 Cindy Ferguson |
Need a fast lens for shooting humming birds I am looking for a fast lens capable of macro, to shoot humming birds in action. I have a canon 10d and 20d, and have tried my lenses and have tried using the fastest shutter speed and film speed along with flash. The wings are still blurry. Any suggestions? It does not have to be a canon lens, but compatible with my 10 and 20d cameras.
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Alan N. Marcus |
Hi Cindy, Sorry to report that it takes more than a fast lens to “freeze” the wings of a hummingbird in flight. It takes a super fast shutter as well. Sorry to report that the typical camera falls short in the shutter speed department. Allow me to explain: Research reveals the wing beat speed of these masters of flight is 25 strokes per second. Setting your shutter speed to 1/100 second allows the wings to move ¼ of a stroke, so blurry winds results. Upping the shutter to 1/1000 sec. (10 times faster), still blurry wings. The bottom line: Likely you will not “freeze” the wings using just your camera shutter. How to capture: Electronic Flash fires extremely fast. In-camera flash units are fast, generally 1/500 ~ 1/2000 sec. (not fast enough). Specialized electronic flash fire with duration of 1/1,000,000 sec or faster. Using these specialized, extra fast units is what is required. Professionals lure the birds via a feeder to a pre-prepared shooting site. The sight is in subdued light, the background is a nature scene. The camera aperture is set to a small opening like f/16, camera shutter speed is set to 1/1000 etc. These settings preclude exposure by the prevailing light. When the picture is taken, light from the super fast electronic flash is exclusively recorded. The result: A hummingbird picture “frozen” in flight. Alan Marcus (marginal technical gobbledygook)
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Cindy Ferguson |
Thanks for the info. I didn't know they were lured in for shooting. Oh well, it's been fun to try. I have some pretty good shots of them and actually have one that is constantly so curious, he flies right up to me. I think he finally realized I am not a threat to him. Thanks
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Alan N. Marcus |
My favorite is a male Allen, total red head and neck. His name is Humdinger and his habitation is my patio year-round (Anaheim CA) with his girlfriends and competing males. Best regards, Alan Marcus
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John H. Siskin |
I didn’t get the wings totally stopped on this one, but I did slow them down. The Strobe is a Norman 200B and the lens is a Spiratone 400. I am sure that Alan remembers Spiratone. This is what I could do with the stuff sitting around the house. Norman 200B are very adaptable strobes. I used a longer shutter speed to get a soft/hard image from the strobe and ambient light. The lens was wide open, which on the Spiratone is not that wide. Not a great shot, but fun. Thanks, John Siskin
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John H. Siskin |
I didn’t get the wings totally stopped on this one, but I did slow them down. The Strobe is a Norman 200B and the lens is a Spiratone 400. I am sure that Alan remembers Spiratone. This is what I could do with the stuff sitting around the house. Norman 200B are very adaptable strobes. I used a longer shutter speed to get a soft/hard image from the strobe and ambient light. The lens was wide open, which on the Spiratone is not that wide. Not a great shot, but fun. Thanks, John Siskin
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