rcfees

Any recommendations for photographing hummingbirds with the D7200 and a limited number of lenses? Thanks.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

The biggest issue is how fast is the burst rate, which, with the D7200 is 5.8 in JPEG and 4.9 in RAW. That’s not very fast, but you could get lucky. Hummers don’t sit still for very long and move around very quickly. You’d be better of with a D500 that has a higher burst rate and quicker buffer clearing. As for lenses, you’ll have to experiment with what you have to see how that works for you. If you don’t already have the D7200, I’d recommend picking up a good D500 refurb or even used.

ricardo00

Hard to answer the question without knowing what lenses you have and experience (not sure what you are asking about, lens settings, set up, etc). I have used a D7100 in the past before I bought a D500 which is similar to the D7200. You need a fast lens at least 300mm or longer (I used a 300mm f/2.8 but you could use a slower one, say the f/4). I use a fairly fast shutter speed (1/2000 or faster) so you need a fair amount of sun. Many people use flash. Are you shooting at a feeder? If so, it is easier to control so you can pre-focus. A couple shots with the D7100:

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Bob2020 Loc: Winter Park, Florida

I have just started taking images of Hummingbirds and flying butterflies during the Covid period. Everyone will have a different take I am sure. Here is what I have found. I use the Nikkor 200-300 5.6 on my D7100 camera. Yes, I would like the D500 but that is the way it is. Using the Sirui monopod with the Sirui L-10 head also changes the way you take the images. I usually sit on a three legged stool but often stand with this monopod. I am an avid monopod user which makes waiting for and composing the shot much easier. I pre focus in the area and have learned to use my thumb for the focusing button. I also fine tuning sometimes with the manual focus. The F 5.6 is perfect depth of focus but at times I like to push it to F 8. Shutter speed if you want to stop wing movement with a little motion is usually around 1/3000 to 1/4000. The real art of taking images like this is to have your camera in Manual mode with Auto ISO set to max for my camera 2200. Actually you are shooting auto ISO in Manual. As light changes adjust the shutter speed or F stop as needed.

I post process in Lightroom when done pass through Topaz Denoise AI which if you haven't used will take your images to a different level.
Other images taken on website rawillson.com

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Bob2020 Loc: Winter Park, Florida

Siemienczuk

D7200, Nikkor 200-500 5.6.

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billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

1/4000 sec. shutter speed

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Several lens work great, what lens do yo have???????

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Shutter speed at least 1/3200 f8 aperture unless you can get by with less or more depending how you look at it. Iso as low as possible.

jpwa Loc: Inland NorthWest

Put it on a tripod....that's what I do with mine