New Lens Bird Fun

RxForB3 · May 14, 2012

This is my first attempt at photographing birds. They were fairly easy targets (being at an arboretum), but it was good practice. They were shot with a Sigma "Bigma," the 50-500mm mostly at 500mm just to see it do its thing. Any suggestions, thoughts? I paid $400 for this lens, and I think it was a steal. The focus was the hardest part in using the lens, but it's a very difficult lens to use handheld. However, I probably wouldn't notice any problems with it, if it had any of the Sigma quality control issues. Comments please on the compositions, subjects, lighting, and lens quality as well as anything else! Thanks!

1.

Yum Yum!! by RxForB3, on Flickr

2.

Coming through! by RxForB3, on Flickr

3.

May I help you? by RxForB3, on Flickr

4.

Walk like an Egyptian! by RxForB3, on Flickr

Cpi2011 · May 14, 2012

Excellent set of photographs fantastic shot. I love birds and love your image very much. Great lighting.........

RxForB3 · May 15, 2012

Thank you! I think I'm going to really enjoy this lens. Wish it wasn't so heavy, but it's manageable...

WesternGuy · May 15, 2012

Nice images, that lens seems to give you good sharp images and some nice bokeh. Something to think about and that is try taking some of your bird pictures in portrait mode - they are "portraits" of sorts after all - numbers 3 and 4 would probably work quite well in portrait mode, not that they don't work in landscape mode, just give yourself some options sometimes. Also, you probably want to get yourself a good tripod and head if you are going to continue doing any amount of bird photography. I find that even having the tripod and head for just support, as compared to long exposure requirements, is a real help - big lenses and cameras get heavy real fast.:thumbup: I have a quick release on my tripod head, just in case I need to get the camera off the tripod in a hurry.
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WesternGuy

RxForB3 · May 15, 2012

That seems to be my next purchase. The el cheapo tripod I have just does not handle the weight. The lens did not done with the tripod collar, but they aren't that expensive considering how much I paid for the lens...

Billhyco · May 16, 2012

where did you find that lens for that price? I rented it once for a race and LOVED it. I would LOVE to find it for 400 bucks.

ScubaDude · May 16, 2012

Excellent first bird photos. You caught good poses on all of them. Bird photography can be very addicting. You have been warned.

ScubaDude · May 16, 2012

RxForB3 said:
That seems to be my next purchase. The el cheapo tripod I have just does not handle the weight. The lens did not done with the tripod collar, but they aren't that expensive considering how much I paid for the lens...

Six months ago I bought my first non-Walmart tripod. I've never used any of the other big-name brands, so I can't compare, but my Induro 'pod and gimbal head (for birds a gimbal head, IMHO, is a necessity) work great, the 'pod is sturdy, the movements of the head are very smooth, and I think it could hold up a 1954 Buick.

RxForB3 · May 16, 2012

I bought the lens off craigslist from a kid younger than me (probably early 20s) that was wanting to sell it for money to get a wide angle lens. It has a tamron lens cap, no tripod collar, but appears in good shape with only a bump on the lens hood. I imagine the kid I bought it from bought it used from someone else, but I figure if it works, it works. It also came with a case logic case that fits perfectly. I figure I can buy a tripod collar from Sigma for $100, a lens cap from sigma for about 10, and resell the thing for at least $1000 if I wished. But for now I'm enjoying it!

Thanks for the tripod suggestions ScubaDude. I'm not even sure where to start in buying a true tripod!