Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: luxborealis on May 20, 2019, 07:45:55 am

Title: Spring birds
Post by: luxborealis on May 20, 2019, 07:45:55 am: They’re not Glenn Bartley’s...but I’m still learning the craft of bird photography. So far I’m pleased with the 200-500, but I’m also recognizing its limitations. While f/5.6 is doable, it takes an extra bit of sharpening to get the feathers crisp. Lr’s new Texture adjustment is helpful as is Sharpening as with an Adjustment Brush. I must give credit to my wife - the real birder - whose keen eyes see everything flitting about.

All shot w/D800E on a tripod
Cardinal: f/5.6 @ 1/125, ISO 400
Kingbird: f/8 @ 1/400, ISO 400
Yellow Warbler?: f/5.6 @ 1/500, ISO 800
Downie Woodpecker: f/8 @ 1/80, ISO 400
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: Bob_B on May 20, 2019, 08:03:32 am: Great series, Terry. The yellow warbler shot is exceptionally nice.
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: kers on May 20, 2019, 10:06:37 am: They look happy!
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: Kevin Gallagher on May 20, 2019, 11:20:39 am: Great shots all!
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: Mark Nadler on May 20, 2019, 11:31:02 pm: I also like the third image very much.

When you say that you are shooting with a 200-500 lens I assume that you mean Nikon's 200-500?
If that is the case, try cracking your camera up to 1/1000 to 1/2000 shutter spped if you want to
see more sharpness. Between wind and birds natural tendency to constantly be vibrating I find that I need
to shoot withg a fast shutter speed to get tack sharp images -- and I mostly shoot handheld.

mark
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: luxborealis on May 20, 2019, 11:37:42 pm: Quote from: Mark Nadler on May 20, 2019, 11:31:02 pm
I also like the third image very much.
When you say that you are shooting with a 200-500 lens I assume that you mean Nikon's 200-500?
If that is the case, try cracking your camera up to 1/1000 to 1/2000 shutter spped if you want to
see more sharpness. Between wind and birds natural tendency to constantly be vibrating I find that I need
to shoot withg a fast shutter speed to get tack sharp images -- and I mostly shoot handheld.
mark

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the suggestion. I agree with the faster shutter speed, but I was already at ISO 800. I’m used to lower ISOs for my landscape work - wouldn’t ISO 1600 make it worse?
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: Mark Nadler on May 21, 2019, 09:56:53 pm: Terry, I was just addressing your general comment concerning this particular lens.
I just find that with birds unless I shoot very fast my images always turn out soft
looking. Using the shutter speeds used in your posted pics I would get soft looking
images (I mostly hand hold). Depending on the light and my subject matter I can push my camera's
ISO to around 1000.

mark
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: mbaginy on May 22, 2019, 08:00:13 am: A really nice series, Terry! I like them all.
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: sdwilsonsct on May 25, 2019, 12:09:15 pm: Quote from: Mark Nadler on May 20, 2019, 11:31:02 pm
... try cracking your camera up to 1/1000 to 1/2000 shutter spped if you want to
see more sharpness...

That's my experience as well. I shoot birds at 1/800 and let the camera choose the ISO.

Fine shots, Terry.
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on May 25, 2019, 05:49:42 pm: Quote from: Bob_B on May 20, 2019, 08:03:32 am
Great series, Terry. The yellow warbler shot is exceptionally nice.
+1.
Title: Re: Spring birds
Post by: LesPalenik on May 26, 2019, 02:16:11 am: Yes, the yellow warbler is a nice catch and the red flowers are also in focus and rather complementary. Very appealing image.