Hummingbird photography (Page 2): You knew what your 28 and 50 and 100mm lenses could do but you don't know if the 18mm on the 18-55 zoom is a wide angle? Huh?

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

You knew what your 28 and 50 and 100mm lenses could do but you don't know if the 18mm on the 18-55 zoom is a wide angle? Huh?

Busch Loc: San Diego

Multiple flashes. Set camera flash to FP so you can use high shutter speed.

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CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

M. Beck wrote:

I'm from SW Wisconsin and the hummingbirds appear ... (show quote)

I will tell you what I do. I use a 200 mm lens (crop camera) and I manually pre focus at a spot where I expect the birds to approach. I use F8, and 1/1000 shutter. I set the camera to continuous fire, and when the bird comes in I fire a series of about 6 - 8 frames. I shoot THROUGH the Kitchen window. Here are some samples:

(Download)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Shoeless_Photographer wrote:

You can get their 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens for $430 brand new from Amazon right now:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-300mm-4-5-6-Lens-Model/dp/B07BF96FGK/

There are several different Canon 70-300 lens models and some are much better than the others. The older models are still made and sold because the price is low and attracts sales.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

CatMarley wrote:

I will tell you what I do. I use a 200 mm lens (crop camera) and I manually pre focus at a spot where I expect the birds to approach. I use F8, and 1/1000 shutter. I set the camera to continuous fire, and when the bird comes in I fire a series of about 6 - 8 frames. I shoot THROUGH the Kitchen window. Here are some samples:

I don't like using flash on animals - they don't like it - and it flattens them out , they lose their 3 dimensionality I like to see the shape of the animal that natural light gives them. Very good studio light would also work, but not on wild animals.

RRS Loc: Not sure

robertjerl wrote:

First get a book on the T5i these are easier to us... (show quote)

Quick question, I've been using a mix of 3 parts water to 1 part sugar, is that too strong?

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

RRS wrote:

Quick question, I've been using a mix of 3 parts water to 1 part sugar, is that too strong?

Most advise 4 to one.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

RRS wrote:

Quick question, I've been using a mix of 3 parts water to 1 part sugar, is that too strong?

All the sites I have checked say 4 to 1. For Oriole feeders they say 6 to 1 but the Orioles in my yard go to the hummingbird feeders half the time so I fill all of them with the 4 to 1 mix.
Smithsonian's recipe http://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/hummingbird-nectar-recipe
Domino Sugar http://www.dominosugar.com/baking-tips-how-tos/hummingbird-nectar-recipe
Audubon Society https://www.audubon.org/news/how-make-hummingbird-nectar

You can just google how to make humming bird nectar and get pages of recipes and they all say plain refined white sugar at 4 water to 1 sugar. Either boil the water first or do what lazy people like me do - I use bottled purified drinking water (not distilled-no minerals) it is $3.88 at Sam's Club or $3.89 at Costco for 6 one gallon bottles - I also use it in the coffee maker. So the birds and I are both happy (well the wife and oldest son also drink coffee).

You also have to clean the feeders regularly - the hotter the weather, the more frequently you clean. I clean with soapy water and a bit of bleach, then wash that out with vinegar* and water then rinse 3 or 4 times with clean water. I have found that the glass feeders are easier to clean than the plastic and develop less mold (spores imbed in pores in the plastic????)

* commercial vinegar is cheap at Sam's and Costco and a cup in the dish washer cuts down and clears out mineral deposits from hard water. It is food grade and can be used to make salad dressing etc. as well as cleaning the coffee maker.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Thanks to both of you, I just added another cup of boiled water to our mix this morning and will see how that works. The last thing I want to do is to have diabetic humming birds because of too much sugar.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

M. Beck wrote:

I'm from SW Wisconsin and the hummingbirds appear ... (show quote)

That's sad you only get Hummers for a week per year. In CA we have several visitor and migratory Hummingbirds at various times per year plus two year-long residents, Anna's Hummingbird and Allen's Hummingbird.

I really have not tried hard myself to capture hummer images, but I should.

