FZ5, remote release (12m), titmouse - close

[seemolf]

Finally I had my first chance to test a new remote release for the FZ5.

My first victims were titmouse at the birdfeeder. I could sit on my warm sofa 6 meters away at that time.













technique:
My trick to fix a wire release was published here:
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/v...mp;forum_id=23
(jessop sells a similar solution - adjustable to most digicams)

Hama sells (selled) a pneumatic release with a rubber ball at the end. Tubes of 6 to 12m transport the pressure and serve a terminal - similar to a wire release.
The rest is standard:
- modified bird feeder fixed in a distance of 70 cm to my main window.
- A piece of dark cloth (to minimize reflections) with an opening for the camera.
- FZ5 fix focussed in macro mode, switched over to manual mode: F:3.3 1/125 zoom 12* - it was a dark day....
- tripod, power save switched to off, 1000mAh battery (> 1h)
- continous mode unlimited or high speed continuous

thats all
I am waiting for full sunlight now to shoot the landing birds.

Hope you like them.

Sven

[squirl033]

great shots, Sven! the first one is especially appealing... it captures the bird's curiosity - he seems to be trying to figure out if your camera is a threat or something to perch on. outstanding work!

[Corpsy]

Those are some very clear shots. I especially like the last one, though it appears a bit overexposed.

The only distraction is that the background has an odd appearance with all those diaganol lines. It gives the impression of motion blur, making it seem that the birdfeeder is speeding upwards into the clouds. On the closer shots it's less of a distraction though, and just a cool looking background.

Actually, is that the background or is that the window you were shooting through? It sometimes seems like the dark streaks are affecting the foreground. It's not a bad thing, I'm just curious.

[seemolf]

Thanks squirl and corpsy,

squirl - I checked the focussing light (off). But the birds grew up in our garden, so they look at the curtains - knowing there are some (friendly) persons behind.

corpsy - thanks for your advice. The histogramm told me that the picture was not overexposed, but it cried out that I have done a miserable pp job.
It's late in the evening, but I tried a fast repair:


In the back is a fence. I had an argument with my wife, I wanted to superseed this background, but she did not like the idea.....
It is an artificial background - it should be replaced!
Sven

[seemolf]

I asked my birds about a new decoration of the background - as corpsy suggested.
They did not like it at first sight:


But maybe they get used to it....


Sven

[Narmer]

Dear Sven

these are incredible shots.
Impressive results from your Archimede-like techniques.

If you go on like this in a few years you'll be able to make better cameras than Panasonic themselves.

What is theon-board flash bouncing/diffusion technique you have got the best (in macros) results from ?

Have a great 2006
(Photographically you did it in 2005, congratulations for all your pics)

Francesco

[bejoweth]

You've certainly got that FZ5 well tuned and running on all cylinders. These pictures are superb!

[tiger98]

Sven, Those are all very sharp and impressive shots! Jim

[seemolf]

thanks Betty and Jim,
this is an easy job, so close to my window.
There are some exotic birds in my garden, I hope they will find the feeder.
But I need an electric release, the movement of the birds has to trigger the FZ5...
Sven

[seemolf]

Thanks Francesco,
hope you will have more of those interesting excursions this year.

narmer wrote:
"What is theon-board flash bouncing/diffusion technique you have got the best (in macros) results from ?"

The best results were those with the balloon. But the adjustable olympus type diffusor is quite good too. If I need shadows, my miniature slave flash assists. The stoney type diffusor is excellent, but it is too fragile for my little bag.
I try to avoid flash light, this is not easy - my camera settings are fixed to ISO 80 (max. 100).

I am looking forward to see more amazing pictures from Italy or elsewhere!

Best wishes for 2006

Sven