The proper ISO for photographing flying birds
Mar 15, 2019 06:14:33 #
I use manual with floating iso. Shutter is generally 2-3 times the focal length with my 200-500.
Mar 15, 2019 06:32:39 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Imagemine wrote:
I am mostly an urban & street photographer don't have much experience with wildlife. Can anyone tell me a good ISO for flying birds in cloudy conditions without getting noise I'm using a Nikon d500
IMHO, there is no one good ISO for flying birds. That said, the best settings are a FAST shutter speed. So, I set (not automatically) my iso to give me a minimum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. And, if a bird is landing and you want to get the wing tips sharp, a shutter speed of 1/4000 is necessary.
So, for birds in flight, it is all about the shutter speed, not the ISO.
Mar 15, 2019 08:08:33 #
imagemeister wrote:
Under cloudy conditions and using a decent (1/1250) shutter speed, and 5.6 aperture, I imagine the ISO being at or around 1600 - which should be very doable with the D500.
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Agreed . I have the D500
Mar 15, 2019 08:36:32 #
Ched49 wrote:
Don't thing there's any such thing as a perfect iso for flying birds. Getting the right exposure for iso and shutter speed is more important.
The higher the bird, the higher the ISO?
Mar 15, 2019 08:37:42 #
Vincejr
Loc: Northern Kentucky
Well as with any photos taken with film or digital we are getting better sharper pictures with lower ISO. So I would try to use the lowest ISO you can.
Mar 15, 2019 09:10:42 #
DaveO wrote:
Depending on your camera, you may wish to experiment with Auto iso.
https://backcountrygallery.com/manual-mode-with-auto-iso/
Depending on your camera, you may wish to experiment with Auto iso.https://backcountrygallery.com/manual-mode-with-auto-iso/
Mar 15, 2019 09:13:07 #
I recently concluded a trip with a professional bird photographer. I asked him where he started with his settings when he went into the field for flight photography. His response (if you want sharp images), whatever iso settings to make sure his shutter speed was was 1/5000 wide open. He didn't care whether his ISO was 5000 or more, noting with the newer sensor capabilities, noise is not a significant issue as long as you expose to the right. I didn't believe him, for fear of destroying images due to noise. You know what, I was wrong. From now on my goal is to keep my shutter speed close to 1/5000 unless I am interested in some degree of softness on the wing tips.
Mar 15, 2019 09:14:35 #
jwn
Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA
To start try Shutter @1000+ auto iso and as the bird is against sky add a couple of clicks of exposure compensation (brighter). The sky will push the meter to think it's bright so to get some detail in the bird over expose with EC.
Mar 15, 2019 09:18:48 #
Imaginemine, Ours is sort of comparable to your gear, we like to use the D700 (and D7200/DX) with either a 150-600mm AF/vC or an older 200-400mm AF for birds (and other critters). Have an old 300mm that's built like a tank, but it's very sharp and use F8-F11 and up; shutter at 1000 and let the camera's auto ISO handle the rest. Love those bright, evenly lit, cloudy days, as it's easy to get good results. Getting a spot reading on the bird if possible is always best.
I usually use a two handle video tripod with a gimbal. Gimbals aren't for everyone, but you can get a decent model on sale from $45 to $60; after playing with one a few days, it becomes easy to get hooked). We have a pair of river eagles locally. I really enjoy chasing them around the sky with the gimbal, on blue or cloudy days. Wife likes using a pan/tilt head on a light tripod, or takes a 55-300mm to shoot freehand, bracing as possible. Hope this helps a bit and good luck; enjoy your birding. sv
I usually use a two handle video tripod with a gimbal. Gimbals aren't for everyone, but you can get a decent model on sale from $45 to $60; after playing with one a few days, it becomes easy to get hooked). We have a pair of river eagles locally. I really enjoy chasing them around the sky with the gimbal, on blue or cloudy days. Wife likes using a pan/tilt head on a light tripod, or takes a 55-300mm to shoot freehand, bracing as possible. Hope this helps a bit and good luck; enjoy your birding. sv
Mar 15, 2019 09:25:18 #
Imagemine wrote:
I am mostly an urban & street photographer don't have much experience with wildlife. Can anyone tell me a good ISO for flying birds in cloudy conditions without getting noise I'm using a Nikon d500
Auto ISO.
Mar 15, 2019 10:34:14 #
I don't pay that much attention to ISO when shooting birds in flight. I usually try to choose it on the basis of the light I have, BUT, I also want the shutter speed at 1/1000 at a minimum, preferably faster, so I try to find the ISO that will get me the shutter speed I want without going too high in the ISO.
Mar 15, 2019 10:35:47 #
Nalu wrote:
I recently concluded a trip with a professional bi... (show quote)
Interesting!! Thanks!!!
Mar 15, 2019 10:45:32 #
Imagemine wrote:
I am mostly an urban & street photographer don't have much experience with wildlife. Can anyone tell me a good ISO for flying birds in cloudy conditions without getting noise I'm using a Nikon d500
I also shoot a D500 and it has excellent response at high ISO. There is no "good" ISO. Keep it as low as you can and remember that shutter speed and aperture are more important when shooting flying birds.
Mar 15, 2019 10:59:12 #
Imagemine wrote:
I am mostly an urban & street photographer don't have much experience with wildlife. Can anyone tell me a good ISO for flying birds in cloudy conditions without getting noise I'm using a Nikon d500
Strange question! The best ISO is any ISO that works for the shutter speed and aperture you are using, which depends on whether the bird is moving or still, and what lens you have on your camera. With birds I normally set a pretty high shutter speed, use the max aperture, auto ISO, hope I got good focus and hope for the best.
Mar 15, 2019 11:00:59 #
Imagemine wrote:
I am mostly an urban & street photographer don't have much experience with wildlife. Can anyone tell me a good ISO for flying birds in cloudy conditions without getting noise I'm using a Nikon d500
Shooting BIF will be done in daylight, so ISO 100. Shutter speed is what's important, to freeze the bird. So, ISO 100, SS around 1/1000, and f stop for good exposure.
If you can not, for some reason, get it at 1/1000 or faster, then raise ISO.
Remember to be in continuous focus mode.
Here's a good article for s guide line
https://expertphotography.com/camera-settings-for-bird-photography/
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