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 #2515 23 Jun 2020 at 4.14pm | |   |
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In reply to Post #2514
I like the guy, he's done some good books and some of his explanations have been quite useful when I find mine aren't hitting home.
I haven't got on with 2-eyeing it (and I'm nicking that phrase!) unless it is on a full-frame DSLR or a rangefinder. The smaller viewfinder on M43 or APS just made it less easy to get used to. The other reason is the viewfinder lag on mirrorless (which they may well say doesn't really exist but I can see it) which affects me when I use the Z-series.
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#2514 23 Jun 2020 at 1.54pm | | |
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In reply to Post #2512
Good video 
One of the first things I realised with long focal lengths was keeping both eyes open (I called it 2-eying it!) made finding the subject quicker and easier.
Another mistake that I still make if I see something unusual is trying to take shots of subjects way too small in the frame!
It's easy to get carried away with a big tele thinking you can reach anything, then you look at the size of crop you need on the computer!
With Canon at single-point focus if the subject isn't twice the size of the little focus square it's not worth shooting!
I've shot stuff smaller than the AF square and wondered why the results weren't great. 
Of course the more you try to fill the frame, the harder it is to keep the subject IN the frame.
A loaf of stale bread down the local park will give plenty to practise on.
Head-on incoming ducks are good fun.
Or, as Art Morris says, "Point a camera at a gull and within 5 minutes it will do something interesting"
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#2513 23 Jun 2020 at 9.48am | | |
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In reply to Post #2510
Yeah the tripod wasn't working out for me, might have been better if I had a collar on the lens but rigging something up with a ball head, lbracket and macro rail worked OK for panning, but was crap for vertical adjustment.
I need to figure out how to change target size with one button press, I need the small box to get them at range but then when they take off I really struggle to keep that small target on them, not tried using the tracking yet.
I've seen a focus limiter in the camera menu, I'll try and figure that out
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#2512 23 Jun 2020 at 9.16am | | |
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In reply to Post #2508
This guy describes a few techniques but as Keebs said, it's all about practice.
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#2511 23 Jun 2020 at 9.08am | | |
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In reply to Post #2510
Another thing to look at is if you have a focus range limiter on your lens. Reducing the focussing range speeds up the acquisition considerably.
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#2510 23 Jun 2020 at 8.39am | | |
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In reply to Post #2508
To be honest I find tripod/gimbal too restrictive for flight shots.
Pre-focussing on something at the expected subject distance helps a lot.
Setting your AF to wider than single point ie Zone or Expansion or whatever yours calls it helps a lot with initial acquisition. This falls down with busy backgrounds though, as your camera will try to refocus if you lose tracking on the subject. You may have an in camera setting for how soon your camera tries to refocus after losing it. Go as slow as possible if so.
Practice a lot getting your AF point on the subject, I try to grab every gull and pigeon passing without firing the shutter, just exercising that hand to eye coordination.
It gets easier with time.
Focus acquisition is only half the story.
The bottom line is you are at the mercy of your cameras AF tracking speed and accuracy and that's why the likes of the 1D level costs money.
A lot of cameras just cannot effectively do flight/sports/fast action.
Good flight shots are not easy at all.
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#2509 23 Jun 2020 at 7.49am | | |
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In reply to Post #2508
In a situation where I can see them nesting I have a tripod with a gimbal head set up and focus the camera on the nest.
It's easier having everything set and ready. Yet even then it can be a pain but less so.
I visit a lot of airshows and if possible use tripod and gimbal there too as all day with a long lens it can get heavy at times.
I will add a couple of pics later of raptors in flight using this method.
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#2508 23 Jun 2020 at 6.38am | | |
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Does anyone have any tips and tricks for finding your target with long lenses? Where the em5 couldn't focus on moving targets it's not something I've much practice with, and I'm missing a lot of opportunities.
Specifically with the peregrines, once they take off from the pylon I have around 3-5seconds before I lose them behind the tree line, and they seem to have a sixth sense to take off when the camera is down 
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#2507 22 Jun 2020 at 9.54am | | |
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In reply to Post #2506
Nice one pal
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#2506 22 Jun 2020 at 8.12am | | |
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In reply to Post #2505
If you click on em you'll go to the site and yes it's free.
Easier to share from than photof*cket too
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#2505 22 Jun 2020 at 8.02am | | |
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In reply to Post #2501
Nice pics mate
What site are you using, is it free?
I used to use photobucket until they came along with the subscriptions
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#2504 22 Jun 2020 at 7.59am | | |
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In reply to Post #2503
There's quite a few bug hotels around RSPB Rye Meads.
When I go there it's usually in the hope of a Kingfisher or two, but the bug hotels are usually very good for macro stuff this time of the year but they are still closed I believe.
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#2503 22 Jun 2020 at 7.00am | | |
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In reply to Post #2502
I'm gonna have to try and get some slow mo video of them, the robotic movements are pretty hypnotic.
I saw the moment it caught it but didn't get the camera up in time. They seem to be about the only resident bugs of interest in my garden but I've made some rosemary and thyme and bought some parsley and chives so hopefully next year will be better. I might make a bug hotel too
Did you notice the laowa probe lens on springwatch? I didn't realise it was that big but I can really see a use for it, being able to stick it through the foliage rather than doing camera yoga and getting your head covered in webs/sap/other bugs.
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#2502 22 Jun 2020 at 6.45am | | |
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In reply to Post #2501
That first one's a belter
@ken - even the most common insects feel like you've never seen them before.
It's like an alien world.
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#2501 21 Jun 2020 at 8.11pm | | |
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Dinner time
Flesh fly
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