Defying the odds, low shutter speed @ 500mm handheld

[coastalconn]

I know the rules... 1*fl for minimum shutter speed. shutter speed at least 1/1600th (better 1/2000th) for birds in flight. Use a monopod or tripod.

I have a Tamron 200-500 (no VR,VC,IS whatever you want to call it) and lately the light here has been horrible. Instead of sitting home I still go out and try to find birds. I always shoot hand held because I am too lazy to carry a pod. Lately I have been getting some pretty good (not always great) shots at low shutter speeds.. Do my hands really have 2-3 stops of VR built in? I know I have been sober for 2 years.... C&C welcome

Panning a swan at 1/125th

Panning Swan by krisinct, on Flickr

Female Eastern Towhee (my first, not crazy about the background) 1/125th

Eastern Female Towhee by krisinct, on Flickr

Finch through the leaves-looks like a cheesy greeting card 1/160th

Red Finch through the leaves by krisinct, on Flickr

 

[Derrel]

Like a rock.

 

[MrsL]

To Whom It May Concern-

I would like, and am trying to get some assistance. I hope someone can help me. The pictures that I am viewing here are amazing, and I would like to know how to do them myself. I would like to know if there is a camera/ picture app on the iPhone 4 to download?

I look forward to any helpful response.

Thank you.

 

[pixmedic30 1]

Sobriety eh? Sorry to hear that. Glad it's helping your photography though. I can't get away with slow shutters handheld for crap.

 

[Mully]

You must be young LOL ... I used to be able to hold a 400mm steady but no more ....i love VR

 

[panblue]

These are really decent; 2 & 3! beautiful!

I know the rules... 1*fl for minimum shutter speed. shutter speed at least 1/1600th (better 1/2000th) for birds in flight. Use a monopod or tripod.

I have a Tamron 200-500 (no VR,VC,IS whatever you want to call it) and lately the light here has been horrible. Instead of sitting home I still go out and try to find birds. I always shoot hand held because I am too lazy to carry a pod. Lately I have been getting some pretty good (not always great) shots at low shutter speeds.. Do my hands really have 2-3 stops of VR built in? I know I have been sober for 2 years.... C&C welcome

Panning a swan at 1/125th

Panning Swan by krisinct, on Flickr

Female Eastern Towhee (my first, not crazy about the background) 1/125th

Eastern Female Towhee by krisinct, on Flickr

Finch through the leaves-looks like a cheesy greeting card 1/160th

Red Finch through the leaves by krisinct, on Flickr

 

[WesternGuy]

CC, great shots as usual - I just love how you get them so sharp, well all right, there is a bit of wing action in the first one - but it is a panned shot. The last two have good catchlights in the eyes, something I always have trouble with.

WesternGuy

 

[SCraig]

CC, great shots as usual - I just love how you get them so sharp, well all right, there is a bit of wing action in the first one - but it is a panned shot. The last two have good catchlights in the eyes, something I always have trouble with.

WesternGuy

I prefer for birds in flight to show some blur in the wings. It makes it look less static to me.

These are excellent as usual. Great exposures and sharp as can be. Personally I think the first one needs to be cropped a little to show more swan and less background, but that's just personal opinion.

Keep in mind that the "Rule of thumb" for shutter speed is just a generic guideline and can be violated whenever necessary. You proved that very well indeed. One of my favorite personal shots of a Clouded Leopard cub was one I shot at 155mm and 1/50 second.

 

[coastalconn]

To Whom It May Concern-

I would like, and am trying to get some assistance. I hope someone can help me. The pictures that I am viewing here are amazing, and I would like to know how to do them myself. I would like to know if there is a camera/ picture app on the iPhone 4 to download?

I look forward to any helpful response.

Thank you.

Huh?

 

[coastalconn]

Quick answers: Sober yes (bummer) but, I never picked up a camera until I was sober (good thing)... A young 39 ... Always try to keep the sun behind you... The house in the lower left bothers me, so I would normally do a tighter crop, but this was just a fun shot

Oh another one. My owl from this morning 500mm, F6.3(wide open), 1/160th, iso 400, distance 90 feet heavily cropped...


Great Horned Owl by krisinct, on Flickr

 

[Judobreaker]

To Whom It May Concern-

I would like, and am trying to get some assistance. I hope someone can help me. The pictures that I am viewing here are amazing, and I would like to know how to do them myself. I would like to know if there is a camera/ picture app on the iPhone 4 to download?

I look forward to any helpful response.

Thank you.

Huh?

Well you know, these pics can easily be taken with an iPhone app if you can just find the right app!
Really, you didn't know? Don't tell me you wasted hundreds of dollars on expensive equipment for something this easy...





Nice pics btw.

 

[WesternGuy]

CC, great owl shot. Unfortunately, a lot of our birds have headed south for the winter, although the snowy owls should be back in a month or so - they winter in my part of the world - hopefully, I will have my 600mm by then and will have some images to share.

WesternGuy

 

[Netskimmer]

To Whom It May Concern-

I would like, and am trying to get some assistance. I hope someone can help me. The pictures that I am viewing here are amazing, and I would like to know how to do them myself. I would like to know if there is a camera/ picture app on the iPhone 4 to download?

I look forward to any helpful response.

Thank you.

Huh?

Well you know, these pics can easily be taken with an iPhone app if you can just find the right app!
Really, you didn't know? Don't tell me you wasted thousands of dollars on expensive equipment for something this easy...





Nice pics btw.

Fixed that for ya.

BIF is something that I am trying to get into myself. Your shots are quite nice.

 

[jmandell]

Nice shots. I could never get those handheld. I can barely get 1/125 with a 200mm

 

[amolitor]

One of the nice things about digital is that you can shoot a LOT, and increase the odds in your favor! Well done.