Panning practice :-S and a Wood Pigeon.

[CBA100]

I'm still trying to get to grips with panning but it doesnt seem to be going very well? Most of the shots ive taken just don't seem to be anywhere good enough to upload........or even keep.

I'm using a 70-300mm...i know its not the ideal length but focusing seems to be the biggest problem. Most of the shots are nowhere near in focus and im not sure if its my technique OR if my camera is set up wrong?

Im using a Sony a700,

AF area: WIDE
Metering: MULTI-SEGMENT

Normally either using 1/800 or 1/1000 and between F5.6 & F8 at 300mm



These are 2 BIG crops, and probably the best out of a good bunch!:

#1

#2

I also realised you cant always get the shot you want

#3

But then i went back to a stationary bird and this is probably the best shots ive taken since trying bird photography.

#4

Do i just need more practice...expecting to much from this lens OR is my camera set up wrong :shrug:

 

[rayman64]

i like #2 as it shows movement in the starlings wings giving the bird a little life sometimes you need to slow the shutter speed down slightly to add some blur to create a sense of movement.If you have a go at panning try with a different bg possibly trees again to give a little blur and a sense of movement overall good shots well done