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I'm hoping it's ok to post this in here. I've done it because it's specifically linked to bird photography. I've added a few images too.
First a bit of background info.
I'm a Canon shooter and have been for a number of years. I'm in a fortunate position in a couple of ways. I have been able to accumulate a good cupboard of equipment including a 'new to me' 1dx2 and a 300 f2.8 IS. So from a gear perspective there are no excuses I can use. Secondly I'm very lucky that I live about 3 miles from the Hawk Conservancy Trust at Weyhill. In fact I remember going their as a child about 40 years ago, when it was a zoo. I visit fairly regularly and happily donate images to them for their own use. They are a charity and who knows when I retire in years to come perhaps I will volunteer to work there.
And so to the reason for me posting .......... I'm sure this is nothing new by the way. I would like a little help with settings and to increase my keeper rate. I spend a fair bit of time trawling the net and watching videos from Arthur Morris and the like, but every day is a school day right?
How I shoot today ........
1. I hand hold. I have tried monopod and tripod, but because of the huge variety in flying positions of the birds I find it impossible without picking the mono / tripod up and waving that around periodically too.
2. I used to shoot AV, on a sunny day using something like ISO400 to get plenty of shutter speed. The problem there is a correctly exposed image against a grassy background is fine, but the minute it goes up and the background is sky, it becomes a dark shadow and nothing else.
3. I tried Manual mode and exposed a couple of stops off a grey cloud. This was fine sometimes, but on other shoots when the bird was low it whited out.
4. I tried Manual mode with auto ISO and added a little exposure compensation. I get reasonable success with this, but have to adjust as I go.
5. The rest is all the usual stuff I think. Ai Servo - BBF - AWB.
6. Oh and from a focus perspective I try to use the cross type focus points when shooting large birds so I can get on the birds face. When shooting smaller stuff I use the 9 point where the dots track around.
7. From a AF case perspective, I will move around a bit, trying to find the perfect one for me. I'm not sure I have yet.
8. I often shoot F2.8 or F4. I rarely stop down much.
Generally I do ok, but sometimes I don't do so well and I get frustrated that I have made a small adjustment which has sent me in the wrong direction.
And so to the questions.........
When shooting this sort of event where birds backgrounds change dramatically, how do you deal with it? What mode etc.
When shooting large birds, do you go for less active focus points and try to go for the head?
Do you stop down, or shoot wide open?
Sorry for the questions and I'm not trying to steal your trade secrets, just borrow a few of them from time to time ......
And a few of my better flight shots to make this thread feel like it's in the right place ;-)
1. Gotcha by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
2. Last couple from this set by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
3. Milky Eagle Owl again by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
4.Landing gear down, ready to land by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
5. Stork by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
6. Kite by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
First a bit of background info.
I'm a Canon shooter and have been for a number of years. I'm in a fortunate position in a couple of ways. I have been able to accumulate a good cupboard of equipment including a 'new to me' 1dx2 and a 300 f2.8 IS. So from a gear perspective there are no excuses I can use. Secondly I'm very lucky that I live about 3 miles from the Hawk Conservancy Trust at Weyhill. In fact I remember going their as a child about 40 years ago, when it was a zoo. I visit fairly regularly and happily donate images to them for their own use. They are a charity and who knows when I retire in years to come perhaps I will volunteer to work there.
And so to the reason for me posting .......... I'm sure this is nothing new by the way. I would like a little help with settings and to increase my keeper rate. I spend a fair bit of time trawling the net and watching videos from Arthur Morris and the like, but every day is a school day right?
How I shoot today ........
1. I hand hold. I have tried monopod and tripod, but because of the huge variety in flying positions of the birds I find it impossible without picking the mono / tripod up and waving that around periodically too.
2. I used to shoot AV, on a sunny day using something like ISO400 to get plenty of shutter speed. The problem there is a correctly exposed image against a grassy background is fine, but the minute it goes up and the background is sky, it becomes a dark shadow and nothing else.
3. I tried Manual mode and exposed a couple of stops off a grey cloud. This was fine sometimes, but on other shoots when the bird was low it whited out.
4. I tried Manual mode with auto ISO and added a little exposure compensation. I get reasonable success with this, but have to adjust as I go.
5. The rest is all the usual stuff I think. Ai Servo - BBF - AWB.
6. Oh and from a focus perspective I try to use the cross type focus points when shooting large birds so I can get on the birds face. When shooting smaller stuff I use the 9 point where the dots track around.
7. From a AF case perspective, I will move around a bit, trying to find the perfect one for me. I'm not sure I have yet.
8. I often shoot F2.8 or F4. I rarely stop down much.
Generally I do ok, but sometimes I don't do so well and I get frustrated that I have made a small adjustment which has sent me in the wrong direction.
And so to the questions.........
When shooting this sort of event where birds backgrounds change dramatically, how do you deal with it? What mode etc.
When shooting large birds, do you go for less active focus points and try to go for the head?
Do you stop down, or shoot wide open?
Sorry for the questions and I'm not trying to steal your trade secrets, just borrow a few of them from time to time ......
And a few of my better flight shots to make this thread feel like it's in the right place ;-)
1. Gotcha by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
2. Last couple from this set by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
3. Milky Eagle Owl again by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
4.Landing gear down, ready to land by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
5. Stork by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
6. Kite by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr