Need some help...

[Anonymous]

So I woke up early this am to find 2 juvenile sharp shinned hawks on my antenna.  With camera in hand, I tried to take a copule of pictures before they departed on their morning hunting escapades and managed to squeeze off a couple.  Only thing is, they turned out dark because it was still before sunrise.

If anyone has any advice - I'm shooting an EOS 350D with just the basic 55mm lens - as to better enhance the photos such as which ISO you prefer using in such circumstances it would be greatly appreciated.

Attila


Here's another that I took while getting used to the settings.  Any feedback is most welcome and appreciated.

[JTF]

Well I shoot with nikkor gear and sometimes have trouble with noise using my 80 - 400 VR. Your lense is not ideal for birding but will do nicely for marcro and family portraits. When shooting in darker conditions a lens with VR (Vibration Reduction)will help and if not VR a tripod is necessary. As for ISO if is mainly trial and error for sure, with the hawks you didn't have much time to play with this and my image using my gear would have been similar but alot closer. An excellent site for you gear is  http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ as this is dedicated to canon users with some very excellent experienced nature photographers. Another option is to see if there is an option in your menu to turn on Noise Reduction to aid with low light conditions. Get experience in photographing birds during the day first! Night photography isn't easy. If you can't get decent pictures during the day, your chances of doing so at night are slim to none. I have had no real luck shooting nature in the dark. Your mallard image is a little out of focus, I find using point shooting/single spot focusing  instead of matrix/pattern (many focus points) is better for one specific subject. Your first image is not too bad at all considering the lens and conditions.  I do not consider myself to be an expert but just some ideas that I have used while getting comfortable with digital photolgraphy. Have fun; practice, & take lots of pictures.


Paul O'Toole
Kingston, Ontario
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newfoundlander61/

[Kin Lau]

For both shots, it looks like you had it set to the "P" mode, which can be okay when the conditions aren't extreme.

The hawks tho, were in a situation that the P mode can't handle. It tried to use the pop-up flash - which is far too weak.

A-mode would have worked better, with the flash turned off. The shutter speeds would have been long enough to require some sort of steady support. A tripod is preferred, but a bean-bag on a fence or window is often just as good if not better.

With the Rebel XT, iso 400 works fine most of the time. You'd likely want a longer lens than the 18-55 for birds. The new 55-250IS is fairly cheap and decently sharp and IS is a big plus. It'll also work well for all sorts of subjects before you decide to spring for one of the bigger guns - 400mm or longer.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback gents, it is greatly appreciated.

JTF - I've registered on that forum under WingsofFury and hope to glean some great information there.  Thanks for the headsup about the site.

Kin - with regards to the lens that you suggested, I was looking at obtaining the 75-300mm IS lens that is available.  Do you have any experience with that particular lens and do you think it would be an appropriate step up from what I'm shooting at now?  

Also, I've started shooting in the "AV" mode and it has cleaned up the noise that was present previously.  The other thing that I like about that setting is that it automatically sets the TV mode which is great when shooting moving objects.  Finally, with regards to ISO - isn't being at a lower value (100) better when shooting in the bright midday sun?

Thanks in advance, you guys are the best.

[Kin Lau]

Kin - with regards to the lens that you suggested, I was looking at obtaining the 75-300mm IS lens that is available.  Do you have any experience with that particular lens and do you think it would be an appropriate step up from what I'm shooting at now?  

Also, I've started shooting in the "AV" mode and it has cleaned up the noise that was present previously.  The other thing that I like about that setting is that it automatically sets the TV mode which is great when shooting moving objects.  Finally, with regards to ISO - isn't being at a lower value (100) better when shooting in the bright midday sun?

Be aware that there's TWO different Canon IS lenses in that range, the older 75-300IS and newer 70-300IS. The 70-300IS is the better one by quite a bit. As a regular lens for general shooting, it's fine. At about $799 (Henry's), if you want to get into more wildlife shooting, I'd lean towards something longer. I had recently picked up a another used Sigma 50-500 for less than that (now my wife has one, and I have one). I see many Sigma 170-500's going on clearance also for less than that (Henry's & Ebay).

