Photographing birds in flight

icepics wrote: I haven't tried to photograph birds in flight, but have done some panning and I mostly use manual cameras. I think it takes some practice. Maybe if you find you're using manual rather than auto focus you could practice on something else, cars going by or something - I used to practice w/out film in the camera to get the hang of it. Haven't used the technique a lot though.

Scotty and John, plenty of people get threads off topic, happens all the time on here; as moderators I think there needs to be some objectivity as you guys don't seem to getting on everybody about it when threads go OT. And a dry, sarcastic sense of humor tends to get lost or misinterpreted on message boards, I'm not sure it comes across as intended. You guys sometimes seem to not realize that something wasn't meant to be taken literally.

My warning was based on complaints and reports of disturbance, not just this thread.

We are quite objective.

MLKstudios wrote: It was a better answer, Bd. Lighten up.

eta You should have used "telephoto" not "zoom". A zoom lens can be all wide angle.

I didn't get that from Google either.

I DID mean zoom. I have a lot of great shots of hummingbirds, finches, chickadees and others taken with a non-tele zoom.

Hi Penny... Did you get all that? I think the important thing to remember about birds is to never give up. It takes a lot of time to start thinking like a bird. Some birds have a body language that tells you what they are about to do. Like John mentions they signal certain movements ahead of time. Burst mode does help as you stand a better chance of getting a good one on camera. I think single shot can give you a better focus in many cases. So much about what works depends on where the bird is and what is happening around you. Walk slowly and quietly so you do not appear to be a threat. Catch a few good shots then move a little closer. Keep repeating this until you think the bird is about to take off - then watch it like a hawk...

Keep us posted as to how you progress. I'm thinking you might come up with some tips of your own to share with us. Lord knows bird watchers need all the help they can get.

Scotty wrote:

MLKstudios wrote: It ends with a wink. Was commenting on effron's "tome" remark.

eta Bd, this is your area of expertise. Nothing else to add?

Stop derailing threads please.

Right. When people ask a serious question answer seriously. I've been known to go off topic, but not so much on serious threads like this.

icepics wrote: Scotty and John, plenty of people get threads off topic, happens all the time on here; as moderators I think there needs to be some objectivity as you guys don't seem to getting on everybody about it when threads go OT. And a dry, sarcastic sense of humor tends to get lost or misinterpreted on message boards, I'm not sure it comes across as intended. You guys sometimes seem to not realize that something wasn't meant to be taken literally.

No, there's a place for it and threads asking about technique etc. aren't the place to put it. If you do make a joke on these threads back it up with some hard facts about the OP's question. Other threads that are more fun or superficial are more suitable for going off topic. MLK just failed to learn the difference.


Now so I'm not hypocritical

Here's my 2c on the original topic:

As I was saying to Scotty before, I tried photographing an eagle last weekend from my apartment window (27th floor). Turns out even 500mm (200 with x1.7TC on x1.5 crop body) wasn't long enough.

I guess you want the equivalent of 700+mm But if you can sneak up on birds (like get within a few feet) then you can go shorter.

Tripods help keep the lens stable too... but you have to remember to keep the Shutter Speed high enough to stop panning movement and subject movement. So 1/500+

Lucky One wrote: That's my theme for this weekend. I'm going to go out and try to photograph birds in flight. I would like to ask from the pro's or people that have experience what sort of set up are you using to photograph birds in flight? Let me give a couple scenarios:

1. Day time plenty of light
- how are you getting them near you, or are you just following them?
- what lens, camera settings are you using?
- is it ok to us bird feed to draw them in?

2. Getting darker and low light
- what lens are you using?
- are you using flash and if so have you had any luck with those flash extenders?

Any additional tips would be great. Thanks in advance for the help.

It's now Monday, so how did you photo session go? Got any great pictures to share?