Andrew,
There's lots of advice at
http://www.birds2grow.com/art-birdphotos.html and
http://www.xs4all.nl/~eijsel/fototips2.htm and
http://www.google.com/search?q=+%22taking+pictures+of+birds%22+tips
My suggestion is to focus on a favourite perch and wait, preferably in a blind,
and/or use a tall monopod and a motor drive or winder.
No favourite perch? A little sticky suet will help without being obvious,
placed where the light and background are good.
I presume you keep a monopod/tripod/beanbag and telephoto in your car for grab
shots in rural areas?
See you tomorrow nite. What's your ETA?
tOM
On Thursday, June 12, 2003 at 9:40
Andrew Gullen <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I was out in the woods. I tried the 200/4, but when the birds are within
> range of that they're very active (too close to you). When they were farther
> away the birds were too small in the frame so I added the 2X. 400/8 is slow in
> early-morning woodland light.
>
> Then I couldn't get any shots because by the time I framed the bird and
> focused (practice needed) it flew off. So I loosened the ball and used the
> tripod as a stabilizer, swung, focused and shot. Better success (than zero)
> but
> the shots aren't sharp.
>
> I decided to look again a couple of days later to see whether it was camera
> shake, moving subject or low-light focus error. Or all of the above. I wasn't
> expecting much on my first try at this, but it's a slight downer to get
> nothing
> on a roll to be pleased with. That's what a sense of humor is for, though.
>
> So I went out yesterday with some Elite Chrome 400. No birds. On strike.
> Except red-wing blackbirds, which this time of year fold up their feathers
> when they alight to hide the red patch. Nice scenery though, wasn't a
> complete loss. And a nice break on the way to work.
>
> Andrew
>
> > Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 22:18:45 EDT
> > From: NSURIT@xxxxxxx
> >
> >> I just tried some serious small-bird photography. It
> >> was humbling. Birds that size don't stay still long
> >
> > Are you using a 90mm for this? I won't fit in a bird cage. I've been
> > doing a
> > little lately and have been stretching my long lenses with teleconverters
> > and
> > still wished I could be at 1000mm or so. Bill Barber
---------
2003 Jun 28-30 in Ottawa:
http://www.CanadianCameraConference.ca
tOM Trottier, ICQ:57647974 http://abacurial.com
758 Albert St, Ottawa ON Canada K1R 7V8
+1 613 860-6633 fax:231-6115 N45.412 W75.714
"The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious,
awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself --
Henry Miller, 1891-1980
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