Whale watching - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

07/05/2008 03:02:28 AM · #1

We are going whale watching next weekend and I am so pumped. This is something I have been wanting to do for a very long time. I dont want to mess up any potential shots so can anyone advise me the best settings etc to have.

I was thinking of using the 70-200 on the 5D with a setting of ISO 400, 1/640th ish ?? Sound right? Should I set it to infinity?

Thanks in advance!

Lisa

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

07/05/2008 04:18:08 AM · #2

this is what i learnt when i went in OR

there is always a fountain of water just before they emerge. most of the time though you will only see the whales tail or a little of its back. they tend not to jump out of the water like Free Willy lol. I have been on about 10 whale trips and have yet to see a whale jump. Got cool pics of tails though

advice on the camera settings, I just used sports mode on JPEG to be honest so it would be faster and track them

Penny Lane

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/05/2008 04:35:06 AM · #3

I have seen two humpback whales leaping fully from the water. We were on a ferry going to one of the islands on The Great Barrier Reef ( Queensland Australia) and these two whales decided to put on a show. They stopped the ferry so we could watch. The crew said they had never seen whales leap like that before, usualy you only see the backs ot the tails. I didn't have a camera :( I hope you see some action, it's pretty spectacular.

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

07/05/2008 04:43:32 AM · #4

I so dislike you right now Penny!!!!!!!!! LOLOL, I can not belive you got to see that, that is amazing!!!!

docpjv

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

07/05/2008 06:39:41 AM · #5

I have done a number of whale watchins in my life, some from the rocks and beaches around Hermanus and Gansbay near Cape Town. We see the Southern Right, and only once saw the humpback that Lentil is likely to see. And I still have to go out without seeing a jumping whale or whales.

Good advise to shoot on sports mode if you do not insist on RAW. The 70-200 is perhaps not the best lens. A 28-70 and a 100-400 should be much better. You will be surprised how big these animals are as you come in close, therefor the wider angle. Fact is they do not always come close enough for the 200 to be effective. That being said, is my experience, and may not be good for Ausie-land.

EDITED to say.... go for manual exposure as the light water and the dark skins makes for erratic exposure.... and do not forget to put the camera down and just enjoy the moment too.

Message edited by author 2008-07-05 06:43:04.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

07/05/2008 08:37:55 AM · #6

I had a couple of opportunities to shoot whales last month in alaska (a couple of shots in my portfolio). It was from a boat and a few things I learned:
1) they spout and then come up. The longer and higher they are up, the longer it will be before they come up again (moving across the surface vs. diving), unless they are playing.
2) My 100-400 was way too long in that I could only see a small area of water where they might come up. It was also a little heavy over time combine with the boat rocking. My 70-300 was better as my field of view was larger, allowing my prediction for surfacing to be a little more off.
3) If you are on a boat, the waves will be moving you up and down unless the water is REALLY calm. this movement is amplified when looking through a long lens. If you are prone to motion sickness, try to keep both eyes open. Also, in choppy water, don't brace against the boat; use your sea legs to counteract the motion.
4) The more you do it, the better your timing gets.
5) A good captain is invaluable. Our two hour tour turned into three and a half hours as the captain followed a pod out. We had run into a few solo whales, one resting, which filled his contract but he pushed further to get to the pod he saw in the distance. They were bubble net feeding and came within 50 feet of the boat.
On the above trip, our boat was 25 feet long (carrying 6 people). The first time a whale slid across our port side at 50 feet away made me realize how small we were and how lucky we were that whales don't really care that we're there.
Watching them is amazing and you will have a great time.
I shot aperture priority at 400 ISO. There was enough light reflected by the water to keep the shutter speed up.

LVicari

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/05/2008 09:20:03 AM · #7

It is an exciting time. My brother-in-law is a Doctor in Marine science and has studied the Orcas along the Johnstone Strait B.C. I had the pleasure of joining him on a few of his expeditions thru the Queen Charlotte Islands and The Amazon(for dolphin research).
Anyways. I have learned that best ways to spot Whales is to look for the birds hovering over the water. They like to collect any remnants the whales leave behind. So bring binoculars, spot the birds and you will look like a genius when the whales emerge.Not sure what species you will likely see in your area but

docpjv is right. You will need a lens with reach and a wide angle. If this area has regular tours then the whales will be used to boat traffic so they might get too close for the long lens. As for the shutter speed, You want to get all the action so I would recommend 1/1000 at all times if the light will permit. The reason for such a fast speed is so to \"freeze\" any action and water drops around the action.PLus you will be panning sometimes to find them in your viewfinder so this speed will limit any hand shake with the furious activity.Burst mode is a must. Have fun and if you dont get the shots enjoy the show.
Here are a few that I have managed to get.( Some are unedited)

[thumb]695357[/thumb][thumb]695358[/thumb]

Forgot to mention these were shot with a prime 300mm f4L lens... so it had some reach.
I also have a bunch of shots of Orcas that came right up and around our boat but the 300 was too long to get good shots.

Message edited by author 2008-07-05 12:22:45.

Truegsht

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/05/2008 10:25:04 AM · #8

I barely got these shots.. back in April in Maui.

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Message edited by author 2008-07-05 15:27:45.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/05/2008 10:40:00 AM · #9

200mm is not enough reach in my experience. The boat won't get very close to the whales so as not to harass them. I shot a bunch with my 70-200 and my companion used her 300. The keepers were all from her shots, and even those had to be heavily cropped to make the whales prominent in the frame. Next time I go, I will rent or own the 100-400.

07/05/2008 06:57:57 PM · #10

thanks for all your answers guys, I am limited to that lens though so it will just have to do, I will also take along the 24-70.

Lots of good ideas there thanks! cant wait :D

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

07/05/2008 07:09:06 PM · #11

I could use the 70-200 on the 400 perhaps, but I have found that it back focuses alot with that camera

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

07/05/2008 07:11:13 PM · #12

I think Lesley used her 70-200mm for this one: