Farne Islands Lens Choice (1 Viewer)

Watts · May 27, 2009

Mike's absolutely correct that there will be plenty of opportunities for close-ups well composed and well exposed when you land. But I would not forsake the opportunities of shots from the boat. The seals, of course, but also shots of cliffs covered in birds and if you're lucky birds in flight from sea level - especially good if you get birds taking off within range (http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/254276/ppuser/6605). Just remember to take plenty of memory cards and spare batteries.

Bill

Peter Truelove · May 28, 2009

I have booked the 'all day' option on the 8th June. many thanks to everyone for all the useful advice. Peter.

Carlton · May 28, 2009

A few thumbnails from Monday.

Mike

oncebittern · May 28, 2009

Re the question of photography from the boat, if conditions allow, DO keep a camera available. Last time we went, the sea was pretty calm, and the skipper made deliberate efforts to intercept some of the flying birds. Of particular note was a flock of 6/7 Gannets which actually flew towards and over the boat at extreme close range. The stunning views of flying Gannets at that close proximity will stay with me for ever.

I DIDN'T have a camera ready...but how I wish I had :-C

Nikon Kid · May 28, 2009

I will take it all on board sorry for the pun, Will take a black bin bag with me and have the 400mm ready for action.

deansmith · Jun 3, 2009

ive just got back from a trip today to inner farne and can 100% recomend it to anyone who hasnt been before it was my first time and was mind blowing how close and how many birds there are !. the inner farne trip also takes you round the other islands first though you dont land which was a bonus, as for photographs i used my pocket camera on the boat for cliff pixtures as i wouldnt be to miffed if it fell in the sea of got soaked. i taken my dslr and the only lens i have a 17 - 70 macro lens which was great for shags and razorbills on nests. the only time id say i needed a longer lens was for the puffins.

a massive thanks to people who answered my questions in this thread previously it was a great help and we had a great trip. i cant wait to go again !

DS

woollyback · Jun 4, 2009

Folks,

Thanks for all the replies.

We have just come back from an all day trip last week to both islands and as everyone says it was fantastic.

As for lens choice - as expected couldn't get the 100-400 off my daughter Bridie who got some superb shots (as she always does), the 300 f4 & 1.4TC held it's own but the flexibility of the zoom I think won the day.

Terns are savage, but saw seals, gannet flyby, and all the usual suspects on and around the island.

We enjoyed it so much are thinking of a return trip towards the end of June.

Bridie has posted a few images in the gallery, as I can't seem to thumbnail them in the post?.

Thanks again

Rob & Bridie

Nikon Kid · Jun 9, 2009

Just got back from the Farnes to-night, just magic, magic, magic, Puffins Galore and the Shags were amazing with them green eyes Arctic terns
Sandwich terns and all the usual ones, photo's on my gallery soon took over 600 shots if you are thinking of going don't miss it, go now.

Ray.Scott · Jun 16, 2009

My first visit to the Farnes on Friday 12th June, full day trip - 2 Islands, thanks for the tips etc I've picked up from this thread regarding possible kit to take, espec, the one regarding the wearing of a hat to prevent the terns drilling a hole in my head, without the hat I think blood would have been drawn :-O.

I decided on the following:

Cannon 400mm prime, 70 to 40mm, 70 to 200mm F4 I.S, 1.4 converter and my little pocket Fuji 100fd which I always carry.
On the first Island I mainly used the 400 prime which is Ideal for flight shots, but soon found out that a lot of the birds were to close, so opted for the 70 to 200 with converter for most of the other shots with the exception of a few wide angle pics.
The 70 - 200 was a god send which gave good flexability for close focusing and the zoom for composing the shot and also good enough with the converter for flight shots.
I would say that, had I owned the canon 100-400, it would have been the lens to take.
All in All a heluvaday and would advise anyone to give it a try.

A handfull of pic from the day.

Ash1456 · Jun 16, 2009

Nice work scuzz, amzing pics
. I'd love to go to the Farnes, Does anyone know how much a full day trip is?

