Wildlife Photo Help Needed, Please!

[Bushcraft]

Hello,

Im new here so I apologise if this has been asked a thousand times over.

I have always wanted to get into wildlife photography but have never actually got around to doing so. So to give me that push that I need a went out and purchased a Nikon D200, with a 24-80mm lens and a Nikon 70-400mm Lens.

I cant use the larger lens yet as its still on order but the smaller lens is with me now.

The trouble im having is when I take a picture of a bird for example it always BLURS!!!!
I presume this is shutter speed or aperture setting or something like this but im so new to this type of thing I cant find out what I need to do or how to fix the problem. The book is useless as it only tell you how to do things and not why.

If anyone could help me that would be great as I want to freeze my images.

Thank you
All the best
Kris

[wildone]

Welcome to WAB Kris. I cannot answer your query but I'm sure that you will shortly have the answer to your problem.

[Bushcraft]

Thanks for the welcome. Its a great forum!!! I hope so too as I cant seem to get the balance right, its either too dark, too blury or somthing else lol.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Bushcraft

Hello,

Im new here so I apologise if this has been asked a thousand times over.

I have always wanted to get into wildlife photography but have never actually got around to doing so. So to give me that push that I need a went out and purchased a Nikon D200, with a 24-80mm lens and a Nikon 70-400mm Lens.

I cant use the larger lens yet as its still on order but the smaller lens is with me now.

The trouble im having is when I take a picture of a bird for example it always BLURS!!!!
I presume this is shutter speed or aperture setting or something like this but im so new to this type of thing I cant find out what I need to do or how to fix the problem. The book is useless as it only tell you how to do things and not why.

If anyone could help me that would be great as I want to freeze my images.

Thank you
All the best
Kris

Hello Kris and welcome here............The longer the lense you use, the easier it is to get camera shake, this could be your problem, also a lot of birds are constantly moving, so you will need a fast shutter speed, and to use a fast shutter speed you will need good light too, and a fast lense will help. Like all things in life experience is what is needed...............Jon (bushcraft enthusiast)

[paulthomas]

Hi Kris and welcome to WAB Blurry pictures are usually the result of too low a shutter speed.

[life through a lens]

Welcome to WAB

Can I recommend Andy Rouse's 'Digital SLR Handbook'. Should help make the transition a bit smoother.

Good luck and just practise loads, eventually it will all click.

Olly

[matt_xyz]

Hi Kris,

Experiment with shutter priority mode and see what happens when you increase the shutter speed (e.g. from 1/60 sec to 1/250 sec). If it is a dark day it may be that you can't use a fast shutter speed without increasing your ISO to 400 or 800. Obviously if you choose a shutter speed that is faster than light conditions allow then your picture will be underexposed.

Also, experiment with aperture priority mode and try selecting the largest aperture to allow the maximum light in (i.e. choose the smallest f number such as f4). This will allow the camera to select the fastest shutter speed that light conditions will allow. Again, you may need to use ISO 800 as this increases the camera's sensitivity to light meaning you need less of it. (the downside of higher ISO values is that the picture can become grainy but 800 should be fine on your camera).

Basically just play around with your settings and you will soon realise how shutter speeds, f stops and ISO values all interact.

Matt

[Kev Lewis]

As someone said, the longer focal length lens will magnify the effects of camera shake. However using fast shutter speeds isn't the only answer imo. You need to learn how to support the lens either by correct posture or by a mechanical support either a tree, a bean bag or a tripod. Using any of these will allow you more flexibility when chosing the shutter speed and aperture combination. With the camera shake minimised the shutter speed can be selected to avoid subject movement, giving more choice when selecting the aperture for the depth of field.

I regularly use down to 1/10 second with my 600mm prime lens for bird and wildlife photography giving me more flexibility over the aperture and iso settings.

[Bushcraft]

Thank you all for your help, I have taken on board all your comments I think its the shutter speed and yet even when fairly sunny the picture turns black. Just a case of a good play with it first I think. I will check that book out too.

Thank you once again, all of you!!

Kris

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by Klewis

As someone said, the longer focal length lens will magnify the effects of camera shake. However using fast shutter speeds isn't the only answer imo. You need to learn how to support the lens either by correct posture or by a mechanical support either a tree, a bean bag or a tripod. Using any of these will allow you more flexibility when chosing the shutter speed and aperture combination. With the camera shake minimised the shutter speed can be selected to avoid subject movement, giving more choice when selecting the aperture for the depth of field.

I regularly use down to 1/10 second with my 600mm prime lens for bird and wildlife photography giving me more flexibility over the aperture and iso settings.

true, but Bushcraft has only been using an 80mm lens so far The 400mm is still on order.