As for shooting at lower ISO's, yes, typically the lower is better, except that most dslrs don't have a true ISO 50 mode, so don't bother with that even if it's available.

With longer lens, you pretty need iso 200 or 400 to keep the shutter speeds up.

Except for rarities and lifers, I typically don't bother shooting during the midday sun. The light is just too harsh and ugly. It takes too much work to get good images due to harsh shadows, blown highlights etc. Mind you, with fall and winter well on it's way, "midday sun" is not much of a problem

[Anonymous]

Kin, once again thank you for the information.  I took a look at the newer 70-300 IS and am hooked!    I know you mentioned the Sigma lens, but don't you find that the lower end range (170mm) being too close a zoom for objects that might not be too far away?  Also, how do you feel about magnifiers?  I was thinking that a 300mm with a 2x would work well, or do you suggest just going with the 500?

Thanks for the info on the ISO's, glad I have someone here who is knowledgeable!

As for shooting in midday, I guess I just like the challenge.. :lol:  With that being said, you're right - especially for a raptor fan like me.  Most activity is in the early morning or late in the day, especially at the bird feeder in the back yard.  

I'm relaunching my website in January to include birds of prey along with the military aircraft that I enjoy shooting so much, and with your help, I'm hoping that my portfolio will be greatly enhanced!  Thanks again for the help Kin.

[Kin Lau]

As a _general_ lens, the 70-300 is very nice. I use a Sigma 50-500, but I do have the 170-500 as a backup (it's so beatup it's not worth selling).

With a 2x, the 70-300 won't be able to AF, and manual focus with a 350D is not easy, especially on moving targets like raptors.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again Kin, I'm looking forward to experimenting with the 300 when I get it and after perhaps a year of practice at birds and air shows then I'll be ready to make the move to the 500.

[Anonymous]

Here's a couple that I took from yesterday....does anyone know of a photo sharing site that will allow for uploading of RAW imgaes?

[David Shilman]

You can report those Trumpeters here; http://www.wyemarsh.com/swan_sighting.html  Did you get the tag number of the other one?

(Where were they?)

[Bird Brain]

Attila ... what a beautiful photo of #153!

If you're interested in knowing more about this Trumpeter Swan, I will give Mr. Harry Lumsden a call and find out for you!  I report Trumpeter Swan sightings to him quite often.  It's always an interesting and informative conversation finding out the history!

Please take a moment to click on the link in David Shilman's posting above and fill out the information!  

 

[Anonymous]

Late Edit - I just filled out the Sighting report, didn't realise how small it was.  Cheers, and enjoy the pictures.

Both of these birds were located at the Scarborough Bluffs, a very popular location for over wintering Trumpeters.  Glad you all enjoy the pictures, here's a couple more that identify the other bird.  Thanks for the link David and the information Bird Brain, I'll fill out the "Sighting" report when I get home from work.

[Bird Brain]

Attila ... I am totally loving your swan photos!  

Found out a little bit of info. for you ...

#153:  male, hatched in 2007 and banded at Bluffers Park on November 19, 2007.

#191:  male, hatched in 2007 and banded at Bluffers Park on November 20, 2007.

[Brian Bailey]

does anyone know of a photo sharing site that will allow for uploading of RAW imgaes?

I expect most don't, and those that do will convert your image to a Jpeg for web viewing anyway.  

If you're new to raw images, think of them as a negative versus a jpeg as a print.  Raw images give you more extensive image editing options, but jpegs are much smaller files and more easily viewed.

If you really want to upload raw files, PhotoShelter allows it.

BB

[Anonymous]

Glad you enjoy them Bird Brain.

Brian, thanks for the information regarding PhotoShelter and RAW images.  I've uploaded a couple of photos there but I think that what I'll do from here on in is to simply take pictures in the JPEG/RAW format where I can edit them using the software that came with the camera itself...much less confusion (at least I hope so!).  I'm hoping that by shooting in that specific formate that I'll have the opportunity to both upload photos here for public viewing and still be able to have some RAW images to work on with some decent outcomes.

Thanks for all the feedback, from Kin to Paul to David to Bird Brain and Brian, you've all been a great help. I'll post some more pictures as I take them.

Attila