Bird photography

philip827 · 1st November 2004

Hello... have some doubts here... please help.
Firstly, is flash necessary for bird photography? Tried taking some pics of birds with D70 and sigma 70-300mm but all of them turn out blur.Shutter speed were all below 1/200s. Camera setting were iso800, 270mm, F8.0. I am thinking maybe the internal flash/SB-800 might help to boost up shutter speed.

Secondly, i am quite short of cash now, so can either purchase a SB-800 or a good tripod.Which do you think is better?

Thanks for your advices...

jbma · 1st November 2004

You will need both. But I guess the flash is more important as you can use it for many things. A tripod is also necessary but can wait. Just my opinion.

Garion · 1st November 2004

Both are almost equally as important. Fill-flash is an almost essential component of nature photography of any type. Same with what bro. jbma had mentioned, I would suggest you get the external flash first, SB-800 is an excellent choice. A sturdy tripod + ballhead would be the next purchase, get the Manfrotto 190/055 series with a Manfrotto ballhead (e.g 486RC2), both will cost you abt $250-$280 together.

r52lanc · 1st November 2004

Unless you have Nikon VR lens....you need to remember shutter speed needs to be at least 1/focal length when no tripod is used. Try using a lower f-stop number. Because, f8 usually not possible in low light. Flash in 'fill' mode will not solve the blur problem.

Bird photography is an expensive hobby.

philip827 · 1st November 2004

Thanks for the fast response...
I have read that the sigma 70-300mm apo is not sharp at 300mm F5.6. Thats why use f8.
As for taking birds with the SB-800... will i need the flash extender too?

1st November 2004	#1
philip827 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: upp east coast road Posts: 467	Bird photography Hello... have some doubts here... please help. Firstly, is flash necessary for bird photography? Tried taking some pics of birds with D70 and sigma 70-300mm but all of them turn out blur.Shutter speed were all below 1/200s. Camera setting were iso800, 270mm, F8.0. I am thinking maybe the internal flash/SB-800 might help to boost up shutter speed. Secondly, i am quite short of cash now, so can either purchase a SB-800 or a good tripod.Which do you think is better? Thanks for your advices...

1st November 2004	#3
Garion Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: West side of S'pore Posts: 5,512	Both are almost equally as important. Fill-flash is an almost essential component of nature photography of any type. Same with what bro. jbma had mentioned, I would suggest you get the external flash first, SB-800 is an excellent choice. A sturdy tripod + ballhead would be the next purchase, get the Manfrotto 190/055 series with a Manfrotto ballhead (e.g 486RC2), both will cost you abt $250-$280 together. __________________ [ deviantart selections \| Photoblog ]

1st November 2004	#4
r52lanc Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bukit Timah Posts: 485	Suggestion Unless you have Nikon VR lens....you need to remember shutter speed needs to be at least 1/focal length when no tripod is used. Try using a lower f-stop number. Because, f8 usually not possible in low light. Flash in 'fill' mode will not solve the blur problem. Bird photography is an expensive hobby.

1st November 2004	#2
jbma Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampines Posts: 3,315	You will need both. But I guess the flash is more important as you can use it for many things. A tripod is also necessary but can wait. Just my opinion.