Blurry images wildlife

• martin365

  Participant

  December 31, 2010 at 12:58 pm

  Would someone please be able to tell me what I am doing wrong with this image.I am trying to photograph wildlife without the tripod.I use a Canon 7D and the lens is a Canon EF100-400mm.I shot this Grey Heron this morning.
  I set the camera to:
  AV priority
  f5.6 at 400mm
  iso 800
  the image is blurred what i am i doing wrong.I have seen stunning images taken with this lens and camera and they are very sharp.
  All comments would be appreciated. Thank You.
  
  brendancullen

  Participant

  December 31, 2010 at 1:30 pm

  Hi Martin.

  I have exactly the same gear….and am no expert on wildlife photography. I use it for Hunts and showjumping etc.

  Looking at the exif data – i’d be sure the main issue here is your shutter speed of only 1/15….so the bird has moved slightly in the image….and your arm & camera perhaps too.

  Use TV mode instead- and set shutter speed to say 1/125 to begin with – you may end up with a dark image depending on the light. The option then is increase ISO to get a correct exposure as you can’t open the aperture anymore than f/4 or f/5.6. Noise will then enter the equation as you increase ISO.

  There is a rule about focal lenght and shutter speed – but you would want a shutter speed longer than the focal lenght. This changes with image stabisation. – but worth a little research. eg – focal lenghth 300mm – shutter speed at least 1/320. So for this image you would have wanted perhaps 1/500 at 400mm focal lenghth.

  http://www.digital-photography-school.com/shutter-speed#ixzz19hAXBmKd

  What will result in poor light is a very dark or even black image

  So you have only two options left – a faster lens – like the 300mm f/2.8 – or capture your images on bright days.

  Hope this helps.

  bren
  PeteBedell

  Member

  January 1, 2011 at 1:18 pm

  I have had the same problem with this lens. It needs lots of light and high shutter speeds to give good results at 400mm. Use it wide open and up the ISO to 1000 if necessary to achieve a speed of around 1/500th plus. It will give good results if the light is strong enough. On dull days leave at home.

  Pete
  Seaview

  Participant

  January 1, 2011 at 2:59 pm

  Yes, this lens needs lots of light but under the right conditions will give you great results. At 400mm I always aim to have a shutter speed of at least 1/500. I increase the iso as a grainy image is better than a soft image.

  Dave.
  martin365

  Participant

  January 2, 2011 at 11:26 am

  Thanks to everyone for replying. I was out yesterday and shots I came back with was greatly improved. Thanks once again.