New camera, no birds.

evil eggplant

Took a ride into SF to pick up a new 40D. I went down to the wetlands to start breaking it in and there was hardly a bird to be found. What was there were dragonflies, so being as much as I was there anyway, I shot a few DIF's (dragonflies in flight)

Thanks for looking

(All 40D and 100-400L)

swintonphoto

I think catching a dragonfly can be more challenging than catching a bird. Nice job.

goofry

Awesome job catching these guys in flight. I have tried, but no real success. Do you use AIServo for the focus? My 30D tends to hunt a lot when I try to capture things this small.

I think I like the third one the best.

evil eggplant

swintonphoto wrote:

I think catching a dragonfly can be more challenging than catching a bird. Nice job.

That's for sure. thanks.

evil eggplant

goofry wrote:

Awesome job catching these guys in flight. I have tried, but no real success. Do you use AIServo for the focus? My 30D tends to hunt a lot when I try to capture things this small.

I think I like the third one the best.

Yes, AI Servo. Although the 40D is new and I'm not really familiar with it, what I can tell you is that the 40D AF is (somehow) more responsive than on my 20D.

I wouldn't even try getting this type of shot with a non-USM lens. I shot these with the 100-400 wide open @ f/5.6. Next time I go back I'm going to try it with the 70-200 f/2.8. I expect the focus will be faster and more precise.

Thanks for the nice words..

Gale

Nice catches.
Not easy shootin these things:>))

jeff lapoint

Gale wrote:

Nice catches.
Not easy shootin these things:>))

I just saw your post and realized we were in the same boat: new gear, no birds, shooting dragonflies. These came out great!

Enjoy the new camera!

-J