dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

I do a lot of BIFs. Recently I got the Tamron 150-600 and have been thrilled with the results, so far, with still, perched birds. But I have had really bad results with birds in flight, even with exposures of 1/2600, F8, auto ISO - panning has produced generally poor results. Today I went out along the Jersey shore - weather was cold and windy - so, as subjects, I only had various gulls.

Both pictures were taken with the same settings for each (1 with VC on and 1 with VC off), as I list above - and I used approximately the same post processing for both.

This was just a quick comparison - it was way too cold to linger.

I will definitely do this again with more exposures.

Any thoughts?

VC on

(Download)

VC off

(Download)

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

In all honesty, the photos are kind of crappy. This is not an insult by any means. You already know that they are not all that great. Not to worry. You did a great job of capturing them. It is just that they are way too bright. I am surprised by this considering the length of the lens. That says a lot for the lens right there.

What I also notice is a lot of noise in both versions. I bet if you cranked the ISO down a bit and left everything else the same, they would probably be pretty neat!

So, with that being said, the one with the vc off does seem sharper but I do not see that it should make that much difference once you get the camera settings right. It just takes practice. I can not wait until we see some more bif's once you get the hang of it.

Tom

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

Tom - I understand your comments - and I certainly wasn't suggesting they were good shots but just shots to use as comparison.

I'm still working on technique - I will try lowering the shutter speed to 1/1500 which will lower the ISO. With my Canon 300mm I try to keep the ISO as close to 100 as possible - and at least 400 or below - mostly good results with that lens.

Some people on this site have suggested that VC when panning interferes with with the IQ - sooner or later I will find the proper settings.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Using VC when the shutter speed is faster than about 1/500 is of no value. The 1/500 will freeze action better than VC can counter it.

The images posted appear to be over exposed, but they also have very high contrast (or lack any dynamic range). That might be the way you shot them, but it is most likely the way they are processed. One would want to expose just below the point where the white on the bird washes out with no detail. Details like the texture of the feathers are really the whole point, so you don't want to lose them. Then, by adjusting gamma (contrast) and perhaps using a curves tool to remap tonal values, it's nice if there is also detail in the shadows.

What usually prevents detail in both highlights and shadows is shooting with less dynamic range than the scene actually has. On a bright sunshiny day with direct sunlight it is impossible to match nature. But on a cloudy day there is less contrast in nature. However, and this is a big "if", if the ISO is set too high the camera can't capture enough dynamic range. Each stop more ISO is exactly one stop less dynamic range.

Nancy Elwood Loc: Florida

What camera are you using? Really the idea with BIF's is NOT to use the lowest iso, but to use whatever iso you need for the shutter speed you need. I NEVER use iso 100 for any of my BIF's. You want to probably make sure you have at least 1/2000 for practicing, then that all depends on the subject. As you get better and better you can start judging what you need for what subjects. And yes, any shutter speed past 1/500 does not benefit using the VC. Neither of my Nikon lens that I use for BIF have VR, the Nikon 500 f/4 AF-SII lens and the Nikon 300 f/4 lens.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Great! That is supposed to be one fantastic lens. From others I have seen on UHH, this appears to be true. They also seem to like Canon cameras for some odd reason. lol. It sounds like you know what to do and I am actually very interested in seeing your future bif shots.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

But, but, but... he actually didn't say ISO 100, he just said as close to it as possible, hopefully no higher than ISO 400.

Forgive him though, he uses a Canon and perhaps can't go to ISO 1600 or above.

ronwande Loc: Hendersonville NC

Permission to post an edited version just to show what can be done with these images?

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Could you also post a picture or two of stills that you are thrilled with for comparisons?

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I usually shoot my BIF at a minimum of 1/1250 with the VC turned off. That seems to work well for me.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

Check the following postings here: "Sparrow - Tamron 150-600" and "Bluebird & Nuthatch w/ Tamron 150-600"

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

My only question in this posting was about using the VC or not using VC with this new lens. I am experienced with shooting BIF.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

When shooting BIF I always use settings that give me the highest quality photos I can get - low ISOs are important if conditions permit. Since most BIFs have sky as background, ISO of 100/200 are easy to use. My only point in this posting was about using VC or not using VC with the Tamron. With my Canon lenses Is has not been a problem at all.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

Obviously you aren't all that familiar with the 5D III's capabilities in high ISO photography so everyone, please forgive Apafol's comment.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

Thank MarkintheHV - that seems to be the way I am leaning - and thanks for staying within my inquiry. It is appreciated. Wish others would do the same.