Finding Your Subject With A Long Lens

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4 жыл бұрын

One of the most common problems I observe while in the field - and during my workshops - is when someone can't find the subject in their viewfinder while using a telephoto lens. Nothing's quite as cringeworthy as watching a photographer flail around with their glass in a desperate attempt to capture an image before the opportunity disappears (oh, and it usually does).
Of course, it doesn't have to be like this. I use a very simple technique that allows me to consistently place my subject right in the viewfinder the first time, every time with my long glass. No gimmicks, no gadgets, just put the viewfinder to your eye and - BAM - there it is.
Wanna know how? Check out the video :)
Website:
backcountrygallery.com/
Books / Video Workshops:
backcountrygallery.com/books/

Пікірлер: 150

@jamessinclar6118 4 жыл бұрын

The timing on this video is within minutes of me coming in from trying to capture a hummingbird. I had the area focused while zoomed. Heck I couldn't find that thing in my lens to save my soul. I zoomed back out and of course it had flown off. Frustrated I came back in to get a different camera. It has to be the camera, right? lol I saw your notification and had an ah hah moment. Sure enough worked like a charm with the same camera. Thank you!!

@safeharbor7 4 жыл бұрын

Steve I have learned a wealth of information from you these past years. Just wanted to thank you again for all the incredible help . Big thumbs up brother...

@patricksmith2553 4 жыл бұрын

Amen, me too and thanks Steve you're the best person on the youtube platform. I would say that I mostly photograph sports and breaking news as I am a photojournalist but I also shoot wildlife when I can. I always shoot with both eye's open and this really helps me, but what maybe helps more is knowing your subjects. I played almost every kind of major sport growing up and in H.S. so I really know sports very well. I also am constantly learning about birds and wildlife, so that I too know about them and their behavior, which is huge in my mind.

@backcountrygallery 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words :)

@rotvonrat 4 жыл бұрын

no 1 youtuber

@leonrogers8222 3 жыл бұрын

One other helpful thing you do Steve, that you may not even be conscious of, is keeping your left eye open while finding/framing your subject in the lens with your right eye. Long range/big glass shooting tip that transfers to photography.

@rolandrickphotography 3 жыл бұрын

Steve “The Sniper” Perry! 😁 Oh man, thanks for that bunch of awesome hints.

@klackon1 4 жыл бұрын

Good tip Steve. Tracking dragonflies, butterflies and wasps is good fun. Dragonflies can be predictable, but butterflies and wasps (when hunting) fly all over the place like a mad man's kilt. I never swear when trying to capture them - honest.

@backcountrygallery 4 жыл бұрын

LOL - butterflies are tough - I sometimes wonder if they fly from spot to spot or teleport!

@bradena.1194 4 жыл бұрын

'like a mad man's kilt' - not a pretty picture - lol - Hamish

@glecas 10 ай бұрын

One of the best teachers on KZfaq! ❤

@jameskay574 3 ай бұрын

Steve - I am gobsmacked. I have been struggling a bit with my 800mm lens with a 1.6 crop sensor. I just tried your technique and I couldn't believe how well it worked. Thanks!

@quakerwildcat Жыл бұрын

Your choice of topics is terrific and insightful, and your pace is awesome. Great channel.

@StevenDavisPhoto 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video. I do this and often can't find my subject. It's just something you gotta keep practicing.

@henrycolestage4249 4 жыл бұрын

As career military and a life long hunter, this is a technique we use all the time. The trick is to always focus on the target (subject...sorry, old habits) and NEVER on the lens. Bring the optics to you, not you to the optics. The best way to get good at it is just to take it out in the back yard or the park and "dry fire". Look at something, bring the lens up into your line of sight and, viola!, there it is. Do that a dozen times or more and it will be second nature (get it? bad dad joke, I know!) Then try it with moving objects in the far distance. Things like running dogs, bicycles, children, etc. You will be surprised at how fast you get good at it!

