topic Re: Ready for bird season? in Share Your Photos

Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 19:15:35 GMT

I am and I can't wait to get going again.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ScottyP — Tue, 02 May 2017 01:43:46 GMT

I have to use a bird feeder close to a window to lure them in because my longest lens is a 70-200 plus 1.4x TC, and I don't have a crop camera, but it actually works.

I have an idea of hanging a cut branch like a perch near the feeder so I can catch birds on the branch and the feeder wont be in all the shots like last time I tried it.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 02 May 2017 14:14:05 GMT

Whatever works!

Have you considered one of the 150-600mm zooms? Not too expensive and both are pretty good.

"I don't have a crop camera, ..."

Technically I don't either but the 1D Mk IV is actually a 'crop sensor' camera. I am on the fence as to whether there is a crop sensor advantage or disadvantage for that matter. It really does come down to pixel size and not sensor size. People try to make a larger sensor as the thing but if same size pixels are tossed in the mix, the comparison is moot. It may be a fact that larger sensors tend to have larger pixels so that is there, too. Whatever works!

Re: Ready for bird season?

Waddizzle — Tue, 02 May 2017 22:28:33 GMT

@ScottyP wrote:
I have to use a bird feeder close to a window to lure them in because my longest lens is a 70-200 plus 1.4x TC, and I don't have a crop camera, but it actually works.

I have an idea of hanging a cut branch like a perch near the feeder so I can catch birds on the branch and the feeder wont be in all the shots like last time I tried it.

I'm surprised Ernie didn't suggest Photoshop for that second problem. Photograph empty branches at similar angles and distances to your feeder, and swap out feeder background for the tree branch background. Besides, adding a nearby tree branch would attract squirrels, at least in my neighborhood it would.

I love the EF-100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. It outperforms my Sigma 150-600mm "C" by a wide margin. I've found the Sigma is only useful around f/8, not the minimum apertures. The Sigma also gets' soft at infinity focus, especially over 500mm. Mine is basically a 150-500mm f/8 lens, and it does it quite well, too. I'm no fan of Sigma OS, either. But, I use it on a tripod most of the time, and have OS switched off, anyway.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:48:28 GMT

"I'm surprised Ernie didn't suggest Photoshop for that second problem."

I've been known to do that! Most people don't even know either. But my closest friends and family usually ask this question first, "Is that Photoshop or did you really take that shot?" Who me?

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 03 May 2017 14:03:11 GMT

"I love the EF-100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens."

I did give it a try considering whether to buy one but was unimpressed. It is better than the first version but that isn't really saying much. I know lots of folks love them and more power to'em. I am glad they do.

I have all three of the 150-600mm zooms. The S is the best of the bunch; there isn't any doubt in my mind. It is heavy but that goes with the territory. I shoot the S almost exclusively at f8 and in Av.

IMHO, if I had to choose a 400mm lens which is where most people use their 100-400's, it would be the ef 400mm f5.6L prime. If it had IS, it would be perfect but I don't really care if it did or doesn't.

Re: Ready for bird season?

KingNine — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:34:58 GMT

I just picked up the 150-600 C a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to be at the right spot at the right time. I rented the canon 100-400 II and went to try it out at a local Rookery. When I got there Sigma was there letting you try their lenses for free. I pretty much just tried the C out as it was the only one I could afford. I also prefer hand holding so I didn't want the weight either. Anyway I was totaly blown away with the results! My images with it were equal to or better than the Canon lens. Sigma was offering a $100 rebate plus they gave me another $50 off for being there that weekend. It was my first major lens purchase that wasn't used or refurbished. I'm still not believing just how sharp it is!

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:03:33 GMT

Nice shots especially the first one. The big Siggy C is a nice lens. Cost, focal length and performance considered it is a great buy. $100 rebate even better! I had one when they first came out and sold it only to buy another one a little later.

A lens, any lens is only as good as what the user can get out of it.

Re: Ready for bird season?

KingNine — Thu, 04 May 2017 04:41:51 GMT

Thanks! That first one is actually one of the first shots I got with it after buying my copy. There is literally a wildlife sanctuary 3 blocks from the camera store I purchased it from. I bought it and drove around the corner....

I did think about my purchase when using it the next weekend and dark clouds rolled in on me quick. All of the sudden the weather sealed one seemed like a good idea lol. I'll just need to be prepared and take pictures within my limitations.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 04 May 2017 05:19:24 GMT

Since the IQ of the Sigma C and the almost identical Tamron entry is moot. The advantage of the the Tammy is an effort at weather sealing. The Sigma has none as you noted but all is not lost as you can provide some yourself. A plastic baggie, a rubber band and a protecto filter is all you need.

Re: Ready for bird season?

Waddizzle — Thu, 04 May 2017 10:27:43 GMT

@KingNine wrote:
Thanks! That first one is actually one of the first shots I got with it after buying my copy. There is literally a wildlife sanctuary 3 blocks from the camera store I purchased it from. I bought it and drove around the corner....

I did think about my purchase when using it the next weekend and dark clouds rolled in on me quick. All of the sudden the weather sealed one seemed like a good idea lol. I'll just need to be prepared and take pictures within my limitations.

Yes, the Sigma 150-600mm "C" can take some great photos, if you stay within its' comfort zone. One of the lens' best features is the zoom lock switch, which locks at several focal lengths. Lens creep, no more. Canon should take some notes on that feature. [EDIT] I get the best results by locking at 500mm, with an f/8 aperture.

Having the option of the Sigma Dock was a plus for me over the Tamron. In addition to custom AFMA, you can also configure custom auto focus modes. I like the idea having weather sealed lenses, but not so I can shoot photos in bad weather with less worries. I'm too old and fragile to be trying to do that. No, my brain cells have concluded that weather sealing means the lenses will last longer, and will be less inclined to have mold, mildew, water drops, or dust.

