Is there a secret to capturing moving objects at a focal length of 500mm. I am having extreme difficulty getting things right at the moment of shutter release. Static images of flora are more successful with the help of a sturdy tripod, mirror lock, and a 2-sec delay. But those options are not available when following something in flight.
I have seen some spectacular images of birds in flight so I know it is possible. Perhaps practice is what is needed. I am even having trouble setting everything up for perched birds. They wait patiently as I focus and compose but eventually, before the shutter releases, they fly off with a 'dude, I ain't got all day' look to them.
Anyway, here is my latest attempt of a turkey vulture...
Cropped
[thumb]675492[/thumb]
From camera
[thumb]675493[/thumb]
Those images are not even close to acceptable by any standard.
Any tips, hints, suggestions (short of purchasing a Canon 400mm f/4L lens) would be greatly appreciated.
FYI: Equipment used:
Camera: Canon 40D
Lens: Sigma 170-500mmD f/5-6.3 APO DG Aspherical
Tripod: Manfrotto 190xprob with 486RC2 ball head
First thing let look at. With the crop factor of your camera you are no where near the 1/focal length standard for sharp photos. Next your shooting with a lens that isnt known for being sharp wide open at 500mm. You are going to have to stop down the lens, and up the ISO to get your shutter speed up. In reality spend alot of money for a better/faster lens or find birds that are sitting still.
And yes, the camera track focuses, but I wasn't in that mode., Hmm, did not try track focus with the lens, it may not have enough aperature to do it properly. Actually, I was using manual focus for those shots which could be part of the problem. However, my results when using single shot AF weren't any better.
shutterspeed no less than ohhh 1/500...wouldnt go as far to say 1/1000
crank the iso a little more and go from there
The exif on her image shows a shutter speed of 1/640 at f6.3.
That "should be" fast enough for a 500mm lens to stop any camera shake.
This web page has 34 reviews on the lens. Many of them concur that it has a soft focus, especially wide open and past 425mm.
Using the standard 1/focal length taking in the crop factor you would need 1/800 to eliminate camera shake on a steady person. More then that for someone with poor long lens technique.
With what you have you will have to bump up ISO to keep shutter at 1/1000 or more. Use focus tracking (whatever mode that is with Canon). Use spot for focus and try to keep the spot on the bird (difficult). Shoot only in bright conditions if possible when the sun is past halfway on the horizon. this looks like a Turkey Vulture which should be fairly easy (relative) to shoot as they soar quite a bit.
Good luck.
Edit: monopod helps steady shot while giving some portabliltiy. saves on the arms also.
just a suggestion I dont have this lens but i sometimes borrow the minolta fit one, and it works better with no uv filter fitted in av mode, it is also not a suitable lens for hand holding, if you can afford it rather get the 100-400mm.
edited to say the sweet spot of both the 100- 400 and this lens appears to be f8 iso 200
Here's a similar shot I did just last weekend. I did do some cropping and PP on it.
Canon Rebel XT, shot in High quality JPEG
300mm of zoom, non-IS lens
ISO 200
1/1000 second
F 6.3
handheld
Not sure if this helps any, but perhaps a comparison of shot info will show something.
Edited to add: Your bird may have been a little farther away, but the biggest difference I see is that I had the ISO set higher, permitting a faster shutter speed.
set up at 1/1000 of a second or faster, faster is better when dealing with further away moving objects. also try to keep the sun behind you, go early in the morning and know where you are in relation to the object you are shooting, it will help keep a low ISO at high speeds.
Check out the Bushhawk at
//www.bushhawk.com/
I use one for shooting flying raptors with a 500 mm lens and get great results. For flying birds and fast moving objects it beats a tripod or monopod.
Check out the Bushhawk at
//www.bushhawk.com/
I use one for shooting flying raptors with a 500 mm lens and get great results. For flying birds and fast moving objects it beats a tripod or monopod.
you are atempting --in my opinion one of the most difficult things to do in photography--- concentrate on your focus point ant the birds head and squeese the button ---a lot of your motion is probably in camera especially in a non is lens. techinique is prime!