Matt

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Jonny

Hello Kris and welcome here............The longer the lense you use, the easier it is to get camera shake, this could be your problem, also a lot of birds are constantly moving, so you will need a fast shutter speed, and to use a fast shutter speed you will need good light too, and a fast lense will help. Like all things in life experience is what is needed...............Jon (bushcraft enthusiast)

Hi Jon,

Thanks foir the advice I teach bushcraft and survival skills so if I can ever help with that please feel free to ask!

Take care
Kris

[Kev Lewis]

even with an 80mm lens, using a support will allow a slower shutter speed and improved aperture. In flight shots of birds should generally be taken at at 1/1000 second or faster. Birds on perches virtually any speed may give you a great image

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

Hi Kris,

Experiment with shutter priority mode and see what happens when you increase the shutter speed (e.g. from 1/60 sec to 1/250 sec). If it is a dark day it may be that you can't use a fast shutter speed without increasing your ISO to 400 or 800. Obviously if you choose a shutter speed that is faster than light conditions allow then your picture will be underexposed.

Also, experiment with aperture priority mode and try selecting the largest aperture to allow the maximum light in (i.e. choose the smallest f number such as f4). This will allow the camera to select the fastest shutter speed that light conditions will allow. Again, you may need to use ISO 800 as this increases the camera's sensitivity to light meaning you need less of it. (the downside of higher ISO values is that the picture can become grainy but 800 should be fine on your camera).

Basically just play around with your settings and you will soon realise how shutter speeds, f stops and ISO values all interact.

Matt

Hi Matt,

Thanks for that in deapth guide, I will certainly have a play around with it this weekend and see what I can come up with. Im too used to a coolpix 4500 thats my problem, mind you I got some great results with it, mostly luck though.

Take care
Kris

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Klewis

even with an 80mm lens, using a support will allow a slower shutter speed and improved aperture. In flight shots of birds should generally be taken at at 1/1000 second or faster. Birds on perches virtually any speed may give you a great image

Hi Kev,

I have been using a tripod as well but the results were much the same. Im used to using tripods with my birding optics but i decided to go for a different set up this time as my other tripod is made for scopes only. I will let you all know how its goes and post any pics that I have managed to get with the help from all of you.

Many thanks
Kris

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Bushcraft

I think its the shutter speed and yet even when fairly sunny the picture turns black.
Kris

You do need to remember to take the lense cap off first.................Jon

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Bushcraft

Hi Jon,

Thanks foir the advice I teach bushcraft and survival skills so if I can ever help with that please feel free to ask!

Take care
Kris

Do you have a website ?..............Jon

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by life through a lens

Welcome to WAB

Can I recommend Andy Rouse's 'Digital SLR Handbook'. Should help make the transition a bit smoother.

Good luck and just practise loads, eventually it will all click.

Olly

A warm welcome to WAB from me too.

I would certainly recommend this book which I bought when I entered the wierd and wonderful world of digital photography in April of last year. I found it an easy read and it helped me progress from a high failure rate to a not quite so high failure rate a year on .

Other than that a lot of very useful advice has already been posted so all I can add is practice, practice and practice some more.

Good luck!

Richard

[life through a lens]

You might want to try this site that I've just found. Unfortunately I'm at work so some of the content is being blocked so can't vouch for how good it is :

http://library.thinkquest.org/25780/guide.shtml

Olly

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Jonny

You do need to remember to take the lense cap off first.................Jon

Lol, O yeah, I forgot that

Im working on a new website at the moment. I teach and lecture on Bushcraft, Survival skills, Wild food, and I also supply all the tools and equipment needed. And maybe one day photography, well.... maybe not lol.

Best wishes
Kris

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by rlchew

A warm welcome to WAB from me too.

I would certainly recommend this book which I bought when I entered the wierd and wonderful world of digital photography in April of last year. I found it an easy read and it helped me progress from a high failure rate to a not quite so high failure rate a year on .

Other than that a lot of very useful advice has already been posted so all I can add is practice, practice and practice some more.

Good luck!

Richard

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the help. I like the picture of the sawn, did you take that at Langdon Essex wildlife nature reserve? That swan looks familiar to me?

Best wishes
Kris

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by life through a lens

You might want to try this site that I've just found. Unfortunately I'm at work so some of the content is being blocked so can't vouch for how good it is :

http://library.thinkquest.org/25780/guide.shtml

Olly

Thanks Olly, I will check it out

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Bushcraft

Lol, O yeah, I forgot that

Im working on a new website at the moment. I teach and lecture on Bushcraft, Survival skills, Wild food, and I also supply all the tools and equipment needed. And maybe one day photography, well.... maybe not lol.

Best wishes
Kris

Where abouts are you based Kris and do you post on BCUK...............Jon

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Jonny

Where abouts are you based Kris and do you post on BCUK...............Jon

Hi Jon,

No I don't post on there although I do know of it and have had links on there in the past. To be honest I don't really use forums, unless im stuck like today with the camera. Im based in Essex.

Best wishes
Kris