Bird photography in comfort

[mike_j]

I have a new toy, (partly funded by Chrissy presents from those who can't think what to get me so give me an Amazon voucher) a remote control pan and tilt head. This, together with the Sony Smart Remote Control android app means that I can sit in the living room in the warm, see what the camera is seeing and get pictures of the birds in the tree next to the bird feeder. The camera is out in the cold twenty feet away but it all works quite nicely.

Some of the pictures are even fairly good.



I'm not sure if this is a Great Tit or a Coal Tit, can someone please identify for me?

[Gez]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Nice shot. I would say it is a Great Tit. Coal Tit has slightly pink legs.

[Pol]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

That's an excellent shot, you have the bird well trained.

I agree with Gez that it's a Great tit. A Coal tit's markings and colouring are slightly different (more pinkish chest) and they're rarely still enough to grab a shot anyway - they zip in, grab a seed then naff off in less than a heartbeat.

Nice way to spend your vouchers.

Pol

[mike_j]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Thank you, I think you are right and I have changed the title.

Here is another shot, same set up, same branch.



and just to show that the camera isn't locked in place focused on one branch

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

We have come a long way from the 30 ft air operated "BULB" release.

These WiFi or tethered systems open up a whole new way of working and these images are good examples of what can be achieved.

Well done, and thanks for the inspiration.

[David Morison]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Nice shots! Why do I tramp miles over freezing marshes for my birds when this method is available? Probably wouldn't get a Glossy Ibis or Marsh Harrier in the garden though!

David

[Pol]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

They really are cracking shots, Mike.

I'm imagining your garden isn't a soggy mess (ours is half under muddy water) and that the weather's reasonable enough - or do you have a scrim net or other camouflage or waterproof cover protecting it?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm fascinated. Are you using something such as 'DSLR Controller' with a handheld device (eg an android tablet or phone) or are you using a laptop?

Whatever you're using and doing it's a superb setup and it's giving you brilliant results.

Pol

[Pol]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Probably wouldn't get a Glossy Ibis or Marsh Harrier in the garden though!

David

Probably not but you could always have a go at sussing out the favourite spots of a specific bird or animal, setting up in a hide (possibly a portable hide) and have some fun seeing what you can get.

We once had a member who used to bait a buzzard on a cliff edge and he got superb shots with a very long cable release. He also got some fabulous shots of Kingfisher diving and catching fish (he baited the bird with a large bowl of fish.

He had a special licence to be in certain locations - but I'm sure you can think of a specific bird or animal and location where you can some fun.

Pol

[mike_j]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

They really are cracking shots, Mike.

Sorry for all the questions but I'm fascinated. Are you using something such as 'DSLR Controller' with a handheld device (eg an android tablet or phone) or are you using a laptop?

Pol

Hi Pol

Glad you like the pictures.

The pan and tilt is a [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV_GStbfMy8"]Hague power head[/ame] unit which gives 340 degree horizontal and 30 degree vertical movement. It does work well both for stills and video.

I'm using it with a Sony A7 camera, full frame but operating in APS 10Mpx mode with an 18-200mm E system lens. The photos above were taken at an equivalent focal length of around 135mm at about 4-6 feet. I have had reasonable weather and haven't had to use any camouflage on the tripod or lens, the birds don't seem to mind the slight whirr of the power head, indeed it helps as they sometimes look at it giving a better image.

The free Sony smart remote control app works with the standard Sony wi-fi on certain cameras and both Android and Apple tablets. It gives live view, and controls mode (PASM), exposure compensation, aperture, speed, ISO and touch focus. The exact functionality depends on the lens. I don't have a power zoom lens so have to pre-set this manually.

The app is prone to delay and crashing but is usable. No doubt other manufacturers have similar offerings.

Ideally it would be good to have a single integrated control on the Nexus tablet but for a relatively modest expenditure this has proved very usable system. Main problem is that at present I only have about 25 ft of cable. I may buy a longer cable or modify the system to radio control. I'm not sure what range the wi-fi has so that may also be a limiting factor.

[Pol]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Thanks for all that information. They're seriously desirable toys, that's for sure!

I've sometimes used a long cable release - sat inside the patio door and enjoyed faffing about. Pigeons were always my biggest problem because they hang around the base of the feeders and are prone to 'bombing' everything as they land - so I used a cheap scrim net (double thickness) to protect the camera and lens.


Pol

[yorbard]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Definitely makes me wonder why I struggle around soggy countryside carrying a Canon40D c/w batteries holder and an 800mm lens: my mates believe I'm eccentric , heck they could be right.....

[mike_j]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Don't worry, I've been there-done that.

Plenty of frosty dawns spent on the Wash marshlands waiting for a shot as the ducks appear.

[mike_j]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Another in my "Tit on a twig" series

[Pol]

Re: Bird photography in comfort

Very nice. That's the nicest picci of a LTT I've seen in a very long time, possibly the nicest ever.

Pol