Canada Geese
Sep 29, 2013 13:04:51 #
Lean, mean, flyin and honkin mahines!
I see one of the geese in #3 is pretty blurry on the download. Oh well...
I see one of the geese in #3 is pretty blurry on the download. Oh well...
Oct 1, 2013 07:13:35 #
Well caught! I like the first shot best, but all three are nice. Beautiful birds.
Oct 1, 2013 11:37:13 #
Thanks, Treepusher. I agree first one best. Though hardly tack sharp. Frankly, I was lucky to get any. They appeared out of nowhere!
Oct 1, 2013 22:43:50 #
These photos show the frustrating lack of depth of field one has with a long lens. If you were shooting your 55-250 at 250mm, at f/4.5 at 30ft you only have about 1 foot DOF split between in front of and behind the bird! We are often shooting with our lens wide open so we can get a higher shutter speed. It may just be impossible to get a whole flock of birds in focus when they are at different distances from us.
The other difficulty comes in knowing where to focus. It helps to pick out one bird and focus on its head. Usually it should be the one closest to you.
They are nice photos, though. Keep plugging away!
The other difficulty comes in knowing where to focus. It helps to pick out one bird and focus on its head. Usually it should be the one closest to you.
They are nice photos, though. Keep plugging away!
Oct 1, 2013 23:14:33 #
Thanks, birdpix, I always appreciate the feedback. I think I was set up on Autofocus, which I don't typically do. Though I've been wondering if it might be better in these situations to let the camera choose 2 or 3 focus points. But typically I choose the center AF point and try to get it on one bird.
Oct 1, 2013 23:33:40 #
globetrekker wrote:
Thanks, birdpix, I always appreciate the feedback. I think I was set up on Autofocus, which I don't typically do. Though I've been wondering if it might be better in these situations to let the camera choose 2 or 3 focus points. But typically I choose the center AF point and try to get it on one bird.
If my memory serves me, the 60D has a 9 point AF system. You get to chose either all 9 or a single AF point. In this case, use just the center point in AI-Servo mode and you should be OK.
Oct 2, 2013 01:21:41 #
birdpix wrote:
If my memory serves me, the 60D has a 9 point AF system. You get to chose either all 9 or a single AF point. In this case, use just the center point in AI-Servo mode and you should be OK.
Yes, 9 points. I can choose one, or choose automatic to let the camera choose. I think it usually picks 2 or 3.
Oct 2, 2013 08:48:10 #
globetrekker wrote:
Yes, 9 points. I can choose one, or choose automatic to let the camera choose. I think it usually picks 2 or 3.
Automatic AF point selection will always focus on the closest object with sufficient contrast. That might be the wingtip of a goose with a 3 ft wingspan leaving the head out of the DOF. The only time I use the automatic AF point system is when I'm shooting small birds in flight against a clear sky.
Keeping that small point where you want it is not easy and requires lots of practice with your hand held panning technique but will result in a higher "hit rate".
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