Check out Software and Computer Support for Photographers section of our forum.
BIF pointers Please
May 5, 2024 08:20:24 #
HI FOLKS - I have never really done any BIF, my cameras are Nkion's a 7200 & 850 , , the back property line at my sons house - is a stream about 1/2 between a local lake & The Kennebec River that empties to the ocean. My son is going to advise me when the alewives are running ....... he ends up with adult & immature eagles & osprey on the hunt & fighting for territory or fish ... when this happens....... we will see if the old man can get a few images
is my Tammron 150 -600 too much zoom to find the action in the viewfinder & get an image ........ I am guessing I will be glad this is digital.......... back in film days a lot would be trashed.
yes I have other lenses ....
Thank you for the tips & suggestions ....... I also better remember bug dope- ticks....
Skylanergpilot.
is my Tammron 150 -600 too much zoom to find the action in the viewfinder & get an image ........ I am guessing I will be glad this is digital.......... back in film days a lot would be trashed.
yes I have other lenses ....
Thank you for the tips & suggestions ....... I also better remember bug dope- ticks....
Skylanergpilot.
May 5, 2024 08:32:21 #
SkylanePilot wrote:
HI FOLKS - I have never really done any BIF, ... (show quote)
The lens should be fine. The key is practice, practice, practice. You can practice by quickly choosing stationary objects that are at different distances. Once you can do that, moving subjects are the next step.
Zooming out can be helpful in locating the subject before zooming in.
---
May 5, 2024 08:38:09 #
SkylanePilot wrote:
HI FOLKS - I have never really done any BIF, ... (show quote)
I recommend Steve Perry ‘s website for information and guides. To date, all videos are free and the publications are reasonably priced.
doclrb
Check out Close Up Photography section of our forum.
May 5, 2024 08:50:36 #
maxlieberman
Loc: 19027
The camera/lens combo is fine. I still use it and get great pics. The key is practice, learning how the birds move, and patience. I shoot small birds in flight (cardinals, titmice, woodpeckers, etc). I use back button focusing, 1/2500; f/8 and auto ISO, then process with Topaz Photo to control noise. Check out my posts.
May 5, 2024 10:01:05 #
With zoom lenses, finding your subject zoomed out then zooming in is good advice. But if you want sharp images of moving subjects, I suggest shooting faster that 1/2500. I start at 1/4000. Also, if you look at the depth of field charts for your lens, I would wager that f/8 doesn't give you any advantage. I always shoot wide open for most subjects and stop down if the subject is close. Also, wider apertures will provide softer backgrounds, separating your subject from the background if it is relatively close. Best advice however is GET OUT AND SHOOT. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
Here is an example. 400mm @f/4, 1/4000, ISO 1000. Full frame (no crop). IMO, if I had been at f/8 at 1/2500 the background would have been more detailed (distracting) and the face of the bird would not have been as sharp. Actually, considering this was taken with a 400mm f/2.8 prime, I wonder whether the image might have been better at 2.8 considering the face is the most important part of the image.
Here is an example. 400mm @f/4, 1/4000, ISO 1000. Full frame (no crop). IMO, if I had been at f/8 at 1/2500 the background would have been more detailed (distracting) and the face of the bird would not have been as sharp. Actually, considering this was taken with a 400mm f/2.8 prime, I wonder whether the image might have been better at 2.8 considering the face is the most important part of the image.
May 5, 2024 10:23:36 #
SkylanePilot wrote:
HI FOLKS - I have never really done any BIF, ... (show quote)
The cleaner the background the better. Light coming over your shoulder helps too. If sky is grey, use exposure compensation (+) to add light to the front of the bird.
I also recommend all of Steve Perry's books and videos.
Practice and then practice again.
May 5, 2024 11:22:11 #
Skylane,
The Nikon DF-M1 Dot Sight or the OM System EE-1 Dot Sight are good for people that don't practice a lot. They work on any camera with a hot shoe to hold them. The Nikon costs a little more but may be a little easier to use.
I have the EE-1 on a M4/3 camera with a very long, 800 mm equivalent lens. I wouldn't consider trying to shoot distant birds with out it.
I use higher ISOs to support faster shutter speeds. I keep the camera on burst and sometimes 4K video. The dot site will quickly put me "on target" with nearly no practice at all.
The dot site technique is very different than peering through a viewfinder. You can keep both eyes open and hold the camera about a foot from your primary eye. It is more like pointing your finger at a subject than precisely aiming it.
(I presume you have a Skylane. I used to work for Cessna and sold a lot of them. The 182 may be the best "all around" airplane made. )
The Nikon DF-M1 Dot Sight or the OM System EE-1 Dot Sight are good for people that don't practice a lot. They work on any camera with a hot shoe to hold them. The Nikon costs a little more but may be a little easier to use.
I have the EE-1 on a M4/3 camera with a very long, 800 mm equivalent lens. I wouldn't consider trying to shoot distant birds with out it.
I use higher ISOs to support faster shutter speeds. I keep the camera on burst and sometimes 4K video. The dot site will quickly put me "on target" with nearly no practice at all.
The dot site technique is very different than peering through a viewfinder. You can keep both eyes open and hold the camera about a foot from your primary eye. It is more like pointing your finger at a subject than precisely aiming it.
(I presume you have a Skylane. I used to work for Cessna and sold a lot of them. The 182 may be the best "all around" airplane made. )
May 5, 2024 12:05:18 #
Your equipment is fine. Be sure to learn back-button focusing. It will greatly help.
May 5, 2024 12:07:05 #
May 5, 2024 12:14:37 #
YES on the Skylane .... mine is one of the models that fewer #'s were made its a R182 ( R for RG gear) But some mods - etc dont have STC for this model .... limited qty's
got good legs too ... KOSH no stop to KWVL.....
got good legs too ... KOSH no stop to KWVL.....
May 5, 2024 12:16:36 #
yes I use BBF .... sometimes when I hand camera to some who says let me take your ( &my wife ) picture - I forget until they say the shutter release is not working.....
Check out Smartphone Photography section of our forum.
May 5, 2024 12:17:24 #
May 5, 2024 13:39:08 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
SkylanePilot wrote:
HI FOLKS - I have never really done any BIF, ... (show quote)
Just one suggestion: the OM EE-1 Viewsight. It will increase your keepers enormously.
May 5, 2024 14:06:40 #
SkylanePilot wrote:
HI FOLKS - I have never really done any BIF, ... (show quote)
I was in my late 70's, had to wear glasses when I got a Tamron 150-600; now in my late 80's using a Tamron 250-500; about 7 years ago I got a brilliant idea and purchased an inexpensive ( $27.00) red dot rifle sight from B&H. The sales person asked if I had a hot shoe attachment to attach the sight to - NO, so he sold me one for, it seems like, about $30. Using the sight you usually engage focus faster and, keeping both eyes open, be more aware of incoming birds from your Left.
May 5, 2024 15:06:43 #
SkylanePilot wrote:
HI FOLKS - I have never really done any BIF, ... (show quote)
The 7200/850/Tamron CAN do BIF - but they are relatively SLOW - so in order to have a decent keeper rate you will need lots of practice and lots of shots - as mentioned. I prefer focus with the shutter release - strictly for BIF. BBF is for everything else - IMO.
I am also in full manual when doing BIF which means you do not have to contend with differing backrounds influencing the exposure....
.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Advice from the Pros section of our forum.