But, the 150-600mm "C" does have its' limits. I think the IQ suffers as you move above 500mm. And, the lens doesn't really shine at minimum aperture, not until you get around f/8. If you want high shutter speeds, 1/1000 or faster, then you need a bright sunny day, not a dim overcast or rainy sky.

I get better results shooting the new Canon 100-400mm at f/5.6 and cropping, than using the 150-600mm "C" at f/6.3, or even f/8. Ernie may have a point about the Canon 400mm might be better than a 150-600mm zoom. That above shot is nearly a 100% crop of a 400mm shot. The bird was on the other side of a lake, close to the water's edge. I would imagine that the 400mm prime would do at least as well, if not better. Using the wide aperture, f/5.6, let me use a high shutter speed, 1/2000, which let me freeze the bird in flight.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 04 May 2017 14:00:57 GMT

" And, the lens doesn't really shine at minimum aperture, not until you get around f/8."

Did you mean to say 'maximum' aperture? Most if not all lenses do better when stopped down one stop. Some two stops but usually never more than that. No tele I ever used or even heard of did well at its minim aperture of f22. Some teles even have f32 and that would be even worse because of diffraction.

The blue bird on the first post is also a 100% crop. Even with 600mm a blue bird is still a small bird. They will not let me get closer with all that open ground there.

Re: Ready for bird season?

KingNine — Thu, 04 May 2017 14:01:00 GMT

What a great picture from that 100% crop. I read and watched many reviews of which most said the same things you just said. I don't know if different copies made at different times have changed but when I got to the location and was testing my rental copy of the Canon and Sigma was there letting people try for fee I did jump at the chance of testing and seeing real world differences. I was fully expecting to get back home and see great images from both but more from the Canon. My thoughts were that the Sigma wouldn't hold up when cropped if they were sharp at all. What I got was more hits (keepers) from the Sigma that were equal if not better in sharpness (even at 600) with better bokeh performance to boot. I fell in love with the images I got and at that point I could no longer justify spending the money on the Canon. It could have just been the confluence of a bunch of different things coming together to make the Sigma shine but now that I've had it for a month I don't think it was.

The only issue I had with keeper rates was when I was taking pictures of shore birds two weeks ago and the sea breeze was high. I shoot hand held and holding that bad boy still even at fast shutters was difficult at best. I got some great shots but not near the keeper rate I have already become accustomed to. The smaller lighter Canon might have done a better job for me that day.

I have heard the Tamron is softer between the 500-600 range but I have not even seen one of those to even think of trying it. I did purchase this knowing my limitiations was pretty much outdoors only but that is why I bought it.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 04 May 2017 14:06:44 GMT

EOS 1D Mk IV, Sigma 150-600mm Sport @ 600mm, f8, SS 1/640, ISO 800. A 100% crop with lens correction applied in LR otherwise as is from the camera.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 04 May 2017 14:09:14 GMT

Keep in mind these birds are small and they tend to move about a lot. They are wary of their surroundings.

Re: Ready for bird season?

Waddizzle — Fri, 05 May 2017 00:07:04 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
" And, the lens doesn't really shine at minimum aperture, not until you get around f/8."

Did you mean to say 'maximum' aperture? Most if not all lenses do better when stopped down one stop. Some two stops but usually never more than that. No tele I ever used or even heard of did well at its minim aperture of f22. Some teles even have f32 and that would be even worse because of diffraction.

The blue bird on the first post is also a 100% crop. Even with 600mm a blue bird is still a small bird. They will not let me get closer with all that open ground there.

Oops. Yes, I did mean to say maximum aperture.

Re: Ready for bird season?

KingNine — Fri, 05 May 2017 13:57:10 GMT

I thought you guys might enjoy this. This is far from scientific and I was not careful to take this image with the same settings as I was not thinking I would get home and compare side by side like this. However I found two of the same great egret with eggs that were taken with each lens. They are both cropped down about 60-70% to fit the same square image. I've adjusted exposure and dehaze just a little but not saturation.

The first is the Canon 100-400 mk2 taken at 241mm, 1/2000, f5, iso 100

The second is the Sigma 150-600 C taken at 293mm, 1/2500, f5.6, iso 320

Re: Ready for bird season?

Waddizzle — Sat, 06 May 2017 02:13:45 GMT

Yup, I do like those shots.

In my limited experience, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM has lightning fast and accurate focusing. The Sigma 150-600 isn't even in the same league, in this regard.

The Canon can recover from mis-aimed focus, with a flick of the wrist. The Sigma, most of the time, will go on a hunt. Don't get me wrong, though. I really do like the Sigma. It is my preferred tripod super telephoto lens. Meanwhile, the Canon is my preferred handheld lens.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 06 May 2017 03:38:56 GMT

"The Sigma 150-600 isn't even in the same league, in this regard."

The "S" is.

I can't see or didn't notice any better performance form the 100-400mm 2 over the "S". Add the fact it doesn't have 500mm thru 600mm and the choice was simple.

Re: Ready for bird season?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 06 May 2017 03:45:32 GMT

"...I was not careful to take this image with the same settings..."

You shots are nice there is no doubt. Good work. The 100-400mm zoom seems to be just a tad better to me. But the ISO wasn't the same. ISO 320 vs ISO 100. And nearly 300mm vs 250mm, give or take, can make that difference.

DId you buy both lenses? I had the 100-400mil and sold it because of lack of use after getting the big Siggy "S". I might add if you want a 400mm lens to try the ef 400mm f5.6L prime. You will love it, I know I do. It is a unique lens.