Telephoto - Just Practice

[Second Hand Pat]

With Mother's Day just around the corner my daughter convinced me it was time to get a telephoto and based on a prior recommendation from Paul (pcsb23) I went with a "bargain" lens. the Nikon 70-300mm VR. I played with it late yesterday and the following shots are just for practice. With a bit of practice I am sure I will refine my use of this lens. I can already tell the different between a prime and a non-prime lens. I want to get the Nikkor 300mm f4 VR at some point in the future. This is my favorite photo from yesterday and I need to go back and work this as I think it can be better.

Woodland Glade
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7662/17421839555_cf89aaf7fe_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sxvtW4)DSC_8993 (https://flic.kr/p/sxvtW4) [/url]

Playing with small stuff
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7790/16799271914_9d2b3e867f_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/people/129594174@N08/)DSC_8980 (https://flic.kr/p/rAuEgd)
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8847/17395697896_6c48ca10a0_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/people/129594174@N08/)DSC_8954 (https://flic.kr/p/svcuVN)

I wonder if I am a macro photographer at heart lol.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8855/17395771016_83029b3a2c_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/people/129594174@N08/)DSC_8972 (https://flic.kr/p/svcSEu) by
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/17395748646_7db86759f6_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/people/129594174@N08/)DSC_8971 (https://flic.kr/p/svcL1N)

Until I saw this. Now this bird are pretty far off and the pictures is not great. When I zoomed in I was surprised at the detail. When I saw the bird I just tried to get the focal point of the lens on the bird and worried about nothing else.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5469/16801447153_17088ee1a6_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/people/129594174@N08/)DSC_8960 (https://flic.kr/p/rAFNTk)

If you zoom in the this cropped photo it is a pixelized mess but you can definitely tell it is an Osprey.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7768/17395700176_217e986e8d_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/people/129594174@N08/)DSC_8960_01 (https://flic.kr/p/svcvB7) [url=https://www.flickr.com/people/129594174@N08/]

[DiscusOnly]

Nice choice Pat. I like to add the "bargain" 70-300mm but I don't want to just added another lens to the bag. I've been keeping my eyes out for used 80-200mm. I want to stay in the $400 range for a used one of these.

[Second Hand Pat]

Nice choice Pat. I like to add the "bargain" 70-300mm but I don't want to just added another lens to the bag. I've been keeping my eyes out for used 80-200mm. I want to stay in the $400 range for a used one of these.

Van, this lens was "Used in the original unopened box" and was just under $400. The new price is about $600 so I'm happy.
Pat

[DiscusOnly]

Oh no.. Pat.. that's a great price.. The trouble I have is I keep on adding more lens instead of getting maybe keeping the bag down to 2-3 lens. I was in used lens buying mode a few years ago. I have no idea how I ended up with two 105mm lens the last time I open my camera cabinet. All these macro shots I am seeing here is temping me to get out there and playing around with it a bit.

[Second Hand Pat]

Van, I will be going to Maryland soon to visit my daughter who wants me to take pictures of her riding her horse hence the telephoto lens. I think the 105 and this lens will cover all my photo needs while there. There are some wonderful flowers there plus the 105 subs as a portrait lens and a medium telephoto.
Pat

[rickztahone]

lol, Pat, how are you managing? You have two bugs on your back now! The discus bug and the photography bug, lol. Most of us have all been there, and buying and selling lenses becomes second nature. Nice shots. I wish I could get a shot at shooting those beautiful Ospreys.

[Second Hand Pat]

lol, Pat, how are you managing? You have two bugs on your back now! The discus bug and the photography bug, lol. Most of us have all been there, and buying and selling lenses becomes second nature. Nice shots. I wish I could get a shot at shooting those beautiful Ospreys.

You forget the horses too Ricardo. The only thing I can say is it helps to be retired. :D
Pat

[rickztahone]

You forget the horses too Ricardo. The only thing I can say is it helps to be retired. :D
Pat

Horses, now that is a WHOLE other bug!

[Second Hand Pat]

Horses, now that is a WHOLE other bug!

That's an understatement lol Ricardo
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

These pictures are still more in the practice category. Not quite nailing the focus.

Found this cute little guy...
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5445/17491849022_216c7280eb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sDGiiQ)DSC_9118 (https://flic.kr/p/sDGiiQ) [/url], on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8685/17494643745_0a6163980e_z.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_9128 (https://flic.kr/p/sDWC5H)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8723/16873627943_9601138edf_z.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_9084 (https://flic.kr/p/rH4KHH)
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7760/16871398614_e7d12eafbb_z.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_9092 (https://flic.kr/p/rGSk21) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

[dagray]

you're doing great Pat. Love the White Ibis in flight and the egret in flight shots. I also really like the Anole shot.

[SMB2]

Actually Pat, given the lens you are using, the focus is quite good. Shooting BIF is no easy task.
When you get the time, I would love to see some images from early morning or late afternoon. I think you will like the affect of softer light on your photos.

In Fla. under blue skies, the manual setting for white birds is: F8, ss 1/1250, ISO 400. Forget about metering the background etc. Just shoot the bird. You can adjust if the bird is to bright or to dark.

[Second Hand Pat]

you're doing great Pat. Love the White Ibis in flight and the egret in flight shots. I also really like the Anole shot.

Thanks Dave, appreciate that. :)

[Second Hand Pat]

Actually Pat, given the lens you are using, the focus is quite good. Shooting BIF is no easy task.
When you get the time, I would love to see some images from early morning or late afternoon. I think you will like the affect of softer light on your photos.

In Fla. under blue skies, the manual setting for white birds is: F8, ss 1/1250, ISO 400. Forget about metering the background etc. Just shoot the bird. You can adjust if the bird is to bright or to dark.

Thanks Stan, it is not easy and especially hard if you are zoomed into the bird. I will definitely do the early morning/late afternoon sessions. Al also recommended this. With the settings you recommend sounds like I will be upping my game to shoot in manual mode. :D
Pat

[SMB2]

While not initially intuitive, those settings work pretty well (in Florida) if a white bird is in direct light, no matter where it is. If it has a dark background, the BG will be underexposed but the bird will be fine. If the bird is in the sky, the sky (unless late afternoon/early morning) will be blown out, but the bird will be fine.
The setting will give you a fast SS to get the bird in flight/stop motion and F8 is usually a pretty good DOF compromise for most lenses. You can add or subtract light on the bird by taking the ISO up or down. Set the cameras meter to CENTER WEIGHTED as apposed to MATRIX METERING.
Here are two white bird shots with the same camera settings taken in Florida a few weeks ago. One with sky, one with dark green BG but the white of the Egret is pretty well metered.

87020
87021

[Second Hand Pat]

Love those shots Stan. Definitely makes me feel like such a novice. I am guessing I could practice these settings on my two white horses. :D
Pat

[SMB2]

I have no doubt that given the opportunity, you could get those shots. But, yes try the horses and see if it works; I would be curious to know. At least the horses don't fly...?

[Second Hand Pat]

Hi Stan, while I see how to set the shutter speed in manual mode using the command wheel but not sure how to set it to 1/1250 unless I am misreading the shutter speed shown.

[Second Hand Pat]

Took this shot with the telephoto. This is my new horse Bucky.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8767/18195957648_b7cb4907d3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tHV3gJ)DSC_9380 (https://flic.kr/p/tHV3gJ)

[rickztahone]

Awe, what a cutie Pat!

[Second Hand Pat]

Awe, what a cutie Pat!

I think so too Ricardo. :D

[dagray]

Great portrait Pat.