Pics of Swifts (I'm getting there)

[briar rose]

Well after dropping my old camera my darling son went and bought me another it's a Nikon D5000, a step up from my D40, but it seemed a lot different to start with, so I gave myself the (easy ) task of taking some pictures of Swifts, just so I could get used to the camera, why I couldn't have chosen something bigger and slower I'll never know, but I'm beginning to get there

To start with it was just pictures of the sky, then it was pictures of black/brown blobs in the sky, but I have managed to get a few that you can actually tell are Swifts blimey how did happen

Now all I have to do is try and get a picture before they've actually gone past me

[Stinky Bob]

Great shots and very impressive, I have been trying for ages and usually just catch sky and their is a swift nest just 1' from my bedroom window.

[Jonners]

Some super pics there Briar Rose. I had a go the other week, with varying success, although I did get one into the Gallery. They really are a challenge, and I found myself laughing at many of my inadequate attempts to photograph them. Great fun though Well done and keep it up.

[nigel_b]

I think they're excellent. What lens did you use for them? We need the technical details!

[briar rose]

Aww, thanks guys I must admit to being pretty pleased with these considering the first lot I took, and we wont mention the number I've binned all I can say is thank goodness for digital photography

The lens is the kit lens that came with the camera, it's a Tamron 70-300mm 1:4-5.6. hope that makes sense

I messed around with the setting quite a bit, and couldn't find what mode I took them in, but I do know I took a fair few in sport mode, but here are the specs anyway.

They were cropped and tweaked a bit as well

1st pic
f/7.1
exposure time 1/1600 sec.
ISO - 400
focal length 260mm

2nd pic
f/7.1
exposure time 1/1600
ISO - 400
focal length 250mm

3rd pic
f/6.3
exposure time 1/1600
ISO - 400
focal length 230

[StRoRo]

Good pictures
What time of the day was it when you took the picutres? I have tried and just get pictures of a perfect outline of the bird.

It looks like the sun is quite low as its almost coming from the side of the bird.

Stuart.

[briar rose]

Hi Stuart,

Thank you

The pictures were taken between 08.10 & 09.15

Thanks for pointing that out , it hadn't occurred to me before, I'd just noticed how nice it made them look

[RobinP]

Hi briar rose

Did you use auto or manual focus? I've tried (and failed miserably) using auto, it just isn't quick enough, though I haven't tried sport mode on my D60, may give it one last try

Great pics btw.

Robin

[briar rose]

Hi Robin

Thank you

I used auto focus, I've only tried to manual focus a few times, and everything has always come out so blurred I gave up but yes the auto focus is slow, so maybe next time they're about for a while I'll give it another go

[thebeard]

they are very nice shots. it inspired me to go out today to colwick park to try and get some, as last time i went there were around 100 feeding round the lake.

got there today - no swifts.

typical.