Trying to take closeup photos of birds?

10 months 2 weeks ago #754001 by J Stecker
I have a few bird feeders on my back porch and I have been trying to get close up photos.  Now I don't have any 600mm lenses like many of you, my shutter release cable has about 4' of length to it.  So when you don't have super long telephoto lens, what is the trick to getting close up shots of birds around a feeder?  

Thanks for the help!

John


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7 months 5 days ago #757134 by LensofNature
I like taking photos of birds as well, and, like you, do not have powerful zoom lenses that are expensive and heavy.  I use my 55-250 mm lens so, given my APS crop sensor camera (Rebel T7), when I zoom into 250 mm, its actually increased to 1.6 x (I think that's the ratio), so the bird is enlarged even more.  If you were trying to photograph one that was high up in a tree or the sky at a far distance, then you would need lenses with extra strength, but for bird feeders in your back yard, I think you would be okay with smaller zoom lenses or even an 85 mm lens.


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7 months 5 days ago #757136 by Razky

J Stecker wrote: I have a few bird feeders on my back porch and I have been trying to get close up photos. Now I don't have any 600mm lenses like many of you, my shutter release cable has about 4' of length to it. So when you don't have super long telephoto lens, what is the trick to getting close up shots of birds around a feeder?  
Thanks for the help! John

You could use a wireless remote, or try setting up a blind. I will occasionally set up a camera by a coyote or fox den and use a 30' pneumatic release, which can be extended if needed by adding more tubing.


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