@backcountrygallery 4 жыл бұрын

Great advice :) And yes, I'm very surprised how quickly people pick this up once they get the concept behind it.

@boatman222345 4 жыл бұрын

I spent ten years working as a land surveyor using transits and I used this exact technique. If you think finding a flying bird in a telephoto lens is difficult you should try finding a plum bob string in a transit scope when the string is only ten feet away. Steve's technique, once mastered, really works!

@leeg6565 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent tips. I found the 200-500 difficult because of the long travel between the short to long end with small hands.

@patricksmith2553 4 жыл бұрын

Even with smaller hands you can learn how to make this lens go from 200mm to 400mm and beyond with one good turn. Faster and harder turn is the way, but it takes practice and I admit I have average hands not really big but average I'd say, definitely not smaller. So I admit I may not be able to understand exactly what you're dealing with but I know I was able to get this lens to zoom all the way with one turn.

@brucegraner5901 4 жыл бұрын

Understanding the basics can prevent a lot of expensive gear-blaming. Thanks for the reminder the photographer counts at least as much as the gear. Great video as usual 👍👍

@billvanderford2351 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, you always bring something I can use to your videos. Amazing!

@gewglesux 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Steve great advice!!! It has already come in handy! I’ve referred to your books many times always solid informational one Nikon shooter to another. Thank you.

@peterleung6970 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Steve. That’s a great tip.

@davidwalker4084 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, simple instruction and valuable tips as always

@MRQirex 4 жыл бұрын

Pure gold as always, thanks again Steve!

@sarajitsil 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Steve for making this fantastic video and sharing the tips with us. 👍🙏

@pelafotofotografia 4 жыл бұрын

Simple and efficient procedures, great work, thanks.

@phooesnax 4 жыл бұрын

Love your tutorials. Thank You Steve!

@marieta.s 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve had the same difficulty with my 70-300 when zoomed all the way in. So now that I am upgrading to a 150-600 lens I need to practice what you suggested. Thanks Steve for the solid advice!!! 😃

@loveminky 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve for the tip. Definitely practice is the key to learning new things!

@JeffandLeslie 4 жыл бұрын

Steve, another tip I use that may help some is I took a white paint pen and drew a line top dead center on the lens hood. As I'm raising the camera to my eye, the raised portions of the hot shoe and the white line on the lens hood serve kind of like a rifle sight helping me to align the camera as I'm bringing it up to my eye. It really does work.

@chantaleaustin4978 4 жыл бұрын

This is such a fantastic video! So simple yet brilliant. Been one of my issues but NO longer, Thanks!

@alanalain4884 Жыл бұрын

Another very insightful video. Thank you...

@xavierhorn9825 4 жыл бұрын

Steve, a great video with tips I can't wait to practice in the field! This'll definitely make getting action shots a lot easier!

@ashwinkumar8325 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Steve Thank you so much for these videos. it helps us so much in our learning curve to get better and better at photography

@davidthompson3136 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this and other clips, Steve. You have the most natural, comprehensive and practical approach to wildlife lens work that I have seen on YT and the sharing of your extensive knowledge is very much appreciated. I use Nikon equipment and recently purchased a Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens with the intention of increasing my skills on wildlife photography. Your YT and website advisories are excellent - as are your example images. Stay safe and keep posting - cheers, from New Zealand.

@RonLoxton 4 жыл бұрын

SO glad I found this again. Needed some practice for my new 150-450.

@ianbrown704 4 жыл бұрын

If you are a keen Wildlife or Landscape photographer, buy Steve's books they are ALL excellent. Detailed and easy to follow and above all very relevant with real world examples. I thought I was a decent wildlife photographer but Steve has taught me techniques that enable me to capture shots I couldn't have 3 years ago. I am very wary about buying e books but I am sure you will be delighted with Steve's they are practical and have loads of hints and tips.

@backcountrygallery 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the kind words and recommendation :)

@PFalk 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve. Great tip as always of you.

