wild animals

[lynnma]

I'm practising with my 300mm lens.. I'm having a little trouble getting it crisp..

[rutt]

I'm practising with my 300mm lens.. I'm having a little trouble getting it crisp..
His tail is blurred, presumably because he twitched it (they do that.) This is a long lens and even longer on a 300D. If the shutter was too slow to freeze the tail, it probably was too slow to handhold.

[lynnma]

His tail is blurred, presumably because he twitched it (they do that.) This is a long lens and even longer on a 300D. If the shutter was too slow to freeze the tail, it probably was too slow to handhold.Well, here was my experiment. I used a tripod (through my glass doors) Full out 300mm - time value 400 ISO 400 apature went to 5.6 compensation +2/3 white bal I put on cloudy. And then I had to expose it more (about one stop) in ps.
Whaddya think.
Lynn

[rutt]

Well, here was my experiment. I used a tripod (through my glass doors) Full out 300mm - time value 400 ISO 400 apature went to 5.6 compensation +2/3 white bal I put on cloudy. And then I had to expose it more (about one stop) in ps.
Whaddya think.
Lynn
I think he can move very fast because his tail is blurred.

[lynnma]

I think he can move very fast because his tail is blurred.Apart from his blurred tail, what do you think of the settings... as I have not clue as to what I'm doing but trying very hard to make this lens work, I'm seriously thinking of selling it and buy a different lens with IS.. but hey, as Shay says, "Don't blame the camera, it's only doing what you make it do." So I figured Canon knows a heck of a lot more about photography than I do so I'm trying to master it.
Thanks for your help so far...
Lynn:huh

[rutt]

Apart from his blurred tail, what do you think of the settings... as I have not clue as to what I'm doing but trying very hard to make this lens work, I'm seriously thinking of selling it and buy a different lens with IS.. but hey, as Shay says, "Don't blame the camera, it's only doing what you make it do." So I figured Canon knows a heck of a lot more about photography than I do so I'm trying to master it.
Thanks for your help so far...
Lynn:huh
The blurred tail is a clue that the squirrel can move fast enough to blur the image at whatever shutter speed you were using. How could he have done that and kept his head still enough to make a sharp image at the same time? Since the camera was on a tripod and the speed was 1/400, I'd say that camera shake wasn't the problem. It's more likely that you needed to treat this subject like an action shot: go for the fastest exposure possible under the conditions.

[lynnma]

The blurred tail is a clue that the squirrel can move fast enough to blur the image at whatever shutter speed you were using. How could he have done that and kept his head still enough to make a sharp image at the same time? Since the camera was on a tripod and the speed was 1/400, I'd say that camera shake wasn't the problem. It's more likely that you needed to treat this subject like an action shot: go for the fastest exposure possible under the conditions.Thanks Rutt.. what would you have gone for on a gray flat late morning... just to get me started on some kind of thought process...:D

[pathfinder]

The blurred tail is a clue that the squirrel can move fast enough to blur the image at whatever shutter speed you were using. How could he have done that and kept his head still enough to make a sharp image at the same time? Since the camera was on a tripod and the speed was 1/400, I'd say that camera shake wasn't the problem. It's more likely that you needed to treat this subject like an action shot: go for the fastest exposure possible under the conditions.For a 300mm plus telephoto( 300mm x 1.6 mag for hte 300 D Rebel), I would prefer to use 1/1000 sec a a preferred minimum shutter speed. Granted you might not get your preference, but that is where I would start if I wanted crisp images.

I think that is a 70-300 IS lens is it not, Lynn?

Here is another tan colored critter captured with a 70-200 zoom....

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/2848981-L.jpg

[lynnma]

For a 300mm plus telephoto( 300mm x 1.6 mag for hte 300 D Rebel), I would prefer to use 1/1000 sec a a preferred minimum shutter speed. Granted you might not get your preference, but that is where I would start if I wanted crisp images.

I think that is a 70-300 IS lens is it not, Lynn?

