Bird Shots

Tyne Decca

Tyne Decca

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Name
Derek
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Hi wondering how to improve :(

Have several feeders around the garden but the little visitors "sooo" nervous (next door neighbour has seen a bird of prey but think it was larger than a Kestrel)
This was taken by a Fuji S1000fd on full magnification which i am unhappy with.:'(
5375514381_1eb5050358_z.jpg


I have invested in a Canon 40D beginning of this month and in the process of building up a lens portfolio.
initially to test the camera I bought a 50mm 1.8l been having a lot of fun but I now wish to have a 24 105 to further the range of photos I can take .
Question is will this lens suffice for bird photos or will a 60~100mm macro be more appropriate?
 
Usually be looking for at least a 300mm lens for bird pics unless you have facilities to get very near the subjects ............. a hide of some sort.
Looks like you have discovered that it is not easy.
 
Most would say that even 300mm is a bit short for birds 400mm being usually considered the minimum. At the cheaper end the Sigma 120-400 is your best bet. Getting close under some form of cover and sitting still and quiet, may get you some shots.

The bird of prey is likely to be a sparrowhawk, I got this quick grab shot in my back garden through the conservatory window, it just appeared for about 30 seconds.

http://SPAM/c3whur/Birds/Img_0282c.jpg
 
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artyman said:
Most would say that even 300mm is a bit short for birds 400mm being usually considered the minimum. At the cheaper end the Sigma 120-400 is your best bet. Getting close under some form of cover and sitting still and quiet, may get you some shots.

The bird of prey is likely to be a sparrowhawk, I got this quick grab shot in my back garden through the conservatory window, it just appeared for about 30 seconds.

http://SPAM/c3whur/Birds/Img_0282c.jpg
Click to expand...

Thankyou

As just setting up its the range of available lenses is sooo confusing but I will have to learn!!
Meanwhile till the accountant missus realeases the cash for the lenses will have to beg borrow or hire:( (but will get there in the end :lol:)
 
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You can have a go at garden birds with something like a 70-300, which is about as cheap as it gets, but don't expect close portraits of small chaps like tits unless you can temp them very close, like a couple of yards. I used a 100-400L and that struggled. Shooting birds is about big lenses and good, patient field craft.

That's an amazing grab shot of a sparrow hawk Ken! I have seen them very occasionally in our garden, but they're always travelling at 300mph!
 
philgale said:
can you set the camera up on a tripod and maybe get a remote shutter focus it on the feeder and then set to manual focus so it doesnt change.

might be worth a try as a cheaper option for the time being.
Click to expand...

thats food for thought electronic remotes arnt that expensive are they?
:thinking:
 
philgale said:
i got one like this one clicky sure you can get them cheaper i just needed to buy it and use it the same day
Click to expand...

Thats a great one looks like it could make the tea as well :lol:
 
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