Shooting moving objects

ynot

ynot

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I really have trouble with this. Can anyone give me help or tips?

Today a pheasant flew straight across me (and a woodpecker a little later). I thought i got the flight path and some shots focused on the subject but none come out in focus, yet the focus point is on the bird.


Screen Shot 2012-05-13 at 17.33.08 by ts446, on Flickr

This isn't the first time that this has happened. I can't see what I'm doing wrong. Do i need a really fast shutter speed?
 
Do you know what the shutter speed was?

Also the focus point is probably just the one the camera is using it might not indicate that the focus actually locked onto that subject.
 
Looks like 1/500th. Start by doubling that - or tripling it if you can.
 
Indeed. Quick little bugg creatures, pheasants. Tricky background that as well; difficult for the camera to pick out the bird as there isn't much contrast. Are you on single focus point?
 
I'd guess shutter speed, then. That's a tough shot, so don't be too hard on yourself.
 
Noise is better than blur. Easier to reduce as well, these days. What processing stuff do you use?
 
You might have to raise your iso to get a faster shutter speed.:)
 
I've had the same problems when shooting at similar shutter speeds. I use my Sigma 150-500 OS for bird shots and usually a shutter speed of 1/500 for a 1:1 speed/length ratio, however if I see a flying bird and try to get that at the same shutter speed it's invariably OOF. For BIF you want to be up to at least 1/1000sec and faster if possible. I get some good results at 1/1200 but really good, sharp photos at 1/2000. If you get a nice bright day you can get up to those speeds and still keep the ISO very low, but on some days I've had to have the ISO up to 6400 on the 5D3, thankfully the photo is still very clear at that on the 5D3, not so good with my 60D though.
 
ynot said:
Using Aperture for all processing.
Click to expand...

I've not used Aperture - does it have noise reduction? If not, there's some good stand alone/plug-in stuff. I use Imagenomics, who do a free version of their programme. You need to be a bit cautious; it's easy to end up with `plastic` looking results if you overdo things, but it does a great job of reducing high-ISO artefacts.
 
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It has got a noise reduction, i try not to use it as like you said you can get the plastic look.
Its ok sometimes tho. My editing isn't really that good, i tend to end up with a worse picture than what i started with!

Stuart, thats good to know, i also have the Sigma and know it needs a lot of light to produce the best results.

Problem is with moving shots, they don't give you time to prepare. I could wait for years for a pheasant to come flying across me again!
 
Editing takes just as much time - more perhaps - to learn as the point 'n click bit. And is just as important if you're after the best results.
 
Your D7000 will cope just fine with high ISO's. Even 6400 should be ok if you need it.
 
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