Birds 2015

[mikeriach]

I purchased the Tamron knowing that my birding activities would be restricted to bright days and that I would do most of my shooting at f 8.0. There are other uses for the lens but when one assumes that they have 5 or more years use, the cost doesn't seem so bad.

JB,

It looks pretty good to me. I guess you are pretty happy with your choice?
For me sticking with A mount, the Tamron is the cheapest way to go and I'll just have to see how things pan out over the summer.
As you can see I am loathed to change mounts but the lure of longer lenses with OS/VC is quite tempting. If the A99 Mk2 turns out to be a worthy successor then I can see me hanging on to Sony.

I agree with your comment re cost over 5 or more years, my 70-400G has been a truly special lens and a trusty companion since I bought it on first release in the UK. Expensive then, but even more expensive now, I have had 10s of thousands of shots from it, my best lens investment ever.

In the meantime please flood us with images to drool over.

cheers,
Mike

[sury]

Thank you Jeff.
Mike, good input on a77II strategy. Good points to ponder.

JB, in all fairness, she never objected to my indulgences so
it is more a matter of what I need as my wife puts it.
My family thinks I dont want anything phtographically, I only
need them. It always been a matter of fiscal common sense
to me.

Just when I thought I have plan.... Anyway not to digress and
sticking with theme...

Started with this:




I almost missed the first one. Was not quick enough.

[jbtaylor]

Nothing like a supportive family Sury. You images show exactly what we all deal with when photographing these creatures. I have not tried birds in flight yet but I assume it will be troublesome. What focus settings do you use?

[sury]

JB,

Missus has been bugging me to go buy a lens and suggested a budget of $1400.00
to celebrate my upcoming birthday. Can it get any more supportive?
Regarding the image:
Focus was auto, metering was center-weighted average, fixed iso200, autowb, shutter priority set to 1/1600, resulting
in f5.6, post processed. I hope I answered your question.

Sury

[jbtaylor]

As the Tamron is only $1,100, I recommend that you give me the balance for life coaching services rendered.
Was the focus set to wide area or spot?
Thanks.

[mikeriach]

My main subject is aircraft and when in flight I usually use a local group (usually centre) rather than a single spot or wide.
Single spot often jiggles about too much when following (trying!) fast jets and wide can lock onto the a background so I compromise with the local group or whatever it's called.
For formation displays, the wide setting becomes better so the group doesn't lose focus in the gap between the planes.

I've not taken many bird shots but I'd guess wide for in flight and local group or spot for on land/water as wide likely to pick up on closer features.

I am happy to listen to others experiences, you never stop learning.

[jbtaylor]

On first blush, I would assume that the Tamron would easily meet you aircraft photography needs.

[sury]

As the Tamron is only $1,100, I recommend that you give me the balance for life coaching services rendered.
Was the focus set to wide area or spot?
Thanks.

In California, I need to pay sales tax of 10% and you add shipping and a UV filter, I am afraid not much is left
for life coaching service, I am afraid. I will be more than happy to pour a drink or two or three or ... when
you happen to be in San Jose, California anytime in the (near) future. The least I could do.

Regarding focus, I could not get it out of EXIF and if I remember correctly it was local since often I press the selector
to highlight the center rectangle (2.8 rectangle) and gotten into trouble with selecting left point accidentally when bumped
by my fingers. Will check tonight at home and get back to you.

With best regards,
Sury

[jbtaylor]

"I will be more than happy to pour a drink or two or three or ... when you happen to be in San Jose, California anytime in the (near) future."

Deal.

[the_hefay]

Love the geese shots Sury. These two owls are fairly young and have been hanging around in my backyard. Great Horn Owls have their young early in the year, but this seems a little too early. However, they don't fly very far at a time and they seem to be not quite full grown in height. These were shot with the Tamron 70-300 on my A100 handheld with steady shot enabled. They let me get pretty close. Only the first shot is cropped. Shortly after that last photo, he turned tail and flew to the other side of the tree.

[sury]

Nice details. I like the third one. Nice close up.

Sury

[the_hefay]

Thanks Sury

[the_hefay]

Here's a couple more taken today.

[sury]

Nice shots Jeff. I had to really look for the bird in the first one. The search was a hoot.

Sury

[jbtaylor]

You think you are the observer?
Never got an owl. I am jealous.