Osprey Take-off

Gallery: AvianPosted April 15, 2016124 views8 comments

Despite numerous opportunities on my recent Florida trip, I never managed a really good image with the Osprey at full stretch on take-off, this was about as close as I came, though I did have great timing on another one, I'd managed to slightly lose the focus. I normally use back button focus as I find it easier to recompose and for most applications I like it, but I'm beginning to think that for take-off shots the half-press shutter release may make more sense. I think I'll have to experiment.

7D2, Sigma 150-600 C @ 260 mm (backed off to avoid clipping the wings on take-off), hand held from boat, f/7.1, 1/3200, iso 500 manual exposure. Processed in LR5 & CS6. Cropped to 11.4 MP before resizing. Taken at 10:12 AM on March 29th on Salt Spring Run near the junction with the St. Johns river.

Comments and criticisms are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 15, 2016 at 2:21 PM

Tough to keep the back button pressed without releasing the pressure- I've had similar issues with using the back focus technique too. But I find I have more keepers with that technique than with half pressing.
I like the eye contact you have here Dennis and the light is good. devil

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 15, 2016 at 4:46 PM

Dennis, if you have Sigma's calibrator, You can set a custom focus that is faster. I don't know if the half button press would be any better, but I suspect not. It just could be that hand holding that monster from a boat is enough in itself to lose focus. Nikon has a neat program, Nikon View, that will show your focal point in red on the thumbnail, if you have acquired focus. Maybe Canon has something like that?

When I am panning for a movement shot, I am set on continuous autofocus, and I keep the back button focus depressed and shoot away.
Despite the semi-folded wings, this is a pretty darn good shot! I would proclaim ownership if I had gotten one this good! devil

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on April 15, 2016 at 5:01 PM

Looks like you've had a pretty good trip, Dennis. You've posted so great photos, this one included. Good timing and sharp focus on the eye.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on April 16, 2016 at 2:59 AM

Nice shot Dennis. Good light and processing. I like the bird's pose. I have been trying to get takeoff shots lately, and I know they are tough. Good job.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by David Rowe on April 16, 2016 at 5:29 AM

Congratulations, Dennis, on getting so close and producing this fine takeoff shot. The pic looks remarkably sharp as posted –
I wouldn’t change a thing.
David

Registered on December 20, 2013, 133 Posts, 286 Comments

Comment posted by Thiraviyam Yogaraj on April 16, 2016 at 6:30 AM

Looks so grate Dennis and thank you very much for sharing

Registered on June 13, 2013, 101 Posts, 100 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 16, 2016 at 6:21 PM

Nice action with the wings up and a very good job on a tough exposure here Dennis devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Sobolik on April 17, 2016 at 10:45 AM

Great capture! The blue sky is perfect background for the colors of the bird and the tree.

Thanks for the idea of changing back to half press shutter release for action shots. I will see if will help with Hawks

Registered on October 27, 2015, 19 Posts, 8 Comments