Advise - What lenses are good to shoot these beautiful birds...and portraits as well.

Racer X 69 · 05-07-2013, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by samysarena

Hi! Jim, thanks for suggestions. I am not being able to read in between not very techy with camera terminologies. When you say increase DOF then do you mean that to blur the other area in background and achieved bokeh kind of effect? Also does that mean to use custom AF square dots to focus only on birds?

I'm not Jim, but here goes.

DOF = depth of field. The smaller the aperture the greater the DOF, the larger the aperture the shallower.

When you partially press the shutter release the camera attempts to focus (if you have autofocus (AF) on) and there will be red squares that appear in the viewfinder momentarily, showing the area(s) where the camera's AF system is attempting to focus..

**JimJohnson** · 05-07-2013, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by samysarena

Hi! Jim, thanks for suggestions. I am not being able to read in between not very techy with camera terminologies. When you say increase DOF then do you mean that to blur the other area in background and achieved bokeh kind of effect? Also does that mean to use custom AF square dots to focus only on birds?

Use a smaller aperture (larger number). While 'focus' is a specific point distance from the sensor, depth of field is a near to far range of acceptable focus. To me you are using too large an aperture so the DOF is too narrow and for example, the bird's eye (the most critical spot in the photo) is slightly outside your DOF. But to maintain your fast shutter speed, you will have to use a higher ISO to also use a smaller aperture. This will introduce a bit more digital noise, but it would be more acceptable if the bird's eye is in sharp focus. Besides, you may be able to smooth some of that noise with post processing.

samysarena · 05-08-2013, 08:51 PM

Thanks guys, I am practicing further. Good shot is not gonna come in one day I guess. Will post up more shoots again for further feedback

hypervel · 05-10-2013, 04:23 PM

Your lens is clearly good enough, judging by your samples. I'd say get a tripod and a remote release before you sweat another lens. I have a rationale.....see, the birds are essentially stationary objects in the scheme of things. You're not tracking osprey here. Treat it like a landscape. Pick a feeder-pick a "flower" with the best light for an incoming hummer. Frame the "flower" in a lower 1/3ish point and prefocus. Shoot and chimp to confirm your DOF. Put the ISO to your max taste/ noise tolerance to get shutter speed and aperture headroom. I'm thinking 1600 to 3200. Dial in shutter as you have been, maybe a touch faster. Any wiggle room can be applied to a smaller aperture. Adjust to taste. About 2/3, maybe a bit more of the hit zone should be hummer approach area. With the shutter on rat-a-tat mode, and no further focus enabled, wait. Grab a beverage. Scratch an itch. Then sneak back to your set-up and await your quarry.
I might be wrong.....and best of continued luck. Hummers are tough!

samysarena · 05-11-2013, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by hypervel

Your lens is clearly good enough, judging by your samples. I'd say get a tripod and a remote release before you sweat another lens. I have a rationale.....see, the birds are essentially stationary objects in the scheme of things. You're not tracking osprey here. Treat it like a landscape. Pick a feeder-pick a "flower" with the best light for an incoming hummer. Frame the "flower" in a lower 1/3ish point and prefocus. Shoot and chimp to confirm your DOF. Put the ISO to your max taste/ noise tolerance to get shutter speed and aperture headroom. I'm thinking 1600 to 3200. Dial in shutter as you have been, maybe a touch faster. Any wiggle room can be applied to a smaller aperture. Adjust to taste. About 2/3, maybe a bit more of the hit zone should be hummer approach area. With the shutter on rat-a-tat mode, and no further focus enabled, wait. Grab a beverage. Scratch an itch. Then sneak back to your set-up and await your quarry.
I might be wrong.....and best of continued luck. Hummers are tough!

Thanks for sharing the tips, I'll try that. Birds not showing up on my feeder. They like neighbors feeder more.

Racer X 69 · 05-12-2013, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by samysarena

Birds not showing up on my feeder.

Slip over at night and take the neighbor's feeder down.

samysarena · 05-12-2013, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by Racer X 69

Slip over at night and take the neighbor's feeder down.

Yeah I thought about that :P but then what about little birds why to take away their daily hangout place. It would be like some one blocked a forum member to hang out without any reason.

Racer X 69 · 05-12-2013, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by samysarena

Yeah I thought about that :P but then what about little birds why to take away their daily hangout place. It would be like some one blocked a forum member to hang out without any reason.

They will be hanging out at your place!

hypervel · 05-14-2013, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by samysarena

Thanks for sharing the tips, I'll try that. Birds not showing up on my feeder. They like neighbors feeder more.

Geez, tell me about it. We've had our feeder out for 3 weeks. I saw a Calliope, and got passed by last weekend while testing a 10-24 on a stick. Voom......gone. Oh, well. Air show this weekend! I shot them all before (the planes), but this year should have a Zero up. Not looking to hijack a thread. I tend towards shooting things that generate lift.

