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A Little Help - Bird Photography
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Dec 28, 2018 18:34:24   #
was_a_guru
 
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. While I didn’t fail miserably my results were not as good as a lot of my other work

Used a Nikon D7500 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. Most shots in Aperture priority mode. A bright sunny day.

I think my dissatisfaction was result of not best settings for ISO, Auto Focus Mode, Area, Exposure Matrix, Single Shot, Continuous, etc.

Any suggestions on best baseline settings for this. I realize that they will vary depending on subject, light, distance, etc. But what would settings be a good place to start.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

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Dec 28, 2018 18:45:23   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
was_a_guru wrote:
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. While I didn’t fail miserably my results were not as good as a lot of my other work

Used a Nikon D7500 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. Most shots in Aperture priority mode. A bright sunny day.

I think my dissatisfaction was result of not best settings for ISO, Auto Focus Mode, Area, Exposure Matrix, Single Shot, Continuous, etc.

Any suggestions on best baseline settings for this. I realize that they will vary depending on subject, light, distance, etc. But what would settings be a good place to start.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. Whi... (show quote)


You would do well to ask this question in the Bird In Flight/Bird On Water forum section: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-112-1.html They do amazing work.

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Dec 28, 2018 18:53:54   #
PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA
 
A sample of what you disliked would help

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Dec 28, 2018 19:07:25   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
was_a_guru wrote:
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. While I didn’t fail miserably my results were not as good as a lot of my other work

Used a Nikon D7500 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. Most shots in Aperture priority mode. A bright sunny day.

I think my dissatisfaction was result of not best settings for ISO, Auto Focus Mode, Area, Exposure Matrix, Single Shot, Continuous, etc.

Any suggestions on best baseline settings for this. I realize that they will vary depending on subject, light, distance, etc. But what would settings be a good place to start.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. Whi... (show quote)


I use Canon equipment so I can't be specific when it comes to the settings in a Nikon camera to use. But some of the things are the same on both.

I do use aperture priority, and I set the ISO for the kind of light of the day. Most of the time on a bright day if the bird subject is in bright light, I use ISO 400. If the bird is in shadows, I up the ISO accordingly. You must learn to change the ISO quickly. I also use exposure compensation of +1/3 to +2/3 most of the time. Canon cameras tend to give me a darker blue sky than is natural so if I push the exposure, it looks natural. I shoot in raw. I use AI-Servo which I don't know what it is called on a Nikon but it's where the camera continuously focuses on the subject when moving. There are also other settings in my camera for how erratic the animal is and how the tracking should track should something appear in front of the subject momentarily or if I get off of the subject momentarily. You'll have to look that up in your manual but I'm sure Nikon has some similar tracking settings.

I use BBF or Back Button Focus. I can program 2 buttons on the back of my camera. 1 of them I have programmed for a single focus point, and the other with 9 focus points so that if the bird is in a somewhat clear sky I am more apt to keep at least one of the nine on subject. It's like duck hunting; if you can't shoot a gun at a flying bird, then you will need a lot of practice to keep your focus point of a camera on a BIF. I always try to keep an eye on my shutter speed even though I use aperture priority. You want to keep your shutter above 1/1600th but I'd say 1/2000 is best for most birds whether they are flying or not. One last thing I do is I always use burst mode. A bird can move a lot and if I'm taking a 10fps burst for a second or two then at least one of the 20 shots are bound to have the bird in a good position, good light, and the focus sharp.

There's a lot more to taking pictures of birds than just getting the shot in focus. After you are skilled at getting them in focus then you'll learn that a good shot consists of catch light in the eye (at least one eye), wing position looking just right - usually in the down position, bird posed just right, background just right (busy backgrounds are NOT your friend), branches out of the way and more.

Good Luck

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Dec 28, 2018 19:44:39   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
I would encourage you to learn more about your autofocus system as well as various camera settings before shooting birds. This is a well recommended source: https://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-nikon-autofocus-system/

This site also has some excellent free videos as well.

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Dec 28, 2018 22:01:28   #
Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx
 
You might want to get a copy of Steve Perry's book "Secrets to Stunning Wildlife Photography". Its an easy read with a lot of great information. You might want to post some of the pictures you are not happy with to get more specific feedback.

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Dec 28, 2018 22:21:47   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
I agree on getting Steve's eBook. He also has a lot of videos at https://backcountrygallery.com/

There can be a big difference in settings between birds in flight and perched or grounded birds. What is your primary interest?

I shoot mostly song birds. They are pretty easy because you can attract them to most locations. These are outside my window. My preference here is for wide aperture for shallow depth of field. Shooting in aperture priority I use whatever ISO gives me a shutter speed of 1/200 or faster. The birds may be sitting, but their heads are almost always in motion.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-570658-1.html

--

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Dec 29, 2018 05:26:53   #
russelray Loc: La Mesa CA
 
Shooting birds in flight is the only time when I let the camera do its thing 100%. Automatic mode, continuous burst shooting.



