Help with technique please.

I took this with a 7d with a Canon 70--200, 2.8. Light was fading so I had to kick up the ISO to 400. The results are less than acceptable to me. Is it because I was right at the MFD nearly wide open? Thanks in advance for the advice.

tt

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My first recommendation would be to take the time and spell out what MFD means. [Trying mighty hard to refrain from an argumentum ad hominem here. I hope everybody appreciates it.]

Okay, after a Google search came up with My Favorite Doll, Miscellany for deletion, Manufactured, McMinnville Fire Department, and Maine Farm Days, it dawned on me that you meant Minimal Focal Distance.

To answer your question, I don't think it's your MFD. More likely it's an effect of SVFB shot at 1/200 sec and f/3.2.

For those of you who haven't kept up with the SDA (Standard Dictionary of Acronyms): SVFB - Small Very Fast Bird.

The very front of the beak might be too close to be in focus. So maybe MFD was your problem. Hummingbirds are tough subjects. At 200mm and f3.2, your depth of field is very very shallow. You need to get into a situation where you can use an aperture of 6.3 or 7.1. If you want to feeze the motion of the wings, you are going to have to use a flash.

poloman wrote in post #10865021
The very front of the beak might be too close to be in focus. So maybe MFD was your problem. Hummingbirds are tough subjects. At 200mm and f3.2, your depth of field is very very shallow. You need to get into a situation where you can use an aperture of 6.3 or 7.1. If you want to feeze the motion of the wings, you are going to have to use a flash.

Thanks poloman. I'm fairly new to this and I'm trying to get things right.

ETA: I have taken some with a flash, but I'm not satisfied enough to post them.

Think it's an awsome shot!

d

I like the shot, i think its not in 100% focus. What was your shutter speed?

darrylhopkins wrote in post #10865144
Think it's an awsome shot!

d

Thanks d. I think it's OK, just not quite where I'd like to be. More practice.

ac

V-Wiz wrote in post #10865663
I like the shot, i think its not in 100% focus. What was your shutter speed?

Thanks V-Wiz,

Here are the exif data:

[Model = Canon EOS 7D
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 240
Y Resolution = 240
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0 Windows
Date Time = 2010-09-07 07:13:00
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 216

[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/400"
F Number = F3.2
Exposure Program = Shutter priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 400
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2010-09-05 18:41:21
Date Time Digitized = 2010-09-05 18:41:21
Shutter Speed Value = 8.64 TV
Aperture Value = 3.36 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F2.83
Subject Distance = 1.76m
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 200mm
Subsec Time = 0.96"
Subsec Time Original = 0.96"
Subsec Time Digitized = 0.96"
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 800
Exif Image Height = 533
Focal Plane X Resolution = 4286.659
Focal Plane Y Resolution = 4356.303
Focal Plane Resolution Unit = inch
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Manual white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal

That shot rock, now if that wasn't your intended composition then I am sure we will get you on track.

BTW: I live in Mc Minnville lol

joedlh wrote in post #10864679
McMinnville Fire Department, .

BTW, MFD (Minimum Focus Distance) had nothing to do with that shot, if the AF locks on then your golden.

I am shocked that 1/400th doesn't stop humming birds WOW, no wonder they are considered so hard to shoot.

BigAlz1 wrote in post #10868694
That shot rock, now if that wasn't your intended composition then I am sure we will get you on track.

BTW: I live in Mc Minnville lol

Thanks BigAlz1. McMinnville...Is that short for "Mac" Minnville? LOL

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=927971

check this link on the forum.

I'm no expert on shooting Hummingbirds, and I personally haven't shot any. But any shots I have seen that have been amazing are done with at least one flash, preferably multiple flashes. The reason for this is that the flash duration is so short that you can freeze the wings, they won't be blurred. The fastest shutter speed on a camera is not enough to freeze that motion. Plus you have the advantage of lots more light which will allow you to use a smaller aperture to get a bit more depth of field (to cover any misses in focus) and you are able to use a lower ISO for better quality as well. It's a win-win-win. The shots that SteveJa has a link to are amazing - and z06-Jim is using eight flashes.

Of course, after the 8 flashes the hummingbirds are blind and must find their food by scent only.

Seriously, flashes are the way to go if you want to stop the wings. If you just want to do a bit better, get into some decent light and decrease your aperture to get better dof.

Here's info. on using flash to get good hummingbird shots:
http://www.rpphoto.com​/howto/hummer/humguide​1.asp

stsva wrote in post #10872045
Here's info. on using flash to get good hummingbird shots:
http://www.rpphoto.com​/howto/hummer/humguide​1.asp

Thanks stava, That site has a wealth of information on hummingbird photography.

tt