Today's Songbirds

[coastalconn]

I can never quite figure out the AF Fine tune. I thought I had a little front focus. I shot these all wide open with +2 on the AF Fine tune. Anyways, feedback always welcome.. As always Tamron 200 500 mounted on my D300. Happy Holidays all!

1- kind of moody lighting.

Female Cardinal by krisinct, on Flickr

2 - close up

Sparrow by krisinct, on Flickr

3 - almost full frame

Sparrow Closeup by krisinct, on Flickr

4 - I think this is a purple finch not a red finch?

Purple Finch by krisinct, on Flickr

 

[EllaElla]

I'm curious...roughly how far are you away from your subjects? Are you shooting at 500mm? I always love to look at you photos. I'd like to get into birding.

 

[coastalconn]

Thanks Ella, Yes I always shoot at 500mm. My lens is a 200-500, but I have it wrapped in camo so it stays at 500mm. I always try to fill the frame as much as possible. The Sparrows are probably about 10-12 feet, The Finch was maybe 20 feet and the cardinal was about 35 or so... Just having a 500mm doesn't cut it as people often think, You still have to work on filling the frame as much as possible and working on stealth to get as close as possible...

 

[SCraig]

Yeah, birds are difficult I thought about your shot of a Kingfisher (I think it was yours, may have been EricD's) from a few weeks ago on Saturday. I saw the first one I have EVER seen in this area and the closest I could get was 60 meters (by EXIF data). I've seen him again in that same tree, but it's right on the edge of a lake bank and he has a commanding view of anything approaching from any direction so I'm not sure I can get any closer. If it's not raining in the morning I'm going to go give it a try though.

I love the challenge though. When we get a good one it feels like we've won something.

These are excellent as usual, however I'm seeing a problem with the view of #4. If I look at it on Flickr it's fine and it may be temporary, but right now there is a disjoint bar right across the middle of it and the bottom half has a chroma shift from the top half.

 

[Mully]

Really sharp....not so easy with birds. Are you using AF?

 

[coastalconn]

@SCraig Maybe it's a glitch on #4? I'm not seeing it here or flickr. It was EricD with the Kingfisher. I have some, but they are a PITA to get close to. I have one really close flying by, but my shutter was a little slow. I have 2 others I like but I had to crop quite a bit... Maybe I'll start a thread later..

@Mully, Yes I use autofocus and I never use a tripod or monopod... I am kind of a runner and gunner...

 

[SCraig]

@SCraig Maybe it's a glitch on #4?

#4 is fine now. It must have just been a momentary glitch.

 

[matthewo]

just a question, do you run AF fine tune at +2 to focus on the birds body but have the head in focus. anyways im guessing not, and that would probably not work often anyways. im just thinking of a way to focus a birds body, yet have the head in focus with shallow DOF. sometimes head focusing is hard to hit, on small headed birds. but it would then depend mostly on if the birds head was in front or behind their body, on the focal plane

 

[Radical]

What do mean wide open?

 

[matthewo]

F6.3 is the max aperture of his lens. max aperture is wide open

 

[Radical]

Awsome like always, I only wish some day I can take pics close to yours.
Merry Christmas.

 

[WesternGuy]

CC, great images as usual. I really like the first one. It is a definite wall hanger and maybe even a contest entry.

Scott, maybe what you need is something like this - N-VISIBAG Rod Planck Photography Blind | Outdoor Photo Gear | Pro Photography Gear, Tripods and Photo Accessories for Wildlife, Landscape, and Nature Photographers . :mrgreen:


WesternGuy

 

[coastalconn]

Thanks Radical! It takes lots of practice and even more time in the woods finding the birds. It is a huge commitment in time, but it is so rewarding!

Thanks WG!