I think I finally got a good bird shot.

[My2Girls66]

What do ya think? I took 200+ shots this a.m. of my birds and maybe got a handful of decent ones. I'm using my old Nikkor 75-300mm, handheld(I find it hard to track the birds with a tripod). Maybe I need the VR version?

 

[jann1033]

What do ya think? I took 200+ shots this a.m. of my birds and maybe got a handful of decent ones. I'm using my old Nikkor 75-300mm, handheld(I find it hard to track the birds with a tripod). Maybe I need the VR version?

those little birds are pretty fast ...if you have a feeder imo they are easier to catch there since you know exactly where they are going to be and can focus on the feeder.

 

[My2Girls66]

They are hard to catch. This guy was just sitting on a branch of a tree in my backyard. Now that I look at the picture bigger it does look off- looked better smaller(as do many shots). I took some shots with my 70-210 f/4 afterwards-not of the cardinal, tho. They came out much sharper. Maybe its the lens. It is 20+ yrs old. Another thing to add to my list of wants. Nikkor 75-300mm VR.

 

[Code]

I see from the EXIF data that the shot was 1/80th shutter speed @ 270mm focal length. You'd be very lucky to get a handheld shot be crisp in that situation without VR. The ISO isn't in the EXIF data for some reason, but it looks like you needed to go 1 or 2 stops higher in ISO to get usable shutter speeds.

 

[My2Girls66]

Took this with my 70-210mm f/4

 

[My2Girls66]

I see from the EXIF data that the shot was 1/80th shutter speed @ 270mm focal length. You'd be very lucky to get a handheld shot be crisp in that situation without VR. The ISO isn't in the EXIF data for some reason, but it looks like you needed to go 1 or 2 stops higher in ISO to get usable shutter speeds.

Thanks for the input. The ISO should be 200, as I didn't change it. I notice that even on my own computer the ISO isn't in EXIF data on my photos. Maybe tomorrow a.m. I'll try shooting from the same spot at ISO
400. I think the data from the shot above(woodpecker/chickadee) was 1/500th- at 210mm(35mm eq.) using my 70-210mm lens. I feel that the 210mm is a faster focusing, sharper lens- I tend to try and use the 300mm to get closer.

 

[Gdad]

You have some lovely subjects there. Bird photography can be a lot of fun and also quite a challenge.

 

[jann1033]

maybe check the focus points in your camera as well .the last one kind of looks sharper by the chain and clothes pins...not sure how your camera works but mine you can choose a focus point and it focus there so if i use the wrong point, the wrong part of the photo is in focus...ot but we put grape jelly out for the oriels and the woodpeckers love it to( junk food junkies? )
i try to get my shutter to 500+ for birds since they go so fast...if you are shooting from inside, if it's warm( or sometimes even when it's not) I open the window and screen which lets in lots more light

 

[My2Girls66]

maybe check the focus points in your camera as well .the last one kind of looks sharper by the chain and clothes pins...not sure how your camera works but mine you can choose a focus point and it focus there so if i use the wrong point, the wrong part of the photo is in focus...ot but we put grape jelly out for the oriels and the woodpeckers love it to( junk food junkies? )
i try to get my shutter to 500+ for birds since they go so fast...if you are shooting from inside, if it's warm( or sometimes even when it's not) I open the window and screen which lets in lots more light

Where/on what do you put the jelly? I used to put oranges sliced in 1/2 out for the orioles. They love them.

 

[jann1033]

Where/on what do you put the jelly? I used to put oranges sliced in 1/2 out for the orioles. They love them.

i have an old pizza take out salad dressing container rubber-banded to my feeder poll, like this, quite classy. only the best will do for my bird friends

 

[handicap18]

Thanks for the input. The ISO should be 200, as I didn't change it. I notice that even on my own computer the ISO isn't in EXIF data on my photos. Maybe tomorrow a.m. I'll try shooting from the same spot at ISO
400. I think the data from the shot above(woodpecker/chickadee) was 1/500th- at 210mm(35mm eq.) using my 70-210mm lens. I feel that the 210mm is a faster focusing, sharper lens- I tend to try and use the 300mm to get closer.

It has to do with the meta data (I believe thats what its called) put out by the D50. With all but a few EXIF readers (and even RAW converters) it strips out the ISO. If you view it in Picture Project, ViewNX or CaptureNX they will all show the ISO.

I have the 70-300 VR and it is a great lens. I've found it to be very sharp and the VR works as advertised. I also just recently picked up a used copy of the 70-210 f/4 and that is a nice lens. Love the constant f/4 throughout.

 

[My2Girls66]

i have an old pizza take out salad dressing container rubber-banded to my feeder poll, like this, quite classy. only the best will do for my bird friends

Thats cool! I'll give it a try.
Thanks

 

[My2Girls66]

I have the 70-300 VR and it is a great lens. I've found it to be very sharp and the VR works as advertised. I also just recently picked up a used copy of the 70-210 f/4 and that is a nice lens. Love the constant f/4 throughout.

My 70-210mm f/4 is also an old lens. 1980 something. My dad bought it used for me with my N8008 and the 75-300mm in the early 90's. Maybe I'll have to look into adding the 70-300mm VR to my collection. I'm really interested in getting a decent wildlife lens without getting to big/heavy or expensive. I'd like the 80-400mm VR but its $1400+. Abes of Maine(where I got my D50 has the 70-300mm VR for $459). Beach and Adorama have it for $479. In a few years we want to take a trip out to Yellowstone so a nice long lens would be nice to have. DH is afraid I'll try and get to close to the animals to get a good shot What is the longest lens you have? Do you like it?

 

[jann1033]

i just saw some photos from a tamron , 200-500 and was about $800. the photos were pretty good imo, especially the ducks(?) running on the water http://www.themagicinpixels.com//index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29 it's on my not so short list of things to buy