The promised land..

[José Rodríguez]

I'm trying to improve my focusing technique with the nikkor 80-400, so today I was shooting bees in flight...
Handholded
Cámara: Nikon D300
Exposición: 0,001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture: f/5.6
Lente: 400 mm
Velocidad ISO: 200
Tendencia de exposición: -2/3 EV
Flash: No Flash
I should have to push iso and used faster speed and/or bigger f stop.....

[Rene Quenneville]

José,
Nice start with speed. With a D300 you could shoot at ISO 800 and give yourself 2 more stops of light. You could then choose to increase your shutter speed by 2 (1/2000 s) and increase your depth of field by going to F/8. Depth of field gives you more chance to be in focus. Another trick is to use fill flash. If you own an SB-800 or 900 you could synchronize your flash up to over 1/1000s. The flash also helps to freeze the subject.

Good luck

[Julie Kenward]

I agree with Rene although I'm no flash expert it sure sounds right. I'd also look at getting yourself situated so that the bees are coming straight across the focal plane of your camera lens. In other words, sit/stand so the bee will more than likely come straight across to the flowers and then more of him will be in focus as he zooms by. The flash will also make a huge difference at "freezing the action."

[Joe Senzatimore]

Great attempt with a tough lens to use for this type of photography. The previous tips given are all great ones!!!!!

[Alfred Forns]

Your are amazing Jose !!! Going after a bee with that lens ....and getting one !!! Vale !!

Got a suggestion ... would increase the ISO for stopping down more on the lens, the dof will be a bonus !!!

[Mike Moats]

Hey Jose, very nice capture, good details