Birdies

[DDT uk]

As Southern Trains found that there trains don't like going uphill in the snow, I had a day at home yesterday. So I ventured into the garden camera in hand. The idea was to entice some robins in with food in order to get up close. I don't know what they do down Alex M's way but my robin just wouldn't play. They just hid in the bushes. The tits were gradually putting up with me although wearing my work trouser meant that sitting in the snow was not going to last too long.

The best of the shots are these:

[ScubaDiva]

They're still cute birdies though.

Anyway where's your dedication to the task - these wildlife photographers sometimes have to sit for hours waiting for their shot!

[Cussy]

Being hyper critical, are these slightly soft? What sort of settings were they shot at? I presume this was your big Sigma (100-300?).
Rob

[DDT uk]

You are right. They are soft. I think that I have a problem with the lens. They were very soft. I cleaning the rear element and it is improved but it was still not good. There appears to be something on the glass. I think that a call to Kevin is needed.

The photos were shot hand held at ISO 400, f4 and between 1/250-1/1500.

Daniel

[Alsky72]

Did you try to close the aperture too? Maybe that would make a difference.

[Cussy]

You are right. They are soft. I think that I have a problem with the lens. They were very soft. I cleaning the rear element and it is improved but it was still not good. There appears to be something on the glass. I think that a call to Kevin is needed.

Could this be a problem with the cold, bit of condensation forming when you take it outside/inside/outside?

At f4 and those focal lengths you need spot on focus. Easy for me to say as my winter offerings aren't up to much!
Rob

PS we had a bird photographer come and talk at our camera club. He finished by saying "if you take anything away from this talk, always use a tripod; no matter what, always use a tripod." He used the technique of having the camera setup on a spot and waiting for the birds to enter the frame - not the other way around. Nice if you have the luxury of time, but so few of us do (especially in the cold).

[DDT uk]

Having just spoken to Kevin, and describing the rear element it sounds as though it could be the coating on the rear of the lens beginning to break down. Not good. I am going to send him the serial number etc so that he can have a word with Sigma. A new element is unlikely to be cheap but it is a expensive lens and that is going to be cheaper than buying new

[Alex_Mustard]

I am no expert on this type of photography, but I am trying to learn more. I shot mine with a long (and very expensive) lens - all from a tripod.

Also, as Rob says, point of focus is so critical with telephotos, especially with small subjects, when you are trying to fill the frame with them. I edited my shots (took about 300) on focus before I did anything else.

Hoping to take the telephoto on my manatee trip in Feb, as Florida is a great spot for birds too.

Alex