old poet

Headed out for a BIF shoot with a D500 and 200-500 glass at Huntington Beach. The weather looks promising for full sun. I would appreciate your suggestions for camera settings.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

1/2000 or faster shutter speed, f/5.6, ISO set to what ever it takes to get a good exposure (probably around 500 in full sun), back button autofocus, continuous autofocus, shoot in bursts of 5 to 10 shots and try to refocus every so often. That's the approach that works best for me.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Without knowing what your conditions will be - Shutter priority, AF C, Auto ISO, Auto WB. You will need to adjust the ISO so that you can get decent depth of focus and a fairly high shutter speed. Good Luck, many ways to Skin the Cat.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

This is not the answer you are looking for, but try different AF settings. What works for me on the exposure side is auto ISO and manual aperture and shutter speed, usually 1/1000 sec and F7.1, hand held. Practice panning, and try Group AF and highlight protected spot metering, and shoot raw.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Shutter speed 1/1600-1/3200, f/5.6-8, Auto ISO, AF-C Group, I use BBF

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Shutter speed really depends on the size if bird. Large birds you may get away with 1/1000 but smaller birds require a higher speed.

bamfordr Loc: Campbell CA

Add “and without knowing what you will be shooting”. E.g., Flocks of pelicans in flight at a distance or shorebirds on the sand at the water’s edge within 20 or 30 feet. Probably both? In any event, I use a Canon 7D with a 100-400 lens (original models). For unexpected BIF and other opportunities, I carry it set for ISO 400 and shutter 1/800th. It’s set for TV which lets me adjust the shutter speed and exposure correction on the fly. When I have time to set up for a shot (e.g., nesting birds), everything is in play. AND I make sure to reset everything to my “carry” settings. Nothing like snap shooting a kingfisher and discovering my shutter speed is still 1/200th (guarantees blur for me).

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Anything against the sky requires fully manual exposure settings IMO ! I would also recommend at least 1/1500 and f8 if light allows at all. Have your lens pre-focused at the approximate distance you are likely to first encounter the bird. Hand hold your lens - keeping your hands AWAY from the focus rings ! Continuous multi-point AF.
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SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

If it’s any consolation it’s likely that a kingfisher will be a blur at 1/800

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

This is close to what I use except that I use aperture priority, lens wide open (you can do that with good glass), ISO 400 to start but adjust to keep shutter at or around 1/2000. Look thru viewfinder and point camera in all directions making note of the shutter speeds that automatically pop up. I use BBF and take bursts of 5-10 shots, longer if it's a rare opportunity.

Only once in a while do I stop down to f/8 or so. That's usually for large birds that fly slow like Pelicans and such. I get a better DOF and the wing tips and head of bird more likely to be in focus.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

While it's nice to shoot in full sun, it can be challenging when there is a lot of white plumage - I prefer light overcast, or early/late daylight for shooting birds in general.

As far as shutter speeds are concerned, It's nice to be able to shoot at 1/1600 or shorter, but sometimes you have to make the best of the cards you are dealt. The images below were taken at shutter speeds from 1/250 to 1/800 sec. The last 5 were done hand held.

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1/800 sec

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1/800 sec

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1/500 sec

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1/800 sec

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1/800 sec

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1/500 sec

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1/800 sec

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1/250 sec

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1/500 sec

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old poet

Beautiful shots. Good advice. Thanks!

old poet

Haha, so true!

old poet

Thanks to all! I knew I would get good advice here. I'm familiar with the basic, but this is my first outing with the D500.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Thanks! I think everyone is different in this regard. I suppose there are those who can shoot at longer shutter speeds, and those who really have to stay at 1/2000 or shorter. You won't know if you try. At age 70, I suppose I am lucky to be able to hand hold as I do. More often than not, subject movement spoils the shot. It's best to try to see what works for you. Good luck! Looking forward to seeing your results.