swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

They are fast. I shot these using aperture priority. Rainy day, flat light and FAST squirrels. From camera to simple post processing--crop and color saturation for the most part. I have 7500 "clicks" on my little d3400 and as I look back from the first of the year I am seeing a much higher "keeper" ratio, and my composition seems to be more interesting than it had been.... Once again, thanks to all who have given me advice, encouragement and support.

I saw them coming from about 50 yards away

(Download)

They ran around this tree about 3 times

(Download)

They stopped to "smell the roses"

(Download)

Then it was ON

(Download)

From fence to here and done.... 10 seconds....

(Download)

Rolk Loc: South Central PA

First off, composition and focus is spot on...I love the series, and hope the censors don't move this to the attic! (You never know....sigh.)

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Good captures!

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

OK, you know that speed is their priority but you decide that aperture (depth of field) is your priority. Reason? The shots are fine, just question the priority.

Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

Nice results! Be sure and try the Group AF setting with your D7500. Using BBF (back button focus) and C (continuous) on the rear wheel AF setting can help greatly.

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

That is a very fair question... I am finding that with moving objects/critters, that if I use shutter priority, the camera tends to want to use a lower aperture number (creating a shallower DOF). With the critters moving at a higher rate of speed, I was having problems with them running thru the focal plane of a shallow depth of field. If you look at my most recent post of a hawk eating a meal, you will see that the eye of the hawk is sharp, but the snake is not as it was not in the same focal plane. That series was shot using Shutter priority.

I will gladly admit that I am learning... LEARNING. I have yet to learn how to use shutter priority and still keep the aperture closed enough for my liking. I have learned how to use aperture priority and still keep the shutter speed up where I desire. I am sure there is more to learn.

As for those of you who are going to point me to manual (M) I have a d3400, and one of the drawbacks is that I do not have all of the controls at my finger tips like a d7xxx or d500. So, as I learn, I am faced with a series of compromises.

Thanks for the question. I hope my answer made some sense.

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

Thanks for the advice and the compliment. I have 7500 CLICKS (shutter releases) on my D3400.... I have G.A.S for a d7200 and when I get that body, I am sure that your advice will be experimented with!!!! Cheers

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

It did and thanks. Using aperture priority and keeping the shutter speed high enough involves tweaking the ISO. The same technique would be used when shooting shutter priority. If the aperture is not what you want then tweak the ISO to get it where you want with the given shutter speed.

Using aperture priority allows the shutter speed to raise and lower as the light changes so you can end up with blurry shots. Using shutter priority freezes the shutter speed so all shots are sharp (no movement) but the DOF can increase and decrease as the light changes. Choosing a high enough ISO will give you a good range of usable apertures for the camera meter to choose from.

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

I saw the same love fest on top of my back yard fence yesterday. Must be spring, for sure.

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

Spring is in the air for sure... and you saw how FAST they were.....

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You might try an exposure based on f/8 and 1/640 to 1/1000 and the appropriate fixed ISO for a good exposure. As shown on page 65 of the manual, the D3400 gives you a single dial to the manipulate the shutter speed while shooting, if needed. There's nothing lacking in these images in aperture priority. For purposes of experiment, the light appears to allow for a bit more DOF, even if just to f/6.3 or f/7.1. You might too go with a bit more speed in the shutter. You can use a test shot from another shooting mode to see what the camera calculates and then adjust those parameters when specifying manually.

As noted, the D3400 doesn't have the same external controls as the D7xxx series for dynamical updates to the exposure. If you look at the Exposure Indicator in the display and occassionally the histogram during breaks in the action, you'll get a feel for where and when to + or - the shutterspeed against the changing light, while leaving the ISO and aperture fixed.

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

Boys or Girls??

fotofinish

I think you did a grand job in composition and focus. I give the series an X rating. 🤭

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

Very good fun shots as the end result shows....Rich

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

That is AWESOME information. I could not find that for some reason. Thank you SO much. I cannot wait to try it. Again my friend you have been a big help to me.... THANK YOU