Took this last weekend. Flew right over my head, pulled off two shots and then lost focus. This was the better of the two. Also brought home a few ticks along with the pictures! Wanted to know what everyone thought and suggestions? Thank you.
Brian
Canon EOS 20D
Tamron 200-500mm@500
Tv 1/1000
Av 5.6
ISO 400
AI Servo AF
Evaluative Metering
Good reflexes to catch one when they buzz overhead unexpectedly.
Good wing and tail spread, fish a plus.
He is already angling away from you, an earlier shot, if possible would have improved the angle in frame.
The tail is reasonably sharp,the head less so.
I find that with BIF, I have to be using a faster shutter speed to get reliable sharpness. I think Chris recommends 1/2500 from his experience. Not always possible depending on light, but something to consider.
The background has a funky curving band that wiggles around the clouds. Not sure what is going on there.
I think the exposure is pretty good, as are the wing position and fanned tail feathers. The image is a little soft; could be the shutter speed, but could also be the lens. I'm not sure how sharp the 200-500 is wide open. I'm not sure who Chris is (see Randy's post), but I don't think you need 1/2500 for flight shots. For some birds, as little as 1/800 will do. I try for 1/1000 or faster in most circumstances.
The bird flying away is the biggest detriment here. I don't remember the last time I pressed the shutter once a bird has passed me, although I can understand that in the excitement it can be difficult to let go :-). In time it will become automatic to stop once the bird is past parallel. The head is soft, most likely due focus point being elsewhere (the rest of the body is better but still needs some sharpening.). 1/1000s. should be fine when photographing larger slower birds such as this when proper panning techniques are applied.
I like the wingspread in this, and the underwing is well exposed. I agree with the others regarding this being a bit soft. I think it could be your lens, as 1/1000 is more than enough to get a fairly decent sharp BIF.
Thanks for all the replies. I also think it's the inferiority of the lens, eventually I'll upgrade to a "white lens", but right now I'll have to make due. It does a lot better with stationary objects, but it could be my technique, I'm still new with this and don't personally know anyone with experience who I could go out with.
Go out, shoot ducks, geese, whatever common large birds you can find. Shoot them coming at you, going left, going right, going overhead. Take duck pictures till you are sick of them. It will teach you a lot! Then when something different and more exciting comes up, you will be ready!
I owned and used the Tamron 200-500 on a 20D. I can be a little slow, it hunts the range. You will need a lot of good technique, quick reflexes, practice, practice and more practice, to make that combo work well for in flight images. but it can be done. ISO 600 would be better and practice till you get tired of practicing. But you tried! And thats whats counts. Keep trying too. And keep posting for help.