Bird Practice

[jprzybyla]

Brian, Rollin

My engineering terminology of the Auto Focus being 'steam driven' is with regard to its speed of response which is slow on this lens. The consequence being in that if AF target is lost on getting the bird back to within the frame it takes the lens a long time to adjust and lock focus again.

This is not a criticism of this specific lens, it is what it is and not ideal for BIF.

Grahame, try this method for birds in flight. When you see a BIF you want to capture, raise the camera with your thumb and forefinger on the focusing ring. Track the bird using manual focus until it is in range and a position the you want capture for the image. Then engage auto-focus for the images. When you try to track a bird using auto-focus if you stray off the bird the camera focuses on the background and gets confused and doesn't know what or where to focus. Using manual focus until the time you capture the images prevents this. You do not have to be perfectly focused in manual just close to help the auto-focus lock on when you capture the images.

[Stagecoach]

Nice shots Grahame, I like #1 best.

Thanks Matt, I agree with you.

[Stagecoach]

Hello Grahame: I really can't add anything to what has already been said, but I did want to say that I do enjoy bird pics in general, especially those from another part of the world. I think you will find that this particular niche in the photography world is somewhat addicting. You will always be chasing that perfect shot, with the beautiful background and great pose. Unfortunately, Mother Nature likes to throw obstacles in your path. Please do continue to show us what your part of the planet looks like.

Thanks for you comments Susan and I will continue to post any different species I manage to capture.

'Addictive niche of photography', I believe this may be true but I'm also finding it's an area that allows me to get out in the daytime and shoot rather than my general very early or late hour preference for land/seascapes. The possibility of getting that perfect shot added with the pleasure of just being outside watching nature is very therapeutic.

[Stagecoach]

Congrats on the new lens, without a doubt you'll be nailing your BIF shots. That is a lens that I would like to purchase one day as I could use the flexibility of a zoom and VR sounds like it might come in handy for BIF. So I'm looking forward to seeing your images.

I'm anxiously awaiting an email from the supplier in NZ who had to order it in (2/3 days quoted which should be today) and then DHL courier which is quoted as 3/5 days

This wait is not quite as frustrating as the two hours it took to speak in person with six different people at the Tax & Customs authority here to get confirmation of what duty I would have to pay on the import. Their list of millions of items with duty rates did include 'Camera Accessories' at 15% duty but a very shrewd me also found 'Lenses' in the Optical section that were charged at 5% A mega difference on something of this cost.

Edit : Just had confirmation from NZ supplier it's on it's way to me so I now have a copy of the paperwork and DHL tracking reference

If you're experimenting why not try some super slow panning? I think I have just one shot of a duck where the head is decently sharp and everything else is blurred. It's something I hope to learn to do well in future so if you could figure out the best technique, well that would be great.

This is something I want to try but to date in flight opportunities have been very limited but I'm suspecting it will not be that different to what I use for cars.

Aside... I don't mind the shadow on the heron in flight because of its small size and inconsequential placement. Steam driven (lol) - I interpreted the phrase as being too hot and humid for the camera to focus and also for the photographer.

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Grahame, try this method for birds in flight. When you see a BIF you want to capture, raise the camera with your thumb and forefinger on the focusing ring. Track the bird using manual focus until it is in range and a position the you want capture for the image. Then engage auto-focus for the images. When you try to track a bird using auto-focus if you stray off the bird the camera focuses on the background and gets confused and doesn't know what or where to focus. Using manual focus until the time you capture the images prevents this. You do not have to be perfectly focused in manual just close to help the auto-focus lock on when you capture the images.

Thanks for that advice Joe.

Unfortunately the lens I'm using at present does not allow AF over-ride without operating the switch on the side of the lens so a bit awkward. That will be solved once I get my 80-400.

At present I have been using BBF (simply because it's what I use for all my other shooting) and having some thoughts about this too.

[Brownbear]

This is something I want to try but to date in flight opportunities have been very limited but I'm suspecting it will not be that different to what I use for cars.

Grahame

No doubt you'll discover the difference...

PS I'm delighted that your shrewdness enabled you to save some money. I remember how challenging the simplest of everyday things can sometimes be in different countries.

[DonnaK]

I have been a bit quiet here and with my photography recently due to some heavy commitments but just had to force myself out with the camera today. My objective was to sit at the foreshore in the sun and shoot whatever was around, practice technique of getting these things within the frame and assess exposure control so here's some results.

All shot using Matrix Metering, EC+0.7EV, AF Area Mode Dynamic 9 point with the Tamron 70-300 Non VR with steam driven AF.

No 1 - 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO640, 300mm, cropped


No 2 - 1/1000, f/6.3, ISO450, 300mm, uncropped


No 3 - 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO640, 300mm, uncropped


No 4 - 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO200, 300mm, uncropped but sky removed from left and added to right side



Nos 3 & 4 taken at max aperture just to see what results it gave and also assess DoF at the distance for these herons.

