Bob, Chris,
Like I said to Fra, I am not looking for 'bird guide'
shots - more an unusual shot that will occur by chance in a 3.5fps burst.
Not sure which lens will give the best result but I will try the 15mm f3.5
first (with front element protection) and then the 28mm f2.8. I will post
any good shots so you can let me know what you think.
I intend to put the camera into a protective housing and allow the birds to
acclimatise to it during a trial period using cheap colour neg film. Serious
attempts at grabbing velvia trannies will be made on cold mornings when the
birds are hungry.
Pat
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Sullivan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: Christmas Project
> Pat,
> Like Chris, I've used a long air release some 20 years ago on some
> Baltimore Orioles at the feeder. I don't remember if I used a 50mm or
> 135mm, but you can get really close and fill the frame with the feed
> tray & bird. I've still got the shots around somewhere...
> Regards, Bob S.
>
> On Thu, 2 Dec 2004 13:02:07 +0000 (GMT), Chris Stoddart
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > Pat,
> >
> > I tried something like this once about 20 years ago with an ME Super +
> > winder, a 135/2.8 (not Pentax), tripod and a great long air release. The
> > objective was to photograph siskins (Carduelis pinus, about the size of
a
> > fat sparrow) on a feeder whilst I was hiding in the house.
> >
> > Although technically fine, the results weren't very pretty, maybe
because
> > judging the 'decisive moment' from 30 feet away behind glass was bloody
> > hard. Also, even with a 135mm the click of the shutter and/or whirr of
> > the winder scared the birds away EVERY time, so it took about 2 hours to
> > get 1/2 doz pictures. I think this also contributed to the birds looking
> > a bit freaked out in the photos too :-) I'm afraid I haven't repeated
the
> > experiment since.
> >
> > The 15mm might be a fun idea right up close (a 'birds-eye view', hah!),
> > but I suspect it will be very hit and miss and you'll get a lot of waste
> > shots. It may be possible to desensitize the birds to the camera by
> > placing a similar box it the same position and piping 'click-whirr'
sounds
> > through it. Other than that it's almost certainly going to scare them
off
> > each shot.
> >
> > Good luck with it though and you'll have to let us see any good pics?
> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Wed, 1 Dec 2004, Pat Curran wrote:
> >
> > > I plan an attempt at bird table photography during the holidays using
one of
> > > my Super A bodies / Motor Drive A and a 15mm f3.5 A lens.
> > >
> > > The plan is to bait a pre-focused area for song birds and then fire
the
> > > tripod mounted Super A via a newly acquired infrared trigger from the
> > > comfort of the kitchen window.
> > >
> > > Anyone any experience of this type of bird photography?
> > >
> > > My other lenses are a 50mm f1.4 A and a 200mm f4 A. (- also ordered a
used
> > > 28mm f2.8 A from KEH tonight so I will have a choice of four
lenses - ) Any
> > > suggestions on the best lens to use on this project or other tips
would be
> > > very much appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Pat
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
>
