Song Birds

[raian]

A couple from this evening. I'm having problems with focusing. I think it's because handholding the lense (don't have a tripod/monopod yet). No matter if I manually focused or used the AF, the birds are blurry. The feeder was actually in the shade a good bit so I did push up the WB and the shots improved dramatically over not pushing it up.. but I still need to improve. I'm so envious of the lovely bird shots you all get... oh... someday....

Any help/critique, welcome.

Nuthatch? 1/500, f2.8, ISO 200, Sigma 70-200 (at 135mm)
http://home.earthlink.net/~agfreed/nuthatch.jpg
http://home/earthlink.net/%7Eagfreed/nuthatch.jpghttp://home/earthlink.net/%7Eagfreed/nuthatch.jpg

Tufted Titmouse. 1/1000 f2.8, ISO200, at 200mm
http://home/earthlink.net/%7Eagfreed/tuftedtitmouse.jpghttp://home/earthlink.net/%7Eagfreed/tuftedtitmouose.jpghttp://home.earthlink.net/~agfreed/tuftedtitmouse.jpg

Carolina Chickadee 1/500, f5.6, ISO200
http://home.earthlink.net/~agfreed/carolinachickadee1.jpg
http://home/earthlink.net/%7Eagfreed/carolinachickadee1.jpg
http://home/earthlink.net/%7Eagfreed/carolinachickadee1.jpg

[Ric Grupe]

Birds are the hardest thing to capture. I've thrown away hundreds of shots and tried to save hundreds more. I probably have less than twenty or so that I am really proud of.

It seems that there are just too many variables to handle. :nod

One thing I have done that has helped more than any other single thing is to shoot in the continuous mode. If your hand shaked on the push of the shutter, it's doubtful if it will on the next frame. Never shoot below iso 400 unless you're sure of no motion. I never shoot birds intentionally over f/6.3.

So take that practice shot...check the histogram...adjust the exposure compensation to keep it to the right as far as practicle without going too far to blow the highlights and pray a lot. :rofl

[raptorcaptor]

Another thing to try if you don't have a tripod/monopod is to use what is available! If there are trees nearby then lean against it. Good luck!

[raian]

Thank you so much for the advice. I will jack it up to at least 400 ISO today and see what I can get. Yes, I do use available things to rest the camera on... in these shots I was actually curled up in a chair at my pool and using my knees.

BTW, I'm a bit confused with ISO. From film days I knew it was the speed of the film.. but digitally... exactly what is it??? (sorry for the pathetic newbie question :D)

[Harryb]

Thank you so much for the advice. I will jack it up to at least 400 ISO today and see what I can get. Yes, I do use available things to rest the camera on... in these shots I was actually curled up in a chair at my pool and using my knees.

BTW, I'm a bit confused with ISO. From film days I knew it was the speed of the film.. but digitally... exactly what is it??? (sorry for the pathetic newbie question :D)

http://www.photoxels.com/tutorial_iso.html

[raian]

Thanks Harry!

[Dick on Aruba]

With shutterspeeds like yours, you must be able to shoot sharp pics. I think you just have to practice your technique a bit more. A tripot is always better but not a "must" at 200mm or shorter and 1/500 ~ 1/1000.

Still...nice work!

Thanks for sharing.

Dick.