@runaljogdand9947 4 жыл бұрын

Lots of great tips.Thank you, Steve! Oh and I did subscribe to your channel! Looking forward to more cool stuff like this ✌️

@herb7877 4 жыл бұрын

Great video ! Good info for this old dog!... I just started 'birding' & use of a long lens about a year ago. Somewhat using your described methods, but learned the hard way; trial & error & missing a lot of opportunities. I also use my left hand at the end of the lens barrel and point with my index finger. I'll now have a quantified method and practice. THANK YOU !

@HunterJE 2 жыл бұрын

I got my first 150-600mm last month and have been working at getting better at using it, and one thing I've found useful is holding the camera just under my eye while following the subject, and sighting down the top of the lens just before lifting the viewfinder up to my eye. Since I know I'm centered on the subject horizontally any "hunting" is only in the vertical plane, which makes me much quicker getting on the shot.

@francoisroberge3117 4 жыл бұрын

Simple, but will be so useful. That’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder how I never thought about it. Thank you.

@silentotto 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip, works great after less than 2 minutes I was zeroing in on by subjects with no problem at all.

@lescobrandon3047 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent, Mr. Perry.

@westvalleyflyer 2 жыл бұрын

Your videos are so helpful thanks so much for sharing.

@paulhills1967 4 жыл бұрын

Great tips Steve - thank you!

@KGsPhotography 4 жыл бұрын

Great tip Steve I will certainly be trying that one next time I am out. The other thing I really try hard to do is keep both eyes open when tracking birds in flight. It is not an easy technique to do but really helps me especially with subjects that change direction regularly.

@lisamarie7527 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Really helpful tips!

@ddunnum 4 жыл бұрын

This is great information. The only thing missing was the trick for determining your dominant eye. I put my hands together to make an open triangle with my arms fully extended and pull my hands to my face and the opening will show up on my dominant eye. As always GREAT STUFF! Thank You!

@jasonfraser3572 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this just what I need. Going to give it damn good try. Love all your tips, I really think they help me improve as a wildlife photographer.

@jamoreci 4 жыл бұрын

Great tips - thanks Steve!

@merkin22 3 жыл бұрын

Works like a charm!

@FQ8 3 жыл бұрын

Cant wait to try this tip. My 800 F11 can be challenging in this respect.

@oldfilmguy9413 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent info Steve! It occurred to me practicing with cars passing by (or stationary!) would be a great way to get these techniques down. Just a thought. Cheers!

@Prairieshutterbug64 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Steve, extremely helpful info. Was just at an airshow with the Thunderbirds and I could have used this info!

@TheNewMexicoMan 2 жыл бұрын

This is very helpful. Thank you!

@yuanrenlim2979 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic tips thank you so much steve

@L.V-Rider 4 жыл бұрын

I have a Nikon P900 bridge camera with a 35mm equivalent zoom of 2000mm. Most of the time I find the bird as I raise the viewfinder to my eye. But if you don't, it has a button the zooms back to about 450mm and that almost appears to be wide angle in comparison. Every time I use the the bird jumps into the viewfinder. It is just a bit slow to zoom out and in again. Like you said, it is just practice.

@matthewbell1968 4 жыл бұрын

Great advice Steve many thanks

@StefanoIaniro 4 жыл бұрын

Great tips, Steve!

@Old00Farth 4 жыл бұрын

Using the eye not looking through the viewfinder together with the one in the viewfinder - that means opening both eyes, also works - but maybe only for some. My optician told me that some people are able to handle long focus one one eye and short focus on another, at the same time (I'm using contact lenses with the same setup) they call it monovision. But when shooting Aeroplanes this is really helpful regain AF .....

@805atnorafertsera6 3 жыл бұрын

great video as always thank you Steve

@CameraMystique 4 жыл бұрын

This is true and actually funny when it happens... "where is it, where is it...". It's even funnier when it happens with a very wide zoom, where the subject is too tiny in the viewfinder, "ok, so where is it now..." :-) Nice video.