Here is another tan colored critter captured with a 70-200 zoom....

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/2848981-L.jpgoooooohhhhh THATS WHAT I WANT!!!! Yes it's a 75-300 EF but it's not an IS.
I have no clue where to start with it but will certainly start with your suggestion. Thanks Pathfinder. What settings was the wally at? :clap

[rutt]

oooooohhhhh THATS WHAT I WANT!!!! Yes it's a 75-300 EF but it's not an IS.
I have no clue where to start with it but will certainly start with your suggestion. Thanks Pathfinder. What settings was the wally at? :clap
See you have to use your camera's meter in order to get the exposure right for any particular light (or you have to be able to do it by eye which taks more experience.) So set shutter priority (TV). Then you can set the shutter speed and the camera will set the aperature according to the light (or tell you it cannot.)

[lynnma]

See you have to use your camera's meter in order to get the exposure right for any particular light (or you have to be able to do it by eye which taks more experience.) So set shutter priority (TV). Then you can set the shutter speed and the camera will set the aperature according to the light (or tell you it cannot.)I can't wait!!!! I must go and do it NOW!!!
thanks..I'm off to find a squirrel..:D

[pathfinder]

See you have to use your camera's meter in order to get the exposure right for any particular light (or you have to be able to do it by eye which taks more experience.) So set shutter priority (TV). Then you can set the shutter speed and the camera will set the aperature according to the light (or tell you it cannot.)
I am going to be a trouble maker her, Rutt http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Wicked.gif, but I usually shoot in aperature preferred, because depth of field-or lack of it to blur backgrounds is very important to me - BUT LYNN - IF YOU DO THIS for wildlife shots you MUST monitor the shutter speed displayed in your viewfinder real time continuosly as you work.

Rutt, please - don't be offended by my intrusion - If I wasshooting action sports where DOF was less of a concern, like you I would shoot shutter preferred.

Here is another deer.....

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/2848979-L.jpg

[rutt]

Rutt, please - don't be offended by my intrusion - If I wasshooting action sports where DOF was less of a concern, like you I would shoot shutter preferred.

I actually do what you do, but I was trying to keep it simple since that's what Lynn wanted.

[lynnma]

I am going to be a trouble maker her, Rutt http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Wicked.gif, but I usually shoot in aperature preferred, because depth of field-or lack of it to blur backgrounds is very important to me - BUT LYNN - IF YOU DO THIS for wildlife shots you MUST monitor the shutter speed displayed in your viewfinder real time continuosly as you work.

Rutt, please - don't be offended by my intrusion - If I wasshooting action sports where DOF was less of a concern, like you I would shoot shutter preferred.

Here is another deer.....

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/2848979-L.jpgOOOOhhhh again!!!!! beautiful beautiful.... I can do both, either shutter or ap
I'll learn... thanks.:D

[lynnma]

I actually do what you do, but I was trying to keep it simple since that's what Lynn wanted.Ok guys... thanks for all so far and I'm getting on well here... so... what apature would you have gone for on a grayish day for crisp crisp... I spose the answer is as small as poss but then shutter speed would be slow... help!!! tell me what to start with and I'll flounder from there...:D

[pathfinder]

I actually do what you do, but I was trying to keep it simple since that's what Lynn wanted.

I suspected as much!http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gif

[pathfinder]

Ok guys... thanks for all so far and I'm getting on well here... so... what apature would you have gone for on a grayish day for crisp crisp... I spose the answer is as small as poss but then shutter speed would be slow... help!!! tell me what to start with and I'll flounder from there...:D
If you want shallow depth of field open up all the way - but be aware that some lenses are better than others when you shoot at their maximum aperature. For BEST sharpness I would shoot about two f-stops smaller than the maximum aperature eg if your lens is f2.8 wide open, I would shoot at f5.6 or so unless I wanted shallower depth fo field. With your 70-300 its maximum aperature is probably around f5.6 wide open --- Might try f8 then http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/lickout.gif F11 will give more depth of field.

