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Comment by bjolester posted on More Grey Heron at 27/08/2011 - 01:59
This is my third attempt at capturing Grey Heron residing by the Trondheimsfjord. Today I managed to find a Heron feeding near the shore and the light conditions were very good. Tokina 80-400mm and K20D. Comments and critique are welcome!
1.
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_10.jpg[/IMG]
2.
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_11.jpg[/IMG]
3.
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_12.jpg[/IMG]
4.
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_13.jpg[/IMG]
Thanks
Bjørn
1.
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_10.jpg[/IMG]
2.
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_11.jpg[/IMG]
3.
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_12.jpg[/IMG]
4.
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_13.jpg[/IMG]
Thanks
Bjørn
Comment by bjolester posted on More Grey Heron at 27/08/2011 - 00:57
Thank you all for taking time to give me such great photo-technical advice! It is very helpful for me in the learning process
Algi: I will remember your suggestions about exposure and the Tokina. And yes, I guess I primarily need to get to know the lens. I know that doing capture of BIF must be one of the most difficult endeavors.
Alan: You have pointed out the most problematic aspect of my Heron captures on Sunday, that it was a overcast day late in the afternoon. The next time I will make sure that the light is really good. I also hope I can find a Grey Heron sleeping in a tree
Regards
Bjørn
Algi: I will remember your suggestions about exposure and the Tokina. And yes, I guess I primarily need to get to know the lens. I know that doing capture of BIF must be one of the most difficult endeavors.
Alan: You have pointed out the most problematic aspect of my Heron captures on Sunday, that it was a overcast day late in the afternoon. The next time I will make sure that the light is really good. I also hope I can find a Grey Heron sleeping in a tree
Regards
Bjørn
Comment by bjolester posted on K20D set-up for birding at 23/08/2011 - 20:41
surfseen wrote:
Everything has been said above, but I always had difficulties focusing with non pentax lenses on my K20D. Have you tested it on a tripod with landscape to ensure that it is not ff or bf, or AF issues.
I know the disaapointment when you have got your kit all worked out, cost a lot of money, and just cant get the quality of picture you expect.
Really depressing.
Cheers,
Andrew
Everything has been said above, but I always had difficulties focusing with non pentax lenses on my K20D. Have you tested it on a tripod with landscape to ensure that it is not ff or bf, or AF issues.
I know the disaapointment when you have got your kit all worked out, cost a lot of money, and just cant get the quality of picture you expect.
Really depressing.
Cheers,
Andrew
The Tokina 80-400mm lens I used for the shots above seems to be quite accurate regarding AF, I don´t believe the lens is the problem.
When using a beanbag or monopod, must the SR be turned off?
Thank you all for your response
Best regards
Bjørn
Comment by bjolester posted on K20D set-up for birding at 23/08/2011 - 00:24
pentaxanne wrote:
you should not be shooting under 1/600th sec, at 400mm as thats rule of thumb but you can go slight slower than that with the sr 250th sec but depands how you handle the lens and keep your breathing steady, i have had sharp shots with a 500mm lens on a k20 at 80/th sec.
also if light permites stop the lens down to around f8.
and keep to using tav mode and auto iso ramb up to 1600 if you have to, a sharp noisey shot is better than a blury shot.
Thank you for your very helpful answer pentaxanne! I will try to keep all this in mind the next time I take my Tokina 80-400mm out to encounter the Heron you should not be shooting under 1/600th sec, at 400mm as thats rule of thumb but you can go slight slower than that with the sr 250th sec but depands how you handle the lens and keep your breathing steady, i have had sharp shots with a 500mm lens on a k20 at 80/th sec.
also if light permites stop the lens down to around f8.
and keep to using tav mode and auto iso ramb up to 1600 if you have to, a sharp noisey shot is better than a blury shot.
My shots above are handheld. I have always imagined that it would be problematic shooting birds in flight with a tripod:
Comment by bjolester posted on K20D set-up for birding at 22/08/2011 - 22:36
I have recently purchased a Tokina AT-X 80-400mm, mainly with the ambition of learning to take shots of wildlife. My first project has been to try and capture a group of Grey Herons living near the Trondheimsfjord. Yesterday I again had the opportunity to capture the Herons both on the ground and in flight. I tried to use the TAv setting with auto ISO 100-800, and the continuous shooting mode with AF-C. Even though I took many hundred shots, none of them were successful in terms of image quality. Is it the camera or me?
My dilemma is that I know that one has to have a high shutter speed for birding (1/2000 or higher some say), at the same time the Tokina needs maybe f8 at 400mm. And then it is difficult to have less than ISO 800.
Could somebody please give me advice on the best way to set up the K20D for birding?
Here are some examples of my photos from yesterday (All at 400mm):
1. 100% crop, 1/250, f5.6, ISO 400
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_A.jpg[/IMG]
2. 100% crop, 1/250, f8, ISO 800
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_B.jpg[/IMG]
3. 100% crop, 1/350, f8, ISO 560
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_C.jpg[/IMG]
4. 100% crop, 1/350, f8, ISO 800
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_D.jpg[/IMG]
Best regards
Bjørn
My dilemma is that I know that one has to have a high shutter speed for birding (1/2000 or higher some say), at the same time the Tokina needs maybe f8 at 400mm. And then it is difficult to have less than ISO 800.
Could somebody please give me advice on the best way to set up the K20D for birding?
Here are some examples of my photos from yesterday (All at 400mm):
1. 100% crop, 1/250, f5.6, ISO 400
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_A.jpg[/IMG]
2. 100% crop, 1/250, f8, ISO 800
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_B.jpg[/IMG]
3. 100% crop, 1/350, f8, ISO 560
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_C.jpg[/IMG]
4. 100% crop, 1/350, f8, ISO 800
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_D.jpg[/IMG]
Best regards
Bjørn
Comment by bjolester posted on K20D set-up for birding at 22/08/2011 - 18:05
Algernon wrote:
They are good captures and sharp enough, but 800ISO is too much for
the K20D. I used to fine 400ISO was only just acceptable. Later
cameras are OK at 800ISO. You should be OK with 400ISO using one
stop less on shutter speed.
Thank you Algi! I will keep in mind your advice about ISO and the K20DThey are good captures and sharp enough, but 800ISO is too much for
the K20D. I used to fine 400ISO was only just acceptable. Later
cameras are OK at 800ISO. You should be OK with 400ISO using one
stop less on shutter speed.
Comment by bjolester posted on Grey Heron at 20/08/2011 - 19:34
I like number 1. The Seagull is sharp and the background is out of focus, thereby supporting the motive/bird. I also like number 4, but maybe you could have done something to the colour of the sea? On my screen the sea is too saturated (if that is the right technical term?). It does not look natural.
Comment by bjolester posted on Holiday Pictures... at 20/08/2011 - 10:46
I went for a walk along the Trondheimsfjord this afternoon to test my newly acquired Tokina ATX 80-400mm (on the K20D). By chance I got quite close to a Grey Heron, and managed to get some shots of this large bird. I have lived in this area for ten years and done walks along the fjord on a regular basis. Twice during these ten years have I seen Heron before. So - I was lucky today. These images are just cropped, no other PP. C&C are welcome!
Regards
Bjørn
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_1.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_8.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_3.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_4.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_5.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_6.jpg[/IMG]
Regards
Bjørn
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_1.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_8.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_3.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_4.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_5.jpg[/IMG]
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[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_6.jpg[/IMG]
Comment by bjolester posted on Grey Heron at 19/08/2011 - 22:07
Adjusted image:
[IMG]http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/bjolester/HERON_10C.jpg[/IMG]
Best regards
Bjørn