1046William Loc: Delaware

Usually when I am shooting BIF's I try to use 3200 or greater speeds, at f8. On cloudy days, using auto-iso I am getting and ISO selected of 5000. Is that too high, or what is the highest ISO I can tolerate. Thank you.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Try always to shoot at the slowest shutterspeed possible for the composition. I'd argue that 1/3200 is way too fast, although we may be shooting different birds in different light. I typically work within 1/800 and 1/1600 with smaller apertures such as f/11 for more depth of field and / or sharper results for using extenders with my lenses. Two such examples, the gull at 1/1000 and the crane at 1/1600. For the third example, the brown pelican on a cloudy day, I'd rather open the aperture to f/8 to keep the shutter at 1/800 for the the maximum speed for this shot.

Ring-billed gull by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Sandhill Cranes by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Brown pelican by Paul Sager, on Flickr

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I would argue that for large slow flying birds, like the examples Paul has given, the shutter speeds he used are sufficient. For small quick guys, 1/1000-1/2000 will not cut it. For flight for the little guys, I would not go below 1/3200. Not that I am a pro, but considering newer equipment can handle noise pretty well along with good software, I don’t hesitate to go to 1/5000.

Also, I typically shoot in manual. Auto ISO only when light is changing rapidly or subjects are moving from light to dark.

Good luck and have fun!

1046William Loc: Delaware

Thank you both. I got turned onto ISO-auto a couple of years ago. Also it was suggested that f8 is best compromise for light and depth of field.