Flight shots??

From my unqualified position I have often been so impressed with flight shots displayed on this forum. The level of excellence acheived under what must be difficult circumstances is outstanding.

Would it be possible to ask for any pointers or major do's and don'ts when planning such shots?

The reason for asking is I'm heading back to the USA for a sort while and I'll be in the midst of Bald Eagles,Hawks and Ospreys so any advice and critique will not go amiss.

This post of a Turkey Vulture was taken back in September and in strong light blue cloudless sky.

1d3 Canon 800mm EF f/5.6 L IS USM 1/320 ISO400 Hand Held vertical almost over head. Raw into lightroom and Re Sized in CS3

Thanks

Barry

Hi, Barry, Here's what I do for flight shots, and I'm guessing this is what many others do as well:
- Settings: Center AF point, AI Servo, High speed burst mode
- Exposure: As far to the right as you can go without burning the whites
- Aesthetics: Blue skies are great but only go so far. Reflections and environmental bg's below the horizon really make a difference.

Where are you heading in the US?

Hi Lance

I'll be at Ft Riley Kansas. I'm there twice a year.

Thanks for the heads up what type of tripod head do you suggest?

Barry

I do my flight shots hand-held, with a Canon 400 5.6 L on a 40D, so unfortunately I can't give you any suggestions on the tripod, Barry.

I'm sure there are others here who can give tripod suggestions, especially those who use the bigger lenses.

Something I forgot to mention, even if it's obvious - practice, practice, practice. The more you do it, the more you get focus lock on the bird's head.

Barry - did you really use an Canon EF 800/5.6 for this... handheld!?!?

Nick

Yes I did had no option I didn't have a tripod. Just over 10lbs I think all told that's why I'm an expert on camera shake.

Barry.

Hi Barry

You are half way there if you can hand hold a 800 f5.6 . I feel with flight shots there is no substitute for experience so take plenty of CF cards and keep shooting. One thing I always do when shooting birds in flight is turn off the IS as your AF will work a little better and if you think about it the very action of 'panning' negates any up and down movement any way!

David

Hi Barry,
HAND-HELD an 800mm! You must spend sometime in a gym! I struggle with my 600mm! I'd say your rig was more like 13lbs!

My choice of head would be a Wimberely V2 on a Series 5 Gitzo! That'll support your rig very nicely!

Agree with Paul re: rig - I've recently switched from a ball head to a Wimberley MkII and I am just stunned at the difference it makes on a Gitzo 3540LS (I debated whether to go for this or a 5 series - carry weight won out in the end). On the face of it it seems expensive for a head, but it's a work of engineering art



Mark

Barry - I'd definitely go for a Wimberley Head Mk2 - although it would have stopped you from managing a direct overhead shot. If you're heading out to the US, then I'd buy it out there as you'll save quite a bit of money against our miserable UK prices.

If you're using the 800/5.6 for moving objects, then switch the IS to mode 2 instead of mode 1. Also, try and get the bird flying toward you, rather than a bum shot . Manual metering can help if you've sky with a mix of white cloud & blue sky - meter from a mid-tone area of the ground and use that as a start. Take a couple of flight shots and check the metering on the histogram and adjust accordingly. Don't just fire away with the machine gun too - try and track the bird for a little while before you press the shutter - that way you and the autofocus have a chance to track the bird.

Practise, practise & practise ...

Barry,
There is a device, go to www.bushhawk.com, that is like a rifle stock. The camera and large lenses, simply attach and you pull the trigger.
The settings will be all yours. What I do is take the stting of the grond and set those in manual.
Good luck,
Steve Rosenthal

Hi Barry,

These rifle stocks are ok once you get used to them on shorter lenses but your 800mm would be well too big IMO! A 100-400mm would scrape through as ok but an 800mm I think not!

Thank you all very much for the advice it will be put to good use.

Barry

Hi Barry. IMO I think you are up against flight shots with that size of Lens. Most of mine are with a 300mm lens and sometimes a 1.4 conv.