BIF: is shooting wide open ok?

[Teddy Regpala]

Pardon me if this has been discussed before.
And I'm sure some people would like to know this as well.

To peruse the highest shutter speed as possible on BIFs, is it ok to use the maximum (widest) aperture available? If yes, is this THE norm?

Usually BIFs are too far anyway, so DOF won't be a problem. Is my assumption correct?

Would like to hear your experiences on this.

It's a given that on some lenses, stopping down will improve the sharpness.

Thanks.

[Romy Ocon]

Ted, I rarely go faster than 1/1600 shutter speed for 800 mm or shorter lens. If there's any excess light that gives me a faster shutter speed than that (at my preferred ISO 320-400), I stop down a bit instead for more DOF, less CA/aberrations, better resolution and less light fall off at the edges.

[Teddy Regpala]

I apologize for bringing these old topic/s up.

So mastah, from what you're saying, this is how you prioritize your settings:
1-2. Shutter speed and ISO (combination can be chosen depending on experience)
3. Then adjust aperture accordingly?

Kindly confirm.

From what I've learned from other's works:
1-2. Aperture priority (how you like it), and ISO (based on available light)
3. Then let the camera decide what shutter speed. If not fast enough, then adjust ISO (and aperture if necessary).

Right now, I'm still not that confident, I need more practice. So here's how I do it:
1-2. Manually set shutter speed and aperture, a guess work right now.
3. Then let the camera decide the ISO (auto ISO). I set the minimum shutter speed and highest ISO it'll use. Well, that's for the D300.
4. Adjust exposure compensation as needed. Then shutter speed, and lastly aperture to tweak the exposure.

I'm still trying to learn the best way that'll work for me and my chosen equipment.

Any inputs are welcome.

Thanks.

[Romy Ocon]

Looks like your current method should work well, Ted.

For my 500 f4 + 1.4x, it's M mode, default ISO of 320-400, f/7.1 then I try to shoot at 1/1250 sec or faster. But all these values are negotiable - I can go as slow as 1/400 sec, ISO as high as 800-1600 and Av range of f/5.6 - f/8, depending on the light and size/distance of subject.

[wirinhar]

Aug 16, 2008 13:50:10 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Ted, I rarely go faster than 1/1600 shutter speed for 800 mm or shorter lens. If there's any excess light that gives me a faster shutter speed than that (at my preferred ISO 320-400), I stop down a bit instead for more DOF, less CA/aberrations, better resolution and less light fall off at the edges.

Hi Romy,

I just back from a camera shop this afternoon and I bought myself 5DMII body only

I am a total blind for Canon and I am still reading it at the moment.

My question is What is the best mode for BIF on Canon and Nikon???

I never had experience shooting BIF with my Nikon D 700 + AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED, All I did just sitting on my Apt's back yard and waited for the bird to come to the nearest tree and I would start shooting and I always use Aperture priority with 1 Spot (.) Metering Mode. Is that correct???

Your inputs are much appreciated and thank you in advance!!!

Regards,
WW

[Romy Ocon]

Hi WW,

For 5d2 at BIFs, I use M mode, AI-servo (centerpoint, assist points on), ISO 320 -640 (depending on light levels), f/5.6 - f/7.1, then adjust the shutter speed (1/1000 to 1/1600 sec) to get neutral metering from mid-tone objects like grasses. For the lens, I turn IS off and switch the focus limiter to the farthest minimum focus distance (this speeds up AF).


I haven't used Nikon at BIFs yet, but some Nikon shooters on the board can perhaps answer your question.

Mar 29, 2009 12:43:03 GMT wirinhar said:

Aug 16, 2008 13:50:10 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Ted, I rarely go faster than 1/1600 shutter speed for 800 mm or shorter lens. If there's any excess light that gives me a faster shutter speed than that (at my preferred ISO 320-400), I stop down a bit instead for more DOF, less CA/aberrations, better resolution and less light fall off at the edges.

Hi Romy,

I just back from a camera shop this afternoon and I bought myself 5DMII body only

I am a total blind for Canon and I am still reading it at the moment.

My question is What is the best mode for BIF on Canon and Nikon???

I never had experience shooting BIF with my Nikon D 700 + AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED, All I did just sitting on my Apt's back yard and waited for the bird to come to the nearest tree and I would start shooting and I always use Aperture priority with 1 Spot (.) Metering Mode. Is that correct???

Your inputs are much appreciated and thank you in advance!!!

Regards,
WW