My attempt at birds, part 2
May 18, 2020 15:12:53 #
sandiegosteve
Loc: San Diego, CA
A few weeks ago I got a picture of a hummingbird and the challenge was that it was the only bird I saw for about 2 hours. I got lucky.
Yesterday, I gave it another go, and within an hour, I saw a lot more. This time, they liked the far side of the bush, or got too hidden in the flowers. Like other aspects of photography, there is a lot to learn and prepare for just to click the old button.
I had traded lenses with a friend so we could both do some testing. I used his 200-500/5.6. It is really a nice lens. Compared to my 300/2.8, the AF was a little slower and it wasn't quite as sharp, but I still liked it. The primes like teleconverters much more, but it was a fun lens. After my morning coffee looking for hummingbirds, I explored two other areas near by. I should have gone earlier in the day and at low tide (again, learning more about this).
All were shot with my D500 and the 200-500/5.6. I kept it at 500mm and never saw a reasons to change. SS was 1/1250 -> 1/2000 and auto ISO. ISO varied maybe 100 to 6400.
Going from 2.8 to 5.6 on our foggy day required more ISO, so I dropped the shutter a little. I was surprised that the difference between say 400 and 500 wasn't that dramatic. More for sure, but not like the change from say 100 to 200 (which makes sense as the percentage change is smaller).
Anyway, that is my long ramble for now.
Yesterday, I gave it another go, and within an hour, I saw a lot more. This time, they liked the far side of the bush, or got too hidden in the flowers. Like other aspects of photography, there is a lot to learn and prepare for just to click the old button.
I had traded lenses with a friend so we could both do some testing. I used his 200-500/5.6. It is really a nice lens. Compared to my 300/2.8, the AF was a little slower and it wasn't quite as sharp, but I still liked it. The primes like teleconverters much more, but it was a fun lens. After my morning coffee looking for hummingbirds, I explored two other areas near by. I should have gone earlier in the day and at low tide (again, learning more about this).
All were shot with my D500 and the 200-500/5.6. I kept it at 500mm and never saw a reasons to change. SS was 1/1250 -> 1/2000 and auto ISO. ISO varied maybe 100 to 6400.
Going from 2.8 to 5.6 on our foggy day required more ISO, so I dropped the shutter a little. I was surprised that the difference between say 400 and 500 wasn't that dramatic. More for sure, but not like the change from say 100 to 200 (which makes sense as the percentage change is smaller).
Anyway, that is my long ramble for now.
May 18, 2020 15:40:16 #
Very nice. I have been shooting HBs with the 200-500/5.6 on a crop sensor (D7200) and even in daylight/wide open the ISO floats to something over 2,000. This is with shutter speed fast enough to stop the wings (1/3000+). But the depth of field is about as thick as a Communion wafer, and they don't like to hold still. So I can tell you that these shots are a huge accomplishment!
BTW the borrowed 200-500 may be front or back focusing on your body, even though perhaps dialed in on your friend's body. Worth a quick check; staggered AA batteries if you don't have a focus card.
BTW the borrowed 200-500 may be front or back focusing on your body, even though perhaps dialed in on your friend's body. Worth a quick check; staggered AA batteries if you don't have a focus card.
May 18, 2020 16:00:40 #
sandiegosteve
Loc: San Diego, CA
Siemienczuk wrote:
Very nice. I have been shooting HBs with the 200-... (show quote)
Thanks.
I thought about fine tuning the AF, but I figured with 5.6, it wasn't worth the effort on a lens for one day. On still subjects, I got some super sharp shots. Most of my bird issues were user error. I actually made an AF tool out of cardboard for long range tests, dialing in can make a huge difference. We're friends, and more important is our wives are friends, so I can always tinker with it again.
I've used the D7200, and I think it would be a nice match with this lens in a lot of situations. Happy shooting.
May 18, 2020 16:03:13 #
Floyd2
Loc: Littletown WI
Nice pics. Shooting the same as Siemienczuk. Few issues with the 200 - 500. At times when the 1.4 teleconverter is attached the focus do not lock on as well as I would like.
May 18, 2020 16:06:25 #
May 18, 2020 17:12:23 #
May 18, 2020 17:21:00 #
Say, I also just got notice that Steve Perry has just published a crash course in bird photography at his Backcountry Gallery site. He has been a member of this forum. His work is good; succinct and practical. Also very affordable, and he's a Nikon guy:
https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=6vlUu&m=idlbpNjwycRtbx.&b=SY8iiOAxdazImDC1L_TgUw
https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=6vlUu&m=idlbpNjwycRtbx.&b=SY8iiOAxdazImDC1L_TgUw
May 18, 2020 18:10:46 #
sandiegosteve
Loc: San Diego, CA
Siemienczuk wrote:
Say, I also just got notice that Steve Perry has just published a crash course in bird photography at his Backcountry Gallery site. He has been a member of this forum. His work is good; succinct and practical. Also very affordable, and he's a Nikon guy:
https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=6vlUu&m=idlbpNjwycRtbx.&b=SY8iiOAxdazImDC1L_TgUw
https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=6vlUu&m=idlbpNjwycRtbx.&b=SY8iiOAxdazImDC1L_TgUw
Didn't know about that one, but I really like his other stuff. Thanks.
May 18, 2020 20:02:10 #
Hey I just noticed your user name, sandiegosteve. I grew up until age 7 in San Diego (Navy brat) and my family are still members of the zoo/safari park. These are great places for wildlife photography; I plan to visit the Safari Park with the 200-500 as soon as it's safe to travel. We visited both last summer with our grandson. My 18-140 was great for the zoo but not really enough reach for the park.
May 18, 2020 23:20:10 #
sandiegosteve
Loc: San Diego, CA
Siemienczuk wrote:
Hey I just noticed your user name, sandiegosteve. I grew up until age 7 in San Diego (Navy brat) and my family are still members of the zoo/safari park. These are great places for wildlife photography; I plan to visit the Safari Park with the 200-500 as soon as it's safe to travel. We visited both last summer with our grandson. My 18-140 was great for the zoo but not really enough reach for the park.
Small world. I didn't grow up here, but have been here for a bit now. The Safari Park is much more spread out out. I think that lens would be good there. I hope you can get there soon.
May 19, 2020 07:18:13 #
May 19, 2020 12:12:20 #
sandiegosteve wrote:
A few weeks ago I got a picture of a hummingbird a... (show quote)
Lovely Results....great work just the same. Thanks again.
May 19, 2020 18:59:27 #
May 19, 2020 20:00:12 #
May 21, 2020 14:19:35 #
sandiegosteve wrote:
A few weeks ago I got a picture of a hummingbird a... (show quote)
Nice series. Hummingbirds are tough to catch except when feeding, as you know. I luv working to catch birds in flight. The Blue Heron shot was taken in a cold drizzle. All with my 200-500.
I own and use the Nikkor f5.6 connected to my D7200. Great combo!
Thanx for sharing!
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