Yes, your guess about your 18-55mm is about right. Your T5i has a crop factor of 1.6 or 1/1.6. You can research that topic / concept elsewhere. I'm sick of such nonsense. Your 18mm setting would be about like a 28mm WA lens on your film FtB. The 55mm gives the perspective of a 90mm or Portrait lens on a film or say Full Frame camera like a Canon 5D mk iv. For doing any serious bird photography you need a longer lens. For Hummers you might get along with something in the 135mm (very minimum) to 200mm telephoto lens. For birds in general 300 to 400mm on the short side. I've gotten a few close by birds in my own yard with a 18-200mm zoom @ 200mm.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

gvarner wrote:

You knew what your 28 and 50 and 100mm lenses could do but you don't know if the 18mm on the 18-55 zoom is a wide angle? Huh?

Hey, some people don't get the film to APS-C difference with out an explanation. The entire concept is silly to me since I understand it from having used many formats of film cameras in the past, 35mm, 6x7cm, 4x5", 8x10", etc. But many people have only worked with 35mm film or a digital P&S camera.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

RRS wrote:

Thanks to both of you, I just added another cup of boiled water to our mix this morning and will see how that works. The last thing I want to do is to have diabetic humming birds because of too much sugar.

It is dehydration rather than diabetes with too little water. Better to give them a dilute solution during hot weather than a too concentrated one.

bjwags

M. Beck wrote:

I'm from SW Wisconsin and the hummingbirds appear ... (show quote)

Im new to digital photography also and I also have a Canot 5i only for about 2 years. I read a lot about digital photography cuz I am determined to learn. I got one of those "Dummies" books specifically for Canon EOS Rebel T5i. It is so much better than the book that came with the camera. also You tube has some good videos on photographing Hummingbirds. But no way can I get the equipment they use!! My camera came with an 18 - 135 lens (kit) and I just bought a 200mm lens from Sigma. thats the one i used for my recent pictures posted here. You probably do need at least a 135 mm. I also used a remote cord cuz there is no time to get it up to my eye and focus on the bird. I set my camera on a tri pod, set the shutter speed and focused on the feeder . When the hummer showed up i just pushed the remote button. I was so excited with the results. Check out "I caught a Hummingbird" post. When my Bee Balm blooms I will try to get one at the flowers. I am totally inexperienced but want to get a good pic of a hummer. so I am working on it. I just got a tripod - and from what i read here from the experts one needs to get one of the very expensive brand name ones to be any good. I saw mine at Walmart for $26. Sit has a quick remove thingy so yu can take the camera off without screwing a screw, and it also has a level thingy. One has to consider that I am a 72 year house wife retired and my hubby is retired also. I cant justify getting a tripod that costs up to $1000 more or less. Same with a lens. i found a good buy on a Sigma 300mm lens so just bought that . That will probably be the end of buying a lens for me. I cant go hiking and lug around a tripod and heavy lens. So far im happy with what I got. Oh, I would like to get a macro lens since i cant go hiking in the mountains, I can take closes ups on flowers in my own yard or Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh.
Also i might try this some time this summer. We also have a feeder outside the kitchen window. I am going to try to place the tri pod outside the window (small porch), set it up, get it focused and speed set up. then put the remote cord thru the window and when i see one i will just push the button without scarying the little guy. I will try that next before the bee balm blooms. Remote cords are not expensive and can easily be obtained from Best Buy, Adaroma, B&H, or any camera store. Maybe even Wal Mart or like store. good luck Hope you can get a good picture. If little old me can do it, anyone can.

RRS Loc: Not sure

CatMarley wrote:

It is dehydration rather than diabetes with too little water. Better to give them a dilute solution during hot weather than a too concentrated one.

Thanks "Cat", I should have put a

after that remark about diabetes. We made the change this morning and so far we still have our hummers, which only goes to show that the nectar isn't sweeter on the other side of the fence, anymore!

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

M. Beck wrote:

I'm from SW Wisconsin and the hummingbirds appear ... (show quote)

35mm f2.8, 1/1600sec. Distance to bird: 40cm/16inches. Handheld.