Yesterday, Symphony was stung by something, quickly reacted and started to swell, necessitating a trip to the vets. Antihistamines and steroids did the trick but we decided to rest her today with no long walks. As a result I visited the cliffs on my own, giving me time to stand and stare in the hope of a few migrants. Of course, I chose the quietist day possible and saw very little! That's the story of my birding! Best was a Marsh Harrier, male Bullfinch, two Curlew over, a good number of Redwings and Blackbirds, and a large mixed flock of Linnets and Goldfinches. On the cliffs, a few Gannets with Gugas remain, but there seemed to be a lot of mature Gannets on there nest sites. Many more were flying and on the sea, probably numbering into thousands!
I took the opportunity to practice with my new Sony RX10 having received some focus setting advice from friends on Facebook. I think the settings worked for me, you may differ!
This mornings views
Gannets
Oi! You two, turn it down a bit, my head hurts!
A number of Gugas are still be serviced by their parents on the cliffs, with several weeks to go until they are ready to fledge. This one is at Jubilee Corner.
And just when you think the one above is the youngest still on the ledges, you find an even younger one!
Immature Gannets
Just managed to get onto this Marsh Harrier over the RAF site, relentlessly mobbed by corvids
Jackdaw (Nordic)
The ubiquitous Herring Gull
Some of the large Linnet and Goldfinch flocks
Hopefully, my new camera work is improving?
'till next time...
Very nice blog indeed Kevin and you are definitely getting to grips with the new camera :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots as usual. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI was interested in this comment "practice with my new Sony RX10 having received some focus setting advice from friends" As an RX10 user I am wondering what the advice was. It may be helpful to me as well. Can you share the advice please?
Many thanks Steve. I've started to get a few "keepers" and there is a long way to go, but I have the time (I think!).
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment Pete. I was struggling to get to grips with the RX10 focusing and asked for some advice from friends who are also using it. It was suggested that I might use mode A and S, F4, drive mode continuous shooting C, menu 1 focus area (screen 5/14) , scroll down to Lock on AF expand flexible spot. I used these setting today and was quite pleased with the results. Hope this helps?
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I will study it later and let you know the settings I am using as well.
ReplyDeleteSorry it has taken so long to come back to you. Too much going on. Anyway I have now looked at your settings. Have you seen the book "photographer's guide to Sony DSC-RX10 IV" by Alexander White? It is incredibly detailed and I found it very useful to understand the full range of options available.
ReplyDeleteThe end results for me have been similar to some of your settings. I now use the "MR" memorised settings option with two saved sets of options, one for stationary birds and one for birds in flight. I tend not to use continuous shooting except in special circumstances (I find I get too many images to work on, but miss some shots).
For stationary birds: Shutter priority (defaulting to 1/500) so I can easily up or down dependent on light and movement. Metering: Centre, Zoom at Max. Focus on Expandable flexible spot (centred). Focus DMF, MF Assist: On and Peaking on (I have peaking colour: yellow which I find really helpful when fine tuning the focus (using focus ring and shutter part depressed) which really makes a difference if you want to choose to focus on eyes or something specific). Aperture: F4. ISO auto.
Flying Birds: I use the logic that the camera focuses on the nearest object which is usually the bird. So I use another set of options for MR. Main differences are shutter 1/2000, Metering mode Multi, Focus area: Wide (catches the bird anywhere in the frame). Focus A or C and Centre Lock On: On.
Changing between the two settings is quick but not ideal. Three steps: Move off MR and back to it. System asks me to choose which memorised rules to use so have to choose Flight or Still. Then have to manually move AF option between DMF and A or C.
Lately I have been trying "Back Button Focus". This is so that having set a focus on a half hidden bird I can take multiple shots without the camera trying to refocus between shots. To do this I have AF w/shutter: Off and (using Custom Key (shoot)) I set the AEL button to activate auto focusing and manual fine tuning). I am just beginning to learn to use this option.
Any comments would be welcome. I am very envious of where you now live. A great spot. Thanks for all your images.
Hi Peter, thank you very much for taking the time to offer me advice on my RX10. I have a copy of the book mentioned and find it very useful as a guide, money well spent! I have tried many settings from attempting to mimic my DSLR settings to other users preferences. I must admit to not being satisfied with any as yet, but will plug on! I will have a look at the settings you have posted and see how I get on. I will use the RX10 exclusively until the end of 2020 (as planned). I may reinstate my 400ml DSlr lens for some images in 2021 though. Thank you for your assistance.
ReplyDelete