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Dec 29, 2018 05:45:56   #
joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois
 
was_a_guru wrote:
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. While I didn’t fail miserably my results were not as good as a lot of my other work

Used a Nikon D7500 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. Most shots in Aperture priority mode. A bright sunny day.

I think my dissatisfaction was result of not best settings for ISO, Auto Focus Mode, Area, Exposure Matrix, Single Shot, Continuous, etc.

Any suggestions on best baseline settings for this. I realize that they will vary depending on subject, light, distance, etc. But what would settings be a good place to start.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. Whi... (show quote)


Shoot manual. Shutter at min 1/400 (1/2000 for BIF), aperture at f8 and auto ISO, spot meter for perched birds.

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Dec 29, 2018 07:31:34   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
was_a_guru wrote:
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. While I didn’t fail miserably my results were not as good as a lot of my other work

Used a Nikon D7500 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. Most shots in Aperture priority mode. A bright sunny day.

I think my dissatisfaction was result of not best settings for ISO, Auto Focus Mode, Area, Exposure Matrix, Single Shot, Continuous, etc.

Any suggestions on best baseline settings for this. I realize that they will vary depending on subject, light, distance, etc. But what would settings be a good place to start.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. Whi... (show quote)


Post an example of what you are unhappy with and you will get better suggestions. What you are asking is analogous to going to the mechanic and telling him you are not happy with how the car is driving - and leaving it up to him to figure out what the problem is.

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Dec 29, 2018 07:32:06   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
was_a_guru wrote:
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. While I didn’t fail miserably my results were not as good as a lot of my other work

Used a Nikon D7500 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. Most shots in Aperture priority mode. A bright sunny day.

I think my dissatisfaction was result of not best settings for ISO, Auto Focus Mode, Area, Exposure Matrix, Single Shot, Continuous, etc.

Any suggestions on best baseline settings for this. I realize that they will vary depending on subject, light, distance, etc. But what would settings be a good place to start.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. Whi... (show quote)


If your camera has GROUP AUTO FOCUS, use it. And I center mine in the middle of the viewfinder (default setting) In this setting the viewfinder will show four squares, as long as one of the squares is on the bird you will be in focus.
Also use Aperture Priority, you should stop down two stops for maximum lens performance, Center-Weighted Average Metering, Continuous-Servo AF (C), and the highest frames per second that your camera allows (I believe 8 frames per second)
On Aperture priority I sometimes down my exposure compensation to -.07, but that is a personal choice.

You can also use manual, if the sun is behind you and no clouds, aim your camera at the sky in front of you about 45 degrees up, use manual and over expose using the meter by two stops. That will get you close to proper settings for birds in flight as long as the birds are being lite by the sun coming over your shoulder.
Make sure you are shooting at least 1/1500 sec. or more to stop action.
Now, I caution your use of that lens, it is not know as a SHARPIE for birds in flight. In fact, that lens is not generally know for it's sharpness. I would suggest a Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens for maximum sharpness. But for now, use my suggestions and your lens to get started.
You may also want to practice your panning technique, most folks stop moving their camera when they start shooting a bird in flight, you must practice moving with the bird when you are taking shots, your camera must never stop. I used to practice on moving cars as they went by until I mastered the technique.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

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Dec 29, 2018 08:14:23   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
A lot of good advice. You need to practice. Find out what works best for you

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Dec 29, 2018 08:47:59   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
was_a_guru wrote:
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. While I didn’t fail miserably my results were not as good as a lot of my other work

Used a Nikon D7500 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. Most shots in Aperture priority mode. A bright sunny day.

I think my dissatisfaction was result of not best settings for ISO, Auto Focus Mode, Area, Exposure Matrix, Single Shot, Continuous, etc.

Any suggestions on best baseline settings for this. I realize that they will vary depending on subject, light, distance, etc. But what would settings be a good place to start.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Last week I tried doing some bird photography. Whi... (show quote)


A photo with EXIF data attached will help. Attach hi rez copes, and make sure to select the store original box before you attach them. Keep in mind the Tamron 18-400, while a very decent walk around lens, (I also own one) is somewhat out of its element when used for birding if you have high expectations for the resulting images.

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Dec 29, 2018 09:07:47   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
russelray wrote:
Shooting birds in flight is the only time when I let the camera do its thing 100%. Automatic mode, continuous burst shooting.


Great Capture indeed!!

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Dec 29, 2018 09:14:19   #
whitehall Loc: Canada
 
I am a Canon shooter as well using BBF, but it is not clear to me how you programme the other two rear buttons to use 1 or 9 focus points. I do my bird photography with a 7D Mkii

Thanks.

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