I recently bought a Canon Rebal and using it in my birdwatching. Oftentimes songbirds in amongst tree leaves are way too dark. I've tried the lighting compensation but also wondering if the AEB or such might help with this issue. Also, backlight when shooting birds in treetops on bright days, any suggestions for someone who's been birdwatching for about 6 yrs, but wants to now get good shots of the rare birds I'm seeing???
I'm assuming the Reble has a similar focusing array in the viewfinder. I find that if I set the exposure for spot measuring and then switch the focus array to only use the center area. In this way I can often shoot between the branches and expose on the actual bird for f/stop and focus. This is particularly helpful when you have a white bird standing in a dark background.
With a larger sampling exposure this bird would have been blownout pure white.
The drawback is you must put the single red dot right on the bird. If you are off by just a little you will get a really good expose on a branch with a fuzzy dark/light bird.
Dang that shot came out pretty good - off to enter it in the contest now...
“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
I try to get the birds away from the background when possible (with feeders, etc). I try to shoot from a low angle to get the sky behind them and on backlit shots, Charles has the ticket. Spot meter on the subject and let the background "blow out" a bit if need be. Of course if you ask real nice, they may even pose. Some sample of the above.
Baydream wrote: I try to get the birds away from the background when possible (with feeders, etc). I try to shoot from a low angle to get the sky behind them and on backlit shots, Charles has the ticket. Spot meter on the subject and let the background "blow out" a bit if need be. Of course if you ask real nice, they may even pose. Some sample of the above.
These are all taken with a Canon EOS XT and XSi.
Show off...
“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
Well first off glass is king when it comes ot birds. You can get by with something in the 200mm range but are better off with 300mm and up. I shoot Nikon and my 80-400mm is my baby. Getting good bird shots is a matter of patience, glass and pure luck alot of the times. I only have a couple of shots I like.
Earred Grebe
Standard Blue Heron shot.
Both taken with the 80-400. You might find a nice Sigma or Tamron lens in that range for a relatively good price at KEH if you are budgeting like many on us. Also a tripod or monopod is your friend when going long as is Image Stabilization.
Joves wrote: Well first off glass is king when it comes ot birds. You can get by with something in the 200mm range but are better off with 300mm and up. I shoot Nikon and my 80-400mm is my baby. Getting good bird shots is a matter of patience, glass and pure luck alot of the times. I only have a couple of shots I like.
Earred Grebe
Standard Blue Heron shot.
Both taken with the 80-400. You might find a nice Sigma or Tamron lens in that range for a relatively good price at KEH if you are budgeting like many on us. Also a tripod or monopod is your friend when going long as is Image Stabilization.
Good shots. Most of mine are with a 70-300 IS and the tripod is your friend (unless you can get within about 30 feet like my last shot. That boy was not afraid of anything
The Olympus Pen E-P7 is an affordable micro four thirds mirrorless camera with 4K video capabilities, a 20.3MP sensor, and 121 focus points, making it a solid entry-level camera for beginners.
The Panasonic G9 II is a 25.2-megapixel micro four thirds camera with numerous features that make it punch out of its weight class, like 779 AF points, 5.8K video, and weather sealing.
The Fujifilm XT5 is a 40MP mirrorless camera capable of 6.2K video at 30p. With those specs, it’s an ideal choice for photographers needing a camera to pull double duty for imaging and video.
The Canon EOS R100 is an entry-level mirrorless camera introduced in 2023. But just because it’s an entry-level camera doesn’t mean it’s a bare-bones camera. Find out why in this review!
Upgrade your kit in 2024 with the best intermediate camera on the market! The question is, what camera fits the bill? We’ve got three top options for you to choose from in this buyer’s guide.
The best photography jobs right now are a mix of tried-and-true gigs like wedding photography and new jobs highlighting AI’s capabilities, travel, and videography.
The Olympus Pen E-P7 is an affordable micro four thirds mirrorless camera with 4K video capabilities, a 20.3MP sensor, and 121 focus points, making it a solid entry-level camera for beginners.
Starting a photography business is one thing; sustaining your business over a long period of time is another. Use the tips in this professional photography guide to build something with longevity!
The Panasonic G9 II is a 25.2-megapixel micro four thirds camera with numerous features that make it punch out of its weight class, like 779 AF points, 5.8K video, and weather sealing.
Cinematic photography is an interesting genre that combines photographic and videographic skills along with effective storytelling techniques. The result? Highly impactful images!
Newborn photography requires skill, the right gear, and a lot of patience. This beginner’s guide discusses critical topics that will help you be more prepared for before, during, and after the shoot.
To fill the frame means to expand the footprint of the subject in your shot. Get in close, zoom in, crop the image, or use other techniques to bring the subject to the forefront.
Good shots. Most of mine are with a 70-300 IS and the tripod is your friend (unless you can get within about 30 feet like my last shot. That boy was not afraid of anything 
amandadams 1 post