Grahame

I don't think these are bad at all for your first attempts after a long lag. It's hard to get back in the groove. I like #3 and #4 the best because of the details you captured. I also know that you will love the results you get with our new 80-400mm. Changing settings quickly is also hard for me, too. My mind is a lot faster than my fingers

I can't wait to see your results when you get your lens. It is fast!

[jprzybyla]

Thanks for that advice Joe.

Unfortunately the lens I'm using at present does not allow AF over-ride without operating the switch on the side of the lens so a bit awkward. That will be solved once I get my 80-400.

At present I have been using BBF (simply because it's what I use for all my other shooting) and having some thoughts about this too.

Here is another method you can try for birds in flight. Jim Nieger ( flightschoolphotography.com ) teaches it in the workshops he conducts all over the US. When you see a flying bird that you want to photograph, bring the camera up and align the active focus point on the bird and bump the shutter button to focus and then release the button. Follow the bird in the view finder, if it begins to go out of focus align the active focus point and bump the shutter button again to acquire focus. Do this until the bird is in range and you want to capture images. Then focus preferably on the head and press the shutter button to capture the images. Bumping and releasing the shutter keeps the camera from focusing on the background if the focus strays off the bird until you are ready to capture images.

[NorthernFocus]

Hi, Grahame. Not a bad outing for a while "sitting at the foreshore". Hope the time helped remove the burdens of being too busy for a while.

I like your term "steam driven AF". That describes it well. Definitely if you lose focus and the lens begins to hunt from stop to stop it is very frustrating. Joe's advice is good regarding bumping the button to keep the focus reasonably close until you're ready to shoot then lock it in. I'm loathe to mention it for fear of starting a debate but what helped me employ that technique was switching to back button focus. You can easily tap, tap, tap, then squeeze to lock in. But you're in for a whole new world of focus capability when you get that new lens.

I believe shot numbers 2 and 4 are white faced herons. We don't have them in North America but they are in Oz and NZ so assume they may range as far as your locale. You can read about then at NZ Birds On-line.

[Stagecoach]

I don't think these are bad at all for your first attempts after a long lag. It's hard to get back in the groove. I like #3 and #4 the best because of the details you captured. I also know that you will love the results you get with our new 80-400mm. Changing settings quickly is also hard for me, too. My mind is a lot faster than my fingers

I can't wait to see your results when you get your lens. It is fast!

Thanks Donna, the lack of detail in many of my attempts so far is something I'm accepting at the moment because I know it's due to this lens so I can't wait for the new one to arrive

[Stagecoach]

Here is another method you can try for birds in flight. Jim Nieger ( flightschoolphotography.com ) teaches it in the workshops he conducts all over the US. When you see a flying bird that you want to photograph, bring the camera up and align the active focus point on the bird and bump the shutter button to focus and then release the button. Follow the bird in the view finder, if it begins to go out of focus align the active focus point and bump the shutter button again to acquire focus. Do this until the bird is in range and you want to capture images. Then focus preferably on the head and press the shutter button to capture the images. Bumping and releasing the shutter keeps the camera from focusing on the background if the focus strays off the bird until you are ready to capture images.

Thank you for that one Joe, it makes perfect sense and I'll be doing that on my next outing.

[Stagecoach]

Hi, Grahame. Not a bad outing for a while "sitting at the foreshore". Hope the time helped remove the burdens of being too busy for a while.

I find it very relaxing, chilling out, camera in hand and waiting for an opportunity. Very similar to my fishing exploits, even if I only get one the entire time spent was worth it

I like your term "steam driven AF". That describes it well. Definitely if you lose focus and the lens begins to hunt from stop to stop it is very frustrating. Joe's advice is good regarding bumping the button to keep the focus reasonably close until you're ready to shoot then lock it in. I'm loathe to mention it for fear of starting a debate but what helped me employ that technique was switching to back button focus. You can easily tap, tap, tap, then squeeze to lock in. But you're in for a whole new world of focus capability when you get that new lens.

Shutter button vs BBF, that's a good one and the only relevant input on that I would have is to use which works for the individual and they are happiest with.

I believe shot numbers 2 and 4 are white faced herons. We don't have them in North America but they are in Oz and NZ so assume they may range as far as your locale. You can read about then at NZ Birds On-line.

I spent some time last night putting my favourite bird shots so far in a separate gallery on my website http://fijitime.smugmug.com/Birds-and-Animals/Birds/ and identifying each one from various sources of information.

There's a couple more types here, a black egret and green heron that I am yet to capture.

[Bobobird]

Top notch image quality = you certainly did not get rusty.

[Stagecoach]

Top notch image quality = you certainly did not get rusty.

Thanks Bobo. If I'm lucky I'll be trying the new lens out on some more birds this weekend, it's now arrived on the island but not safely in my hands yet