Few birds

SDK^ · 15 Apr 2006 at 10:35

Yesterday I had some fun trying to capture birds out in the wilderness. Much to my annoyance I found that my lens just isn't capable photographing this type of wildlife.
A guy next to me had a Canon 600mm L IS with a 1.4x extender and was making me very jealous – total focal length on his 20D was 1300mm. Anyway I was stuck with what I had so tried to make the most of it. Wildlife photography in gardens is so much easier

Photos taken on a Canon 20D and a 100-400L IS @ 400mm in low light conditions

Grey Heron

King Fishers - These are cropped so the quality is poor

Zheka · 15 Apr 2006 at 10:54

Nice shots. Second is very nice and sharp.

Mikharper · 15 Apr 2006 at 15:28

I had a day yesterday of birds of prey flying.. - it was horrible using my 70-300mm Sigma, and I was thinking too myself, I wonder how the 100-400L would fare, quite worrying that you say a £1k~ lens wasnt too good hehe.

SDK^ · 15 Apr 2006 at 15:44

I think the hides were just too far away to get decent photos using cheap(ish) zoom lenses.
I have managed to get some good photos of birds previously using the 100-400L but looking around at other sites on the web the quality from a telephoto prime is just awesome.

Unfortunately I am some way off being able to invest £4-5k on a lens

Richard T · 15 Apr 2006 at 16:02

Nice shots Pete

No 2 is pin sharp! Would be great to see the full reflection of the heron tho'

Love the kingfisher shots..... where did you go to get these??

So when are you getting yourself a 2X extender then??

SDK^ said:
Anyway I was stuck with what I had so tried to make the most of it.

Pffft.... I'd like to be stuck with the 100-400L IS

SDK^ · 15 Apr 2006 at 16:35

Richard T said:
Love the kingfisher shots..... where did you go to get these??

Slimbridge WWT

They have the basic areas for your standard ducks and geese at the front of the park and then hides facing out towards the wetlands at the back.

Richard T said:
So when are you getting yourself a 2X extender then??

A 2x extender is going to give an aperture of F11 which is just too slow, not to mention the drop in quality

Richard T · 15 Apr 2006 at 17:08

SDK^ said:
A 2x extender is going to give an aperture of F11 which is just too slow, not to mention the drop in quality

boooo not fair

themask70 · 15 Apr 2006 at 19:54

Love the first bird, how wierd :eek:

stuart38 · 17 Apr 2006 at 14:46

Love the heron and the kingfisher.

I always though bird watching was a real nerdy hobby, but now Im keen on photography I really appreciate both the birds and the skill of taking the pics

SDK^ · 17 Apr 2006 at 14:54

stuart38 said:
I always though bird watching was a real nerdy hobby, but now Im keen on photography I really appreciate both the birds and the skill of taking the pics

Yeah me to.
I'll going to be testing a Canon 1D MKII N and a Canon 500mm L IS lens at the end of May to see what they offer

stuart38 · 17 Apr 2006 at 15:10

Argh

You know you will want them once you try!

Mikharper · 17 Apr 2006 at 18:40

SDK^ said:
Yeah me to.
I'll going to be testing a Canon 1D MKII N and a Canon 500mm L IS lens at the end of May to see what they offer

Looking forward to seeing the results!

Richard T · 17 Apr 2006 at 18:42

Mikharper said:
Looking forward to seeing the results!

agreed....

busterboy · 17 Apr 2006 at 18:55

SDK^ said:
Yeah me to.
I'll going to be testing a Canon 1D MKII N and a Canon 500mm L IS lens at the end of May to see what they offer

Well I for one hope you buy the pair.

You have enough talent to bring out the best in that pair..

Good luck.

Buttkicker · 20 Apr 2006 at 11:31

SDK^ said:
Yeah me to.
I'll going to be testing a Canon 1D MKII N and a Canon 500mm L IS lens at the end of May to see what they offer

I think you will find them an awesome combo
I have the 1dm2N and have used the 500mm which is just awesome, and surprisingly managable for such a big Lens

I think the only trouble is that going back to a 20D and a zoom lens will leave you hankering for them
my 2p

Gamefreak501 · 20 Apr 2006 at 11:58

Very good - number two of the Heron is my favourite although that funny looking bird on number one is a fantastic shot too.

Beepcake · 20 Apr 2006 at 12:53

SDK^ said:
Anyway I was stuck with what I had so tried to make the most of it.

Made me chuckle, you make it sound like you were using a cheapo 2nd hand compact, rather than a few grands worth of body+lens

What type of bird is the first one? He looks like he's on drugs.

SDK^ · 22 Apr 2006 at 20:19

LOL Beepcake

Over the last few days I have been hovering over the buy button on a Canon 300mm L F2.8 prime lens and some tele-extenders. In the end I decided not to buy and will wait for a more appropriate time before I get one.

Zefan · 22 Apr 2006 at 20:25

Nice shots, even if there's a distinct lacking of tit shots

scuffer · 23 Apr 2006 at 01:18

SDK^ said:
....total focal length on his 20D was 1300mm. Anyway I was stuck with what I had so tried to make the most of it.

You could always try digiscoping . Gives me about 3000mm although it's crap for moving subjects!

Love your 2nd Kingfisher shot, spring is here

Beepcake said:
What type of bird is the first one? He looks like he's on drugs.

Not good with waterfowl but I think it's a Hooded Merganser (an American import).