[SavannahMan]

You guys let me know if I get annoying with my P&S pix. Us beginning beginners can only try... :bow
http://savannahman.smugmug.com/photos/2456398-M.jpg

[lynnma]

You guys let me know if I get annoying with my P&S pix. Us beginning beginners can only try... :bow
http://savannahman.smugmug.com/photos/2456398-M.jpgthats lovely Savannah, whats he doing? building a house? no, don't worry about being annoying, post away... now I'M ANNOYING :D

[lynnma]

If you want shallow depth of field open up all the way - but be aware that some lenses are better than others when you shoot at their maximum aperature. For BEST sharpness I would shoot about two f-stops smaller than the maximum aperature eg if your lens is f2.8 wide open, I would shoot at f5.6 or so unless I wanted shallower depth fo field. With your 70-300 its maximum aperature is probably around f5.6 wide open --- Might try f8 then http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/lickout.gif F11 will give more depth of field. Manual
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/1250
Av( Aperture Value )
7.1
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
ISO Speed
400
Lens
75.0 - 300.0mm
Focal Length
300.0mm
squirrel.. same one, comes back to pose...any better??? or is that blurred....

[pathfinder]

You guys let me know if I get annoying with my P&S pix. Us beginning beginners can only try... :bow
http://savannahman.smugmug.com/photos/2456398-M.jpg

Awwwwhhhh Come on Savannahman.... I actually think your cute squirrel image has nice potential - You might crop the right and left borders a little but your camera is plenty capable of taking very nice pictures - I am sure you saw the picture I posted of a flower I shot with a CoolPix that is about 3 years old - not a fancy new SLR....


http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/3161369-M.jpg

[lynnma]

Awwwwhhhh Come on Savannahman.... I actually think your cute squirrel image has nice potential - You might crop the right and left borders a little but your camera is plenty capable of taking very nice pictures - I am sure you saw the picture I posted of a flower I shot with a CoolPix that is about 3 years old - not a fancy new SLR....


http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/3161369-M.jpgbeautiful, looks like silk, so delicate... lovely shot...

[fish]

I may have posted this guy
before, but...
http://fish.smugmug.com/photos/2578002-L.jpg

Aperture: f/4.0 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 200mm (guess: 466mm in 35mm) Exposure Time: 0.0012s (1/800)

http://fish.smugmug.com/photos/2577994-L.jpg
Aperture: f/4.0 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 200mm (guess: 518mm in 35mm) Exposure Time: 0.0005s (1/2000)

[lynnma]

I may have posted this guy
before, but...
http://fish.smugmug.com/photos/2578002-L.jpg

Aperture: f/4.0 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 200mm (guess: 466mm in 35mm) Exposure Time: 0.0012s (1/800)

http://fish.smugmug.com/photos/2577994-L.jpg
Aperture: f/4.0 ISO: 400 Focal Length: 200mm (guess: 518mm in 35mm) Exposure Time: 0.0005s (1/2000)
now I'm totally confused.... how can both be right FISH!!!

[SavannahMan]

Awwwwhhhh Come on Savannahman.... I actually think your cute squirrel image has nice potential - You might crop the right and left borders a little but your camera is plenty capable of taking very nice pictures - I am sure you saw the picture I posted of a flower I shot with a CoolPix that is about 3 years old - not a fancy new SLR....


http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/3161369-M.jpg
Okay, cropped it a little. Wow, that shot is amazing! I know you can do great things with a little camera, but I'm totally new to everything other than pointing and shooting. I'm hell-bent on learning though, and thank heavens for you folks. All criticism appreciated. Going to get the available lenses for the DX6440 I just bought, figured if I take well I'll blow the wad on a real camera next year, if not I'll just :hang. You all just keep talking amongst yourselves, I'll be lurking in the shadows taking notes......:lift

[SavannahMan]

thats lovely Savannah, whats he doing? building a house? no, don't worry about being annoying, post away... now I'M ANNOYING :D
Ran into him in Yellowstone, he was begging for energy bars. They say don't feed the animals because they become aggressive towards people. I keep watching the news for word of a chipmunk mauling.......