@MissLiveLaughLove1 4 жыл бұрын

1:00 Haha! Silly! Thanks for your quality easy to follow content. I do not shoot wildlife but enjoy watching your videos. I use back button focus thanks to you.

@wildlifesnapper1 4 жыл бұрын

I use an Olympus Dot finder which attaches to the hot shoe Steve although I note that Nikon now have their own which they brought out for the Nikon P1000. I find once calibrated that the dot finders are excellent. Good tips from you however, especially swinging the torso rather than moving your feet :-)

@techassyst 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic tip I found this difficult with my 200-500 many thanks for the help I have all youre books probably easier seeing you do it

@laurencemoss8049 4 жыл бұрын

It's easy when you know how ! Thanks Steve !.....I wonder how many other you tubers will parody this tip ? ... You have seen it here first. Good job Steve.

@chrisipad4425 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the useful tips!

@marutialtolxi 2 жыл бұрын

A great tip for me .Thank you

@way2slk 3 жыл бұрын

I love your videos as I have learned more from you than reading a book. Thank you 467%.

@thesharpercoder 4 жыл бұрын

Great advice.

@albert3316 4 жыл бұрын

My treat of the evening👌👌❤️

@rafaln9231 4 жыл бұрын

great episode!!

@user-ys1ki8sp8s 4 жыл бұрын

Great video as usual!

@stephenoreilly7083 2 жыл бұрын

Love your vidoes . Stright to the point

@janettemitchell6864 4 жыл бұрын

What an amazing tip !! I am or hopefully was one of those flaying around with the lens trying to find subjects

@steve-en8hm 4 жыл бұрын

Cracking tips thanks again great help

@InssiAjaton 4 жыл бұрын

Fine approach on most targets. I had a few days ago a problem outside of the presented solutions. I received a dark ND filter for eventual videos of welding arc. So, I decided to test it using the sun as my target. Naturally, I could not fixate my eyes to the sun. It might work with a welding helmet, but then I would not see the camera viewer. The camera was on a tripod, so after two failed attempts I decided to watch the shadow of the camera on the concrete driveway.. That did it, although I found that my tripod could just barely tilt high enough (plenty of down tilt all the way to full vertical). Anyway, I got the test video and am now ready for the welding arc.

@RichA7CV41 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Steve, great channel and appreciate the effort you put into it. I learn a lot from your videos, well done sir.

@patrickmolloy6994 4 жыл бұрын

great technique. I'm right handed but left eye dominant ... apart from smearing nose grease (wtf?) on the lcd, its awkward using big lenses like that. For the weight, try using small helium balloons. works well, but don't let go or they tend to float away .... :-)

@EssexCountyPhoto 3 жыл бұрын

Great tips, thanks! Does any accessory company do some sort of "crosshair" that would mount on the hot shoe? Would be handy to use to target the moving subject. Cheers!

@64BBernard 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tips, Steve. I could have really used them the past few weeks photographing Ospreys. BTW, how do you like the new 70-300mm AF-P E lens? (I happen to have that lens myself and love it!)

@prashantpawar8969 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent

@lgolden972 4 жыл бұрын

It's a very similar procedure that you use with a firearm. Same thing with breathing, shooting is shooting.

@mahmudulhaquehabib7379 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much

@aussie8114 4 жыл бұрын

Your bear is like my bird I photographed yesterday in the backyard 😂

@RhettWilliams 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@BirdShutterbug 4 жыл бұрын

Another way is to use the flash shoe, center your subject within that and then drop your head/eye to the viewfinder.

@sarahhuggins7217 3 жыл бұрын

Great job with video and images #subscribed 😊

@GeoffCooper 4 жыл бұрын

Cool - this is one of those things that I've known how to do ever since getting my first pair of binoculars as a kid, but I wouldn't have known how to explain it so clearly!

