particularly when they are taking off they beat those wings like mad.
Also, as soon as you see them about to take off, start firing at hi rate until you get to the end of the buffer. How do you know they are about to take off ? Well, they start bobbing their heads up and down a bit.
Looking forward to some more shots of those ducky visitors to your pool.
Peter, that was the 1st time they stayed long enough for me slow self to unpack my gear and wait for flight, thanks for your tips they will greatly help in the future!
I was moving so quick, well ya know that I...hangs head in kinda shame...just turned the mode dial to P, raised the camera to eye and shot...the camera was set to single burst, as I normally shoot for flowers n such, I figured by the time I changed burst mode they'd be gone...I got lucky
In late July I'll be out with a friend at a local wetlands (Bolsa Chica Reserve) and will put your advice to work. No big whites like you shoot with, just my trusty 40D and a smaller 300f4L IS with 1.4x attached, we'll see how 6.5 FPS and my BIF shooting technique goes, I'll post an image if successful. Might even bag a fast moving chickadee in a bikini
Peter, I just picked up a 50D, same AF as my 40D, near same FPS 6.3 vs 6.5, but it's MPs are 15 vs 10...any thoughts given my access will mostly be on outer paved trails, the inner trails are dirt and quite rough so I won't be as close as I'd like.
I'm finding the extra 5 MP okay, it does give me some extra room to crop but it's also a bit more work in post so far...only a month shooting with it as apposed to 4yrs with the 40D. I'm leaning more to the 40D...
StillFingerz wrote:
Peter, I just picked up a 50D, same AF as my 40D, near same FPS 6.3 vs 6.5, but it's MPs are 15 vs 10...any thoughts given my access will mostly be on outer paved trails, the inner trails are dirt and quite rough so I won't be as close as I'd like.
I'm finding the extra 5 MP okay, it does give me some extra room to crop but it's also a bit more work in post so far...only a month shooting with it as apposed to 4yrs with the 40D. I'm leaning more to the 40D...
Jerry, it is good to have a backup camera which is similar in performance and "feel" to your main camera. I have never owned 50D, but my 40D works fine for those times when I do not want to be burdened by a 1D body.
50D obviously has 50% higher sensor pixel density than 40D which can be useful, but in wildlife photography, it is camera/lens auto focusing which generally makes or breaks a shot.
that I...hangs head in kinda shame...just turned the mode dial to P, raised the camera to eye and shot...the camera was set to single burst, as I normally shoot for flowers n such, I figured by the time I changed burst mode they'd be gone...I got lucky