Shutter speed for bird photography

5 years 2 weeks ago #639683 by Paulina K
Hello, I just signed up here.  I started photography last year and really find peace being outdoors in nature.   I've always been fascinated with the in flight bird shots and just marveled at the timing it would have taken by the photographer to capture such shots.  

I have a Canon 5D Mark III and using a 70-200mm and have been trying to capture birds in flight.  Putting aside my timing isn't there yet, and I have a tough time getting them in focus, I'm not exactly sure on what is the correct shutter speed to use to freeze them.  What I want is when they first take off, what shutter speed is ideal?  

And speaking of which, are most bird photographers using a tripod or handheld?  

Thank you so much for any help you can give.  

Paulina


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5 years 2 weeks ago #639687 by garyrhook
Focus and shutter speed are two separate things. While I don't know the Canon equivalent, you want to use dynamic focus, you want single-point, and you want to practice keeping that point on a bird. It's not easy.

As for shutter speed, 1/1000 ought to do it for most birds. Faster if you have enough light. Others will come along with better advice, I'm sure.

N.B. hummingbirds require >1/4000s or a flash.


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5 years 2 weeks ago #639698 by Nikon Shooter
As I turn my camera on at the beginning of a session, I will set
1/1000s as starting point. When a bird is stationary, going to
lower speed can not hurt and, for higher speed, turning in the
other direction to adapt for action… but always coming back
to starting point in between.

My long lenses all have their own tripod and gimbal… 400 mm +,
anything under is hand held.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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The following user(s) said Thank You: Troponin
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5 years 2 weeks ago #639797 by Paulina K
oh wow, thank you!! 

While I have your ear.  Have you guys tried one of those flash extenders?  


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5 years 2 weeks ago #639800 by Nikon Shooter
Yes, I tested quite a few… and I use none at this point.

The only one I would consider is the MagBeam Wildlife kit.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 2 weeks ago #639902 by Chris Briggs
Anything over 1/1000 shutter will be good starting point to test 


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5 years 2 weeks ago #639917 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day Paulina

Have a glance at one of my older posts of a small bird in flight, hovering over the grass
www.photographytalk.com/forum/nature-and...ter-in-flight#619577

Shutter speed was 1/2500s

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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5 years 2 weeks ago #639934 by Nikon Shooter

Ozzie_Traveller wrote: … a small bird in flight, hovering over the grass
www.photographytalk.com/forum/nature-and...ter-in-flight#619577



Very cool little thing, Phil! :P

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 2 weeks ago #640016 by Cliff
Might I suggest you watch this video - 




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