Bourbon Neat
Senior Member
Just shot this, got 5 others and all are about the same quality. Used auto setting and AF. Not as sharp as expected.
First Bird Shot w/Tamron
- Thread starter Bourbon Neat
- Start date
Scott Murray
Senior Member
Definitely soft focus, but I think it may be the person taking the photo rather than the lens itself 
I would try and increase the shutter speed up to 1/1000 until you get used to hand holding such a lens. Also the D5500 is a DX if I am not mistaken so you would need to increase your shutter speed to atleast 1/750th (I think) to be the same as the focal length on a DX. Also try F/8 for this lens as tests have shown that it is around its sharpest in this area.
I would try and increase the shutter speed up to 1/1000 until you get used to hand holding such a lens. Also the D5500 is a DX if I am not mistaken so you would need to increase your shutter speed to atleast 1/750th (I think) to be the same as the focal length on a DX. Also try F/8 for this lens as tests have shown that it is around its sharpest in this area.Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
I shoot BIF all the time and even with my 70-300 I shoot no slower than 1/1600 and normally 1/2000. When I tried it slower I always got blur like here in your shot. 1/640 is definitely to slow.
600mm is the equivalent of 900mm
600mm is the equivalent of 900mm
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f/6.3 at 600mm isn't the sharpest aperture. I'd up it between 7 and 11. The Tam's sharpest at 450 around f/6 and 500 around f/8 on mine but yours might slightly differ. 600 isn't as sharp as the other lengths but that's usually the case at the long end of a zoom.
And as the others mentioned; up that shutter. I try not to shoot BiF below 1/1600s.
And as the others mentioned; up that shutter. I try not to shoot BiF below 1/1600s.
Bourbon Neat
Senior Member
Thank you for your input. Hope to remember these tips the next time such an opportunity arises. Shooting the big lens straight up didn't seem too tough, at horizon level not so stable though.
Was out front shooting the breeze with a neighbor and out of the sky blue popped this eagle. Almost wet myself. Ran in to get the camera, fumbled to get the SD card in and set the dial and lens to auto, luckily the Tamron was already mounted.
Under the same conditions I will drop the aperture to match the sweet spot (8), faster shutter and take the iso to 100.
Was out front shooting the breeze with a neighbor and out of the sky blue popped this eagle. Almost wet myself. Ran in to get the camera, fumbled to get the SD card in and set the dial and lens to auto, luckily the Tamron was already mounted.
Under the same conditions I will drop the aperture to match the sweet spot (8), faster shutter and take the iso to 100.
Scott Murray
Senior Member
You would probably find your ISO would be around 200-400 to get a good exposure even in great light. I set mine on auto ISO when birding so I can get the required shutter speeds.
Bourbon Neat
Senior Member
Focus mode - AF-A
Focus area - Auto-area AF
Yes it is a crop. From (6000 x 4000) to (3366 x 2244) and then down to 1000 on the long side for jpg web.
Use AF-C, and try 9 point AF, maybe 21 if you're not sure
Vixen
Senior Member
why is that?
VR 'mainly' comes into its own for static shots, or very slow stuff. It takes the lens longer to truly autofocus with the VR on, and you'll find more of the images are subject to blur if you're shooting faster moving objects. Its not recommended for tripod work apparently, though tripod stuff is not my arena.
Bourbon Neat
Senior Member
In the shot posted, the camera was on full auto, AF-A only. AF-C is an option with P, S, A, M, modes. This camera will use 11 (as I have set) or 39 focal points.
Yep I have double to triple the amount of blurred shots during burst whenever I shoot faster shutters with VR enabled. I don't enable it unless I shoot singles slower than 1/400s. If at 600mm that is.
Just another reason not to use Auto. Using Auto on a DSLR is using it to just a fraction of its potential. Auto is for p&s cameras only imo. Have a look at those other modes, and see which you feel you'd be comfortable using, and go from there.
Bourbon Neat
Senior Member
Yeah, I do appreciate getting to know more about photography in manual mode. With the film cameras once we dialed in our preferences and loaded the film, that is how it went. This morning I was shooting some deer that were bedded down at a distance. Was using M and set the three parameters only to be over ruled by Nikon for the iso. The user manual is lengthy don't ya know, still searching to address that issue.
By the way, birds in flight are tough. Don't think otherwise. For a hurried shot with Auto selected, you did a good job.
I like to shoot shutter priority, 1/1600 or faster with birds in flight. I adjust the ISO according to the situation, usually 400 in good light. I use AF-C and 51 points on my D7100.I think 39 is the max on the D5500.
You will develop your own preferred settings as you get more experience, but the settings and ideas we are giving you should help to get a base to work from.
I like to shoot shutter priority, 1/1600 or faster with birds in flight. I adjust the ISO according to the situation, usually 400 in good light. I use AF-C and 51 points on my D7100.I think 39 is the max on the D5500.
You will develop your own preferred settings as you get more experience, but the settings and ideas we are giving you should help to get a base to work from.
You must have Auto ISO turned on.
Sounds like the camera is in auto iso mode. You'll have to dig into that manual again. Great to hear you're in M mode tho!
Bourbon Neat
Senior Member
Thanks again for your responses and tips. Good stuff that I do appreciate.