Just came to me: have you tried a hummingbird call? I have one. It sounds like a goober saying, "Heeeeeeere birdiebirdiebirdie". You may try the same until more of absolutely nothing happens. Well, until you wind up in a YouTube vid your neighbor took. Fun for all.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Any idea of what lenses these are?	BigJPR	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	47	03-05-2013 11:14 AM
What are some good vintage telephoto lenses?	iNicole	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	27	08-12-2012 10:58 PM
645 lenses on DSLRs - are they as good or better than their 35mm equivalents?	DanielT74	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	07-23-2011 12:11 PM
Are these lenses any good?	BirdDude007	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	05-08-2011 04:39 PM
Are these lenses Good or Bad?	Fl_Gulfer	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	08-18-2008 06:56 AM

05-07-2013, 10:31 AM	#31
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by samysarena Hi! Jim, thanks for suggestions. I am not being able to read in between not very techy with camera terminologies. When you say increase DOF then do you mean that to blur the other area in background and achieved bokeh kind of effect? Also does that mean to use custom AF square dots to focus only on birds? I'm not Jim, but here goes. DOF = depth of field. The smaller the aperture the greater the DOF, the larger the aperture the shallower. When you partially press the shutter release the camera attempts to focus (if you have autofocus (AF) on) and there will be red squares that appear in the viewfinder momentarily, showing the area(s) where the camera's AF system is attempting to focus..

05-07-2013, 10:45 AM	#32
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,774	Originally posted by samysarena Hi! Jim, thanks for suggestions. I am not being able to read in between not very techy with camera terminologies. When you say increase DOF then do you mean that to blur the other area in background and achieved bokeh kind of effect? Also does that mean to use custom AF square dots to focus only on birds? Use a smaller aperture (larger number). While 'focus' is a specific point distance from the sensor, depth of field is a near to far range of acceptable focus. To me you are using too large an aperture so the DOF is too narrow and for example, the bird's eye (the most critical spot in the photo) is slightly outside your DOF. But to maintain your fast shutter speed, you will have to use a higher ISO to also use a smaller aperture. This will introduce a bit more digital noise, but it would be more acceptable if the bird's eye is in sharp focus. Besides, you may be able to smooth some of that noise with post processing.

05-08-2013, 08:51 PM	#33
samysarena Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 54 Original Poster	Thanks guys, I am practicing further. Good shot is not gonna come in one day I guess. Will post up more shoots again for further feedback

05-10-2013, 04:23 PM	#34
hypervel Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 27	Your lens is clearly good enough, judging by your samples. I'd say get a tripod and a remote release before you sweat another lens. I have a rationale.....see, the birds are essentially stationary objects in the scheme of things. You're not tracking osprey here. Treat it like a landscape. Pick a feeder-pick a "flower" with the best light for an incoming hummer. Frame the "flower" in a lower 1/3ish point and prefocus. Shoot and chimp to confirm your DOF. Put the ISO to your max taste/ noise tolerance to get shutter speed and aperture headroom. I'm thinking 1600 to 3200. Dial in shutter as you have been, maybe a touch faster. Any wiggle room can be applied to a smaller aperture. Adjust to taste. About 2/3, maybe a bit more of the hit zone should be hummer approach area. With the shutter on rat-a-tat mode, and no further focus enabled, wait. Grab a beverage. Scratch an itch. Then sneak back to your set-up and await your quarry. I might be wrong.....and best of continued luck. Hummers are tough!

05-11-2013, 10:00 PM	#35
samysarena Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 54 Original Poster	Originally posted by hypervel Your lens is clearly good enough, judging by your samples. I'd say get a tripod and a remote release before you sweat another lens. I have a rationale.....see, the birds are essentially stationary objects in the scheme of things. You're not tracking osprey here. Treat it like a landscape. Pick a feeder-pick a "flower" with the best light for an incoming hummer. Frame the "flower" in a lower 1/3ish point and prefocus. Shoot and chimp to confirm your DOF. Put the ISO to your max taste/ noise tolerance to get shutter speed and aperture headroom. I'm thinking 1600 to 3200. Dial in shutter as you have been, maybe a touch faster. Any wiggle room can be applied to a smaller aperture. Adjust to taste. About 2/3, maybe a bit more of the hit zone should be hummer approach area. With the shutter on rat-a-tat mode, and no further focus enabled, wait. Grab a beverage. Scratch an itch. Then sneak back to your set-up and await your quarry. I might be wrong.....and best of continued luck. Hummers are tough! Thanks for sharing the tips, I'll try that. Birds not showing up on my feeder. They like neighbors feeder more.

05-12-2013, 10:57 AM	#36
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by samysarena Birds not showing up on my feeder. Slip over at night and take the neighbor's feeder down.

05-12-2013, 12:18 PM	#37
samysarena Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 54 Original Poster	Originally posted by Racer X 69 Slip over at night and take the neighbor's feeder down. Yeah I thought about that :P but then what about little birds why to take away their daily hangout place. It would be like some one blocked a forum member to hang out without any reason.

05-12-2013, 01:31 PM	#38
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by samysarena Yeah I thought about that :P but then what about little birds why to take away their daily hangout place. It would be like some one blocked a forum member to hang out without any reason. They will be hanging out at your place!

05-14-2013, 02:15 PM	#39
hypervel Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 27	Originally posted by samysarena Thanks for sharing the tips, I'll try that. Birds not showing up on my feeder. They like neighbors feeder more. Geez, tell me about it. We've had our feeder out for 3 weeks. I saw a Calliope, and got passed by last weekend while testing a 10-24 on a stick. Voom......gone. Oh, well. Air show this weekend! I shot them all before (the planes), but this year should have a Zero up. Not looking to hijack a thread. I tend towards shooting things that generate lift. Just came to me: have you tried a hummingbird call? I have one. It sounds like a goober saying, "Heeeeeeere birdiebirdiebirdie". You may try the same until more of absolutely nothing happens. Well, until you wind up in a YouTube vid your neighbor took. Fun for all.