LIttle Black Cormorants

[wigz]

The Little Black Cormorants were busy at nest building at Tygum Park last week. Many attempts required to get some in the frame and in focus.

1. Nikon D800 Nikon 500mm PF f/5.6. 1/1600 f/5.6 ISO 220


2. Nikon D800 Nikon 500mm PF f/5.6. 1/1600 f/5.6 ISO 200


3. Nikon D800 Nikon 500mm PF f/5.6. 1/1600 f/5.6 ISO 220


4. Nikon D800 Nikon 500mm PF f/5.6. 1/2000 f/5.6 ISO 360

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day Alan

A most impressive collection of beaut images - a 'well done' from me

ps- you mention "Many attempts required to get some in the frame and in focus" ~~ have you heard of Red Dot Sights? and do you know how they work for us 'togs? (as I use one for my BIF stuff with very good results)

Phil

[wigz]

Thanks Phil. Yes I've heard Red Dot Sights but never looked at them seriously. I don't normally have too much of a problem, but some of these were flying towards me, which was good (bigger in the frame) but quickly got too close for my prime lens. I'll read up on them again.

[Isac]

Lovely action shots Alan - well done. Good colours and very sharp. With that gear you could double the shutter speed and still get great shots. I would be interested to know your camera settings for BIF to compare with what I use. I do find BBF to be essential with 1/2000th+ shutter speed (shutter priority or manual).

[wigz]

Thanks Isaac. I normally use 1/2000 or 1/2500 for birds in flight. I use manual with auto ISO and dial in minus or plus adjustment for white or black birds.

[Isac]

I always use Shutter Priority for BIF. I'm a great fan of Back Button Focus too, so much better than half press. AI Servo mode high speed (10fps), 1/3200, Auto ISO.

[wigz]

You have the advantage there Isaac; without the battery grip the D800 only manages 4 fps, although it can do 5 in crop mode. I prefer manual to control shutter and aperture, letting ISO float. Back button focus is good, although I'm not sure it makes much difference for BIF.

[Isac]

The 7D2 is excellent for sports and the 10fps is very good. I haven't used 1/2 press for 8 years. The BBF is far better for just about most things. I do switch between manual and Tv but prefer Tv. We are all different. I could never get why some togs use AP for bird shots - but that's just me.

[Grumpy John]

I'm guessing that AV mode comes in handy when there is a lot of cluttered background and the photographer is trying to control DOF to achieve a soft OOF background. Not for BIF.
But I'm still on a steep learning curve when it comes to bird photography, so just guessing.

[Isac]

I haven't used Av for a long time John, It's only Manual or Tv for me - I like to have control of my shutter speed more than any other controls. I know that I get good bokeh with the zoom at 400 especially for close ups, so that's a plus with the Tamron 18-400.

[Isac]

Hi Alan, these are a couple of items that describe BBF for better BIF results. Once I got the hang of it, I haven't used shutter for focus ever again. I hope they are of help.
This is by Tony Whitehead, a brilliant bird photographer: https://www.tonywhitehead.com/wildlight/archives/9384
This is a video showing the advantages of BBF. It's for Canon but the principles are the same.

[wigz]

Thanks Isaac, I always use BBF for everything too. I'll check out the article.