www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Any ideas for improvement ?
I would like to get better open wing shots of BFs that move a lot, with my FZ150. This shot was taken with:
shutter speed 1/2000 sec
burst mode 5.5 images/sec
exposure + 1/3
Can I do something better with this camera?
Thanks, Chris

This looks pretty good to me.

The big problem with bridge cameras, such as theFZ150, is that there is a delay in processing the image that is displayed in the electronic viewfinder. Although you try to press the shutter with the butterfly in the centre, it has moved on, relative to the viewfinder image. This is where the 'real' optical viewfinder of a DSLR has a major advantage.

Mike

Agreed Mike! I have stopped using the optical viewfinder now and use the vari-angle with reasonable success nearly always.

My suggestion CJ would be a simple one, trust to the iA (Intelligent Autofocus) setting using the vari-angle LCD screen to compose, with practice you will master using it, advantage of iA is it saves fiddling around with settings a luxury you can hardly afford with flitting insects, if however your allowed time to fiddle, well take your chance! iA is not foolproof but is as good as usually needed.

Occasionally for small insects I will use the macro mode (sounds obvious ) and have even used the macro setting for distance shots of butterflies perhaps 10 or 12 feet away quite successfully, that was just trail and error at first, but it seems to work on most occasions I've employed it, don't suppose you ever associate macro with distance shots on the 600mm max lens extention.

I've not had any success with in flight shots of butterflies (moving a lot or otherwise) with the FZ150 (or the Fuji HS50 which is quicker to focus than the FZ150) the Bridge Camera's are generally too slow to focus and retain focus, I would rather trust to my DSLR's for that. Don't let that put you off though, just try things out...'practice makes perfect'

There are other FZ150/200 users on this forum that might offer you far better advice than mine though!

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

As an FZ150 owner, I try to discipline myself NOT to fill the frame too tightly. Then a crop when processing can position the image where you want. Burst mode is very good. I routinely use 12 frames/sec.

I have just discovered that video mode is quite good but need to turn the sound down before uploading to youtube. These Black Guillemots at Oban were fun. Now to add suitable music instead of that background roar.

http://youtu.be/PxF1-D-y2sM

I am off to Oban again in the morning. I wonder if the dentist would let me record the sights and SOUNDS of having a tooth drilled?

Jack

I use 2 fz150's, one has a old Sony 1758TC permanently attached for birding etc. That is usually set in good light @ the 5.5/sec -0.33ev & S mode @ 1/1000th, works for me most of the time. Your BF shot would have been taken by me on the other camera without a TC. Almost certainly set on macro @ full zoom & 5.5 shots per sec & for a white one -0.66ev, again works for me most of the time. I am sometimes surprised how fast the camera sets the macro speed. Any BF shots I have posted on UKB will certainly have been taken on macro setting @ full zoom with usually a minus ev. Eric

Hi again Chris, I checked the details for the Valesina SWF I posted in July sightings last week just to make sure I was right. It was full zoom in Macro with minus 0.33ev set by me & camera chose iso 100 & speed of 1/400. hope this helps. the butterfly was fluttering about & I took lots of photos @ the 5.5/sec & managed to catch this one with wings open Eric

Thanks a lot guys for your tips and comments. There's plenty of food for thought there!
All I need now is to find time to put things into practice .
Cheers, Chris