STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Seriously. How do you guys get so close to the birds? Did you take out a 2nd mortgage on your home to buy a super long lens?

I think the time I can call myself a newbie is expiring, but I am still AT LEAST two steps below an amateur. I'm trying: reading this forum, other web sites, and books; taking cont. ed classes; and shooting, shooting, shooting. I am interested in photography as a hobby and have NO desire to turn it into a JOB. (I had a client once who captained his own charter boat - a gorgeous large boat. He would get up in the mornings, look out the window on a beautiful sunny day, and say, "Damn! Now I gotta go fishing.")

Back to my problem. I bought a 150-500 Sigma lens and am shooting with a Canon 60D. I've only had the lens a couple of weeks and know I need a lot more practice in using it. But, really, I had expected it to bring the birds in a lot closer. All of these great bird shots I see posted here - how much are you having to crop the pictures? If you are not cropping a LOT, how do you manage to fill so much of the frame with bird? An invisibility cloak?

Are the 1.4 or 2.0 extenders really useful? Do they degrade the quality of the shot? Did I read on this forum that there is a problem with using the extenders with the Sigma lens? In my enthusiasm, I have already WAY overspent, especially when considering my abilities, and would rather learn how to best use what I already have. Please help.

I appreciate any advise and instruction you can give this poor, confused newbie/-amateur. Thanks for your time!

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

They use this:

http://www.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2013/03/swanblind-7.jpg

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Annie, that's a bit more devotion than I can muster. To do that, I would have to turn my hobby into a JOB, because I would need the extra cash to rent the crane to pull me back up to me feet!

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

You should be able to get good reach from your 150-500. Sometimes you are lucky and there are lots of birds and they are not that far away. Other times I think you have to wait for them to come to you. I think this game is all about patience. You might want to check out Cape May Wildlife refuge. Those shots were with a 400mm. I posted them yesterday evening.

BigAl Loc: Lincs UK

Hi STVest, I use a 100..400 lens and cannon with 18px. click on "my list" to see what you can get. most are 50% crops with the smaller birds even more.There is no substitute for being as close as poss. And that means being alone,quite ...just sit and wait for them to come to you, got to get into the mode "its not a race, Im here to enjoy the peace and quite, if I don't get it today there's always tomorrow. And finally expect to get one good shot out of 200 or so for various reason . Good luck and enjoy.

bigbellybob Loc: Tennessee

Try buying some bird food and scatter it out close enough to get a good shot.
Robert
bigbellybob@comcast.net

wonkytripod Loc: Peterborough UK

I agree with Bigal, it's all about enjoying the day and if you get that perfect shot that is a bonus. If you have a regular spot you visit you could try putting out some food for them. I have been feeding the badgers in my woods for almost a year and also leaving clothing such as t-shirts and socks that have been worn several times more than they should have so they get used to my scent as well, now they are happy for me to be around them I will be able to get within a few metres to hopefully get the shots I want. Other than that it is all about lady luck being on your side.

Keep the faith and just keep trying. I also have the sigma 150-500 and have used a 2x converter on it but you do lose clarity with it. :thumbup:

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

I just want someone to purchase that crazy bird blind and post pictures of them in it.... so far no one has jumped on it. :(

tramsey Loc: Texas

I have a friend who has this identical set up. He goes birding as often as he can. Sometimes we go together. I've seen the shots that he gets both in the camera and the print. He crops the crap out of them, but they are still focused very sharp. :-) :thumbup:

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

It is all about location, patience, and giving the birds what they want. I have birds that come right to me. I am still, quiet, and I don't sit amoung them wearing tons of shiney jewelery nor smelly after-shave.

I once had a robin who would show up everytime I started working in the yard. He knew that I would bring up big worms and toss them to him. I have a blue jay who comes to say hello to me every morning, because I kick the dead bugs from the garage out on the driveway for him.

I have had birds land on my hat and my arms while I was filling their feeders. If anyone else came around. . .zip, they were gone. They get to know you. They will come and eat at my feet.

For ducks and geese, you might want to buy a good duck call and goose call, and learn you to use them.

I generally use a 28-135mm IS lens, rarely do I use my 300mm, and never my 400mm L lens, this is with my 5D Mark II full frame body.

cockney greg Loc: London E17

I think youtube have a couple of videos regarding birds in flight techniques, they might give you some insights. Also clothing can have an effect, even lenses, some people put camouflage bandanas or custom made socks onto their lenses.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Read MT Shooter's thread http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-110455-1.html

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

If you can look up Batmans number, I'm certain he has something, or can cook up one for you. :lol: :thumbup:

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

You might want to check out digiscoping. Feeding is also an option, Feed for a couple of days and then on the third day feed and photograph. I would find a comfortable spot where you can sit behind your tripod and shoot with out too much movement.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thanks for your response. I googled "Cape May Wildlife Refuge" and got so many hits I didn't know where to go. Can you give me a specific address?