Juvenile Gull foraging

[Nathaniel]

Once again testing the Tamron SP70-300mm VC USD lens.

(i)
Old Colwyn Bay & Conwy RSPB 26th Feb 2016 008 by Nathaniel Ramanaden, on Flickr

(ii)
Old Colwyn Bay & Conwy RSPB 26th Feb 2016 009 by Nathaniel Ramanaden, on Flickr

(iii)
Old Colwyn Bay & Conwy RSPB 26th Feb 2016 013 by Nathaniel Ramanaden, on Flickr

[Stan]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Sorry at they are all a little out of focus, particularly the middle one and where did you get the idea it was a gull - gulls are not that small - it is a turnstone.

they are all very similar shots so just pick the best one and post that

stan

[Nathaniel]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Thanks Stan. On my monitor they look OK- looking at the eye ( I focussed on the eye) . Gosh never thought that I would see a Turnstone foraging with the gulls. Lesson learnt!

[the black fox]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Were you using a t.c to try and get more reach nat .saying that the light at the moment is rubbish to .dont think I got anything useable from today .if you try and push boundaries in poor light it never works.
P.s remind me to give you a bird I.d book next time we meet

[Nathaniel]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

I was not using my TC but just the lens. Don't worry about the bird ID book as I have several but my fault for not checking!!!! before I opened the thread.

[antoeknee]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Hi Nat, was going to look at settings but Flickr being a bit temperamental. Turnstones are very active birds and if you're at longer focal length I'm guessing the shutter speed probably a bit low.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Thanks Ant. The shutter speed was 1/2000 but it was the aperture at f5.6 or there abouts.I should have set the aperture to either f8 - f11 and adjusted the ISO to get the shutter speed to above the focal length of the lens. The plus point is that even at f5.6 or thereabouts the images are reasonably OK. All a question of getting used to a non Canon brand.

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Nat, aside from the light you were probably on a bit of a loser with the bird as it's not exactly posing is it You may find it helps to think up front "birds on the ground so no need for a massive shutter speed and IS on the lens reduces that" so I find that for this kind of subject 1/400th works perfectly well. I'd go for shutter priority (Tv), 1/400th and auto ISO and let the camera handle the rest so you minimise your ISO and maximise IQ.

I also find +1/3 or +1/2 on exposure compensation can help on dull days but as Jeff says, if the light isn't great, no matter what you do, your shots won't be either. They may be good, but won't be great. And if the bird doesn't cooperate, well...

[Nathaniel]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Thanks Andy. Yes I agree the bird did not co-operate & was moving around pretty fast, and hence my rather high TV. Certainly will correct my mistakes.

[tigerburnie]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Good post for us all to learn from Nat.

[antoeknee]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Thanks Ant. The shutter speed was 1/2000 but it was the aperture at f5.6 or there abouts.I should have set the aperture to either f8 - f11 and adjusted the ISO to get the shutter speed to above the focal length of the lens. The plus point is that even at f5.6 or thereabouts the images are reasonably OK. All a question of getting used to a non Canon brand.

Nat, vast majority of the early kestrel shots I've posted were shot using the Tamron wide open and 300mm (EFL 480 as on my 60D) and IQ was very good IMHO. Any duffers were down to me. I think with a bit of practice you'll get some great shots.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Juvenile Gull foraging

Thanks Ant. I am sure I will get better once I use the Tamron more often.