Shooting birds
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Shooting birds
Birds are all around us and make wonderful subjects for photography. Since birds are hard to approach in the wild, successful bird photos often require long telephoto lenses and high-resolution image sensors. As I've learned painfully, having a telephoto lens just adds to the challenge of taking good photos. Here's a few of my nicer keepers. All but the pelican were taken from my back yard in New England. Post some of your birds and we can share info.
The following 16 users liked this post by MTVette:
2500 hd (05-18-2022),
3D-Aircrew (06-13-2022),
76-Vetteman (03-01-2023),
C.O. Jones (05-19-2023),
CAB6 (06-15-2022),
and 11 others liked this post.
#3
Race Director
Thread Starter
It varies. Most of those shots above were taken with an old Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom. Recently I started using a Canon 800mm f/11 prime, a relatively economical lens. Although it needs a reasonable amount of light to perform well, I'm most pleased with the outcome. The second shot (robin high in a tree) was taken with the 800mm prime. On the other hand, it's not as good for shooting birds-in-flight; the 100-400 focuses much faster.
#4
Melting Slicks
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Banana Republic
Posts: 2,628
Received 698 Likes
on
318 Posts
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I started birding last year and really enjoy the challenge. I was using my full frame Canon 6DMK2 and Canon 100-400mm zoom. But it lacked the range I needed. Not able to afford a big prime lens, I picked up a crop sensor Canon 90D in an effort to get some more range with my 100-400mm zoom lens.
Canon EOS 90D and 100-400mm x 1.4 (crop factor) = 560mm, 1/800 sec. @ f/5.6:
Canon EOS 90D and 100-400mm x 1.4 (crop factor) = 560mm, 1/800 sec. @ f/5.6:
#5
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 15,951
Received 1,508 Likes
on
820 Posts
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I have tried to shoot birds in the last few years only, I am going to share some shots but can't really offer much technical info. except you need a lot of patience and quick reflexes...lol:
The following 7 users liked this post by shenango:
2500 hd (06-04-2022),
3D-Aircrew (06-13-2022),
Mad*Max (05-20-2022),
Mako72 (05-20-2022),
MarkC (01-01-2023),
and 2 others liked this post.
The following 8 users liked this post by MCMLVII:
2500 hd (06-04-2022),
3D-Aircrew (06-13-2022),
Lakelander (03-06-2023),
Mako72 (05-20-2022),
MTVette (05-24-2022),
and 3 others liked this post.
#9
Drifting
All of these were taken with Nikon body and a 500/4 lens with 1.4X converter attached. Most birds are very skittish here so I typically use a bag blind and tripod, except the shore birds those I set the tripod low & lay in the sand.
#10
Enjoy while you can.
Member Since: May 2008
Location: 10th District Court OHIO
Posts: 17,187
Received 2,705 Likes
on
1,280 Posts
Ohio Events Coordinator
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
#11
Moderator
Member Since: May 2010
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 12,694
Received 3,767 Likes
on
2,139 Posts
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Should change the title to "photographing" Birds.. the shooting birds just sounds horrible..
The following users liked this post:
Lakelander (05-21-2022)
#13
Enjoy while you can.
Member Since: May 2008
Location: 10th District Court OHIO
Posts: 17,187
Received 2,705 Likes
on
1,280 Posts
Ohio Events Coordinator
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
#14
Race Director
Thread Starter
Got a few more this morning, shooting out the window at two feeders nearby. These were taken with an 800mm prime and two stacked close-up rings to bring down the minimum focus distance. The lighting wasn't ideal, but I have to take what I can get.
The following 4 users liked this post by Mad*Max:
The following users liked this post:
2500 hd (06-05-2022)
The following users liked this post:
Lakelander (06-11-2022)
The following 4 users liked this post by MTVette:
The following users liked this post:
FWC (10-06-2022)