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Chapel · 03-31-2017, 06:51 PM

My wife and I were trying to take a picture of an Bald Eagle in a field that was about 250 yards away. The pictures suck. The bokeh is ugly, the detail is bad and nothing is very sharp. What is the practical distance to get nice pictures. She was using a Sony A7RII with a Sony A mount 70-400 on a tripod at 400mm. I have a 645Z with a 300mm F 5.6 on a monopod braced against a fence. I was at 1000 sec., F9-10 and iso 400 in good light.
Thanks for your input.

I forgot to mention, the bird was sitting on a wheel.

Greg

Last edited by Chapel; 03-31-2017 at 06:52 PM. Reason: Additional info.

KiloHotelphoto · 03-31-2017, 07:04 PM

I took theses at about 250 yards also with the K1 and DA560. 1/2500 1250 ISO F8. I typically only try to shoot 100 yards at the most for eagles but when I get desperate will shoot what I can get and hope they turn out. I've never used a 645 or the Sony but I would think 250 yards is a little to far for the focal length you were using for a bald eagle.

photolady95 · 03-31-2017, 07:10 PM

More than 250 yards away high up in a pine tree in a neighbor's yard.

Sigma 400mm manual focus, 1/1600s, ISO 800 f8. on tripod with SR disabled.

Keith23 · 03-31-2017, 07:40 PM

For this type of shot, I go as fast as possible (to minimise shake and bird movement blur) which will give a high f-stop and blur foreground and background (which are both competing for attention in this shot). I also try to keep ISO as low as possible to improve the image (the newer cameras are better at high ISO than my K-3ii). The nice shot by photolady95 shows that approach. I often do not use a tripod (because I like to move the camera a lot) but will brace against an object or sit and brace the camera across my knees. The Sigma 500, on the K-3ii, has a good reach for photos of this kind but I would not try to stand and hand-hold.

KiloHotelphoto · 03-31-2017, 07:44 PM

For a comparison this shot is about 75 yards away at 1/3200 1250 ISO F8 with K1 and DA560.

Chapel · 03-31-2017, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by Chapel

My wife and I were trying to take a picture of an Bald Eagle in a field that was about 250 yards away. The pictures suck. The bokeh is ugly, the detail is bad and nothing is very sharp. What is the practical distance to get nice pictures. She was using a Sony A7RII with a Sony A mount 70-400 on a tripod at 400mm. I have a 645Z with a 300mm F 5.6 on a monopod braced against a fence. I was at 1000 sec., F9-10 and iso 400 in good light.
Thanks for your input.

I forgot to mention, the bird was sitting on a wheel.

Greg

Those look better than mine for sure. I'll see if i can post one up.
Thanks

DeadJohn · 03-31-2017, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by Chapel

...250 yards away. The pictures suck. The bokeh is ugly, the detail is bad and nothing is very sharp...

Atmospheric conditions may have been a factor because you are looking through more air as you increase distance. High humidity fades colors and reduces contrast. Wind or uneven temperatures can soften details.

DougieD · 03-31-2017, 09:21 PM

As DeadJohn said, bad air can spoil long shots. Maybe you were shooting through turbulence. To boot, an eagle sitting 250 yards away is quite a stretch for a 300mm lens.

C_Jones · 03-31-2017, 09:50 PM

If possible, on a tripod a shutter speed like 250/320. and F stop like F13/F14 might have yielded better results. 400 mm is telephoto, but when a subject is that far away, becoming small visibly, it naturally makes it more difficult for the focus to interpret it. In some cases enough depth of field allows the subject to retain good/excellent detail. If looking for an exceptional shot, generally up to 100 or 150 yards might be more acceptable for 400 mm. With my Sigma 150-500/K-3II, when I shoot birds a hundred or more yards out on a piece of driftwood on the lake, I resort to F13 or F14 and handheld 400 shutter speed at 500 mm, which works out well in most cases, but with small (distanced) subjects I am not going to expect the best detail from something that is hundreds of yards away.

Chapel · 04-01-2017, 07:46 AM

Thanks for all the input. We're going to go back out and try again and use the suggestions and see what happens.
Greg

mcleoud151 · 04-05-2017, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by KiloHotelphoto

I took theses at about 250 yards also with the K1 and DA560. 1/2500 1250 ISO F8. I typically only try to shoot 100 yards at the most for eagles but when I get desperate will shoot what I can get and hope they turn out. I've never used a 645 or the Sony but I would think 250 yards is a little to far for the focal length you were using for a bald eagle.

