Foto at top: Holland Aug 2023 sun Common Tern juvenile (Visdief juveniel) size 35cm distance 60m equivalent 1500mm Z50 Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF VR APERTURE mode Birds 1/1000 f/11 ISO 360 0EV standard camouflage backlight. Crop 2700 x 1800.

_{Extra info: F11: full size picture.}

In bird photography frequently applied photographing techniques:

1. Underexpose 0.5 up to -2.5 EV to protect detail in Highlights (Hoge Lichten) picture.

2. Overexpose compensate backlight if sun other light behind bird(s).

3. “Focus & recompose“: a) autofocus, b) recompose picture & keep focus fixed c) shoot picture.

4. Use converters: extend reach (X stops) but loose available light (X stops) and some autofocus potenyial.

5. Use tripod, rice bag or anything else to support camera/your arm reducing camera vibration.

6. Use AF delimiter switch lens to avoid unnecessary delay autofocus time used by lens if position (expected) “special bird of today” is predictable like Kingfisher, Woodpecker, etcetera.

These six techniques are incorporated in the settings APERTURE mode Birds below. By the way at this page we only list the most significant camera/lens settings, not general or and very special settings

Examples of “focus and recompose” technique

In this example:

a) With finger at Release and thumb at AF-On, direct lens at branch under bird and let camera autofocus.

b) Point lens at bird, recompose picture but keep focus fixed (lift tumb from AF-On button).

c) Shoot picture by pressing Release button.

Develop picture in Lightroom. It is not a great picture but that is not the point here. The bird is in-focus and at its definite position in this picture:

Essential settings in APERTURE Mode Birds D500

1. Essential settings:
2. ================================== Camera handling: ============================
3. Underexpose structurally: -0.5 – -2.5 EV (protect detail highlights picture)
4. EV Increments: 1/2 stop (easy quick count/reset during photography)
5. Camera switch Lock: Lock (unless you use multiselector for AF-point selection)!
6. Language: English (matching camera buttons, keyboard shortcuts Lightrooom, online info)
7. Release mode (Ontspanstand): Continuous high (anticipate fast bird action).
8. Beep: Pitch: low, Volume: lowest (useful signal bird in-focus if strong wind, etc.)
9. ====================================== Light: ================================
10. Automatic light measurement: Spot metering: (we) always position bird in centre viewfinder
11. = Centre weighted sensor area autom. light measurement: 6mm (average size bird in picture).
12. Camera switch PASM: A (APERTURE Mode).
13. APERTURE value preferably f/2.8 … f/8 (reliable AF, AF 3D & AF auto, TC-20E III support <=/4)
14. Quality: 14 bits RAW lossless compressed (files not touched by camera)
15. Color space (kleurruimte): Adobe Color Space: (supported by Lightroom, ViewNX, Faststone)
16. ==================================== Focus & track =============================
17. Autofocus mode: AF-Continuous 25d (25 AF points & continuous anticipating AF & tracking)
18. Autofocus parameter: a1=focus (priority focus, not Release)
19. Autofocus parameter: a3=1 (fast start, dive, etc.). Motion: steady/medium/erratic
20. ============================= When shooting pictures: ============================
21. = Press Release (camera performs automatic light measurement and starts autofocus (tracking). Thereafter:
22. = OR do nothing and wait while camera holds AF position …
23. = OR Full press Release: camera shoots picture(s).
24. = Check result.

Examples APERTURE mode Birds D500:

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