[M_Six]

From around the bird feeder today.

(7D with 400 5.6)

[MaximusJ]

Nice colors!

[dcstep]

Perfect, natural colors and great details.

[M_Six]

Thanks, guys. The 7D/400 5.6 combo is sweet in good light.

[M_Six]

This morning at the feeder. Some serious backlighting here (facing east), but the 400 5.6 with its very nice hood handled it well.









Some lessons here. I left my focus setting as it was, which was center point expanded. That worked fine for BIF against a blue sky, but here it tended to grab focus on the greatest area of contrast, which was the tree trunk against the background sky. Just a couple inches off. I could have shot stopped down a bit, but I was already shooting too slow at 1/800 and didn't want to bump the ISO on the 7D any further than 800. Switching to center point only would have helped tighten up the focus, I think. I also got some images of cards and bluejays flying in and out of the feeder, but 1/1800 was too slow to really grab those shots. My 6D cranked to ISO 2000 or higher would have been a better choice for the flying shots as well as the increased DOF.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

This morning at the feeder. Some serious backlighting here (facing east), but the 400 5.6 with its very nice hood handled it well.

...

Some lessons here. I left my focus setting as it was, which was center point expanded. That worked fine for BIF against a blue sky, but here it tended to grab focus on the greatest area of contrast, which was the tree trunk against the background sky. Just a couple inches off. I could have shot stopped down a bit, but I was already shooting too slow at 1/800 and didn't want to bump the ISO on the 7D any further than 800. Switching to center point only would have helped tighten up the focus, I think. I also got some images of cards and bluejays flying in and out of the feeder, but 1/1800 was too slow to really grab those shots. My 6D cranked to ISO 2000 or higher would have been a better choice for the flying shots as well as the increased DOF.

Consider trying ISO 1600, but with +1 EV for most of those birds.

There were all back lit, and nicely I might add, but you might try the evening light to get direct light and shoot at ISO 400 and 800 at f/8 and SS over 1/1000-sec.

Great colors.

Dave

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Consider trying ISO 1600, but with +1 EV for most of those birds.

There were all back lit, and nicely I might add, but you might try the evening light to get direct light and shoot at ISO 400 and 800 at f/8 and SS over 1/1000-sec.

Great colors.

Dave

Thanks, Dave. The evening light is definitely better for this feeder. Adds a nice glow. I also just purchased a Better Beemer to play around with in the yard. I can't see hauling my flash around with me in the field, but in the backyard it'll be no problem.

[fatgrandma]

great shots!

[comar1979]

really really & nice Birds (the red one is a Cardinal, right!?)

[M_Six]

Yes, Northern Cardinal. State bird of Illinois. There are 20 or so of them out back feeding right now.

[comar1979]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Yes, Northern Cardinal. State bird of Illinois. There are 20 or so of them out back feeding right now.

Nice Bird!

I was at my Parents House today, they got a feeder too. I watched a Squirrel for 10 Minutes or so ... Unfortunately i forgot my Camera at Home . Nice&Cute Animal.