Tried Something Different

[Trojansoc]

Tried something different this morning....originally was playing with a set-up for hummingbirds, but they didn't want to cooperate and come to the feeder, so I turned the camera toward my regular feeder for the test.

I had the K10 set up on a tripod with remote shutter release set and the DA*50-135 lens. I triggered the shutter relase from about 15 feet....allowing he kinds of closeups I could never achieve with this type lens.

House finch



I originally identified this as a female house finch, but the closer I look at it, I question that more. The beak just doesn't look right. A female indigo bunting perhaps? Any help appreciated.




Meanwhile, I had the Phoenix 100-400 set on the K20 and was generally closer than normal, mean ing I didn't draw as many birds, but got pretty good shots of the ones who came close, or all the way to the feeders. A white breasted nuthatch.



and a female brown-headed cowbird



Paul

[snostorm]

Hi Paul,

Nice!

I've only used a remotely triggered setup a couple of times, and with nowhere near the success you've shown here. I was trying to get some shots of Barn Swallows feeding their babies, but didn't get anything worthwhile.

I've been toying with the idea of using the K20's Live View with a long video cord connecting the camera to a portable DVD player with a video in jack. I already have a DVD player, but it doesn't have the video in, so I'd have to get another -- luckily they aren't nearly as expensive as they were when I got the one I have, , , and maybe it could go on the "necessary camera gear" side of the budget. . . hmmmm. . .:-)

This setup looks to have some great potential. Keep up the good work!

Scott

[Trojansoc]

Thanks for the kind words, Scott. I'm going to keep experimenting with this set-up. I think it has real potential for small birds like hummingbirds.

This afternoon, I got another shot at the bird about which I had a question this morning. From this angle, it looks more and more like a female house finch. This was shot with the 100-400 directly instead of with the remote trigger.



Paul

[Rodney9]

Well done, I want to do the this similar when I get a remote. That last is very good.

[thekman620]

Excellent shots Paul! All look bang on sharp to me. Nicely done.......Don

[bigdawg]

You are doing what I planned on doing this fall and winter with the Bigma...Oh yeah, that is a female house finch. The breast feathers tell the tale!

Dawg

[Trojansoc]

bigdawg wrote:

You are doing what I planned on doing this fall and winter with the Bigma...Oh yeah, that is a female house finch. The breast feathers tell the tale!

Yeah, I came to be more comfortable with the female house finch ID after a few more shots. Thought you might enjoy seeing my set-up, Ed, since you're contemplating the same thing. I bought one of the cheap Hong Kong remote triggers off e-bay, and I can sit on my front porch 10-15 feet awat with a cup of coffee and the K20. In this particular group of shots, I had the DA*50-135 mounted on the K10 and the 100-400 on the K20 for birds that didn't cooperate and land on the right side of the feeder.

And, yes, that appears to be corn that has sprouted below the feeder. We're letting it go a little higher to see if it bears. "Let the birds do my spring plantin'"

Paul