Archive 2013 · First (serious) Attempt at Birding

ucphotog
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · First (serious) Attempt at Birding

I think I may have posted on this forum long ago, because this is where flowers go. I've never been very much interested in taking bird pictures, though I do enjoy the amazing results other people get. Plus, I can't afford the glass at the long end.

I bought a 70-300mm lens some years back, which I use only sparingly.

In any case, I have been going to a local regional park, and right now there seem to be a lot of larger birds, such as herons, pelicans and egrets. Birds that don't need quite such long lenses.

So, I pulled out my 70-300 and went out and took some shots.

I know that my technique and skill in this arena are not that great, but I am also not very impressed with the 70-300 at the 300mm end.

Getting a sharp image is hard, even if the subject is in focus. There seem to be all sorts of optical aberrations.

In any case, all of my moaning and excuses aside, I came up with three shots that I rather liked in the last couple of days.

Pelican:

http://davehoward.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v105/p1709144156-4.jpg

Heron:

http://davehoward.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v90/p1864946692-4.jpg

Egret:

http://davehoward.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v110/p1675484922-4.jpg

C&C welcome, as I obviously have a lot to learn.

Thanks and enjoy!

Dave

Jun 15, 2013 at 09:58 PM

birdied
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · First (serious) Attempt at Birding

Dave, I think these are wonderful and welcome ! Great in flights, and wonderful exposures.

I used to use the Nikon 70-300 , on mine if I stopped down to 6.3 or 7.1 it was a tad bit sharper .
Would like to see these a bit larger

Birdie

Jun 15, 2013 at 10:03 PM

ucphotog
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · First (serious) Attempt at Birding

Thanks for the feedback!

I have been setting the speed and letting the aperture go wherever the camera sets it. I haven't been paying too much attention to what it set it to, but I should go review that.

Rather than repost above, I'll give provide links to my Zenfolio pages where they can be seen a bit larger.

Pelican:

http://davehoward.zenfolio.com/p637876224/h65df785c#h65df785c

Heron:

http://davehoward.zenfolio.com/p754116544/h6f28d404#h6f28d404

Egret:

http://davehoward.zenfolio.com/p754116544/h6f28d404#h63dddefa

The links take you to a page with stuff around it. If you click the image itself, it will come up in a larger size.

Jun 15, 2013 at 10:11 PM

birdied
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · First (serious) Attempt at Birding

So much better viewing them larger

Love no 13 on the first link ( great white egret with reflection, great shot )

I normally shoot in manual where I set the aperture and expose . I do use auto ISO to to help me out. I also shoot with the D800.

Birdie

Jun 15, 2013 at 10:20 PM

ucphotog
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · First (serious) Attempt at Birding

After your comments above, I was wondering if the formula you gave would work. I have never tried that combination. I will have to do so.

I shot with a D300s for a long time, and on that camera I would never use auto ISO. Before that I used a D2x for awhile, which didn't offer auto ISO. However, I have recently acquired the D800, and I am not used to the freedom it provides to use higher ISO's, and in turn to use auto ISO in an intelligent fashion.

As to #13, I find it much easier to shoot birds when they are standing on the ground.

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

Jun 15, 2013 at 10:26 PM

birdied
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · First (serious) Attempt at Birding

I meant to say set aperture and shutter speed ! Under the auto iso settings, I have my max iso set at 1000 or 1200 most of the time. I know I can go higher, but am comfortable with handling any noise at those levels.

Birdie

Jun 15, 2013 at 10:45 PM


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