Hummingbirds! I have an unreal chance to shoot hummingbirds. A family moved in my back yard, and show up every AM and evenings to sup at the sugar water I put out. I am somewhat...

BobInNJ Loc: In NJ, near Phila. Pa

I have an unreal chance to shoot hummingbirds. A family moved in my back yard, and show up every AM and evenings to sup at the sugar water I put out. I am somewhat hamstrung by my ability AND my awesome collection of e-mount lenses for my NEX- 5n. I have the stock 18-55mm, and the 16 mm Wide Angle pancakes from Sony. I just began shooting, can't get closer that 8-10 feet or they disappear. So I took the first shots on the zoom lens, at 400 ISO, 5.6 . I can select 2.8 and up to 1/4000 on the camera in Aperture mode. I know there are a lot of birders in UHH; could you advise the best settings given my limitations? tyvm!
PS- would using the 16 MM help at all? I cant believe I bought this thing- I don't see much Wide Angle out of it but maybe I don't know how to use it. I am thinking the Sony 55-210 lens would be a better Wide angle.

Here is a quick shot of my first bird this AM- I cropped the heck out of it to get just the bird. I need help huh?

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

BobInNJ wrote:

I have an unreal chance to shoot hummingbirds. A f... (show quote)

Good picture, especially considered your limitations!! Good work!!

The 16 isn't enough wider than the 18-55 do be much help going wider, and the 55-210 would definitely let you get a LOT closer view of those beauties!!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Lower the feeder to a better shooting position removing the distracting background.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

I love shooting hummers. I use my 50mm 1.8, set the camera on a tri pod, set it up just far enough back from the feeder to get focus. I use flash and a wireless trigger. I sit at the other side of the porch or in the house and just wait for them. They get used to the flash after a couple shots and just keep coming back.

Pappy

BobInNJ Loc: In NJ, near Phila. Pa

both good suggestions...tripod make a lot of sense..hadn't thought of a wireless trigger..off to ebay

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

You did fine for what you have and first time shooting this fascinating birds. My first try a month ago was with a tripod, 55-200, 1/1000 shutter and varied on the aperture. I did not use a remote at the time and I was within 6' of feeder. Now have a remote and can sit down out of the way. Standing for long periods, waiting for the birds was a bummer!!!!
As another said, lower the feeder and move it out away from the background if possible. Have fun!

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

might reduce the sugar content to 20%, they will make more frequent trips.
When done shooting resent to 50% or what ever mix you usually use

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

1. Tripod for sure - you may be able to use a wired remote trigger - the hummers will also get used to you standing still near the feeder.

2. As suggested before - lower the feeder - you want background to be far away and out of focus.

3. Set ISO to 800 or higher, and use the fastest shutter speed you can.

Have fun. Someone mentioned your sugar concentration. 1:4 is the standard (1 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar).

BobInNJ Loc: In NJ, near Phila. Pa

it never fails to amaze me to see so many people share their talents. you guys rock! thank muchly,
Bob

MichaelsEye

Here's how I do it. Using a tripod and a remote shutter release, I place the tripod so that it is close enough to the feeder to avoid having to crop excessively. Use masking tape to block off the feeder holes that would place the bird out of view. Aim the camera to catch the bird at the available feeder hole making sure the background is acceptable. Use a large aperature to reduce the depth of field and blur the background. Use manual focus to assure sharpness and reduced shutter lag time. Shoot in the fastest burst speed available. Take a LOT of shots. Some will turn out good

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

MichaelsEye wrote:

Here's how I do it. Using a tripod and a remote s... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: My method, too.

ronjay Loc: york Pa.

I use the same setup as Michaleseye. Also humming birds come to the feeder and back off a few inches and go back in usually several times if there is no pedestal to sit on. what i did was make a cutout from a picture of a hummer and tape it to a small wooden dow. The dow is about 2 inches longer than the pic. I stick it in the feeder and focus on the pic and than set the focus on manuel. Snap away you can usually crop the pic to elimanate the feeder from the shot. here is an example

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

ronjay wrote:

I use the same setup as Michaleseye. Also humming birds come to the feeder and back off a few inches and go back in usually several times if there is no pedestal to sit on. what i did was make a cutout from a picture of a hummer and tape it to a small wooden dow. The dow is about 2 inches longer than the pic. I stick it in the feeder and focus on the pic and than set the focus on manuel. Snap away you can usually crop the pic to elimanate the feeder from the shot. here is an example

Beautiful

RAK Loc: Concord Ca

I am also trying to do this and have my feeder set up outside my garage window which slides open. I set my tripod and camera up with a vello wireless trigger. This shot was w/ Canon T2i,1/640,f5.6,iso100 Sigma 2.8 70-200 @200. I set my focal point 12" away from the feeder, with manual focus. Set camera on burst shooting. I start shooting when they get within that range. Unfortunately I do not have sun shining into the bird so am going to experiment so as to illuminate irridesence.

Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

All about patience. This was ISO 1000, F4 handheld at 200mm. I waited for about an hour until i got the one I wanted.