Breeding Bee Eater Flight

My third visit to the Bee Eater sight produced far better results three enthusiastic Italian photographers who couldn't stop talking no English and my Italian consisted of adding an O to every word of Spanish I knew.

We shared equipment and one of the three a Dr had an intriguing system for focusing his Canon 1D4 which may well prove to be a viable business venture more later.

All three guy's could not have been more helpful it was an
If anyone is heading in that direction and would like an intro please email me.

Canon 1D4 Canon 400mm 1/1500sec ISO400 f/5.6 Tripod Wimberly head subject distance 40ft.
RAW to light room then re-sized to post.

Thanks for looking and the comments on my previous post I feel its important to understand the failures as well as the improvements.

Critique, Comments and Advice most welcomed and appreciated.

Hi Barry,

I like this one, the colours and sharpness look fine (at least, on my uncalibrated works monitor). The only thing wrong with the shot is that the bird is too far right in the frame, it needs more space to fly into. However, you will never have an easier shot to add some more canvas on the right and copy some of that nice blue background onto.

David

Would love to know what the intriguing focusing system is Barry..... its not back button is it ??

Otherwise, agree with David re the comp - sharpness is better than your last one

Comp covered and it is definately sharper. Intrigued to hear about the focus system. I use back button and so I hope it is something new

Bob

A lovely sharp shot of this gorgeous bird,( I agree I would like to see a little more canvas on the right,)the colours are splendid, it is a very attractive picture. I spent about 6 hours at a Bee Eater site in France but although they could be seen, just did not come near enough to be photographed. Still, many congratulations on this fine shot.

Looks good to me too, Barry. I don't mind the comp as posted.

Andy...

The three Italian photographers were all far more expierenced than me. Nevertheless they shared their knowledge. The Dr I thought was either very short sighted or had a permanat crick in his neck then I looked closer when he took a shot he wasn't looking through the viewfinder he was using a red dot rifle sight mounted on the gimble. He then allowed me to use his lens tripod gimble set up. The level of accuracy and pin sharp images he was producing was unbelievable. Everyone was stunning.

I understand the set up cost about £30.00 the positioning is critical but the results are just amazing.

that's very nice Barry. The comp has been mentioned but otherwise it looks sharp throughout and I like the position of the wings. It might be worth adding a bit of canvas to the RHS.

Matt

I like the second shot, Barry, much better composition. I'm slightly worried about the red dot rifle sight though, aren't they laser-based and wasn't there an issue with people being blinded by them a while back? This is the type of thing I mean:

http://laserpointersafety.com/laser-hazards_head-eyes/laser-hazards_head-eyes.html

If it isn't good enough for humans, it isn't good enough for birds either.

David

David

I couldn't agree more, the rifle sight does not need to be laser other options exist. Italians along with many other Europeans also shoot thousands of birds for so called sport.

Superb imaged Barry of a very colourful bird. Minor nit covered on the first post.

Nick.

Cracking shots Barry, nit mentioned

Oscar

Barry nit covered ,excellent result.

Keith.

Missed these earlier. First for me with more canvas right.
JR