Putting the brakes on Kinglets?

[depthfinder]

Ok, in your best Bugs Bunny now: "Aaaaaaalright! This means war!"
The cedars and pines around here are simply teeming with Golden Crowned Kinglets and naturally, I'm trying to photograph them. They're driving me crazy. Do they ever stop for more than a nano-second? It seems that by the time I've focused, they've moved on, so I'm getting a lot of blurry Kinglets (see below) or nice, tack-sharp branches where a Kinglet used to be.

Because of the changeable (lower) light conditions in the bush, I've tried aperture priority at ISO 400, and I've tried manual mode. I can't use a flash unless I'm willing to forsake motor drive and put my trust in my reflexes. My next step was going to be manual mode, cranking up the ISO and the shutter speed to try and freeze these little beggars.

But then I searched the bird forum for Kinglets, snooped through the EXIF on some of the awesome shots I found (i.e. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...MG43281200.jpg, http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...a_1024x683.jpg, http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/p...a_1024x683.jpg), and I'm seeing Av mode, ISO 400, 200 or less, and taken with a 7D and the 400mm or 500mm L lenses. Harrrumph!

So what can I do to pin these little guys down? I realize that some (or all) of these great shots were probably taken in more open, brighter locations, but that's not where "my" Kinglets can be found. They hang out in the bush. Shall I try the high ISO/fast shutter combo, or should I try using flash, or...

What would you do? Thanks for any and all advice!

[cfcRebel]

I know what you mean, Vivien. For me, it's even worse because my fingers are slower than others' (i have tons of bad images to prove!). When it comes to Kinglets and creepers, I can only rely on luck. And the luck has to be 100% PURE, to capture acceptable image of these little buggers . Meaning, standing quietly and pre-focus on a twig that i "think" they'll eventually move to. :P I know, it's not much help. I hope others will share their more effective approach.

[CDMOOSE]

I'd highly recommend a flash and a Better Beamer. Your situation is just too dark.
Al

[depthfinder]

Thank you both for your replies.

Originally Posted by cfcRebel

When it comes to Kinglets and creepers, I can only rely on luck. And the luck has to be 100% PURE, to capture acceptable image of these little buggers . Meaning, standing quietly and pre-focus on a twig that i "think" they'll eventually move to.

Oy! That's a lot of twigs to choose from in my case, and since I'm the original prototype for Murphy's law, the birds are sure to land on every twig except the one I've focused on!

Originally Posted by CDMOOSE

I'd highly recommend a flash and a Better Beamer. Your situation is just too dark.
Al

I went out and tried with flash this morning, with slightly better results, although I'm still not satisfied. The Kinglet is a bit sharper, but the Brown Creeper who crashed the Kinglet party is still blurry (see below). And pardon my ignorance, but what is a Better Beamer?

[Grizz]

The Better Beamer is an external flash extender. They work very well. Read about it here also. Beamer

[tonylong]

Vivien, you are having a hard time "nailing" focus!

Make sure you are using the "spot focus" function on your 7D. Then, if you have to zoom and crop to 100%, well...

But really, these are having focus problems, You have to "get down" with the 7D focus abilities!

[Larry Weinman]

The one thing you didn't mention is your shutter speed. When I shoot with my 500mm f4 and 7D I have to keep my shutter speeds up. Birds are always twitching even when they are perched on a branch. My 7D and long lens combo seems to be extremely sensitive to vibration at slow speeds. These photos are a little dark to begin with indicating that you really did not have enough light to shoot properly. In the bottom photo the tree is in focus asa well as the birds feet and talons but the bird itself is not. Try the Better Beamer as previously mentioned along with more care in focusing but I think your big problem here is not enough shutter speed.

[jhayesvw]

dont be worried about the higher ISO.
I would rather get a shot with a little grain than a blurry shot because the bird twitched a bit.

try 1600 ISO and crank up that shutter speed.
also try some 800 ISO.
you'll get it.

I wish I could help with the 7d focus but I dont have one.... yet.

[depthfinder]

Thank you all for your advice.

Originally Posted by tonylong

Vivien, you are having a hard time "nailing" focus!

Make sure you are using the "spot focus" function on your 7D.

Aha! Ok. I had my 7D set to single point AF, back button, rather than spot. With that, I was able to get a reasonably sharp shot of a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet that ventured out into the light so that I could crank up the shutter speed (see below), but not in lower light.

Following your recommendation, I set my camera to spot focus and tried again. Unfortunately, the Kinglets disappeared virtually overnight, but I got to practice on a Brown Creeper (equally fast and twitchy). Again, when I am able to shoot in brighter areas and turn up the shutter speed, I seem to get better results. But I think you may be right: I'm not taking my time to nail focus and wait for the shot. I will take your advice and be more careful with focus before I press the shutter! Thank you!

Originally Posted by Larry Weinman

The one thing you didn't mention is your shutter speed. When I shoot with my 500mm f4 and 7D I have to keep my shutter speeds up.

Yes! Exactly! That's precisely my issue - I'm trying to shoot twitchy, fast-moving birds in lower light situations, and the results ain't pretty. A way to crank the shutter speed is exactly what I need, be it through flash or high ISO.

Originally Posted by jhayesvw

dont be worried about the higher ISO.
I would rather get a shot with a little grain than a blurry shot because the bird twitched a bit.

Thank you. I'm not sure why, but I have a real fear of high ISO - but you're right: better grainy than blurry. I'll try ISO 1600 and see what I get (if the Kinglets return).