Most DPR Users Post Their Good Images.

[drj3]

I decided that in the interest of real world full disclosure, I should post a few images where the camera/lens functioned as they should, but I did not. So here are a few images from my last day of photographing flying swallows, that are unfortunately not that unique.



















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drj3

 

[HRC2016]

Truth in advertising!

Swallows are tough. I think we've all been there. Thanks for sharing.

 

[CliffWales]

That’s made me feel like I’m not on my own, BIF keeper rates for me varies considerably from outing to outing, but I get tons of near misses, but hey ho it might get boring if they all came out perfect:-D

 

[drj3]

That’s made me feel like I’m not on my own, BIF keeper rates for me varies considerably from outing to outing, but I get tons of near misses, but hey ho it might get boring if they all came out perfect:-D

It took me a long time to realize that what you see when you press the shutter is not what exists a fraction of a second later when the image is actually exposed.

It is not critical with a slow flying hawk, since you are moving with the bird in a consistent way.

However, when you are photographing flying swallows that move at 30-60 feet per second, and you want an image where the bird is changing direction while you are trying to fill the frame with the bird, there will be more misses than successes. I feel it is a good day when 1/4 of the really close swallows don't have clipped body parts.

Even then, it is rare to get the full bird in focus, since you have only 1-2 inches total depth of field.

 

[knickerhawk]

I decided that in the interest of real world full disclosure, I should post a few images where the camera/lens functioned as they should, but I did not. So here are a few images from my last day of photographing flying swallows, that are unfortunately not that unique.

On the contrary, that last image is the most unique shot of a flying swallow I've ever seen!

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drj3

 

[drj3]

I decided that in the interest of real world full disclosure, I should post a few images where the camera/lens functioned as they should, but I did not. So here are a few images from my last day of photographing flying swallows, that are unfortunately not that unique.

On the contrary, that last image is the most unique shot of a flying swallow I've ever seen!

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drj3

I sometimes have difficulty ignoring anything that happens to fly by as I photograph swallows. That is why I also have a Red-Tailed Hawk, a Blue bird, several Red Winged Blackbirds, a Great Blue Heron and a Mourning Dove from that afternoon. I ignored the duck until the last second and then the Devil made me photograph it when it flew directly overhead.

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drj3

 

[CliffWales]

He he, and I thought it was just me,

do you use 9 point, CAF+tr? Or single point, I ask because I really struggle with single point to nail focus

 

[drj3]

He he, and I thought it was just me,

do you use 9 point, CAF+tr? Or single point, I ask because I really struggle with single point to nail focus

If it is in the sky, it is all point focus CAF (my C3 with Manual mode - C-AF sensitivity = +2).

With the MC14+300mm f4, I think Stabilization off and C-AF Priority Off work best. I normally have C-AF Priority ON for most images, but with the fast flying swallows and the MC14, I think that it takes too long to achieve correct focus, if the shutter is released before correct focus. The 300mm without the TC seems to be able to better correct for poor initial focus or momentary loss of focus.

I have the lens button set to the Home focus pattern (5 point), so I can switch to that when I have time by tapping the button to cycle between the focus patterns. That is my preferred pattern for birds flying with background vegetation. I only use single point for things that don't move very much like hummingbirds and hummingbird moths eating from flowers, butterflies flapping their wings on flowers and for stationary targets.

If there is no high vegetation close to a flying bird, all point focus pattern can actually hold without a sky background, if you have first achieved correct focus and the bird is moving very quickly (when used with the Electronic focus limiter). If the bird slows, then all points is far more likely to jump to background especially with the C-AF sensitivity set to +2.

 

[CliffWales]

Really helpful, I shall give those settings a whirl this coming week,

See if I can slow down my ever expanding collection of sky and foliage images and focus more on the birds :-D

 

[drj3]

Really helpful, I shall give those settings a whirl this coming week,

See if I can slow down my ever expanding collection of sky and foliage images and focus more on the birds :-D

With Swallows, definitely set the Electronic AF limiter. I have mine set to 12 feet to 170 feet when using the MC14+300mm f4. That is sufficient for obtaining focus at a distance and following the bird as it approaches.

