Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens.
Posted 10/09/2016 - 07:34
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I have found that using the TAV mode has been much more successful when photographing birds in flight and it's very easy to change the settings using the front or rear wheels (depending how you set them up)
Regards,
Michael
Michael
Posted 10/09/2016 - 10:17
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My settings for this sort of thing would be a higher shutter speed, and a wider aperture.
TAv mode, ISO at max 3200, shutter around 1/750 or so, Aperture as wide as I can get in, or close to it.
The more light you can let in, the faster you can run the shutter speed, and the lower motion blur you'll get. The downside is a narrower depth of field, so the auto focus has to be more accurate.
Everything is a mix of pros and cons.
TAv mode, ISO at max 3200, shutter around 1/750 or so, Aperture as wide as I can get in, or close to it.
The more light you can let in, the faster you can run the shutter speed, and the lower motion blur you'll get. The downside is a narrower depth of field, so the auto focus has to be more accurate.
Everything is a mix of pros and cons.
Posted 11/09/2016 - 10:56
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richandfleur wrote:
My settings for this sort of thing would be a higher shutter speed, and a wider aperture.
TAv mode, ISO at max 3200, shutter around 1/750 or so, Aperture as wide as I can get in, or close to it.
The more light you can let in, the faster you can run the shutter speed, and the lower motion blur you'll get. The downside is a narrower depth of field, so the auto focus has to be more accurate.
Everything is a mix of pros and cons.
My settings for this sort of thing would be a higher shutter speed, and a wider aperture.
TAv mode, ISO at max 3200, shutter around 1/750 or so, Aperture as wide as I can get in, or close to it.
The more light you can let in, the faster you can run the shutter speed, and the lower motion blur you'll get. The downside is a narrower depth of field, so the auto focus has to be more accurate.
Everything is a mix of pros and cons.
michaelblue wrote:
I have found that using the TAV mode has been much more successful when photographing birds in flight and it's very easy to change the settings using the front or rear wheels (depending how you set them up)
I have found that using the TAV mode has been much more successful when photographing birds in flight and it's very easy to change the settings using the front or rear wheels (depending how you set them up)
michaelblue and richandfleur,
I have, only this morning, reverted to 'having a mess' with the TAV mode. I'm pleasantly surprised at the versatitilty of it. It is a lot easier to move around the camera settings so I shall use it for an extended time to see my results. My thanks for your invaluable observations.
Posted 11/09/2016 - 11:30
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ISO 1250, 1/200, f11, @300mm.

ISO 1600, 1/1600, f11, @240mm.
I hope that there are two pictures above. I made a separate post because I've already made a mess of the first.
These shots were taken earlier this morning, using the TAV mode. I found it a little easier to manipulate using the K-50. I think that they are, probably, as good as I might ever get with the lens that I have. They will also be the last shots before I go into hospital on Tuesday. I hope to be back to be a nuisance in around a fortnight. In the meantime, my grateful appreciation for all your observations and comments. I wouldn't have got this far without them.
Posted 11/09/2016 - 18:25
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And another 'good luck' wish from me ! Hope the treatment goes well and you are back at the camera controls as soon as possible.
One extra point that may be helpful .... a few of the recent photos you've shown are overexposed, in my opinion. This is just the result of the particular way the metering system is responding, but I suspect it is because there is somewhat less bright surrounds around the very bright white gulls. So when doing this type of shot again in similar conditions I would suggest setting a minus exposure compensation .... say, for example, -0.7 stops, or -1.0.
This should prevent the blown out whites on the birds, and has the secondary effect of allowing a shorter exposure time, so helps a little to reduce movement blur. If you do find that the results are a little dark, it is easy enough to apply a little brightening to them on the computer.
Of course, this approach would not apply to birds against a bright sky background, where the metering is likely to react differently and not overexpose.
One extra point that may be helpful .... a few of the recent photos you've shown are overexposed, in my opinion. This is just the result of the particular way the metering system is responding, but I suspect it is because there is somewhat less bright surrounds around the very bright white gulls. So when doing this type of shot again in similar conditions I would suggest setting a minus exposure compensation .... say, for example, -0.7 stops, or -1.0.
This should prevent the blown out whites on the birds, and has the secondary effect of allowing a shorter exposure time, so helps a little to reduce movement blur. If you do find that the results are a little dark, it is easy enough to apply a little brightening to them on the computer.
Of course, this approach would not apply to birds against a bright sky background, where the metering is likely to react differently and not overexpose.
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Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Posted 11/09/2016 - 22:16
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Gedski wrote:

ISO 1250, 1/200, f11, @300mm.

ISO 1600, 1/1600, f11, @240mm.
I hope that there are two pictures above. I made a separate post because I've already made a mess of the first.
These shots were taken earlier this morning, using the TAV mode. I found it a little easier to manipulate using the K-50. I think that they are, probably, as good as I might ever get with the lens that I have. They will also be the last shots before I go into hospital on Tuesday. I hope to be back to be a nuisance in around a fortnight. In the meantime, my grateful appreciation for all your observations and comments. I wouldn't have got this far without them.

ISO 1250, 1/200, f11, @300mm.

ISO 1600, 1/1600, f11, @240mm.
I hope that there are two pictures above. I made a separate post because I've already made a mess of the first.
These shots were taken earlier this morning, using the TAV mode. I found it a little easier to manipulate using the K-50. I think that they are, probably, as good as I might ever get with the lens that I have. They will also be the last shots before I go into hospital on Tuesday. I hope to be back to be a nuisance in around a fortnight. In the meantime, my grateful appreciation for all your observations and comments. I wouldn't have got this far without them.
I think these are great, Gedski. When birds circle and pass in a stream, one setting gets you ready for the next passing bird. My hunting problem starts when it is a one-off shot of birds coming towards me or retreating from me at pace so I lose focus, but the shot still takes. There is a Sigma lens I have that is non-zoom so may be better suited to quick focus. I will give this an outing next time out. Best wishes for Tuesday and your recuperation!
Quote:
... the best lack all conviction, while the worst
are full of passionate intensity.
W.B Yeats
... the best lack all conviction, while the worst
are full of passionate intensity.
W.B Yeats
Posted 26/09/2016 - 20:33
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With a reluctant return to a Sigma 70-200mm lens ( - the hunting going on with the Pentax lens lost me too many shots - ), I can at least say it does not behave like a yo-yo! This is something worth persevering with, but I needed a rest. So here is my trio of Swans, taken at Attenborough nature reserve.

Quote:
... the best lack all conviction, while the worst
are full of passionate intensity.
W.B Yeats
... the best lack all conviction, while the worst
are full of passionate intensity.
W.B Yeats
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227 posts
13 years
Merseyside
ISO 400, 1/320, f8 @240mm.
ISO 400, 1/250, f8 @220mm.
Persicador,
With my wife acting as 'carer', I managed a very quick tour of the back field. I took only twenty shots and these are just about the same as the rest. I must admit that I was rather hasty in getting my shots off.
I post these just to give you some idea of my settings. I was using aperture priority and both shots are at 100% crop. I'm unhappy as to the shutter speed that the K-50 chose, so I'll try again, if I can, over the weekend using shutter priority or even the Tav mode. I have had a play with it a week or two ago and promised myself that I'd have another 'go' at it, but events have overtaken me.
I hope these shots and settings information are of some little assistance to you.
PS. the settings with the 240mm on are for the top shot shewn here., sorry.