Post your best bird shots!

[Richard Lane]

Hey Pat,


It sounds like you have a very good approach for getting the shot.


I'm not sure what focal length you used (since it's a zoom), or the ISO ,or Camera Mode that you used?


I understand your idea of a narrower aperture to increase the DOF in order to hope for the eyes to be in focus, it seems logical and I've done this too at times! You said that you focused on the body, and the body looks a little soft too. You could also test the lens and 7D to see if your 100-400mm needs an AF Micro Adjustment. There are many threads on this. Also, if you lean on the car, then make sure that the car is off to eliminate vibrations.


But, as you are aware if you think the background was busy at f/7.1 then maybe you want to try a wider aperture to blur out the background more. Although the f/7.1 is trying to increase DOF, but it may be causinga nervous background. The wider aperture will also allow the AF system to work faster, since it is letting in more light. If these guys are moving quickly or their heads are bouncing around, then also try raising the ISO, which will allow you to raise the shutter-speed. Just be aware that opening the aperture and raising the ISO will over expose the photo, so make sure that you raise the shutter-speed enough so that the in camera light meter is in the middle if you shoot in Manual Mode, otherwise try Aperture Priority with Auto ISO and if that doesn't achieve a fast enough shutter speed (of approx. 1/800 sec) then just raise the ISO manually.


The fact that neither one of the birds heads or bodies are in the center/middle of the frame tells me that you may have missed the center AFpoint, so check the red AF mark of your images.


Also try to focus on the head of the one that is closest to you as this usually looks better if the camera nails the focus.


Do you use AF-ON back button to focus or the half-press shutter button? I like the AF-On button for moving subjects in AI servo and then I just hold that down while firing away in short bursts. Try to stay calm, support your elbows,take a deep breath,and then squeeze the shutter gently.


You won't get the focus lock confirmation beep in AI Servo. You could also use the AI Servo as a one press and then recompose. If you burst with AI Servo tracking with center-point focus, then all of your subjects will be centered in the frame and that is not always desirable. So, I try and switch my single center point to the left, right, or up or down of center, so that all my subjects are not always centered in the middle of the frame (this probably works better with f/2.8 lenses). Also be aware that if you hold down the AF-On button with center focus only and you are focusing on such a small object, then the center AF could grab the background by accident. I would also switch from spot AF to standard center or partial zone AF, since spot may be too small to track their narrow moving neck or head. If you do use AI Servo then let go of the button if you think you have aquired focus in order to avoid locking on the background. Spot AF is good for avoiding branches in a tree while hitting your small target (bird) or focusing on someones eyes inside of a helmet or between a facemask, things like that.


I hope you find this constructive, as it was intended!


Just let me know if you have any questions about any of this.


Rich

[Richard Lane]

Bob, I like catch lights in the shots. Did you use a flash? Joel uses the better beamer and also gets a nice catch light too!


I like the exposure on the first one and the background is real creamy too, but I like the head angle and eye contact on the 2nd one better.


Nice shots!


Rich

[bob williams]

Bob, I like catch lights in the shots. Did you use a flash? Joel uses the better beamer and also gets a nice catch light too!

Rich, no flash on these shots, I just set up my bird feeders and perches to take advantage of the setting sun.


Thanks,


Bob

[conropl]

I hope you find this constructive, as it was intended!


Rich
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Rich:


I never thought you were doing anything but being constructive, and I appreciate the time you have taken to help me out.


I was shooting with a 7D and the lens was at 400mm (ISO 400, I usually do not go above 800). I usually do not have a problem getting focus when I am shooting around water or even in a wooded area, but is this case I am shooting with a background that is close to the same color, and higher contrasting shapes than the subject. When I can get the time I will take a couple of sample shots to show you what I am talking about. I took a few shots today in good light with the center spot on the head - I pulled it up on DPP to show the focus point was on the head, but every shot was totally blurred unless I focused on the body (so none of the spot can pick up the background). However, you do make a lot of good points that I will try out.


Again, thank you for your time... I do appreciate the comments.


Pat

[Richard Lane]

My Pleasure!


Good Luck,


Rich

[Fast Glass]

Hi Rich


The aperture stays open during auto focus, so you don

[Richard Lane]

Hi Rich


The aperture stays open during auto focus, so you don't have to worry about stopping down and slowing the AF.


Cheers,


John.
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Yes John, you're right thanks for catching that.


I should have said a wider faster aperture lens and not opening up the aperture on the current lens.


While we're on that topic.., I have a question about variable aperture lenses that I'm not familar with, since I mainlyuse fast/fixed aperture lenses.


This question is open to anybody.


If you are using a variable aperture lens, does the lens open to the widest aperture that the lens offers or the widest aperture at the current actively used focal length, letsuse the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L as the example.


In other words, if I'm at 400mm with that lens, will itopen to f/4.5 for AF or f/5.6?


Thanks,


Rich

[neuroanatomist]

If you are using a variable aperture lens, does the lens open to the widest aperture that the lens offers or the widest aperture at the current actively used focal length, letsuse the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L as the example.


In other words, if I'm at 400mm with that lens, will itopen to f/4.5 for AF or f/5.6?

It will use the widest available aperture at that focal length (e.g. f/5.6 at any zoom setting of 260mm or longer). It's a physical thing - at 400mm, the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens cannot open to f/4.5 because the optical elements are not large enough in diameter. That's also the reason the 100-400mm is ~$1500, while the forthcoming 200-400mm f/4 will be in the high thousands - the extra glass needed to open that wide at the long end.

[Richard Lane]

Thanks John (Neuro), that

[MikeG2012]

If you are using a variable aperture lens, does the lens open to the widest aperture that the lens offers or the widest aperture at the current actively used focal length, letsuse the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L as the example.


In other words, if I'm at 400mm with that lens, will itopen to f/4.5 for AF or f/5.6?

It will use the widest available aperture at that focal length (e.g. f/5.6 at any zoom setting of 260mm or longer). It's a physical thing - at 400mm, the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens cannot open to f/4.5 because the optical elements are not large enough in diameter. That's also the reason the 100-400mm is ~$1500, while the forthcoming 200-400mm f/4 will be in the high thousands - the extra glass needed to open that wide at the long end.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 200-400 f/4 that was advertised is simply a model. A close relative of mine who spoke with some Canon higher-ups found out that the lens is only in design phase, no where near production and won't be in production for a long time, if at all. Its heart-breaking news and I almost hope they lied to him. But it does explain why no one was able to handle the lens when it was shown off.





Guess the 100-400 will have to suffice for a while longer.


Mike