Sony a77
Jul 4, 2014 19:14:20 #
Hawkeye055 wrote:
Hi CHOLLY.
That's great information and thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I have saved the information and will try the settings. The lens that I use are the Sony 70 - 400mm G lens.
Kev
That's great information and thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I have saved the information and will try the settings. The lens that I use are the Sony 70 - 400mm G lens.
Kev
The 70-400mm is a good lens for BIF photography. A little heavy for panning, but the SSM gives you quick focus ability and it DOES work well with the A77 AF-C setting.
On thing you can do to help your hit rate; set your image quality to "Fine" so that you can use the Smart Teleconverter function. Zoom the 70-400 out to it's widest. Spot your bird. Slowly zoom in as it gets closer then hit the Smart Teleconverter button to magnify.
The trick is to make sure that your shutter speed is high enough to stop motion blur... in other words, if you zoom all the way in then that's 400mm. Since this is an APS-C sensor, you are at an effective 600mm focal length. If the Smart Teleconverter is set at 2X, that takes you up to 1200mm effective focal length. So to eliminate motion blur, your shutter speed must be at LEAST 1/1200 second.
That means either you will have to have a bright day or a high ISO setting to catch a fast moving bird.
The AF-C setting on the A77 with the 70-400 G WIL be able to keep up with most birds in all but the darkest settings... I have gotten decent pictures at dusk of Swallows, Purple Martins, and Swifts... the TOUGHEST birds to capture because of their speed and seemingly random flight pattern.
But you have the gear to do it Kev. It just takes LOTS of practice. ;)
GOOD LUCK!!
Jul 6, 2014 10:36:09 #
Hi CHOLLY.
That's great advise, thanks. Settings are already in the camera so will give them a try. Its quite sunny at the moment so hopefully might pop down to see if the Barn Owls are out this evening hunting for food.
Do you ever use the MR to save any settings. I have tried this but keep forgetting about it and also how to save them!
Thanks
Kev
That's great advise, thanks. Settings are already in the camera so will give them a try. Its quite sunny at the moment so hopefully might pop down to see if the Barn Owls are out this evening hunting for food.
Do you ever use the MR to save any settings. I have tried this but keep forgetting about it and also how to save them!
Thanks
Kev
Jul 7, 2014 23:02:51 #
Kev, the three memory settings are an EXCELLENT tool when shooting BIF.
The A77II even put them on the mode dial for REALLY quick access.
You can set your camera up for BIF and store it to one of the memory slots, and go to it quickly when the opportunity presents itself, then flip back for the other shots like birds perching or even birds diving (I shoot a lot near water :D ).
The A77II even put them on the mode dial for REALLY quick access.
You can set your camera up for BIF and store it to one of the memory slots, and go to it quickly when the opportunity presents itself, then flip back for the other shots like birds perching or even birds diving (I shoot a lot near water :D ).
Jul 7, 2014 23:15:05 #
Kev, if you don't have a copy already, let me suggest you pick up this e-book:
http://friedmanarchives.com/alpha77/
This is THE best instruction manual on the Sony A77 by one of the best authors in the business.
Friedman describes each and every function of the camera in great detail, but does so in a manner that is easy for even novice photographers to understand.
The book is WELL written... and worth every single penny or shilling! ;)
Check it out; the book has a 2-week satisfaction guarantee.
http://friedmanarchives.com/alpha77/
This is THE best instruction manual on the Sony A77 by one of the best authors in the business.
Friedman describes each and every function of the camera in great detail, but does so in a manner that is easy for even novice photographers to understand.
The book is WELL written... and worth every single penny or shilling! ;)
Check it out; the book has a 2-week satisfaction guarantee.
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