Bird photography

[PND]

Hi Robin

Your latest shots are really good!  Are these with a Canon EF 400 mm F/5.6 USM lens?  I'm looking at getting one to replace my 100-400mm as I'm nearly always at the 400mm end!

Nice and sharp!

Paul.

[doylebros]

 Yes Robin that was fantastic for detail but the tree/bush pruning takes a bit believing!

[RedRobin]

Yes Robin that was fantastic for detail but the tree/bush pruning takes a bit believing!

....That's because that particular small tree was smashed by the 50ft Leylandii which came down on it in the storm last month. I'm still clearing it up!





^ Friends to the rescue (they were in my neighbourhood). Both the birds and myself have benefitted from this tree coming down and me leaving the base 'pruned' as in the pic.

[RedRobin]

Hi Robin

Your latest shots are really good!  Are these with a Canon EF 400 mm F/5.6 USM lens?  I'm looking at getting one to replace my 100-400mm as I'm nearly always at the 400mm end!

Nice and sharp!

Paul.

....Yes, I was interested in the Canon 100-400mm in spite of having the 70-200mm f4L with 1.4x Extender (making it fully functional as a 98-280mm f5.6L) but a very experienced bird photographer friend advised me that the prime Canon 400mm f5.6L USM (no IS) is a 'better' lens - He has owned both.

It would be nice if it had IS (Image Stabilisation for non Canon users) because I reckon my keeper rate would be higher but when I get it right (as the Robin singing shot) it's spot on. I personally find it easier to steady with the tripod ring mount fitted.

I now exclusively shoot RAW and can then enhance what's already captured by the camera body's sensor (Canon 70D). But if it's a turd, you can't polish it!



^ The 70-200mm is shown with the Canon 1.4x Extender fitted. It also fits the 400mm but then makes it a f8L and kills autofocus on the 70D body. You also really need a tripod/monopod to steady it at 540mm (actually more on my crop-sensor body). The Extender works beautifully on the 70-200mm though and lives on it most of the time.

Another 400mm sharp shot....


Dunnock_2580vns by RedRobin_05, on Flickr

Not a bird but a flying creature and just to show how well the 400mm can perform for close-up (as long as you are further away than 12ft!)....


BumbleBee blossom_3568v1ns by RedRobin_05, on Flickr

[rich83]

Providing you can keep the shutter speed above the focal length of the lens, it pretty much negated the need for IS.

[doylebros]

New to the photography but enjoying the posts and education within!

This one has had a few twitchers out for some strange reason!

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11042294.Pink_pigeon_spotted_in_skies_above_Darlington/?ref=mr

[PND]

Hi Robin

Your latest shots are really good!  Are these with a Canon EF 400 mm F/5.6 USM lens?  I'm looking at getting one to replace my 100-400mm as I'm nearly always at the 400mm end!

Nice and sharp!

Paul.

....Yes, I was interested in the Canon 100-400mm in spite of having the 70-200mm f4L with 1.4x Extender (making it fully functional as a 98-280mm f5.6L) but a very experienced bird photographer friend advised me that the prime Canon 400mm f5.6L USM (no IS) is a 'better' lens - He has owned both.

It would be nice if it had IS (Image Stabilisation for non Canon users) because I reckon my keeper rate would be higher but when I get it right (as the Robin singing shot) it's spot on. I personally find it easier to steady with the tripod ring mount fitted.

I now exclusively shoot RAW and can then enhance what's already captured by the camera body's sensor (Canon 70D). But if it's a turd, you can't polish it!

^ The 70-200mm is shown with the Canon 1.4x Extender fitted. It also fits the 400mm but then makes it a f8L and kills autofocus on the 70D body. You also really need a tripod/monopod to steady it at 540mm (actually more on my crop-sensor body). The Extender works beautifully on the 70-200mm though and lives on it most of the time.

Hi Robin

Thanks for that.  The 100-400mm has done the job of getting be interested and pointing me down the road I want to follow so it looks like a 400mm prime could be on the cards.  I've already got a 1.4x extender as well and f8 is no problem for autofocus on my 5D. 

[RedRobin]

Providing you can keep the shutter speed above the focal length of the lens, it pretty much negated the need for IS.

....That's a good guide (focal length taking into account body sensor factor) but I'm convinced that IS on a lens can help (unless on a tripod).

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that the 400mm f5.6L USM was introduced before Canon offered IS. If they ever produce a new version of it what's the betting it will have IS?

[Hedge]

No IS on the f5.6 but it is available on the f4 and f2.8 400mm. You don't want to ask the prices of those though. 

[rich83]

Providing you can keep the shutter speed above the focal length of the lens, it pretty much negated the need for IS.

....That's a good guide (focal length taking into account body sensor factor) but I'm convinced that IS on a lens can help (unless on a tripod).

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that the 400mm f5.6L USM was introduced before Canon offered IS. If they ever produce a new version of it what's the betting it will have IS?

Ohh there is no doubt it helps in certain situations. But, lets you your robin photo. 1/3200 shutter speed. Now... unless you have had 10000 cups of coffee and are "shacking like a dog" then IS wont make a blind bit of difference.

I cant see canon making a 400mm with IS.

[RedRobin]

No IS on the f5.6 but it is available on the f4 and f2.8 400mm. You don't want to ask the prices of those though. 

....Too right!! They cost many thousands even at competitive and reliable retailers like Park Cameras and Wex. I would still love one though.

[RedRobin]

Ohh there is no doubt it helps in certain situations. But, lets you your robin photo. 1/3200 shutter speed. Now... unless you have had 10000 cups of coffee and are "shacking like a dog" then IS wont make a blind bit of difference.

....Here's one before I had a cup of coffee or breakfast the other morning. It was a very dull day and it's shot at 1/320 shutter speed and ISO 3200 - On the 400mm f5.6L non IS:


Robin art_3616v1n by RedRobin_05, on Flickr

^ I call it 'The Art of Failure'. Shot RAW and with minor post-processing - The Levels brought out the colour. Noise reduction applied overall, no sharpening.

[rich83]

^^ yep.. shutter speed far too slow to capture a flying bird and it be "sharp"

[RedRobin]

^^ yep.. shutter speed far too slow to capture a flying bird and it be "sharp"

....But I love it as an image. Photography is about more than just being sharp in my opinion.

[rich83]

Not again robin..... ive heard enough of that for a lifetime.