Purple Martin

[manishkshukla]

Shot this yesterday at Parker River Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, MA. My first BIF shot.
Techs: F5.6, 1/640, ISO400, 700mm; Nikon 500 F4 VR, TC14E, Nikon D200

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

[Alfred Forns]

These guys are tough and even tougher with a 500 lens with converter. !! Would suggest trying to get closer and leave the converter off ... and even better a hand held lens. Lots of times you can get fairly close ! ... and the only way for success is a little wind at the right light angle !! With these you need all the advantages at your side !!

As you can see form this one more shutter speed is helpful, you did get a sharp eye btw bg is pleasing but doesn't look natural.. will wait for other to ring in !! ... one more .. do hammer with the motor drive for the best possible pose !! Good luck !!!

[manishkshukla]

Thanks Alfred! I have a 70-200, which I could probably use with a 1.4x Tele for such shots? Do you think that would work better?

I had blown the sky to get details on the bird. I recovered it in camera RAW. Could that be the cause of unnatural-ness? How can I fix it?

BTW - I am reluctant to go beyond ISO400 on my D200. So, this is the best shutter speed I could manage.

[Desmond Chan]

I shoot hand-held mostly with my 70-300f4.5-5.6 or 300f2.8 to photograph swallows primarily for their maneuverability. I think you were shooting close to nest, and the martin was hovering? Did you use flash on this one? To me, it's an achievement to catch the swallow with a 500+TC. How much do you need to crop?

I agree with Al, that you can get close to them. In fact, if you photograph them free flight, they fly all over and around you :) This one as is looks pretty good to me judging by my own experiences (which mostly are failures :o). Interesting that you'd pick this little guy to try your first BIF. It could be addictive, mind you :D

[Alfred Forns]

I thinks the ideal focal length on the Nikon side is the 300 f 4.0 On the Canon the 400 5.6 The 2.8 is great but heavy and will tiresome after a while !!

The 70-200 would be a good choice, the converter will slow the AF but still be plenty fast !!! ... for the sky is tough to bring it back, if you end up with a high key image that is just fine !! For these guys you need a good sun angle !!! hope you nail some !!!

Desmond go it right .. they are addictive :D .. btw the best pose is catching them bringing nesting material will post one !!!

[Dave Mills]

Not much more for me to add since all was said above. Good head sharpness but speed and light are the overall issues...

[Lance Peters]

Great advice above - and it all comes down to Practice - lot lower keeper rate with these also.
Keep em coming :0

[manishkshukla]

Desmond, yes it was hovering near its nest, immediately after take-off. Not too much crop, it is probably 70% of the full frame. I had a disappointing day at Plum Island yesterday and in the end, decided to set up shop at the Purple Martin nest. This is the best I could manage. Yes, it was addictive :)

I am relatively new to bird photography, and looking forward to learn from this forum.

Thanks Dave and Lance for your comments.

Al, next time I will try using the 70-200! Another work week ahead :-(