Robin - Handheld at 1/20 sec! (Erithacus rubecula)

Two nice shots, welcome to Birdforum.Net...I have just got an SX50 but haven't tested it much as yet.

Dunno what all the techy stuff is you're talking about Stephen... but you've got a lovely picture there.

He stands out so well against that dark background, doesn't he.

amazing photography going on here. thanks for sharing.

A beautifully detailed portrait !!! Thanks for sharing.

Wonderful Robin Image, Tfs!!!!!!!!!
All The Best
Sue & Simon,

Impressive picture with that black background with fabulous lighting. You must be like a rock Stephen to handhold any camera at 1/20 sec and get pictures like this. Awesome work!!!!!!!

Thanks all!

Delia: What it means, in short, is: Don't listen to people who say you can't hold a superzoom camera steady at full zoom, you must use a tripod!

Delia & Stanley: The dark background is a fortunately situated dark green compost bin in even lower light than the Robin!

Mali: Thank you for the welcome! I'm glad to join you.

If the IS does amount to 5 stops, on the old rule of thumb wouldn't that make 1/20 sec the equivalent of 1/640 sec on a 35mm film SLR camera without IS? I note also from the web that small sensors may further reduce the minimum speed. So you approach even more closely the equivalent of 1/1200 sec for a film camera with a 1200mm lens. Enjoy your testing!

Stanley: I shoot from a garden chair with arms, and try to cover an angle of some 30-45 degrees without moving my body, just the camera, in order to avoid spooking the birds. I can't be rock steady. So I think it has to be the IS, plus as above the advantage of small sensors. Ie it has to be the camera, not the photographer.


Stephen

Nice pic of my fav bird, Stephen

:t::t::t::t:

Alfred

Thanks Alfred!