camera dummy wants to get birds in flight but doesnt understand aperture

[robbins.photo]

And by that statement, you are already SO far ahead of the game.
What lens do you actually have right now? I have a Sigma 150-500 now, but until about March of this year, I was shooting with a 70-300. Neither of my birding lenses are a f/2.8 lens. Sure, I'd love to have one and maybe eventually that will happen--but you're right, learning to get the best photos you can with the equipment you have is KEY.

Great advice here. Try it and see what works best for YOU. Because there is no ONE simple "do it this way" solution; it depends on what you are most comfortable with, what kind of birds you're after and what your equipment can handle.

For me, I shoot birds a little bit differently than some. I use manual mode, but auto ISO. That way, if I'm shooting a BIF and suddenly spot something over in the shaded woods, I can quickly turn, focus and shoot and not worry about trying to adjust my ISO on the fly.
If I'm looking at getting BIF, I start with a shutter speed of 1/1000, but it may go as high as 1/2000, depending on the bird, the situation and the lighting. I'll also start with the aperture wide open, but as soon as the light will allow it, I'll generally stop down to about 7.1, as I've just found my lens is sharper there or at f/8 than wide open.

If you have great lighting, then you can set the aperture wherever your lens is sharpest, set the shutter speed at 1/1000 or higher and still have acceptable ISO. But in poor lighting conditions, it all becomes a tradeoff. Do I leave the aperture at f/7.1 and end up at ISO 1600 and a good bit of noise? Or do I shoot wide open, let the ISO drop a bit, but end up with softer images?
Just experiment and find what works best for you.

I also use a single focus point, and aim right at the bird's eye. Panning is critical to getting good BIF shots.
Just as important as all the camera settings are some other things--don't wear bright clothes and bring attention to yourself.
I often scout out an area for a while, see where the birds are congregating, then I set myself up close to that spot, as hidden as possible--while I'm setting up, the birds may get spooked and leave, but they'll generally come back if you're patient.

You're welcome to view some of my shots on my flickr page, link in signature.

And now...I'm about to head out and go birding for the first time in about three weeks!! WooHoo!! Just hope I don't freeze to death! Last time I went out, we had a high of about 75 that day. Today it is 32 degrees as I head out. Ouch!

I generally use shutter priority with the iso set to auto as well, works pretty well in the vast majority of situations. The telephoto I have is just your standard every day run of the mill 70-300mm Nikon F4.5-5.6 - nothing flashy by any means but it does a pretty good job overall. I try to keep my shutter speed up in the 1/1000 range for most birds, really small ones I've found 1/2000 is usually more than enough.

Oh, and a bag of popcorn or bread crumbs can be a very handy thing to carry along, indeed. Lol

 

[btraven]

What difference would I notice in using an 80-400mm lens f/5.6 vs a 400mm fixed lens f/2.8 ?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

And then some.

Cubed.

 

[flying_gadget]

We all shoot differently and you need to try different settings to suit you. 90% of what I take is BIF's, the other 10% would be perched. A little different in that I use MF lenses and no OIS. Most of the BIF's would read ....... full manual control, ISO 200-400, lenses wide open at F/4.5 and F/5.6, 1/2500 - 1/4000, most shots I try and get 1/3200 - 1/4000. I shoot with the sun at my back and if I can feel the heat on my neck, I'm shooting in the direction I like.

All the best and we are all different for sure.

Danny.

 

[The_Traveler]

Thanks for the explanations everybody I think I'm beginning to understand it. I noticed the price tag. I also noticed the 400mm f/2.8 lens weighed almost 10 lbs. That would be like holding up my cat.

Yes, but it is extremely difficult to look all the way through the cat.

 

[shaylou]

I mostly want to take pictures of birds in flight, and the moon. I'm still trying to understand camera basics.
What difference would I notice in using an 80-400mm lens f/5.6 vs a 400mm fixed lens f/2.8 ?
Would I be able to take pictures of birds flying in low light better and the bird be brought into focus more? Also, I noticed they have a 80-400 f/5.6 zoom lens, and one that is f/5.6 but is not a zoom. What exactly does the zoom do?

Here is a good place to learn.

Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community

I still use it.

 

[glun]

I mostly want to take pictures of birds in flight, and the moon. I'm still trying to understand camera basics.
What difference would I notice in using an 80-400mm lens f/5.6 vs a 400mm fixed lens f/2.8 ?
Would I be able to take pictures of birds flying in low light better and the bird be brought into focus more? Also, I noticed they have a 80-400 f/5.6 zoom lens, and one that is f/5.6 but is not a zoom. What exactly does the zoom do?

If you use the 80-400mm f5.6 zoomed in to 400mm, or the 4000mm fixed lens f2.8, the difference would be the f2.8 allows more light to go into your lens. With that said, you can use a faster shutter speed to freeze motion would is great for bird photography. And to answer your last question, zoom let you change the focal length of the lens. Hope this helps!