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What am I doing wrong?
Jan 24, 2013 13:10:10 #
ftpecktim
Loc: MONTANA
stopmedown1 wrote:
Hi, Even at fast shutter speeds you can still get movement showing on your images especially with a long lens. You don't say whether you used auto focus, if you did, I would suggest you try manual focus and make sure it is the bird that is in focus. Also, take multiple shots, the more you take, the better the chances of getting a good one. There is no wastage with digital, not like film! Don't forget to squeeze the shutter gently! I hope this may help. Regards, Bert.
He took a 150 shots.
Jan 24, 2013 13:35:09 #
Probably not the cause of your issue but all tripods are not created equal and can contribute to fuzzy images. You should make sure you have a sturdy one, might even consider hanging your camera bag under it for ballast, and adjust the legs to the height needed so you can avoid screwing the top post up.
Jan 24, 2013 14:03:01 #
Re. Tripods. I bought a tripod that cost me over £60 and it won't support an APS-C camera with a moderate zoom, let alone my full frame with a professional lens! A monopod is handy or the attachment you can buy that is a bit like a tape measure that screws into the tripod bush and extends to the ground where you put your foot on it. This keeps tension on the camera and stops up and down movement. It fits in your pocket too. Another one is a bean bag to rest on a wall, fence, or whatever you can find. Some of these bridge cameras are excellent as they are light, have a tremendous zoom and stabilization built in. SLRs aren't always the ultimate for everything unless you want to spend a small fortune on accessories.
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Jan 24, 2013 14:16:43 #
Jan 24, 2013 14:23:56 #
I agree. You should NOT strip out the EXIF information if you want help with your images. We need this information to see exactly what shutter speed and f-stop you choose or your camera choose.
I might add that you would probably never use f-16 when shooting wildlife; you'd probably want to be between f4 and f8 most of the time. You'd also want to have your shutter speed at 1/1000th or faster most of the time when shooting birds. Of course, sometimes it can't be helped if the lighting conditions aren't good or your subject is in the shadows. And shooting between noon and 2:30pm is the worse time (lighting wise) to shoot wildlife. The light is too harsh and causes harsh shadows and bright backgrounds that don't look the best.
I might add that you would probably never use f-16 when shooting wildlife; you'd probably want to be between f4 and f8 most of the time. You'd also want to have your shutter speed at 1/1000th or faster most of the time when shooting birds. Of course, sometimes it can't be helped if the lighting conditions aren't good or your subject is in the shadows. And shooting between noon and 2:30pm is the worse time (lighting wise) to shoot wildlife. The light is too harsh and causes harsh shadows and bright backgrounds that don't look the best.
Bmac wrote:
A question, are these images severely cropped? Even on the photos where one can "download original" the files are very small and most of the EXIF data has been wiped out. If you could actually post one of these pictures as an original so we could see the data and the full resolution folks would have an easier time trying to assist you. 8-)
Jan 24, 2013 16:38:27 #
Try using either a remote release of the release timer. Camera movement may occur when directly pressing the shutter button.
Jan 24, 2013 18:11:52 #
Yes , on my pentax its on the back bottom right of the camera body, it must be located on your camera. Another problem can be using auto focus with long distance lens,many times camera cannot determine the correct focus and lens keeps moving. If bird is still, i prefer to use manual focus, so I know if the bird hasn't moved , I've got the shot. Those two things , plus don't manually depress shutter, use your remote, just pushing on the camera with a long distance lens will take it out of focus. Hope this helps you. Good shooting.
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Jan 24, 2013 18:37:52 #
I took this (my favorite bird pic) at the St. Louis Zoo. I had to use manual focus because the auto-focus was trying to get the branches clear instead of the bird, the branches being why my local camera club judges didn't like the pic, but I couldn't change my position. When shooting with a tripod (mine was hand-held) turn off any anti-vibration mode.
Jan 25, 2013 02:40:10 #
Edmund Dworakowski wrote:
Lock you mirror up and use a remote release.
Make sure all vibration reduction is turned off when using a tripod. On windy days, remove cameras straps an anything that may catch the wind. Add weight to center column on windy days or unstable surfaces.
Make sure all vibration reduction is turned off when using a tripod. On windy days, remove cameras straps an anything that may catch the wind. Add weight to center column on windy days or unstable surfaces.
Thank you for your advise.
Jan 25, 2013 02:42:01 #
planepics wrote:
I took this (my favorite bird pic) at the St. Louis Zoo. I had to use manual focus because the auto-focus was trying to get the branches clear instead of the bird, the branches being why my local camera club judges didn't like the pic, but I couldn't change my position. When shooting with a tripod (mine was hand-held) turn off any anti-vibration mode.
Wow, what a nice shot. Wow.
Thank you for looking and advise.
Jan 25, 2013 02:44:04 #
Jan 25, 2013 02:44:52 #
wlgoode wrote:
Try using either a remote release of the release timer. Camera movement may occur when directly pressing the shutter button.
Thank you. Next on my purchase list.
Jan 25, 2013 02:47:30 #
jeep_daddy wrote:
I agree. You should NOT strip out the EXIF inform... (show quote)
Thank you for looking and advise. Yes, they have been cropped.
Jan 25, 2013 02:50:09 #
stopmedown1 wrote:
Re. Tripods. I bought a tripod that cost me over £... (show quote)
Thank you for your advise.
Jan 25, 2013 02:51:03 #
gessman wrote:
Probably not the cause of your issue but all tripods are not created equal and can contribute to fuzzy images. You should make sure you have a sturdy one, might even consider hanging your camera bag under it for ballast, and adjust the legs to the height needed so you can avoid screwing the top post up.
Thank you.
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