Fulmars @ Duncansby

[Riffman]

Just a couple from today, I was wielding the old manual focus 300mm as currently don't have an auto focus telephoto.

These were taken from the cliffs northwest of the car park, not the usual place by the stacks. I reckon its better for photos here than where the tourists go.

Still quite amazing what you can do with manual focus:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1457/fulmarcb1.jpg





http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7279/fulmars2iv9.jpg



Cheers,

Sam

[plutonio]

Stunning photo's. thanks for sharing.

[dessie]

great photo,s RIFFMAN...keep them coming...

[Riffman]

Thanks guys!

That was about the only good ones, out of 260 photos!

[Riffman]

Another one:

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9985/fulmars3if4.jpg

[Kenn]

Lovely, I am a great fan of Fulmars and can watch them riding the updrafts along the cliffs for hours.

[the_count]

great shots of them riding the wind, having sorted out the picture posting now, i have put one of my better shots on my post on the birding section

[Boozeburglar]

Great stuff, more please!

Manual focus is fine when you know what you are doing, as you obviously do!

[Riffman]

Manual focus is hard work though!

The lens is great, its 1970, top the range for that time, optics are brilliant for that era.

And it only cost me £15 on ebay!

Just shows that it pays to keep your eyes open.

Another one:

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8962/fulmar4lm4.jpg

[grumpyhippo]

These were by Victoria walk this evening. Even when they're into wind its still a to get them in focus, auto or manual.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/grumpyhippo/_DSC0046a.jpg






http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k57/grumpyhippo/_DSC0063a.jpg

[the_count]

phenominal shots grumpy the only way i could get shots like that is shoot em and hang em off wires lol:lol: now theres a thought lmao

[Riffman]

Some nice shots grumpyhippo.

I noticed that you were shooting 1/3 under exposed, I'm not sure you needed too. They seem a little dark on my screen.

Camera Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model: NIKON D50
Image Date: 2008:04:17 17:32:32
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 220.0mm (35mm equivalent: 330mm)
Exposure Time: 0.0025 s (1/400)
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO equiv: 400
Exposure Bias: -0.33
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

The other thing I noticed is that you shutter speed is a little low for moving Fulmars. I was aiming at the best part of 1/2000, but didn't always get it. That was shooting at f8.

I presume you were using servo (continuous) focussing? With the manual focus it is actually fairly easy as you can predict and pre-focus before the fulmar gets there. A quick burst of 5 shots, and at least 1 of them is in focus!

Cheers,

Sam

[magtomich]

Great pictures , I just love close ups of birds in flight.