How do you use your long one for birds?!!!!

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Steveo_Hants

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I knew that would get your attention!

I have not really used my Sigma 300mm f2.8 since buying it over a year ago, anyway I tried it this weekend to get some shots of Kookaburas and they were shocking! I was using it with the 2xTC and a monopod but I still found it so hard to stop camera shake. Any ideas or tips?
 
tripod or beanbag is highly recommended depending on the situation, at 600mm you need a very sturdy support. Also holding your breath and giving up alcohol helps :D
 
Buy a 600mm VR :)
or
up the shutter speed and ISO
what sort of shutter speed/ISO were you using for the shots you're not happy with?
 
A monopod is fine when you are used to the long lens, remember with the 2x and the crop factor you have the field of view of 900mm. To start with I would put it on a tripod and see what results you get with that, try taking shots with and with out the convertor and see what you shots are like.
 
Steveo_Hants said:
I knew that would get your attention!

I have not really used my Sigma 300mm f2.8 since buying it over a year ago, anyway I tried it this weekend to get some shots of Kookaburas and they were shocking! I was using it with the 2xTC and a monopod but I still found it so hard to stop camera shake. Any ideas or tips?
Click to expand...

Faster shutter speed. Even if you have to up the ISO - you can get rid of noise, you can't get rid of blur.
 
I use a Sigma 300mm f2.8 for wildlife (see my signature link for shot examples). First thing; I would get rid of the 2X TC. I used to have one and the IQ wasn't great. I now use a 1.4X instead and the IQ is much better. I would also looks at getting either a beanbag if you shoot from hides, or a decent tripod and gimbal head. I also tend to keep the shutter speed above 1/250th to avoid camera shake (that will depend on how steady your hands are).

Also learn good long lens technique; http://www.moosepeterson.com/techtips/longlens.html Using long glass requires you to much more strict with technique. Once you get good though you should be able to get good, sharp shots at lower shutter speeds.
 
Cheers guys, much appreciated. I think I was up around the 1/300th mark with shutter speed and about ISO 500, will have a check on the EXIF tomorrow.
 
Short answer to your question is get a VR lens.

Even with a monopod 1/300sec is really pushing your luck with what is effectively a 900mm lens. Did you crop the images as well? Even more effective focal length if so.

You could try upping the ISO but you might no like the result.
 
A 300mm VR is out of the question budget wise. No I wasn't cropping the images, my next route is to get rid of the 2xTC and invest in a 1.4TC.
 
Hiya, It's all been said above but i would lose the monopod and invest in the sturdiest tripod you can afford. Also when taking the shot try to roll your finger over the shutter button as opposed to stabbing at it and hold your breath or take the shot while breathing out :)
 
I don't think you need to worry about not having VR - before finally getting an IS lens I shot for years with a non-stabalised Sigma 500 f4.5, often using it with a 1.4x tc. The thing that you do need is a decent tripod, a Gitzo would be best but something like a Manfrotto 055 with a good head (a gimbal would be ideal) would do the job fine. When shooting with the Sigma I would regularly be shooting down at under 1/250 and with birds that weren't moving I got sharp shots down at 1/80th (that's shooting at 700mm on a camera with a 1.6x crop factor). As for the 2x, I think the best bet would be to keep and a pick up a 1.4x to use alongside it. The 1.4x should give better results, but there will be times when you want the reach that a 2x gives.
 
hollis_f said:
Faster shutter speed. Even if you have to up the ISO - you can get rid of noise, you can't get rid of blur.
Click to expand...

:agree:

I use a monopod when I'm wandering about with a long lens, I found that by the time I'd set up my tripod the bird/mountain had moved/eroded :D
 
As long as the birds aren't scared or disturbed by the slapping (of the mirror), you could try burst shooting - a quick burst of 3 or 4 shots should give you a couple of shots with minimal (if any) camera shake.
 
Agree with what has been said. 600mm (field of view of 900mm on your D300) at 1/300th on monopod is asking for trouble without VR.

Use a decent tripod and head and things should improve dramatically, once you get your long lens technique sroted :)
 
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