Backyard birding on a budget

[k4show]

I would like to get more into backyard and neighborhood, etc area birding. The longest lens I have right now is a 55-250mm, which I know is probably too short. I don't want to spend a lot of money on this because I am just doing it as a hobby and am interested in other forms of photography as well. I would like to buy a 430EX for a fill, would you say this is a requirement for good shots? Thanks

[Zoodles]

Well I started with pretty meagre equipment also and have had lots of enjoyment and have eventually added to my equipment also...
You can do a lot with the 250mm if you're patient and can work yourself close to your subjects.
I use a "Better Beamer" on my 580EX flash - but that's because I'm shooting at 400 mm or more - you probably will have enough power with the 430 at 250mm.

Make sure your feeders are well established and if you can set up a nice perch near the feeder and some sort of "blind" near it then I'm sure you can get excellent results.
Good Luck!

[k4show]

I was thinking of making a better beamer actually, theres a guide online. And i might make a blind if my neighbors dont think im wack lol. And my feeders are very well established we have 4 or so, and a pond that attracts some to the running water. So you think a flash is a good investment?

[Zoodles]

Why not? A flash can also of course be used to make your indoor pictures look so much better when light is low by bouncing off walls or ceiling for a nice even fill.
But for birds it can give punch and colour when the sky is overcast as well as fill and that ever-important eye catch-light even when it's sunny...

[Hikin Mike]

I rarely use a flash in my backyard set-up. The only time I've used it is if its cloudy or overcast....a rare thing in California.

For a DIY backyard blind, check out my blog entry here (http://www.imagesinthebackcountry.com/blog/?p=69).

[artyman]

If you feel you are lacking on lens length another alternative is to set the camera up on a tripod and fire it with a wireless remote. I picked up a cheap one on eBay, which I used before I got my Sigma 150-500. Obviously you have to use a preset position

[StevenM]

I find the max shutter flash sync speed (usually 1/125) often inadequate for birding...and the quality of light produced by flash when shooting nature, unpleasing. Each to his own.

[BradM]

I find the max shutter flash sync speed (usually 1/125) often inadequate for birding...and the quality of light produced by flash when shooting nature, unpleasing. Each to his own.

Well maybe due to not using the correct technique, as there is no limit to what shutter speed can be used except that which the camera is limited to 1/4000th for the 30/40D's for example or twice that for the 1D's when using a shoe mounted flash that has HSS available.

The proper use for flash in wildlife in daylight is for fill, to lift the shadowed areas. And if used properly, usually 1 to 2 stops less than ambient the results are all but indistinguishable from solely using natural light.

Where it usually falls down is that the shooter often doesn't take the time to remove the unnatural highlights in post, reflections or highlights where none are to be expected in the fall of light.

[k4show]

Well maybe due to not using the correct technique, as there is no limit to what shutter speed can be used except that which the camera is limited to 1/4000th for the 30/40D's for example or twice that for the 1D's when using a shoe mounted flash that has HSS available.

The proper use for flash in wildlife in daylight is for fill, to lift the shadowed areas. And if used properly, usually 1 to 2 stops less than ambient the results are all but indistinguishable from solely using natural light.

Where it usually falls down is that the shooter often doesn't take the time to remove the unnatural highlights in post, reflections or highlights where none are to be expected in the fall of light.

Actually my 30D can go up to 1/8000 of a second as can my 5D.

[BradM]

Actually my 30D can go up to 1/8000 of a second as can my 5D.

Your right, not that I didn't believe you but I went and pulled the 40 and the 50 out of the bags and took a look. Not sure where I got that 1/4000th from, maybe the Rebel XT or XTi?

Any way I think the rest of the post stands, there is no limit to what shutter speed can be used with a shoe mounted flash in HSS.

[k4show]

Your right, not that I didn't believe you but I went and pulled the 40 and the 50 out of the bags and took a look. Not sure where I got that 1/4000th from, maybe the Rebel XT or XTi?

Yeah my Rebel XTi only goes up to 1/4000. Good useful post though :)

[BradM]

On the original question, whether a flash is a requirement to get good shots of birds in the backyard. It can be, but not knowing the lighting in your backyard and how you are setup to capture images it is a difficult question to answer definitively.

In my backyard the light is almost always shaded and from the opposite direction I wish to shoot. There isn't a lot I can do about it but still capture some decent shots without mounting the flash.

[davebreal]

I'd imagine most people who start out with a 200 or 300mm lens (whilst attempting birds) quickly get addicted and them jump up to 400mm and longer lenses very quickly. If you decide you want to upgrade the lens, maybe try the buy/sell forums here, might find a good bargain.

If you're just getting started, read and re-read the FAQ, learning to correctly approach wildlife is a big factor... and as the old saying goes "wait until you get really close... and then get even closer".