Help on capturing Hummingbird

[_Provo_]

Originally Posted by Foothill Fotog

I got the two LED lites from Amazon for about $35 ea. Because I have a good supply of rechargeable AA batteries I began by using those. Each lite took 6 batteries. Soon the hassle of dealing with all those batteries made me shop for a better solution as the lites are able to take a variety of battery types. Also on Amazon I found a kit of two large capacity 4200mAh Li-on batteries designed for Sony camcorders. Made by Vivatar they plug right in ... Oh ... the kit included the two batteries and a single AC / 12v charger. Kit was about $35. Soooo much better using the easy to handle quick to install single battery. Total of lites and li-on batteries came to about $110.

As for the clamp I "Googled" Bogen Super Clamp and found it's now called a Manfrotto Super Clamp. I bought it years ago and it's been helpful ever since for much more than photo applications. It has a sort of quick release setup as the brass "slug" that screws into the camera's tripod threads can be removed while the clamp stays in place. On the threads of the clamp I mounted a ball head socket so whatever is attached, light or camera, can be positioned most any direction I want. Maximum usable opening of the clamp is 2 1/4" max depth is about 1 1/2". It clamps securely to the narrow side of a 2x4 or on a 1 1/2" pipe or down in size to safely attach to a partially rolled-up car window as it has rubber pads on the jaw ends.

Mine has 126LEDs but there are similar designs that have more LEDs and those are much more expensive and I saw at least one of those offers color temperature control. Mine has dimmer control but I always use it full "on" Batteries have lasted as long as I've needed the light ... maybe a hour and a half at the most ... but that's a guess.

Pic #1 A new LED light not in the previous post is the creepy yellow and black thing clinging to the top of the tripod in the middle. It has one of the new "CREE" I think it's called LED ...it's VERY powerful! This is spotlight only, doesn't focus, and in this setup I found I'd positioned it too close to the feeder as it "fried" 'em by about two f-stops. So far it's worked best positioned a few feet behind the camera and aimed so the beam illuminates a spot a bit above and behind the left side feeder flowers. It catches them in the dark spot as they come in and adds to the depth. It's still a tad "hot" so I plan to experiment a bit with diffusing materials. I think it was about $14 on a short term "lightning" deal. I consider it a good buy. It takes 3 "AA's"

Pic #2 This shot shows one clamped to a 2x4 and the other mounted in the GH2's hot shoe. I've got the 14-140mm lens mounted which gives an approximate 28mm wide angle equiv. Results of this setup wasn't very good.

Pic #3 In this one the main light is coming from the two 126 LED "banks" The setting sun filtered thru the trees to put the yellow glow on the glass. Footage where that light backlit the frenzied wings of the birds is AWESOME. For this image I took two views separately focusing on the camera and then the feeder and combined the best of each in Photoshop. Note the Zap circle and 3D in Red on the 2d1's LCD as this was supposed to be a warning that the camera is too close or too zoomed-in for a properly acceptable 3D rendition. Not having read the instructions I didn't find this out until later. I decided this camera is not so smart after all as the pop out of the screen effect I like happens when I see that indicator!

Mark many thanks for sharing the info going to look on amazon later
to get a pair.

Originally Posted by Don Kondra

Pretty hard to beat sunlight

Cheers, Don

Don thanks for sharing your image you are right about natural sunlight

Originally Posted by icassell

I've never been particularly fond of the multi-flash hummer setups I've seen. They get wonderful images of a bird frozen in space with no hint of motion -- they look plastic to me. I may occasionally use a single flash, but try to keep some sense of motion. I can get pretty close to the ones that sit on the trees in my garden, but they are really tough when they get airborne! (All natural light except #2 and I don't really like the flash glare).

Thanks for sharing the captures they look great.

Originally Posted by zemlin

This shot was taken through a window with an Einstein strobe fitted with an 8.5" reflector and a 30 degree grid. I was using an 80-200 lens with an extension tube. A far bit of black foam core and curtains inside to keep reflections off the glass I was shooting through. I have a feeder just outside my office window - I just waited for her to pull away from the feeder and hover.

I was able to fire at 7 FPS and the flash was on low enough power that it kept up fine.
I print this on metallic paper to emulate the iridescence of the feathers.

Awesome shot Zemlin very sharp

Originally Posted by jnm

Check out Bob's take on this.

RWilliams Imaging | How to Photograph Hummingbirds

Thanks Jnm for providing the article will read it later on when I get a chance.

Originally Posted by bobobird

Thanks Mark for the super clamp info. Is it able to clamp onto a tripod leg or center column?

Bobo I say we get these light and modify them so they can be mounted on mini stands. will show you later what I am talking about @35 bucks each as mark mentioned can't beat those.

[_Provo_]

Btw ever since getting into birding photography this by far has been the most
challenging one to master its great because you have a wealth of info from all of you
on here. Also want to add that there is much knowledge to learn just from shooting the humming birds alone,
flash settings,shutter speeds,iso,reflectors,strobes, pocket wizards, etc..
And techniques to go about getting the shot you are after so it's very rewarding and a highly recommended way to learn more
about photography.

[bobobird]

Thanks Josh.

I actually have no hummers to shoot but am trying to put together a simple setup for macro shooting using only LED lights or flashlights. I do not like using the flash because the results are so "flash" and want to get something more natural.

[_Provo_]

Originally Posted by bobobird

Thanks Josh.

I actually have no hummers to shoot but am trying to put together a simple setup for macro shooting using only LED lights or flashlights. I do not like using the flash because the results are so "flash" and want to get something more natural.

Please post your results when you have them

[Foothill Fotog]

I didn't read every word, but breezed through like a nectar browsing hummer Bob Williams MOST excellent photo illustrated write-up. His "how to shoot" hummers experience is well worth a second look. I've bookmarked it. THANKS for posting the link!

Here it is again:
RWilliams Imaging | How to Photograph Hummingbirds