New to P950 -- looking for the right bird settings

[OutsideTheMatrix]

Personally I use Bird Mode - all the time, not just for birds either. There are odd occasions when I might use a different setting, but I've found Bird Mode has worked for most things so it's my preferred option.

I find if I put my finger on the shutter button lightly and it looks too dark or light, I lift my finger off and then put it back again and often the lighting will adjust. Then I take the picture.

The only time I don't use Bird Mode for birding is if it's for BIF (Bird in Flight) shots - the shutter takes too long to adjust for the movement and that's when it's better to use another mode.

I've been using the P950 since November 2020 and am very happy with what I've been able to achieve with it, both at a closer and at a longer distance. Just a couple of examples to show you.

Tawny Frogmouth

Blue Heeler

Azure Kingfisher

Hope these help give you some hope.

these are excellent but I dont like not having control over exposure, why not use full on manual mode, set the ISO to 100 and adjust the other settings accordingly?

I've used manual quite a bit, but because the camera lacks all the buttons to set exposure quickly, it's much faster to use program or bird watching, allowing you to focus on getting the shot. Besides, bird watching is an excellent jpeg producing machine. Nikon programmers hit a home run with this mode, just wish it would capture in raw too(primarily so we could reduce noise for bringing out feather deatail). Kathie's shots are fantastic!

Yes the colors really part! Is Bird mode in all the P mode cameras? I want to check it out-- does it give you control over anything-- for example ISO-- or do you just take the picture?)

--
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961

 

[p900learner]

That's what I do VadiV - try to learn from others and what they post.

BTW, I really like Brown Thrashers - your images of them are very nice. Sharp, and composed in such nice light. Well done.

Ev

 

[VadiV]

Thanks for your comment on Brown thrasher. These birds really make very nice sound/song.

Thanks,

VadiV

 

[Andrew Fawcett]

Hi - Hope its not too late to reply to a 2022 post. Looking to improve low light bird photography - the Bird setting always seems to be problematic and whatever i do i cant get much improvement especially when the bird is active in the undergrowth. Thought about going to manual but despite increasing ISO to really high levels ( can erase noise in post processing if needed) the shutter speed remains too low. Is my camera functioning correctly do you think?

 

[DAP MV]

I'm late to the party, but I decided to address a few issues that were not mentioned in the thread treating the subject broader than just the camera settings. Sorry for sounding like a wise guy, but my intentions are good and I want to help.

1. P950 has a very small sensor (a price for having great zoom at acceptable dimensions), thus low sensitivity.) Try to shoot in the sun (as stupid as it sounds... ) and avoid gray sky as a background--it's extremely hard to remove in post processing.

2. There are many opinions on camera settings, and they depend on personal preference. I use "A" to have full control of the camera. I also have "VR" on. One thing I consider important is to develop a habit of restoring the "starting settings" every time I turn the camera off to make sure I start from the same point. It saves a lot of time.

3. Use camera support. With longer shots use whatever is available to support your camera: tree trunks, fences, benches, whitewater's around (bean bag comes handy). Buying a monopod is a good idea. Also, when you take a picture always keep your elbows pressed to your torso and exhale before pressing the shutter to minimize shaking the camera during pressing the shutter button. Also, do not press the shutter button rapidly.

4. Always shoot raw (I shoot raw + fine jpg). Raw format allows for better post processing.

5. There are many books on photography, both printed and online. The two I consider the best from Coolpix photography standpoint are:

- Tony Northrup, Stunning Digital Photography (https://northrup.photo/).

- Steve Perry, Secrets To Stunning Wildlife Photography (https://bcgwebstore.com/).

(I am not affiliated with any of the web stores mentioned above.)

6. Finally, practice, practice, practice, and don't be afraid to experiment.

Hope you find my comments above helpful.

 

[sherman_levine]

Hi - Hope its not too late to reply to a 2022 post. Looking to improve low light bird photography - the Bird setting always seems to be problematic and whatever i do i cant get much improvement especially when the bird is active in the undergrowth. Thought about going to manual but despite increasing ISO to really high levels ( can erase noise in post processing if needed) the shutter speed remains too low. Is my camera functioning correctly do you think?

Bird setting tends to run a slow shutter speed for some reason, and also is JPG only. Nikon has very aggressive noise reduction which causes JPGs at ISO >= 400 to smooth out badly.

I'd save as ISO and process in a sophisticated processor such as DXO. I typically use DXO to save as TIFs and add some additional sharpening in Topaz Sharpen (I don't know if that's still available as a standalone program). I have lots of P950 examples at the Flickr album link in my signature.

Alexander White has an excellent book on using the P950. https://whiteknightpress.com/photographers-guide-to-the-nikon-coolpix-p950/

I generally shoot birds in S mode a speed appropriate for the bird - Hummingbirds will require much faster speeds than eagles. I use Auto ISO. At high shutter speeds, aperture will go as wide as possible.

If for some reason you do use A mode, my recollection is that P950 has a problem where if you for example start at f/2.8 at wide angle, then go to full zoom (where the widest aperture is about f/6) and power down, when you restart the aperture will be about f/6 at wide angle instead of the 2.8 you had set.

--

Sherm
I
Sherms flickr page

P950 album

P900 album RX10iv album
OM1.2 150-600 album

 

[DAP MV]

If for some reason you do use A mode, my recollection is that P950 has a problem where if you for example start at f/2.8 at wide angle, then go to full zoom (where the widest aperture is about f/6) and power down, when you restart the aperture will be about f/6 at wide angle instead of the 2.8 you had set.

This is a perfect illustration to my comment about developing a habit to restore the "starting settings" every time the camera is turned off.

 

[p900learner]

If for some reason you do use A mode, my recollection is that P950 has a problem where if you for example start at f/2.8 at wide angle, then go to full zoom (where the widest aperture is about f/6) and power down, when you restart the aperture will be about f/6 at wide angle instead of the 2.8 you had set.

This is a perfect illustration to my comment about developing a habit to restore the "starting settings" every time the camera is turned off.

Suggest - set up and use the U mode (user settings).

Here is how to do it - @ about the 7:37 mark.

alternatively - from google AI

Here's how to set up and use the U mode:

1. Choose your settings:Select your desired shooting mode (e.g., P, S, A, or M). Adjust other settings like ISO, white balance, focus mode, etc., as needed.
2. Save the settings:Navigate to the shooting menu and find the "Save user settings" option. Select this option and confirm to save your current settings to the U mode.
3. Access the U mode:Rotate the mode dial to the U position.
4. Recall the settings:The camera will now use the settings you saved in the U mode. You can easily switch back to the U mode when you want to use these settings again.

Ev

 

[Jon_T]

..Alexander White has an excellent book on using the P950. https://whiteknightpress.com/photographers-guide-to-the-nikon-coolpix-p950/

Agree; I also have his books for the Panasonic LX100 II and the Sony RX10 IV.