Birds
Apr 25, 2018 10:36:53 #
jackpinoh
Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
ROYAL DOG 1 wrote:
Do most people use tripods for taking pictures of birds
I bought a couple of 10 lb dumbbells to strengthen my arms and wrists so I could comfortably handhold a Nikon D500 and 200-500mm lens (~7 lb total). Three hours of birds in flight was doable but tiring. I now use Fuji gear that weighs around 5 lb. I can shoot all day with the X-T2 with the power booster and 100-400mm lens.
Apr 25, 2018 10:37:28 #
leftj wrote:
Hey Steve - I watched your video on tripod setups. Very informative except I think you forgot to mention one thing. You must have a bird wisperer assistant to get those fantastic poses.
LOL - shh - don't tell anyone :)
Apr 25, 2018 10:38:57 #
jackpinoh
Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
bobmcculloch wrote:
Personally, I'd use a camera, VBG
Reminds me of a W.C. Fields quote. When asked if he would hit a woman with a baby, he replied, "Of course not! I'd hit her with a brick."
Apr 25, 2018 10:49:52 #
I went with the local Audubon group to the Orlando Wetlands Park where we took like big golf carts around the place. I shot birds on the wing hand held in a moving cart with a 500 mm zoom at a 500th, f 8 and they came out perfectly as anything. Tamron 200-500 and a Canon 5DS.
Apr 25, 2018 10:52:33 #
Apr 25, 2018 11:07:59 #
Apr 25, 2018 11:34:52 #
Birds on the ground are like any other slow moving object, animal or person. Birds in flight are another thing. I live near a National Wild Life Area which at times have thousands of birds in flight, and that requires a lot of practice to hand hold a camera on the subject while panning. You need to hold your breath, brace the camera against your face and start shooting continuously when you are tracking the birds. You may get a few keepers. It requires good technique and lots of luck.
I have purchased a Gimbal Mount for my tripod and have not used it yet. The gimbal mount makes the camera almost weightless, but free of any restriction in movement. It should improve my success rate...I hope.
I have purchased a Gimbal Mount for my tripod and have not used it yet. The gimbal mount makes the camera almost weightless, but free of any restriction in movement. It should improve my success rate...I hope.
Apr 25, 2018 11:37:40 #
Shoot off tripod as much as possible. In boats and cars, it’s just easier to use a bean bag or hand held and braced. I shoot hand held only when a tripod is impractical because space, terrain is severe or when I’m doing other things like Golf. To insist on shooting hand held when a tripod is available is inviting soft or off focus. Most professionals use tripods whenever they can.
Apr 25, 2018 11:51:43 #
ROYAL DOG 1 wrote:
Do most people use tripods for taking pictures of birds
Depends on the lens. For my Sigma 170-500 mm I use a tripod or monopod. For my Nikon 170-300 and my Tamron 150-600 g2 no.
Rick
Apr 25, 2018 11:57:50 #
ROYAL DOG 1 wrote:
Do most people use tripods for taking pictures of birds
Only if the light is crappy and I am using my 600mm F4, which weighs almost 11 lbs by itself. The rest of the time I use a Sigma Sport 150-600 and shoot hand held. I have yet to shoot with the Sigma on a tripod.
Apr 25, 2018 12:00:37 #
cgraphics wrote:
I went with the local Audubon group to the Orlando Wetlands Park where we took like big golf carts around the place. I shot birds on the wing hand held in a moving cart with a 500 mm zoom at a 500th, f 8 and they came out perfectly as anything. Tamron 200-500 and a Canon 5DS.
Royal Dog, if you hit quote reply when you answer someone all will know who you are answering. Helps keep it clear for us. 😄
Apr 25, 2018 13:17:20 #
My earlier comment assume we’re using a longer lens out in the field. Studio shoots with control environment use of tripod is the standard. Short faster lenses (less than 300mm) may not require tripods. But is you practice setting up and moving around with a tripod when using longer lenses, you’ll get more keepers. Not to say you can’t get good shots hand held. You just hedge your chances by controlling one variable better.
Apr 25, 2018 13:47:12 #
Apr 25, 2018 13:49:07 #
ROYAL DOG 1 wrote:
Thank you every time I take a picture of a bird 95% of them are out of focus
Use a faster shutter speed.
Note: You didn't tell us what brand & Model camera.
Apr 25, 2018 14:31:43 #
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