Natural History

[Stringer]

Hi,

I started going to a local Photography Club at the beggining of this season and have seen masses of great quality Natural History pics!

What i'm looking for mainly is to know where most of you go to get these great photos?

I'm looking mainly to try and start getting some Bird photos as the ones i've seen..well, wow!!

Also, what sort of lenses do you use?

At the moment i'm limited to an 18-200mm lens, would it be wirth getting a 2x convertor or a new lens altogether?

Any advice much appreciated

Thanks
Paul

 

[Cuddy]

Hi Paul im a birder who takes images, in that order. I have a patch which i visit regularly, its on the coast.
It has a good mix of habitats, the sea, beaches, rocky shorelines, a small freshwater wetland, dunes, fields, cliffs, a mini golf course, and a well planted cemetery.

All the above attract different species, and as i visit it regularly i know what to expect and where to see it.

Birds in particular have approach zones, a robin will allow a closer approach than a redshank. Its a case of becoming familiar with different species comfort zones.

All the above can help you get a bit nearer to your subject, i use a 100-400mm lens which i find a good walkabout lens, 500 or 600mm would be great but are beyond my purse. My advice is find somewhere you can visit often, learn whats there and start practicing.

 

[hairy]

Hi Paul im a birder who takes images, in that order. I have a patch which i visit regularly, its on the coast.
It has a good mix of habitats, the sea, beaches, rocky shorelines, a small freshwater wetland, dunes, fields, cliffs, a mini golf course, and a well planted cemetery.

All the above attract different species, and as i visit it regularly i know what to expect and where to see it.

Birds in particular have approach zones, a robin will allow a closer approach than a redshank. Its a case of becoming familiar with different species comfort zones.

All the above can help you get a bit nearer to your subject, i use a 100-400mm lens which i find a good walkabout lens, 500 or 600mm would be great but are beyond my purse. My advice is find somewhere you can visit often, learn whats there and start practicing.

Did Cuddy write that, or me?

Agree with everything said there. Best advice know your local patch; the rest will fall into place

 

[Stringer]

thanks for the info guys

very useful and will put it into action!

as for the lens, would it be worth getting a 2x convertor (current lens goes as high as 3.5 aperture) or just get a longer lens full stop?

Thanks

 

[arclight]

Hi Paul im a birder who takes images, in that order. .

Yes, that's the key and it applies to all wildlife.

I got interested in watching wildlife with binoculars long before I carried a camera.
Sometimes still go out with only my bincs.