bluebirds in Flight: Trying to capture bluebirds in flight, and I have to take at the feeder, so if bird is in focus, feeder is not, etc. This was taken at 1/800, f5.0, ISO200. I...

Mdsmith Loc: North Carolina

Trying to capture bluebirds in flight, and I have to take at the feeder, so if bird is in focus, feeder is not, etc. This was taken at 1/800, f5.0, ISO200. I actually focused about 2 inches behind the feeder.

HELP. Any ideas would be appreciated.

(Download)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Md for this kind of shooting the equipment is critical. But it's the thing you DON'T mention.
And, why would you even WANT the feeder in the shot?!?! Just wondering. ;-)
SS

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Mdsmith wrote:

Trying to capture bluebirds in flight, and I have to take at the feeder, so if bird is in focus, feeder is not, etc. This was taken at 1/800, f5.0, ISO200. I actually focused about 2 inches behind the feeder.

HELP. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Changing the ISO to 800 will change the speed to 1/3200 sec. I think 1/800th is to slow.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Mdsmith wrote:

Trying to capture bluebirds in flight, and I have to take at the feeder, so if bird is in focus, feeder is not, etc. This was taken at 1/800, f5.0, ISO200. I actually focused about 2 inches behind the feeder.

HELP. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I would use a higher shutter speed, and I always use a minimum of f/8 for aperture.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

There is a Bird In Flight forum section. If you posted there you might get some good suggestions. Also, Photo Gallery is a good place to post pictures.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Mdsmith wrote:

Trying to capture bluebirds in flight, and I have to take at the feeder, so if bird is in focus, feeder is not, etc. This was taken at 1/800, f5.0, ISO200. I actually focused about 2 inches behind the feeder.

HELP. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Md, if you knew anything about flight you would realize what a fantastic shot you have. Bravo to you! Your timing is almost perfect, a newyorksecond before launch, symmetry as a poem. Had you blinked you would have captured an empty moment in time. Would you object if i downloaded a copy of it? I've tried to do this for years. Show this to a fellow flyer and watch the reaction. You caught the eyes! WOW!

Mdsmith Loc: North Carolina

Don't have a problem with downloading. Thx for your kind words. I keep trying.

sbrigham

To focus the bird and feeder you need a wider depth-of-field. To do this increase to F16. To get a bird-in-flight in focus you will need shutter speeds of 1/1000 and faster. This will likely require an ISO of 1000 or more. Good luck.

Mdsmith Loc: North Carolina

SharpShooter wrote:

Md for this kind of shooting the equipment is critical. But it's the thing you DON'T mention.
And, why would you even WANT the feeder in the shot?!?! Just wondering. ;-)
SS

Naturally I don't want the feeder in the photo. Am not a professional, just having fun. Tamron 270 and Sony a58 on a tripod with remote. Hard to know where they are going except to food, and they are speedy.

I have some good shots in the spring when they are nesting.

Sorry, hit the button twice

Mdsmith Loc: North Carolina

SharpShooter wrote:

Md for this kind of shooting the equipment is critical. But it's the thing you DON'T mention.
And, why would you even WANT the feeder in the shot?!?! Just wondering. ;-)
SS

Naturally I don't want the feeder in the photo. Am not a professional, just having fun. Tamron 270 and Sony a58 on a tripod with remote. Hard to know where they are going except to food, and they are speedy.

I have some good shots in the spring when they are nesting.

Mdsmith Loc: North Carolina

SharpShooter wrote:

Md for this kind of shooting the equipment is critical. But it's the thing you DON'T mention.
And, why would you even WANT the feeder in the shot?!?! Just wondering. ;-)
SS

I think my brain was trying to use the feeder to focus and that's why it's in there.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Shutter speed was far too slow. Get up to 1/2000 as a starter, keep the f/5 - experiment by going even lower, f.4, or 3.5, and work as slow an ISO as possible. Shoot a little higher to reduce the feeder. Professionally, you can not have the feeder at all.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

sbrigham wrote:

To focus the bird and feeder you need a wider depth-of-field. To do this increase to F16. To get a bird-in-flight in focus you will need shutter speeds of 1/1000 and faster. This will likely require an ISO of 1000 or more. Good luck.

That sums up everything I could say about this shot. Note that the throat is in focus but not the beak.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Small birds are a real challenge to shoot in flight! They move too fast and too erratically for most AF systems to keep up. Most feeder birds will use a nearby perch before going to the feeder. Place the feeder in a location away from any perches (Branches, garden furniture etc) and then provide only one perch, preferably a natural object. The birds will fly from the perch to the feeder in a predictable path. Ideally, the path will be parallel to your position. Manually pre-focus on a point in this path and shoot the bird as it flies past. Keep a wide enough view with enough DOF and you should get a few keepers. Shoot at 1/2000, f/8 and ISO 800 in bright sun.

The hardest part is knowing exactly when the bird will take off. They are so fast, it is easy to miss so place that perch just far enough away!

Come visit us at the BIF/BOW forum for more information.

Mdsmith Loc: North Carolina

Appreciate all the help. Will see what I can do when the sun decides to shine.