First attempt at birds

[mercphoto]

Did some birding lately. First attempt, and any feedback would be appreciated. Canon 20D, RAW (me, RAW???), converted in DPP to 16-bit TIFF, then processed in PS CS. Sometimes did some shadow highlight. Sharpening. No curves, levels. One image was cropped.

Lens: 70-200/2.8L/IS, plus 1.4TC. Always at full-zoom, wide open. Usually ISO 200.

I found that 280mm, even on a 1.6 crop camera, was barely adequate. Also found you need to be patient. Stake out a tree, location, be still and just..... wait. When they arrive, shoot a lot.

Nine photos in all. Comments are enabled. Thanks in advance.

http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/photos/20768498-M.jpg

http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/photos/20768862-M.jpg
http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/506497
.

[GREAPER]

Not bad for a first time out. Now you see why there is no glass that is too big or too fast.

[Kirwin]

:agree Keep on snappin' and sharin' your images.

[mercphoto]

Not bad for a first time out. Now you see why there is no glass that is too big or too fast.

All of a sudden the affordable 400/5.6L seems, well, slow. :(

[pathfinder]

Not bad for a first time out. Now you see why there is no glass that is too big or too fast.


I agree wholeheartedly. Small birds require really big, long glass.

I read an article in the current Outdoor Photographer that said prior to digital and the 1.5-1.6 mag factor, birders used to start with a 600mm lens and add a 1.4 TX routinely. Glad we don't have to do that anymore.

[Khaos]

All of a sudden the affordable 400/5.6L seems, well, slow. :(
It's not. I used the 70-200 before getting the 400 5.6

As long as you have light, it's fast. It's also light. Get it. You won't be disappointed.