Nikon Kid · Jun 16, 2009

Full Day trip £25 with Billy Shiel + £6 landing fee each island if not in National Trust,
I was lucky met a guy who had life time membership got him and me in free on both islands.
I would agree if you had only one lens to take it would 100-400mm. Don't forget the
Eider in the Harbour, also the night before if you are B&B have a stroll around by the
golf course you have right of way to walk over the edge to the beach beyond thats
were i got the Ringed Plover beautiful bird. Also book the trip in advance you don't have to pay,
the boat i was on was full to the brim, have a good time i will be back next year.

The main Problem is there is so many birds so close you are a bit dumb founded, the advise
I would give is be methodical, plan what you are going to take and make sure you
have them wow shots, before going onto the next birds, as they are not going to fly away.

Ray.Scott · Jun 16, 2009

Nikon Kid said:
Full Day trip £25 with Billy Shiel + £6 landing fee each island if not in National Trust,
I was lucky met a guy who had life time membership got him and me in free on both islands.
I would agree if you had only one lens to take it would 100-400mm. Don't forget the
Eider in the Harbour, also the night before if you are B&B have a stroll around by the
golf course you have right of way to walk over the edge to the beach beyond thats
were i got the Ringed Plover beautiful bird. Also book the trip in advance you don't have to pay,
the boat i was on was full to the brim, have a good time i will be back next year.

The main Problem is there is so many birds so close you are a bit dumb founded, the advise
I would give is be methodical, plan what you are going to take and make sure you
have them wow shots, before going onto the next birds, as they are not going to fly away.

Regarding the Eider.
We went onto the beach beside the slipway in the harbour and the Eider came running towards us, as if we were going to feed them, just like mallards. Also the Eider have chicks with them, definately worth a look :t:.
Totaly agree with Terry regarding, trying to plan the photo's methodical, as the first instinct is to start shooting at anything and everything, which usually means that you could end up with the adrenal rush no keepers sindrome.
As Terry say's, the birds are not going to fly away, if they do, they'll be back shortly with potential food for the young.

Carlton · Jun 17, 2009

Cost me £25 last month with Billy Shields, having booked by phone the day before. I got the info by Googling his website. There are several other outfits offering full or half day outings.

oncebittern · Jun 17, 2009

We did the £25 Billy Sheils all day birdwatching trip last Saturday. It was the 2nd time we had done it, and were well pleased.

Re lens choice, I took a 170-500 zoom, which was adequate for just about everything. In an ideal world though, particularly with flying bids coming so close, maybe I'll arrange for a 50-500 Bigma for next year.

Terns gave us the usual battering, and stout headgear is essential; however, some people do seem to take this to extremes, as you can see in pic 1.

All in all though, a great day out, and one I think we will be making an annual trip :t:

Nikon Kid · Jun 17, 2009

Do the Terns slow down a bit with attacking once they have chicks, they would be out trying to get food for them?

Barred Wobbler · Jun 17, 2009

Nikon Kid said:
Do the Terns slow down a bit with attacking once they have chicks, they would be out trying to get food for them?

They feed them on visitors' brain. It's easier than hunting sandeels.

oncebittern · Jun 17, 2009

Nikon Kid said:
Do the Terns slow down a bit with attacking once they have chicks, they would be out trying to get food for them?

No, as far as I am aware, they continue to attack whether they have eggs or chicks.

A common sense approach to them will help though, eg:

Do keep a sensible hat on - some people simply held sticks or umbrellas up, which the birds attacked instead of them.

Don't look up as the Terns attack

Don't (as some silly arse did on Saturday) hold your 2 year old child up in the air, or give kids piggy-backs etc

Farnboro John · Jun 17, 2009

If you want to take pix on the Farnes without ducking and weaving, sitting underneath your tripod works perfectly and gets you those low angle shots of birds instead of looking straight down on them.

John

martin kitching · Jun 17, 2009

Given that terns have been injured in the past, possibly fatally, by people wearing hard hats I'm surprised that NT don't prohibit the practice.

If people can't take the inevitable consequences of walking through an Arctic Tern breeding colony then they should probably do something less exacting.

martin

oncebittern said:
Terns gave us the usual battering, and stout headgear is essential; however, some people do seem to take this to extremes, as you can see in pic 1.

Nikon Kid · Jun 21, 2009

Don't get onto me, I know this forum is for DSLR but thought those who had not been to the Farnes I would share this Video with you.

Taken on my Sony Cyber-shot DSC N2

The Attack of the Arctic Terns on the approach to the Chapel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpIRnVs7SQA

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