Resident fox - camera setup

[susie]

There ia a fox who appears to have taken up residence on a friends farm, last night as we were watching him try to climb on or into her haynets she tried to get some pics but as it was dimly lit farm lights they all came out pretty black and the flash frightened him and produced a nice blurry streak.

I am going again tomorrow night and will take my camera to see if its any stronger.

Am I better off taking the 50 1.8 or the Sigma 70-200 f2.8? I will set the iso as high as possible (which I think is 1600), but do any of you have any advice on set up so I get half a chance of a clear picture? I don't expect a 'good' pic as he runs if we get too close!

 

[IanC_UK]

you will be much better with the longer lens as it means you wont have to get so close so less chance of scaring him straight away. set the ISO as high as you dare risk it, dont make too much noise or move about much and you should get lucky, may mean dressing quite quietly (ie not really bright colours) so you dont stand out so much as well.

 

[grumpybadger]

I'd use the 70-200. I'd start baiting a bit so he comes for food. Good food for a fox is:

Raw meat (cooked is okay)
Fresh fruit or berries
Vegetables
Eggs
Earthworms (foxes eat earthworms and other insects, sometimes as a large part of their diet)

You may be able to use flash but it depends on how settled he is.

Paul

 

[susie]

Thanks, we dress in darkish colours anyway as light colours show the dirt too much when we are working around horses!

I'll see if she will put some food down, but I doubt it as they are a nuisance if they settle, he will probably nick the cats food anyway!! He is not very settled and appeared to be looking for a warm place to sleep they are going to be getting chickens when they finish the run so he won't be encouraged to stay for long.