azlynn Loc: Arizona

If you were on a tripod, did you turn the VR off? Still nice shots...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A GREAT pose in no. 1 ! - They seem out of focus - have you done a focus cal ??

If you get another zoom, make sure it is the latest FX version ! Yes, it COSTS more !
.

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

Rank amatuer here ....just warning everyone,☺, I seem to do better at a bit higher ISO that results in faster SS or even a much higher ISO with a very fast SS. Could that be of any consideration here? I shoot a Canon SX 700 pocket camera or a Canon Rebel T1i with 55-250 kit zoom. Ignore my post if it is not applicable to the conversation. )

RCJets Loc: Virginia

Thanks folks for the complements. All appreciated! I'm working on getting better, but I definitely was somewhat disappointed with what I got here. I'm considering doing this shot again with some changes. Considering the birds are feeding chicks, they will probably be in the same location. This time I'll try to find a spot on the sun lit side and in camera, I'll raise the ISO to about 250 or so, and stop down the f/stop for a little more DOF.

I am familiar with the micro adjustments on auto focus and even made a focus calibration Chart. I just haven't used it yet. Space to set it up being the issue here.

I'm also considering the DX 70 -300 lens as suggested by Pmackd. I can always sell this FX lens.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

I have the same equipment that you used for this series, however, I rarely use the 75-300 any more. Your sharpness issue is not because of equipment. First thing that I noticed, is the first two shots were exposed at 1/200 sec. - not 1/500. I didn't check all. What I don't understand is the noise in your photos. At ISO100, and proper exposure, there should be no perceptible noise. I would suggest that you change your metering mode to spot - center weighted averaging is my least favorite method. I haven't used it since retiring my old FM. You may also try using exposure compensation to correct for the back lit scene. I would also raise the ISO to 400, and try for a shutter speed of 1/1000 at f8 or better.

Keep trying and keep us posted.

RCJets Loc: Virginia

Well, it cost me a few crickets. I still owe him a few.

Boris77

I use the D7100 for most of my planned photography. I shoot people, not birds. It has been many years since I have taken the care of a tripod, remote, etc. Generally the maximum magnification of 200mm or 300mm on my wide range zoom lenses look softer than the pictures taken at a lower magnification, regardless of the shutter speed, etc.

Two factors have given me sharper pictures:
Using a better quality lens, in my case the Nikkor 70-200mm f4 (too heavy for extended casual carry)
and Sharpening as the last step in editing.
Your bird pictures look like my full telephoto shots from the variable aperture lenses, before sharpening, which is best applied to selected areas. This will not give you the amazing detail of many pictures posted on Hedgehog, but it would satisfy those who do not count feathers.
Boris

Doc Barry Loc: Huntsville, Alabama USA

Nice shots! I would bet two chocolate chip cookies that you need to adjust your AF fine tuning. It take a little effort to tweak your lens, but it is worth it IMHO. I shot my resident bluebird using a D810 and a Tamron 150-600mm lens. The lens was AF adjusted (in this case the D810 AF tune is set to zero and the correction is in the lens). I attached a cropped photo to show the sharpness when the AF tune is set well.

Two useful tools are Datacolor's SpyderLENSCAL (https://www.datacolor.com/photography-design/product-overview/spyderlenscal/) and the deluxe approach is Reikan's FoCal (https://www.reikanfocal.com/). I have both and prefer the FoCal because it gives automatic determination of the AF tuning and set the camera.

A cheap way to do it is to take a yard stick and put one end on something that raises it say about a foot and the other end is on the floor or ground (use a brick or the like to keep the yard stick from sliding). Put the camera on a tripod and focus at the center of the ruler. Look at the image and see where the image is sharpest (see where the number up and down the ruler look blurred about the same to get a better estimate of the best focus). Depending upon if the focus is too far or too close. Adjust the AF tune setting and do it again. Continue until you get the best setting. The camera will remember this setting for that lens. Best to use low F/#. Hope this description is useful.

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

1st off, nice captures and to get the camera to about 15' and have the bird land within the "capture zone" is work that is not easy to accomplish!!. A couple of thoughts to add to the many responses here:
1) If you are using a wireless remote, I am assuming that you are "pre- focusing" on the area on top of the post. If that is the case, then DOF might be part of the issue here also. With your aperture set at 5.6, you have a very shallow DOF and depending on which part of the post the bird lands on, you may be just slightly out of focus.
2) The smaller the critter, the more movement (even minor movement) they produce. I find that 1/500 is often too slow for small birds. You have alot of ISO to play with in this situation, I would probably have set the camera up at 1/1000 or 1/1250 for birds this small and fast.
3) I think that these captures are close enough that some slight sharpening in PP would make a significant difference.

Overall, a great effort and really really good results. Best of luck with all of these suggestions!!!

merrytexan Loc: georgia

I love the poses, and you got him with a bug ! bluebirds are so beautiful and fun to shoot.
enjoyed the shots, rcjets.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Beautiful set!

RCJets Loc: Virginia

Thanks all for some great suggestions.. I hear you and went out and shot the same birds again, This time at a higher ISO and about f/9 If I'm not mistaken. Shutter was about 1/500" or faster. I'll post a few once I get them processed.

Regarding being able to get that close, I'm pretty lucky in that regard. These are shot at my Radio Control club flying site. Their nest is between the ceiling and roof (about a 3 inch space) of our shelter on the field, so there is always guys hanging around several days a week, and they are somewhat used to us. They do seem to wait until no one is near there before they go to the nest with food. Sooo, they wait on the post until they feel comfortable with our presence. Most of my photos have them with food, insects, waiting to fly to the nest.

RCJets Loc: Virginia

[quote=RCJets]Thanks all for some great suggestions.. I hear you and went out and shot the same birds again, This time at a higher ISO and about f/9 If I'm not mistaken. Shutter was about 1/500" or faster. I'll post a few once I get them processed.

Ok folks, here are my latest attempts to get a few good sharp photos. These are the same two bluebirds as the ones I took last week. I did set the IOS up as well as a higher shutter speed. I think I also had the VR turned off and was using manual focus. Comments welcome, as before.

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Reconvic Loc: clermont Fl

First I can tell you that you picked one of the hardest birds to capture. The Eastern Bluebird has such a huge contrast between it's wings and his chest (very blue and white) that I'm having a tough time getting a sharp image. It appears that the light was very bright ...what did your histogram say...it looks like you should have adjusted your exposure compensation for a dark bird with light background (+.7)... shutter speed should be ok...aperture could be at a lower f-stop . the bird is pretty sharp just over exposed. There are others here that are more experienced than I but just wanted to give you some objectivity

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

I like #2 and#3 but all seem a little soft.