If you only want birds at close distance with non-sky background, use the PreMF to focus on the farthest point of interest to get the distance for the maximum Limiter and then set the minimum to the closest distance of interest and you will improve the success rate.

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drj3

 

[boxerman]

I think this information is MOST useful for relative beginners. They might get discouraged at many poor shots, or think others have some magic talent or perfect settings.

I'm an academic, and writing is sort of like that. Students don't realized how much work it takes to be a good writer, both in terms of learning, but also for EACH piece. I tell them that "I have never known a good writer; but some a GREAT editors." (Only a tiny exaggeration; as a professional writer!) I tell them how many drafts I usually do (LOTS), and show them a mark-up of a paper of mine in progress.

For photography, I have more and more come to think that selection after the shot is really important, and maybe a little PP. My wife made a completely different trip out of our safari by her selection of shots for a slideshow, and also selection of a set of 7 shots for big prints for our dining room.

Oh, and thanks for the settings. Maybe not a "fix" for poor shooting, but it helps to get a good "work flow" for that.

 

[Eric Nepean]

A little to the right and it would have been a great picture ....

One of the geese walked over to check me out, it was less than 5 feet away. And do you think I could find the focus limiter switch on the 100-400 in time ... not a hope!

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Cheers
Eric

 

[randolin]

A little to the right and it would have been a great picture ....

One of the geese walked over to check me out, it was less than 5 feet away. And do you think I could find the focus limiter switch on the 100-400 in time ... not a hope!

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Cheers
Eric

I'm glad to see the misses. And with mine it's not just clipped wings, the focus could have been better too, and more, but the birds are great and keep me trying. -- Ren


Near Woodbury Resort & Marina, BC (Hwy 31)

 

[stateit]

So here are a few images from my last day of photographing flying swallows...

Well, today I learnt your swallows are not the same as our swallows.

Here in the UK we only usually get Hirunda Rustica, the classic forked-tail, red-throated swallow.

 

[robonrome]

I'd be proud of anyone of these... actually like the more unusual compositions like the first even if not the ideal

 

[Labe]

I decided that in the interest of real world full disclosure, I should post a few images where the camera/lens functioned as they should, but I did not. So here are a few images from my last day of photographing flying swallows, that are unfortunately not that unique.









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drj3

Haha yes it’s my albums full of missed shots like these why I’ve switched to a Panasonic so I can use 4 k photo and pre burst to make up for slow reflexes in my brain to finger communication lol.

Paul uk

 

[drj3]

I decided that in the interest of real world full disclosure, I should post a few images where the camera/lens functioned as they should, but I did not. So here are a few images from my last day of photographing flying swallows, that are unfortunately not that unique.









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drj3

Haha yes it’s my albums full of missed shots like these why I’ve switched to a Panasonic so I can use 4 k photo and pre burst to make up for slow reflexes in my brain to finger communication lol.

Paul uk

Unfortunately, that would not help me. I want to fill the frame with a bird that is flying very quickly toward me, so it is easy to clip wings, tails, heads. At least these were flying toward me. Sometimes I think all birds fly away from me, so I also think I get more than my share of tail shots.

--
drj3

 

[Labe]

I decided that in the interest of real world full disclosure, I should post a few images where the camera/lens functioned as they should, but I did not. So here are a few images from my last day of photographing flying swallows, that are unfortunately not that unique.









--
drj3

Haha yes it’s my albums full of missed shots like these why I’ve switched to a Panasonic so I can use 4 k photo and pre burst to make up for slow reflexes in my brain to finger communication lol.

Paul uk

Unfortunately, that would not help me. I want to fill the frame with a bird that is flying very quickly toward me, so it is easy to clip wings, tails, heads. At least these were flying toward me. Sometimes I think all birds fly away from me, so I also think I get more than my share of tail shots.

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drj3

Yes your definitely at the mercy of spray and prey . 4 k photo wouldn’t focus fast enough for you.

 

[M_digicapt]

I decided that in the interest of real world full disclosure, I should post a few images where the camera/lens functioned as they should, but I did not. So here are a few images from my last day of photographing flying swallows, that are unfortunately not that unique.









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drj3

As individual shots they might not work, but as a set they work great! I can see them framed either vertically or side by side on a big wall.