drstratton
Enabler
Thank you! My BIF pictures were taken at 1/2000 with auto ISO. I have my camera set up with a saved M and saved AV recipe. I haven't used shutter priority yet, I will have to try that and see if my results are better. I definitely need a lens with a longer focal point so that I don't have to crop as much...but, that's not happening right now...the one I'm looking at costs more than my camera! I really appreciate the tips! Thank you again!You've posted some very nice pics. Focus and shutter speed have a big affect on the quality of an image. I try to use the fastest shutter speed I can, that will depend on how bright it is outside though. I shoot in shutter priority 95% of the time (this is where you set the shutter speed and the camera adjust aperture and ISO automatically) and I always try to shoot 1/400 or higher. For anything moving fast I like 1/1000 and for birds in flight I like 1/2000 but it has to be very bright to get that fast.
As far as focus I use a single autofocus point for animals that aren't moving much and I try to put it on their eye or face. For birds in flight I use a small cluster in the middle of the screen.
Also cropping after taking the picture will reduce the quality. The closer you get to the subject the clearer the image will be.