NikonGear'23
Images => Nature, Flora, Fauna & Landscapes => Topic started by: elsa hoffmann on February 07, 2018, 10:25:43
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Brown throated Martins and Barn Swallows aren't exactly so easy to track and shoot.
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Fantastic!!! The first one is the best imho because of the bokeh.
What is the camera/lens?
Thank you for posting.
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Thank you kindly
D500 & Nikon 200-500 lens
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Thats no wimpy setup, you wield it well, Elsa.
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Thank you Fons !
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Very well done Elsa. Small birds, as you say, are difficult to track.
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Stunning pictures Elsa :)
Number 2 with the reflection is my favorite.
I must get out and practice as I have the same setup, but never got so good pictures. :-[
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Stunning pictures Elsa :)
Number 2 with the reflection is my favorite.
I must get out and practice as I have the same setup, but never got so good pictures. :-[
Tripod?
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I normally use free hand, as I don’t have a gimbal head.
Elsa how did you accomplish those fine pictures?
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Thank you Elsid & Bent
I wish they were "fine" but I think at best they are fairly okey.
I found a channel where 50-60 of the were flying in a pattern - sweeping down to drink in the same area, a spot of roughtly 2 sq meters. Whish is a lot for these small birds. So a LOT of hit and miss. out of probably 300 pics - I got about 15 keepers. it was my first time doing these little ones - so I hope next time I will do it better. f5.6 is too shallow I think - and I will sit my arse down flat next time (shooting from an embankment down onto the water in the channel)
I might also try my gimbal next time. And perhaps not group setting again, I dont know. you live and learn
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Beautiful series, the 2nd is my pick as well.
Tried several times to catch them but miserably failed. :(
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Thanks Chris. The trick is to find a confined place where they drink, they do stick around and return in circles to the same area.
I have the swallows at my home too - but the water area is too big so they are not confined to drinking in one spot.
I swore I would never get them - but I did. Now to do it again!
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Elsa:
#2 for me for the unique pose. background on #1 is to distracting.
I shoot an occ. picture of a bif, and swallows are very difficult, as you have found out. Your yield % was pretty good for them. I have shot both handheld and with a gimbal, and each has its plus and minuses.
Cheers
Randy
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Thanks Randy. One can but try. And try I will again :)
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I'm breathtakingly floored with my jaw dropped...
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haha Akira - pick up that jaw - it's no good sitting on your chest :)
;)
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haha Akira - pick up that jaw - it's no good sitting on your chest :)
;)
Elsa, sorry to be funny. Frankly this is definitely on of the very few most amazing series of bird photography I've ever seen.
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Akira - what is life without some laughs ;D
I really do appreciate your kind words - and I appreciate that you took the time to look and comment :)
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Just finding those little fast birds through the viewfinder is quite a feat !
The D500 and the lens worked great to AF on the little birds
Great images Elsa
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Thanks Armando - yes you hit the nail on the head. I havent shot a crop body in a decade - and the D500 makes life very difficult by narrowing the DOF a heck of a lot. I am battling with that part. Thank you for your kind comment
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Some beautiful images here Elsa.
Like Frank, I really like 020 (drinking and admiring it's reflection).
I've sat and watched swallows do this in a holiday swimming pool, but never tried to catch them.
I guess Elsa has slightly higher light levels than maybe Frank does apart form the summer in Germany.
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Thanks Colin. We were lucky - the light was good - but also bad because it was harsh. South Africa has a LOT of sunshine.
I have also seen them dive bomb a swimming pool - and also didnt bother to try. just seemed impossible
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Amazing shots Elsa and difficult to get -swallows are amongst the most difficult targets
The D500 and the 200-500 - one of the best combos for freehand bird-in-flight photography
I doubt if a gimbal head would be of any help there - its just too slow
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Thank you Wolfgang!
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frozen in time.
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frozen in time.
:) :)
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Inspirational work, indeed, Elsa.
Small birds like that are very difficult, and you nailed many.
Agree that #2 is the standout ...
I just upgraded to a Wimberly Gimball Head and am going to give it its first whirl this weekend.
Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Jack :)
please would you let me know how the gimbal worked out for you?
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Thanks Jack :)
please would you let me know how the gimbal worked out for you?
Hi Elsa;
Didn't have much luck as far as sightings go, but can definitely say the handling of the Wimberly WH-200 Gimbal II head made me immediately realize I should have bought it a long time ago.
I had a sturdy ballhead previously (RRS BH-55 LR: w/ B2 AS II Clamp), but it is a toy compared to the Wimberly WH-200 Gimbal II. (Nice for cameras w/o collars, and small lenses, though ...)
With a sizeable lens, on a tripod collar, a regular ballhead is inappropriate ...
I am in the process of selling my 300mm VR II, and looking to get a 600mm E FL ED, and it will be especially important to have the right head on that piece of glass.
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Thanks for the feedback - I havent had much opportunity to use my gimbal either - but I also had the feeling that I should have bought it years ago :)
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#2 is the BEST!!!
I am using same set(D500+200/500) always with gimbal on the bracket in the blind and outside of blind-monopod with gimbal... That is unconventional approach but is working!!
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Thanks Andrew for the comment and the info!