Lens for Canon 1000D

[grahamfx]

I'm quite into bird photography at the moment, the 1000D is my first proper DSLR, to go with it I picked up a 75-300mm lens, i'm struggling to get decent shots even at close range with a tripod. I think the lens I've got is the original version, two questions, do you think i'd get better results upgrading to the III Version of the lens (£149 or so) ?? And secondly would the IS version (£219) be vastly different if i'm using a tripod anyway ??

[grahamfx]

Sorry, realised it makes sense to post some actual pictures, these three pictures were taken at roughly the same time from the same distance etc, B65 was taken with my 1000D, A126 was taken with my Fujifilm S5000 and C34 was taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ38

[Geoff F]

Graham. I'm afraid that I can't really say anything to cheer you up here.

Dslr photography is an expensive hobby and those cheap lenses just won't give top class results. You may consider around £200 isn't exactly cheap; but it is when compared to the pro or semi pro quality lenses.

That 75-300 lens is well known for producing soft images. The Canon 70-300 IS would be a better bet; but around twice the price I'm afraid. The 55-250 gets fairly good reviews although it is a somewhat lightweight overall construction.

And once you get into the Canon L grade lenses you are entering a totally different league; and cost.

However, let's have a look at what we have here, and Blue tits are notoriously difficult subjects to get sharp photos.

Do you have the shooting details? Shutter speed, aperture, ISO and shooting mode; ie, P, Av, Tv, Manual, etc. There may be some improvements to be had here. Also which editing software and did you shoot Jpeg or Raw?

I have found that auto focus can cause problems in this area, particularly when you have a soft edged bird near a hard edged feeder.

What editing have you done to these photos? Adding a little bit of selective sharpening to just the bird can work wonders in this sort of situation. But it is a technique that requires a little bit of skill.

[GTH]

I totally agree with Geoff F...and you also need to be familiar with all the camera settings.

Geoff

[Kayleigh]

I disagree, I was in the same boat I have had a canon 500d for for 4 months..
March I got it for my birthday I got a tamron 70-300 and a 50mm with the lens and I bought a 100mm lens separate and only just have I started to get some decent shots with all the lenses I have been experimenting with different settings I advise you to do the same..

look at my pics on here..

Kayleigh's Portfolio

Keep at it..

[John D]

Hi Graham,

I agree entirely with what Geoff F and Geoff TH have said.

However having looked at the images you posted it would appear that you have focused more on the nuts/feeder rather than the bird. The feeder is in the centre of each image and thus in the natural position for the 'centre spot' of your camera to focus. Your images would have been that bit better had the focus been concentrated on the birds. (ie the 'centre focusing spot' been directed at the birds). However even if you had done that there would still have been a need to add a bit of sharpening by using some suitable software. Getting closer to the subject would also help and there are two ways of doing this.
1) getting closer physically by using a cover of some kind (a hide etc) or stealing yourself gradually closer to the perch.
2) getting a longer lens 400mm to 500mm or greater, but then you are talking serious money, anything from £1000 to £5000 +.
As has already has been said 'bird photography can be quite expensive.
I therefore suggest to improve on your 'field craft', practice, get to know your camera (experiment with the settings - try Aperture Priority at around f8 for starters. Go beyond AUTO settings) and be patient and don't forget the need to use suitable software.
It may take you some time before you achieve images that you are satisfied with but keep at it. Don't rush into buying a 'slightly' more expensive lens just yet as it may be a waste of money!

John D - My website
Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[John D]

Hi Again Graham,

Should have included in the above - In order to obtain a suitable shutter speed with AV at F8 set the ISO to 400. This isn't a hard and fast rule but will not be far away in most cases.
Also try and capture the birds on a perch without having the feeder in view.

Hope you get what your looking for before long.

John D
My website -
Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[grahamfx]

Thanks everybody for the advise, much appreciated, i've not edited the photos at all, the picture above was taken with Shutter Speed Priority, F5.6, ISO800 at 1/400 sec, have tried AV as well, will keep trying new settings !!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by grahamfx

Thanks everybody for the advise, much appreciated, i've not edited the photos at all, the picture above was taken with Shutter Speed Priority, F5.6, ISO800 at 1/400 sec, have tried AV as well, will keep trying new settings !!

Try TV shutter speed 1/3200..I had the ISO auto and AWB.
I got some in flight shots on these settings I also try them on the 30-700mm macro and this gives some arty affects..

[grahamfx]

That's a bit better, quite please with that, now to get some of birds on branches rather than the feeder !!

Thanks John D, AV Mode, F8, ISO 400