10 BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 



tlio reflecting cmiiera for jjossible use on the birds 

 that so often approach closely when one is in hiding. 

 The advantages possesse<l by this camera are so ap- 

 parent that it doubtless will soon be placeil on the 

 market. 



The Lrn.s. — Professional photographers differ so 

 widely in their opinions of the rehitive qualities of 

 the various makes of Lnises now on the market, that 

 I apjiroach this subject with diffidence, and, without 

 presuming to offer advice, present the results of my 

 experience both as to lenses and the recpiirements of 

 the bird i)hotograplier. In regard to the latter j^liase 

 of the much-discussed question of "' Wliat lens shall 

 I use ? " I may speak with more confidence. For 

 nests with eggs or young birds — subjects which may 

 be approached closely — a six- to eight-inch-focus lens 

 forms a large enough image, and at the same time 

 gives dejith of focus and sharpness of definition 

 without the use of the smaller diaphragms. In jiho- 

 tographing birds, however, it is generally diflicult 

 to get within "shooting" distance, and at least a 

 fourteen- to sixteen-inch lens is needed in order to 

 secure an image of sutHcient size. Depth of focus 

 is here, in my opinion, not desirable, and the focal 

 point — the bird— is brought out more clearly by the 

 fusion of all the objects back of it into a unifoi'm 

 background. 



When a bird, either young or old, is the subject, 

 great speed maybe rc(inired, and sometimes under 

 light conditions whicli severely test the qualities of 

 the lens. To fully meet these demands of distance 

 and time two lenses wonld bo ni'edcd ; but, aside 

 from the increase(l cusl- and the iiicon\-i.'iiience of 



