Bird Photo Advice Please

[Colin W]

As you probably know, I mainly photograph steam trains but I would like to have a go at getting some very good bird photos in my garden, if possible.

I will take photos of birds on the bird feeder etc (not flying).

What shutter speed would be best for this?

I will use my Canon EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS USM.

Thank you.

[antoeknee]

Colin what body are you using? If crop body then 1/500 would be guide to avoid camera shake if at long end of range. If you've a steady hand and the birds are not movong then anything goes. I've used my 600 at 1/30 sec in the past.

For moving birds then start at 1/000 though faster may be needed.

[Colin W]

Colin what body are you using? If crop body then 1/500 would be guide to avoid camera shake if at long end of range. If you've a steady hand and the birds are not movong then anything goes. I've used my 600 at 1/30 sec in the past.

For moving birds then start at 1/000 though faster may be needed.

5D MK3

[antoeknee]

5D MK3

Ahh, so full frame so in theory 1/300 to stop camera shake.

Rest of comments the same.

[Trev B]

Hi Colin, agree with Ant. If I'm hand holding at a low shutter speed I try a find something to wedge the camera against - tree, fence etc. If you have a feeding station then think about a camera position, where you can set it up on a tripod / monopod or do what I do at favoured site use what I call a 1/4" fixing pin, then put a ball head on it.

[AndyMulhearn]

The received wisdom about shutter speeds doesn’t take into account image stabilisation so can be taken with a pinch of salt, IMHO. This was taken hand held with Nikon gear so I can’t post the image but the same could be done with any Canon gear with the same abilities https://flic.kr/p/2i58qdJ in this case with 3 stops of iS.

When you have IS it’s more about the subject and what it’s doing than the kit you’re using to photograph it…

[Trev B]

Personally I don't worry one iota about the technical side of photography or have any interest in it. To me the enjoyment is seeing the subject and recording it. I posted two images this morning of Roe Deer , I've just had a look at them to see what the shutter speed, aperture and ISO were otherwise I would not have had a clue.

[Colin W]

Many thanks for all the info, I will try and give it a go.

[Colin W]

Another question!

What sort of branch do I need to put in the grass next to the bird feeder?

So hopefully I can get a bird photo on the branch (more natural) before the feeder.

Thanks.

[CasaRova]

Another question!

What sort of branch do I need to put in the grass next to the bird feeder?

So hopefully I can get a bird photo on the branch (more natural) before the feeder.

Thanks.

I would go with a log laid down in the grass. If you really want to go with a branch I suggest a forked dry stuck in the ground near the bird feeder. It also depends on the hight of the feeder off the ground and surrounding fauna.

[Brian Sugden]

As you're photographing in your garden I would support the camera preferably on a tripod as you may have to wait awhile for birds to appear. Also think about a chair for comfort. Birds that use feeders don't generally go on the ground that often so a branch about a metre or so off the ground would be better. That will also enable you to shoot at their level for a more pleasing shot. It is also worth considering the background and try to avoid any distracting branches etc. You will see on the forum that many of the bird photos have clean OOF backgrounds. If you use a tripod or other support don't forget to turn IS off.

Also think about the direction of light. Light from behind or to the side will put a catchlight in the eye.

Finally the 5DIII is probably not the ideal camera as it is only 6 frames/second and the shutter is quite noisy. Setting it on silent will help but that will only give you 3 frames/second, which for static birds may be sufficient.