Birds So a new challenge for Me and failing at the moment, first attempt at swallows in flight

[spudhead]

Ok so I have started to see a few swallows darting about around the local lake and here are my first shots these guys are super tiny and super quick it is going to take some practice to nail these guys

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/5000 sec
• ISO 3200

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 2500

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/5000 sec
• ISO 4000

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/5000 sec
• ISO 3200

 

[Brownie]

You sir, are a glutton for punishment!

 

[spudhead]

You sir, are a glutton for punishment!

Yes Tim that maybe true, and these little buggers are faster than anything I have seen so far and smaller than most birds I have attempted so far

 

[Brownie]

Yes Tim that maybe true, and these little buggers are faster than anything I have seen so far and smaller than most birds I have attempted so far

There was a guy on the M-4/3 forum that shot these consistently with manual lenses. In fact, he only uses manual. Best BIF guy I ever saw.

 

[spudhead]

There was a guy on the M-4/3 forum that shot these consistently with manual lenses. In fact, he only uses manual. Best BIF guy I ever saw.

Well that makes me feel even worse Tim

 

[Brownie]

Well that makes me feel even worse Tim

Trust me when I say he was extremely experienced!

 

[mikison]

There was a guy on the M-4/3 forum that shot these consistently with manual lenses. In fact, he only uses manual. Best BIF guy I ever saw.

There's a guy maybe the same one on the DPR Sony forum also shooting manual with pin sharp Swallow shots. Really couldn't get my head around how he did it!

 

[spudhead]

There's a guy maybe the same one on the DPR Sony forum also shooting manual with pin sharp Swallow shots. Really couldn't get my head around how he did it!

I think when someone really learns the camera and has the tweaks at the touch of a button it can be done, that is one reason I really like the a9 I have everything just as I need it and where it is second nature for me, anyway I am over manual focus for the most part

 

[Brownie]

I think there's a lot of dependency on DOF. If you aren't dead on you'd still get the subject.

 

[pointreyes]

Trying to get shots of swallows has so far proven to me that I'm really good at ICM "artistry."

 

[spudhead]

Trying to get shots of swallows has so far proven to me that I'm really good at ICM "artistry."

Yes it is a hard tracking these pocket rockets

 

[iamdlewis]

Welcome to the joy.
You can use 1/3200 and no need for anything over 1/4000. Also they like to repeat an area for a while. Best of luck.

 

[Slug]

Swallows 1r.jpg

www.alphashooters.com

I used to do birds incl. swallows in flight with a fully manual camera (Olympus OM1). Basically I observed the swallows flight patterns which are often quite predicable. Then focus on something within that pattern over which the birds are flying. Then it's a matter firing off a number of fast shots as the birds pass by. It's hit and miss but it worked.

 

[Geo C]

They are Sand Martins, impossible to predict flight path so just keep trying.

Cropability also helps!

• ILCE-1
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/6400 sec
• ISO 640

• ILCE-1
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/5000 sec
• ISO 640

 

[Gaz]

The trick is to sit calmly and attract mosquitos

 

[spudhead]

The trick is to sit calmly and attract mosquitos

Well I am good at that Gaz, bitten to bits mate even with a hat on and hood up

 

[spudhead]

They are Sand Martins, impossible to predict flight path so just keep trying.

Cropability also helps!


View attachment 37064View attachment 37065

Ok sorry I am no good with bird id, I have only been shooting bards in flight for 10 months or so

 

[spudhead]

Welcome to the joy.
You can use 1/3200 and no need for anything over 1/4000. Also they like to repeat an area for a while. Best of luck.

Thanks for advise

 

[Deleted Member 5045]

These things are hectic! Small, fast and unpredictable! Great work mate.

 

[mikison]

This is one of the best I've managed. Made a bit easier by the fact they kept landing on a telegraph post nearby.

 

[Brownie]

As close as I've come. Tree Swallows. These were right after I got the A7RIII and Sigma 100-400 and was testing exposure limitations. The shots were very underexposed.

DSC00353 by telecast, on Flickr

DSC00321 by telecast, on Flickr

 

[iamdlewis]

Well I am good at that Gaz, bitten to bits mate even with a hat on and hood up

Try Permethrin for the clothes and especially hat and Picaridin based repellents. This recommendation comes from me a person that will be eaten alive while the rest of the group says " guess the mosquitoes took the night off."