Capturing swallows

[Harvey_nikon]

Took a wander down the canal and noticed swallows tearing it up and down the canal and nesting under the old mill.

Popped back with the camera but the light was failing so will try and pop back tomorrow.

Any suggestions on methods for tracking these as they are just soooo fast.

Using a D700 + 70-200mm 2.8. Was trying full 51 point 3d tracking and continuous focusing but not a cat in hells chance tonight. Is it just a case of waiting and practicing tracking them?

 

[Just Dave]

Ive never really managed to get any decent shots of swallows in flight (not as ive tried that much) one thing I noticed they always use the same approach/flight paths also if their feeding young you should get some good shots of the chicks with their heads out of the nest waiting for the adults beaks open also they use the same paths on the way out but may be different than approach so staking one or the other out you may get some shots also they need to slow down or speed up in the moments before landing/ emerging

 

[Harvey_nikon]

thanks

to get the nest its under a massive lean to over the water, i'll have to pop to the boat restorers and ask if I can walk along one of the boats there and set up a tripod. Risky stuff

 

[JDP]

There are some barn swallows on my uni campus, they are so quick. I've never got a decent picture from them. Got a crappy one perching on a fence, but it was so far away and sensitive birds. I'd love to know how to capture one too!

 

[Just Dave]

There are some barn swallows on my uni campus, they are so quick. I've never got a decent picture from them. Got a crappy one perching on a fence, but it was so far away and sensitive birds. I'd love to know how to capture one too!

Ive stood almost under nests (with a few feet) they aren't bothered about people, youll be surprised how close you can get, I was watching some last week in Kefalonia whilst sat in a taverna, theyd made their nest in the taverna verandah, in fact the owners had nailed boards underneath the nest to stop the fowling in their outdoor dinning area, I mean you dont what to find extra cream floating in your coffee LOL

 

[Buttkicker]

I had a session shooting swallows a few years ago, and spent all afternoon 500 shots later and got about 6 keepers none of which I would call great images but at least I got something

my method was set up camera in a doorway the swallows used and prefocused about 18 inches from Lens set the camera to drive mode and using a radio trigger fire half a dozen shots off each time they cam through the doorway
had lots and lots that were hopeless but these here are about the best I could manage

a better idea if you have a few hundred quid lying around would be get a couple of speed lights and a motion/sound trigger that fires the camera flash when they go past

not easy to set up but will get far better results than I managed
cheers
Chris

 

[braveboy2012]

Sorry Harvey (hope that's right?)

My best advice, enjoy them with your eyes, not TTL!

 

[dinners]

They're great Chris

Tricky little devils

Up the ISO for the fastest shutter speeds and try to get them with the evening sun behind you as they hunt the midgies - My 40D is hopeless but the AF on my 1D Mark 2 has at least given me some shots. I use AI servo tracking with centre focus point although I switch on the AF points around the centre point as 'assist' points.

1

2 (with lunch)

3 (with lunch)

4

5

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[Harvey_nikon]

Sorry Harvey (hope that's right?)

My best advice, enjoy them with your eyes, not TTL!

But then, would we ever take photos

Some great photos here

Hoping to find time sat morning for a few hours to pop down and try