Love that second shot for impact!

---------- Post added 04-05-2017 at 02:24 PM ----------

Originally posted by Keith23

For this type of shot, I go as fast as possible (to minimise shake and bird movement blur) which will give a high f-stop and blur foreground and background (which are both competing for attention in this shot). I also try to keep ISO as low as possible to improve the image (the newer cameras are better at high ISO than my K-3ii). The nice shot by photolady95 shows that approach. I often do not use a tripod (because I like to move the camera a lot) but will brace against an object or sit and brace the camera across my knees. The Sigma 500, on the K-3ii, has a good reach for photos of this kind but I would not try to stand and hand-hold.

This. Faster is always better at any distance or action (obviously, excluding purposeful motion). A monopod is a good compromise if you don't like the tripod.

wildman · 04-05-2017, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by Chapel

What is the practical distance to get nice pictures

I shoot small birds with 560mm glass and, you are not going to like this, but from my experience, in my area of the world, about 60 feet for reliable results.
Beyond that you start to just magnify air turbulence. Perhaps with the big raptors you could be further out but not by much - it's still going to go soft with all that air between you and the subject.

Sometimes you can luck out but don't count on it. This eagle was so far away you could not see it with the naked eye - I first saw it with 8x binos.
FF at 26x and 8mp crop. I have never shot at this distance before or after. - just dumb luck. About 1/3 a mile distance?

Chapel · 04-05-2017, 06:37 PM

Thanks. Usually use a tripod. I didn't really have time or some excuse.... Your eagle picture is better than mine.
Greg

Chapel · 04-08-2017, 04:42 PM

I deleted my other eagle pictures but got one from today where the bird was about 30 feet away.

TheOneAndOnlyJH · 04-11-2017, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by Chapel

I deleted my other eagle pictures but got one from today where the bird was about 30 feet away.

Nice shot! Daydreaming maybe? The bird looks a little awkwardly posed, but I think that makes it look more interesting. Perhaps it's because I'm used to seeing bald eagles on bare tree limbs and I've never seen one sitting in the grass.

03-31-2017, 06:51 PM	#1
Chapel Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 48	How far away. My wife and I were trying to take a picture of an Bald Eagle in a field that was about 250 yards away. The pictures suck. The bokeh is ugly, the detail is bad and nothing is very sharp. What is the practical distance to get nice pictures. She was using a Sony A7RII with a Sony A mount 70-400 on a tripod at 400mm. I have a 645Z with a 300mm F 5.6 on a monopod braced against a fence. I was at 1000 sec., F9-10 and iso 400 in good light. Thanks for your input. I forgot to mention, the bird was sitting on a wheel. Greg Last edited by Chapel; 03-31-2017 at 06:52 PM. Reason: Additional info.

03-31-2017, 07:10 PM	#3
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	More than 250 yards away high up in a pine tree in a neighbor's yard. Sigma 400mm manual focus, 1/1600s, ISO 800 f8. on tripod with SR disabled. Last edited by photolady95; 03-31-2017 at 08:30 PM.

04-05-2017, 03:03 PM	#12
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by Chapel What is the practical distance to get nice pictures I shoot small birds with 560mm glass and, you are not going to like this, but from my experience, in my area of the world, about 60 feet for reliable results. Beyond that you start to just magnify air turbulence. Perhaps with the big raptors you could be further out but not by much - it's still going to go soft with all that air between you and the subject. Sometimes you can luck out but don't count on it. This eagle was so far away you could not see it with the naked eye - I first saw it with 8x binos. FF at 26x and 8mp crop. I have never shot at this distance before or after. - just dumb luck. About 1/3 a mile distance? Last edited by wildman; 04-07-2017 at 11:22 AM.

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03-31-2017, 07:40 PM	#4
Keith23 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 69	For this type of shot, I go as fast as possible (to minimise shake and bird movement blur) which will give a high f-stop and blur foreground and background (which are both competing for attention in this shot). I also try to keep ISO as low as possible to improve the image (the newer cameras are better at high ISO than my K-3ii). The nice shot by photolady95 shows that approach. I often do not use a tripod (because I like to move the camera a lot) but will brace against an object or sit and brace the camera across my knees. The Sigma 500, on the K-3ii, has a good reach for photos of this kind but I would not try to stand and hand-hold.