[Sam]

Manual
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/1250
Av( Aperture Value )
7.1
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
ISO Speed
400
Lens
75.0 - 300.0mm
Focal Length
300.0mm
squirrel.. same one, comes back to pose...any better??? or is that blurred....
I think it's a very good shot. I have a 70 to 300 I haven't had time to play with yet, but if I can get one like this. I'll be happy.

[fish]

now I'm totally confused.... how can both be right FISH!!!
Funny how that works, huh? The difference is lighting by a stop or two. Exposure is a dynamic thing...you need to meter or bracket (depending on how anal you are) every shot. Or, just shoot a whole bunch and pick the ones you like the most. I rarely throw away a shot because of exposure. Usually it's because of composition, focus, or boredom. :)

[lynnma]

Funny how that works, huh? The difference is lighting by a stop or two. Exposure is a dynamic thing...you need to meter or bracket (depending on how anal you are) every shot. Or, just shoot a whole bunch and pick the ones you like the most. I rarely throw away a shot because of exposure. Usually it's because of composition, focus, or boredom. :)Yeah.. bracketing... must do that more. I usually take a shot about ten different ways on 10 different settings about 10 times but I'm not anal about it...:D

[wxwax]

Using a tripod helps. I settle on a composition, then bracket like crazy, then move on to another view. I always check the histogram, make sure I'm not too far to the left or the right (although sometimes that's unavoidable in high contrast situations when you know you're going to do some digital blending and you plan to discard the excessively bright or dark parts of the image.)

[Wings]

Bighorn sheep
http://wings.smugmug.com/photos/2476684-M.jpg

[Wings]

another
http://wings.smugmug.com/photos/2476680-M.jpg

[Wings]

Mulie
http://wings.smugmug.com/photos/2477806-M.jpg

[pathfinder]

Manual
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/1250
Av( Aperture Value )
7.1
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
ISO Speed
400
Lens
75.0 - 300.0mm
Focal Length
300.0mm
squirrel.. same one, comes back to pose...any better??? or is that blurred....
I think this is pretty good Lynn - Perhaps the tail is slightly sharper than th eye - but this is pretty good - a little USM around the face and eye might help a little but this is certainly a nice snapshot

[pathfinder]

Mulie
http://wings.smugmug.com/photos/2477806-M.jpg
WAs this from a TV screen or what? Why are the horizontal lines in the image? Nice deer shot though!

[Wings]

WAs this from a TV screen or what? Why are the horizontal lines in the image? Nice deer shot though!
No TV screen. I was messing around with the digital zoom. I think that's what caused the lines, not sure. I figured someone could tell me what happened.

[wxwax]

To tell you the truth, I wouldn't use digital zoom. Optical is great, it takes you closer. but digital zoom is the equivalent of cropping yer photo. If yer gonna do that, do it after taking the shot. As you can see, it uglifies the image.

[cletus]

To tell you the truth, I wouldn't use digital zoom. Optical is great, it takes you closer. but digital zoom is the equivalent of cropping yer photo. If yer gonna do that, do it after taking the shot. As you can see, it uglifies the image. waddaya know... uglifies (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=uglifies&r=67) is a real word.

[Wings]

To tell you the truth, I wouldn't use digital zoom. Optical is great, it takes you closer. but digital zoom is the equivalent of cropping yer photo. If yer gonna do that, do it after taking the shot. As you can see, it uglifies the image.
Thanks Waxie, that's the best explanation of dig zoom I've seen. I have trouble sometimes figuring out the settings on the camera because it's hard to do with gloves on, and with very little time. Wildlife getts real spooky when you pull up on a bike-with the exception of deer dead set on running into you :o)

[peachmaan]

Animals :scratch