Getting decent shots of birds in flight
Apr 30, 2020 13:08:25 #
The most difficult part of BIF is learning how to pan and keeping your subject in the frame. Practice makes perfect.
WJH
WJH
Apr 30, 2020 13:47:44 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
John T. wrote:
Question: If someone who struggles getting decent shots of birds in flight were to buy a Canon EOS R5 and shoot 8k video at 30 fps and pull a still off of that to enter into a contest, would that be considered cheating?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
Some day pulling a image using video may prove worthy. But for now that capture would contain so little digital information needed to make a decent print it would not be worth the effort.
I use a Sony a9 that captures 20 fps, BUT, each frame contains 24 megs. Winner, a9.
Apr 30, 2020 16:37:27 #
saxman71 wrote:
I'm just speculating here, but isn't it possible it would be just as difficult to get a really good shot of a BIF using the video feature (and pulling a single frame out) as it would be to get a tack sharp shot in burst mode on a high end DSLR?
Exactly, even shooting at 30 fps , you still need to make sure your shutter speed is fast enough to freeze each frame and at that frame rate it’s using the electronic shutter and you’ll end up with rolling shutter distortion. My Panasonic G9 has a mode that shoots in 6K video for hi rate still shots. I’ve never tried it and never will for BIF. The 9 fps with the G9 and over 10 fps with my D500 is plenty of speed.
Apr 30, 2020 16:41:28 #
rehess wrote:
Any high MP high fps “FF” camera might deliver good results. The problem with a 24MP “APS-C” camera is keeping enough pixels on the bird, but this type of camera allows you to crop part of the picture and still have the required quality.
Most of my BIF work is done with a 20 MP Nikon D500. I have no problem “keeping enough pixels on the bird”. Even cropping I can still get excellent fairly large prints.
Apr 30, 2020 16:58:24 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
Most of my BIF work is done with a 20 MP Nikon D500. I have no problem “keeping enough pixels on the bird”. Even cropping I can still get excellent fairly large prints.
Some can, some cannot.
My point was that a "FF" camera improves the odds, as does having a slower bird, as does being farther.
Apr 30, 2020 17:05:18 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
rehess wrote:
Some can, some cannot.
My point was that a "FF" camera improves the odds, as does having a slower bird, as does being farther.
My point was that a "FF" camera improves the odds, as does having a slower bird, as does being farther.
I shoot with a D500 (cropped sensor) D850 FF, D5 FF, and Sony a9 FF. Trust me, a FF camera does not improve the odds. I can get GREAT images from both cropped and FF. Makes no difference.
As a matter of fact, the D500 can put more effective megs. on the bird than the D5 assuming shooting from the same distance with the same lens. Advantage, cropped sensor.
I have been shooting birds in flight for 7 years, 7 days a week for about 3 to 4 hours a day.
I have got great images from cropped and FF. Each has it's advantages.
And I might add, I would rather be closer than farther. And speed of the bird also make NO difference. At least, in my experience with both formats.
Apr 30, 2020 18:59:42 #
Look at the Olympus Dot Sight EE1. It mounts on the hot shoe. Once you sight it in by mounting it on a tripod and adjusting the red dot with the spot meter on your camera. It works with any DSLR or Mirrorless using burst mode, higher ISO and shutter speed of at least 1000. You look through the dot sight and keep the red dot on the bird. Much easier to follow the flight than looking through the viewfinder. The last time I had a chance to shoot at a Preserve, got about 10 good flying bird photos in less than 30 minutes. I'm waiting for the R5 also as the specs are great.
Walt B
Walt B
Apr 30, 2020 19:22:12 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Walt B wrote:
Look at the Olympus Dot Sight EE1. It mounts on t... (show quote)
On my Sony I use "Tracking Flexible Spot Large" Once the focusing spot is on the bird, the camera tracks it, all I have to do is move the camera.
Using a Dot Sight may work on sitting birds, it may prove trouble some when working fast with birds in flight.
Apr 30, 2020 19:45:47 #
Another thing to consider, which has helped me and others, is to place a $25 red dot sight from on the hotshoe. Opens your view and enables following BIF much easier.
Apr 30, 2020 22:51:41 #
May 1, 2020 09:19:35 #
John T. wrote:
Question: If someone who struggles getting decent shots of birds in flight were to buy a Canon EOS R5 and shoot 8k video at 30 fps and pull a still off of that to enter into a contest, would that be considered cheating?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
Just asking the question leads me to believe that personal morals are involved. Stay with your personal morals. There are a lot of things that are legal that I would not do. I have had a colorful past and now value my personal integrity and morals more than what's legal. So ask the event staff of its legal or follow your heart. 😂
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