Birds what do i require?

[Tannin]

^ DOH!

Could some kind moderator please edit my original post to prevent confusion to other readers.

[I @ M]

^ DOH!

Could some kind moderator please edit my original post to prevent confusion to other readers.

Done.

[gabby]

I've just purchased exactly the same gear for my first DSLR-7D canon and a 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L Canon lens that was picked up today. I have read through the thread avidly. Odille & I are heading out to Vintage lakes to try out my bird techniques on Sunday so I can take all your advice into account. One thig I haven't bought due to the tax refund not stretching far enough is a flash. I'm having trouble working out how it helps if you are looking at a bird some distance away in a tree to set off a flash- wouldn't it cause your subject plus every other bird in the icinity to head for the hills?

[agb]

Do you use AE lock at all when metering exposure for birds?

[davearnold]

Thanks to Tannin, I have now activated on my 7D , Precision point focus , one of the reasons why I read AP threads, so many brilliant little bits of info to be learnt and put into practise.

[macui]

for birds in flight i use AV (aperture priority) iso 400 mostly

[piXelatedEmpire]

One thig I haven't bought due to the tax refund not stretching far enough is a flash. I'm having trouble working out how it helps if you are looking at a bird some distance away in a tree to set off a flash- wouldn't it cause your subject plus every other bird in the icinity to head for the hills?

In my experiences flash doesn't cause too much of a problem in terms of frightening birds. Don't get me wrong, some will react and be gone very quickly the first time you fire the flash, but mostly in my experiences they don't take flight.

In terms of photographing birds from a distance, a Flash Extender aka better Beamer will help in this situation.

Enjoy your new gear!