Rain Forest Bird Photography (1 Viewer)

Hi chaps (and chappesses), I was wondering if any of you had any tips on bird photography in the 'gloom' and dappled, backlit, sunlight of rainforests.
For instance do any of you use flash? If so, what/which would you recommend?
I'll be taking my 20D and 100-400IS to Costa rica next Spring and would like to get the best out of them.

Chris:
Went to Costa Rica a couple of years ago and the one piece of equipment we left behind was our flash units. They are vital in the rainforest.
As far as a recommendation of unit, I'd suggest the 580EX, since it has dial-in exposure compensation and mode changes (making it much more user-friendly than previous models). And I'd add a Better Beamer flash extender.
Hope this helps ... enjoy your trip.

cheers,
jim

Cheers Jim, James Eaton recommended the exact same flash unit, so I've been and gone and bought one from Warehouse Express.
I'll come gunning for the pair of you if it's crap!!

CJW said:

I'll come gunning for the pair of you if it's crap!!

Click to expand...

Not much chance of that, I'm afraid, as I'm sure you'll be delighted with it..

jim

I would definitely recommend a Better Beamer. They are available in the UK from SpeedGraphic at http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/produ...37&usrID=EE4B174B-EE5C-4BBF-ADD5-D478C629B22B and in the US from Arthur Morris at http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#BEAMER

A good flash unit will be indispensable.........especially if combined with a flash extender unit such as the 'Better Beamer' suggested by Arthur.
In case you're in any doubt here is an example of what can happen when you have no flash unit handy:

'A sudden loud whistle rings out followed rapidly by a further 4 descending notes. Only 20 paces away in the deep shade of the forest floor a small black-faced brown bird with a cocked tail & a jaunty gait walks casually into view turning over leaves as it goes. A very poorly attempted mimic of the bird's call miraculously has it fooled & it changes direction walking crake-like into full view in the camera viewfinder. With a thrill of excitement the shutter is repeatedly depressed machinegun-like & a long series of images of the bizarre infrequently photographed Black-faced Antthrush are captured for posterity.
Sadly elation turns to despair as despite image stabilisation & a high ISO setting I have forgotten the sodding flash & instead of quality images of an outstanding bird I have a series of blurred pics of brown crap.'

Let this sad tale of woe be a warning to all you rain forest birders with camera in tow!!
This terrible story is fresh in my mind....happening only 2 weeks ago!

.....here is one of the crap images taken in the rain forest of the Arima valley in northern Trinidad.
Oh, I forgot to mention my non-birding wife got crippling views of one of these birds when it crossed a sunlit path just in front of her!!

Ooh! That hurt. The moral of that story is clear.