@HamadAlsehaib 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome

@benjaminzerhusen4941 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Steve, i guess the persons who learned that in 2 minutes had some military training before. for me this was like a natural movement and i only had basic army training. A buddy of mine who didnt had the training had some serious issues finding the subject. Great video! explained better than my army instructors! good way to practice is touse something like a teddy, walk and skulk around it and then "boom" pop on it with your camera. get a buddy who like gives you a shout when to focus the teddy and you will be a pro in a day!

@benjaminzerhusen4941 4 жыл бұрын

oh and, try to guess the distance and pre configure the focus meter, otherwise it might be way off and blurry as hell, if you use the same lens all the time, its muscle memory as well, feel some button on the lens, and have your lens focus in a "neutral" state all the time, it's easy to prefocus manually

@richard.featherstone 4 жыл бұрын

I don't have the tripod mount in that position because I use the top of the lens hood like the sight on the end of a gun barrel. I'm in the UK and I like photographing Common Buzzards in flight, I aim the top of the lens hood first, then raise the camera body to line up the top of the body with the subject, then once I have it sighted I raise both hands together to bring the viewfinder to my eye and the bird into the centre of the frame.

@backcountrygallery 4 жыл бұрын

Whatever works is good :) I used to use the method you describe too a long time ago, I just find this easier.

@photographersfreedom 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video Steve. Thanks. What is the Gimble/tripod set up you're using there?

@backcountrygallery 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks - it's a Really Right Stuff TVC-34L with a Wimberley WH-200 gimbal head.

@photographersfreedom 4 жыл бұрын

@@backcountrygallery thank you. 👍

@johnlord7188 4 жыл бұрын

A technique I use with lenses like the 500mm F4 and 600mm F4 on a tripod is to have the lens hood screw at the top then to find a subject you align the hot shoe and the lens hood fixing screw on the subject as you bring your eye to the viewfinder.

@benjaminzerhusen4941 4 жыл бұрын

did you put iron sights on your camera? thats glorious :D

@voyage-through-vedas 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@backcountrygallery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!!

@martharetallick204 4 жыл бұрын

I just used this info to help me shoot nesting doves in my back yard. Of course, the dove parents and the kids are being their usual uncooperative selves, but that's par for the course. If one's in perfect focus, the other one is hunkering down in the nest.

@GrowingPack 4 жыл бұрын

Rented a 200-400mm and used this technique to shoot birds today. Definitely takes practice but it helped significantly!

@arupkumarchanda3302 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the tips sir. But one question is If i need to change settings before any action or static shots BCZ we dont knw WHAT SETTINGS WE REQUIRE FOR THE NEXT SHOOTING SUBJECT? Then how could be the Head and Eye stationary?

@alohaleslie9407 3 жыл бұрын

I don't have a lot of problems finding my subject who is relatively stationary. It's those pesky little birds flitting about on a tree I have problems with! I think they know they're messing with me and enjoy my frustration. LOL

@ShaneBaker 4 жыл бұрын

Looks like yet another top tip, Steve. Can't wait to try it. Many thanks. BTW, I was 1 millisecond away from unsubscribing when you mentioned your "captured bear". :-)

@backcountrygallery 4 жыл бұрын

I knew I'd get some attention with that one :)

@grassmanBoca 4 жыл бұрын

Great tips I had this problem, just thought I was sorry photog

@sumangalarajapakse 4 жыл бұрын

My Dear Steve Perry.. Just now I went through your site and looked into the above video. Very good guidelines and nice presentation. I am Learning a lot from your KZfaq channel. Also I have already purchased Two Books from your esteemed Back Country Gallery. For My Nikon Nature and Wildlife Photography works your Notes and Videos are of very great importance. I am always Reminding and Respecting your honor with immense happiness and utmost gratitude, when I am in the Wilderness. Before One week back I was in the WILDS and even there I Remembered your Good self. I am Learning a Lot for my Wildlife Photography works. Thank you and Warm Regards for all your Sending. Sincerely yours Nikon Wildlife Photographer S U M A N G A L A R A J A P A K S E.