Post your best bird shots!

[StapledPhoto]

JJphoto'


What I do is to use the central AF point only, in manual mode, place it on the bird and watch the exposure meter in view finder as you adjust the camera to correctly expose the bird ....the exposure meter should read zero after your adjustments. I want to keep my shutter speed up and a good DOF so I tend to adjust ISO to get the right exposure but sometimes I will adjust shutter speed and f stop a little. On a bright sunny day start with ISO 400 f/8 1/2000 and work from there. (reference the Sunny 16 Rule
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Can I ask why you are using manual mode if you're relying on the camera's metering logic to guide your adjustments anyway? Why not aperture priority and adjust ISO as needed? Then switch to spot metering if you want high-key just as you need to with your manual method. Seems simpler, faster and more able to react to changing conditions, but maybe I'm missing something. If it's just the way you prefer to work that's totally fine with me, but if there's some advantage to it then I'd definitely want to start making use of it





**EDIT** It occurred to me that it's probably so that you don't need to hold auto exposure lock for recomposing different shots. It that correct? Too bad spot metering doesn't work on any point

[Joel Eade]

StapledPhoto,


I am used to manual mode and find it easy to make quick adjustments and as you pointed out there is no need to hold auto exposure lock but what I am most interested in is to get the exposure of the subject correct no matter the background and even if the background changes. So once I determine the correct subject exposure it doesn

[JJphoto]

Joel, I got it , thank you very much!

[JJphoto]

Salazarbrujo, this is the toughest bird I have ever seen, but I guess it will never perch on those wires[]


congratulations on your 135mm 2.0L, I know it is just a fantastic lens.

[Joel Eade]

A pair of Mourning Doves, my backyard setup


1D MKIII + 300mm 2.8L + 1.4TC + 580exII fill flash with better beamer





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[bob williams]

Very nice shot Joel. Sharp, nice diffuse background and very nice lighting.


I have these birds all over the place in my neighborhood, but never took any interest in shooting them---Maybe I

[JJphoto]

Wow, it looks so nice, like the lighting very much!


"better beamer"? I have to google it.

[Joel Eade]

Bob,


I have had good luck with the better beamer when using it for fill flash from a distance of 15 feet or more. Helps bring up the exposure a little so detail can be enhnaced. In lower light situations or if a bird flies overhead and it is against a bright sky it can help expose the subject to prevent a silhouette effect. Usually in my setup I keep the flash and beamer on the camera all the time even if I don