Swallows

A

astral16v

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Name
Noel
Edit My Images
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Just taken these tonight. Struggled with them as they are fast little beggars. Any tips on how to improve them ?

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artyman said:
Most of the time I'm grateful they are even in the frame!
Click to expand...

Believe me, there were quite a few blank photos. I think part of the problem is my lens. It only goes to f4 so limits the speed v iso a bit. It's an old Minolta beeran 70-210. still good and sharp, but maybe not just fast enough for these types of shot.
 
Probably easier to get them perching, often one will hover just by a mate.
Not that I've managed it yet!
 
I think you've done very well to get those shots!
Their flight is so quick and erratic it's very difficult to track them.
They're far better than my attempts....which I daren't post! :lol:
 
Wozzaaah said:
I think you've done very well to get those shots!
Their flight is so quick and erratic it's very difficult to track them.
They're far better than my attempts....which I daren't post! :lol:
Click to expand...

Thanks. You haven't seen all the photos that failed.
 
If they're anything like mine, several probably contained invisible birds? :lol:
 
These little fellows are the most awkward blighters to photograph.
 
So worthwhile when the shots do work out, though! Their agility's truly something to marvel at - not only the rapid turns, but the way they'll skim across the tops - or sometimes even amidst - of the tall grasses in the fields. To be able to fly would be one thing, but to be able to fly like that.. !

Wish I could offer useful advise on how to improve the "keeper" rate, but I'm in the same boat as everyone else - try to track them, and hope my efforts satisfy the AF sensors.
 
Make sure the sun is behind you, wait for a day with decent light, use rear button focusing, try and shoot at 1/2000 sec, and stop down to f7.1 to give a greater depth of field, this gives some latitude to compensate for focus lagging / accuracy.

Here are an couple of examples, the light was not perfect but I was bored and they were all that were about.

Swift

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Swallow

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