my first ok BIF shot

[danielchtong]

I just started practicing on my manual 300mm lens on sea gulls - at least there is an abundance of subjects




I have a lot less keeper . But it is fun frantically turning the focus ring while panning

Daniel

[DRGSin]

Oh man! Is there anything more difficult? Theres no way I couldve done that well.

[Trojansoc]

Really nice shot, Daniel. I really love the wing detail.

A really good BIF shot is difficult even with AF, but manually is a huge test of coordination. That being said, I've gotten some of my best shots of birds in flight with manual focus, simply because my AF won't refocus quickly enough to catch up with a rapidly moving bird, particularly small ones. I think a low keep ratio is a practical requirement.

[inneyeseakay]

Great shot Daniel... why wasn't this posted in the Pentax DSLR forums... I'm sure your friends over there would love to see this! What lens were you using?

[Mark1616]

inneyeseakay wrote:

Great shot Daniel... why wasn't this posted in the Pentax DSLR forums... I'm sure your friends over there would love to see this! What lens were you using?

I agree great shot, amazing focus for MF!!!!

Personally I would have put this in the wildlife section (but then I probably not have seen it so not complaining!) as too many great shots get lost in the manufacturer sections so loads of people don't get to see them. This part of Steve's is what I believe really sets it apart from other sites so would encourage you to keep posting in the photo sections.

Happy shooting :-)

[danielchtong]

inneyeseakay wrote:

Great shot Daniel... why wasn't this posted in the Pentax DSLR forums... I'm sure your friends over there would love to see this! What lens were you using?

Mark , DRG, Trojansoc & Innesyesakay

Thanks for taking time to comment. I did post to the Pentax forum except that it was not in a new topic. It was just one amongst hundred of non-keepers. I think I post somewhere under Roger's pict.
I was using A300mmF4. A short but manual lens. Hope I am getting there once I have got used to the work flow of panning and turning the focus ring the same time. It is not film so wastage is not an issue

Daniel

[inneyeseakay]

I certainly wouldn't consider this one a non-keeper!

[danielchtong]

inneyeseakay wrote:

I certainly wouldn't consider this one a non-keeper!

I have posted a new thread (and new pict of seagulls and GBH) in wildlife & Pentax forum which is probably more appropriate. It seems I have got the hang of using a manual lens for BIF. As long as there is enough light I should be ok even with manual focus lens.

Daniel , Toronto

[Rufus T Firefly]

Daniel,

Very nice shot, but I think you need to go back and reshoot it. He has his eyes closed! :lol: Nice job!

[d_oshea]

Thats very impressive, for AF but for MF its unreal!