03-31-2017, 08:10 PM	#6
Chapel Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 48 Original Poster	Originally posted by Chapel My wife and I were trying to take a picture of an Bald Eagle in a field that was about 250 yards away. The pictures suck. The bokeh is ugly, the detail is bad and nothing is very sharp. What is the practical distance to get nice pictures. She was using a Sony A7RII with a Sony A mount 70-400 on a tripod at 400mm. I have a 645Z with a 300mm F 5.6 on a monopod braced against a fence. I was at 1000 sec., F9-10 and iso 400 in good light. Thanks for your input. I forgot to mention, the bird was sitting on a wheel. Greg Those look better than mine for sure. I'll see if i can post one up. Thanks

03-31-2017, 08:39 PM	#7
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by Chapel ...250 yards away. The pictures suck. The bokeh is ugly, the detail is bad and nothing is very sharp... Atmospheric conditions may have been a factor because you are looking through more air as you increase distance. High humidity fades colors and reduces contrast. Wind or uneven temperatures can soften details.

03-31-2017, 09:21 PM	#8
DougieD Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Southwestern Ontario Posts: 89	As DeadJohn said, bad air can spoil long shots. Maybe you were shooting through turbulence. To boot, an eagle sitting 250 yards away is quite a stretch for a 300mm lens.

03-31-2017, 09:50 PM	#9
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,086	If possible, on a tripod a shutter speed like 250/320. and F stop like F13/F14 might have yielded better results. 400 mm is telephoto, but when a subject is that far away, becoming small visibly, it naturally makes it more difficult for the focus to interpret it. In some cases enough depth of field allows the subject to retain good/excellent detail. If looking for an exceptional shot, generally up to 100 or 150 yards might be more acceptable for 400 mm. With my Sigma 150-500/K-3II, when I shoot birds a hundred or more yards out on a piece of driftwood on the lake, I resort to F13 or F14 and handheld 400 shutter speed at 500 mm, which works out well in most cases, but with small (distanced) subjects I am not going to expect the best detail from something that is hundreds of yards away.

04-01-2017, 07:46 AM	#10
Chapel Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 48 Original Poster	Thanks for all the input. We're going to go back out and try again and use the suggestions and see what happens. Greg

04-05-2017, 02:22 PM	#11
mcleoud151 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon Coast Photos: Gallery Posts: 272	Originally posted by KiloHotelphoto I took theses at about 250 yards also with the K1 and DA560. 1/2500 1250 ISO F8. I typically only try to shoot 100 yards at the most for eagles but when I get desperate will shoot what I can get and hope they turn out. I've never used a 645 or the Sony but I would think 250 yards is a little to far for the focal length you were using for a bald eagle. Love that second shot for impact! ---------- Post added 04-05-2017 at 02:24 PM ---------- Originally posted by Keith23 For this type of shot, I go as fast as possible (to minimise shake and bird movement blur) which will give a high f-stop and blur foreground and background (which are both competing for attention in this shot). I also try to keep ISO as low as possible to improve the image (the newer cameras are better at high ISO than my K-3ii). The nice shot by photolady95 shows that approach. I often do not use a tripod (because I like to move the camera a lot) but will brace against an object or sit and brace the camera across my knees. The Sigma 500, on the K-3ii, has a good reach for photos of this kind but I would not try to stand and hand-hold. This. Faster is always better at any distance or action (obviously, excluding purposeful motion). A monopod is a good compromise if you don't like the tripod.

04-05-2017, 06:37 PM	#13
Chapel Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 48 Original Poster	Thanks. Usually use a tripod. I didn't really have time or some excuse.... Your eagle picture is better than mine. Greg

04-11-2017, 10:13 AM	#15
TheOneAndOnlyJH Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 351	Originally posted by Chapel I deleted my other eagle pictures but got one from today where the bird was about 30 feet away. Nice shot! Daydreaming maybe? The bird looks a little awkwardly posed, but I think that makes it look more interesting. Perhaps it's because I'm used to seeing bald eagles on bare tree limbs and I've never seen one sitting in the grass.

How far away.

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