This male hummingbird is fighting off two others today to rule the feeder. He's very comfortable coming up to me--and I was able to stand close to the feeder while he would visit and then take off to chase off the others, but he would return over and over again. All manual focus--which is hard, but my camera cannot focus well enough with the movement of these birds, so clearly, I was going for the red. It's amazing how no light or a turn of the head renders this amazing flash of color into a black neck. Fascinating creatures. I never bore of trying to capture them.
Oh, and I'm working my camera and lens beyond their abilities to get these. I need advice on what lens I should buy if I keep my Rebel T2i. I find that I cannot fire fast enough (my exif will show I am at the highest ISO with a 2,000 shutter and the lowest aperature). LOTS of grain that I edit out with LR5, but that glassy look comes on if I use too much luminance smoothing. I use the graduated filter to take out background noise then I use radial filters on the in focus part. I used some vignetting to hide the noise also. It's too much editing! Granted, it is LOW LIGHT today, but I have to find the next great combo for distance and working with the next level up camera. I'm not convinced I need to go full frame, so if any Canon users have advice, I'd love it. I have a great sigma fixed lens, but my zoom is really a kit 75-300. I want more power now. I'm ready.
How am I not following you? No wonder I was missing photos. I know I used to follow you and didn't know it had clicked off. This is really spectacular and an instant fav. The negative space frames the bird SO well, and the bird itself in its position is fascinating.
Fabulous shot - especially considering the equipment. I know how that is. I have the t3i, and can never get a goxod pic with high iso. Can't believe you were able to!
@taffy Oh, never worry. I'm not a good follower AT ALL or a good "friend" so I do not expect anyone to follow or anything because really, I should not have done a second year with the lack of participation I have done. But thank you. I know where to find you...:)
Love that ruby throat! I don't know if this qualifies as advice but here goes....my main camera is full frame (5DM2) and I'm very happy with it. I like the full frame for wide angle landscape shots. But since I'm primarily shooting birds, I don't think the full frame is absolutely necessary. I've done some bird shooting with my back-up camera, Canon Rebel T1i, and with good light, it does a fine job but it's wearing out and has definite limitations in terms of ISO and shutter speed. I'm actually considering getting a 70D as it will take all my good zoom lenses and with the cropped sensor, it's almost like I get more reach. Good luck :)
@vskolnik Thanks Vee! I've been eyeing the 70D. While I would love a full-framed camera, I think my affinity for all things moving or abstracts, a really good cropped sensor may be my way. But I need something that can really take a good piece of glass and fire quickly and better in the high ISO range. Not that every shot has to be a bird, but if I do sport photography, I just don't see taking a full framed camera with my aging and shaky arms! ;) Do you have a suggestion for a good zoom lens by any chance?
Daryl, I use the Canon IS LS 70-300mm and the Canon IS LS 100-400mm...if you plan to use a tripod, though, Image Stabilization won't matter. If I had unlimited funds, I would get the Canon IS LS 400mm prime :)
I have yet to see one of these beauties!! I need a feeder!