Chris: I'm still around. I have been busy this spring getting my perennial
garden into shape and haven't been doing a lot of photography. Good luck
with your Sigma 50-500mm zoom and don't get frustrated if every image
doesn't turn out perfectly sharp. In fact be happy if a third are keepers.
That lens is a monster and the smallest camera shake will do a job on the
image. You will also find getting the focus right is difficult because of
the narrow DOF. For bird shooting focus on the bird's eyes. I also found
the sweet spot on my Sigma 50-500mm is f/11 and even f/16 if I want
addition depth of field. I shoot at either ISO 400 or 800. ISO 800 can get
a little noisy but if the image is sharper because you can use a faster
shutter speed, it's worth it. Be sure to shoot NEFs, not JPEG, because NEFs
can take a lot more sharpening in Photoshop, in my opinion. If your
birdfeeder is near a tree, try tying a dead branch to the tree so that it
extends close to the birdfeeder. Then shoot the birds when they land on the
branch. It makes for a more natural looking photo than a bird sitting on a
feeder. Let me know how things turn out. -- Terrence. 

 

-> 
-> Terrence, if you're still about in here - my 500mm lens is about to put to
-> good use - have installed a bird feeder in the back garden and am prepared,
-> with heavy purpose tripod, to catch 'em at it!
-> 
-> All the best to everyone.
-> Chris
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