Photographing birds in flight Canon/Sigma
Oct 14, 2020 17:58:38 #
Oct 14, 2020 18:21:03 #
How far away was the bird, and how much of the viewfinder was it filling up? You're going to have a VERY low keeper rate when they are far away, or little guys like warblers. As a troubleshooting tip, turn off the stabilization completely and see if that helps. Also, you are at an effective 960mm at full zoom. I wouldn't shoot at anything under 1/2500. At that speed, you will need to crank up the ISO, so keep checking the histogram.
For BIF, expect a low keeper rate for anything but large, slow flying birds that fill up a good percentage of your viewfinder.
Just my 2 cents.
For BIF, expect a low keeper rate for anything but large, slow flying birds that fill up a good percentage of your viewfinder.
Just my 2 cents.
Oct 14, 2020 18:27:32 #
imagemeister wrote:
80D, 400 prime .....I have no problems . Are there "better" bird cameras ? yes - MORE $$$ - https://fineartamerica.com/featured/eagles-pursuit-larry-nieland.html
.
.
Yes, you seem to have a pretty good combo here in the 400mm prime lens. It's a Canon lens that will be the most compatible with a Canon body where a Tamron zoom isn't optimal. I didn't mention this in my other comment because I didn't really want to tell the other person that he should also replace that lens. I'd probably overwhelm the poor devil. But I do have a few friends that use that (what you use) combo with excellent results, but those people also are "very" experienced at bird photography. You are too (probably).....
Oct 14, 2020 22:34:34 #
1/1000 shutter speed wasn’t fast enough-raised to almost 1/2000. Image stabilizer maybe needs to be turned off-can create focus error. My one body (shoot Nikon) the focus engine wasn’t strong enough and this with certain lenses was a hassle. I fund some instructions about focus (dynamic9 and group focus) I know you use canon but somewhere is a good explain about your camera......good luck
Oct 14, 2020 22:49:13 #
G”day from Australia Tony, I have the Sigma 150-600mm lens on a Nikon D7200 and another family member has the same lens on a canon 80D. There is a dedicated section right here in UHH - just search BIF or Birds in Flight and you will have your “WOW” shots in no time.I can’t add any photos of mine as I am laid up at the moment...Sigma online also has suggestions.The best camera is the one you have in your hands at the time. Learning to use them is ongoing. Try google for “Understanding Exposure” by (Bryan Peterson) and To other reviews on your camera and lens for more help and information. Best of luck with your BIF Cheers wicksy.
Oct 15, 2020 02:33:14 #
tonycan
Loc: UK
I haven't got the dock, that's a good idea anyway, thanks. My other lenses are Canon but the 600 is 13k. Need to be able to switch from photographing an insect or a lizard or bird in seconds, no time to change lenses.
Oct 15, 2020 03:45:45 #
tonycan
Loc: UK
jeep_daddy wrote:
First off, the 80D is not the best camera for bird... (show quote)
Thanks, changing equipment is very much a last resort at the moment, particularly as birds in flight are a small part of the photography that I do, and not every shot fails. But thanks very much for the suggestion, I'll keep it in mind.
Oct 15, 2020 03:52:35 #
tonycan
Loc: UK
AndoverBob wrote:
How far away was the bird, and how much of the vie... (show quote)
Thanks, keeper rate is always low with wildlife, that's not a problem. I have managed to get a few good shots with autofocus and manual (difficult), just a very high failure rate. I will certainly try the faster shutter, I've been trying to keep the ISO below 1600, that might be part of my problem.
Oct 15, 2020 03:56:55 #
tonycan
Loc: UK
dairydev wrote:
G”day from Australia Tony, I have the Sigma 150-60... (show quote)
Thanks, I'm pretty sure the problem is more with my learning curve more than the camera, I will certainly follow up all these sources of information. (My first trip with this camera was to Australia, a lot of macro on that one in the orchid season. Beautiful!)
Oct 15, 2020 12:38:15 #
tonycan
Loc: UK
Thanks everybody for all the advice, I will try all these things (apart from changing the equipment at this stage). I am very happy with the kit in general, I've got some great shots, it's just that one aspect that I've trouble with. This has been very helpful.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.