Swift & Swallows

[Bevb]

I know i have posted swallow pictures in the past but i was going through my picture CD's and found some more which i had'nt posted, the swift one was a close call, therefore just being in the frame, these guys are fast, erratic and i am sure they enjoy every minute trying to outwit you! This was the only decent shot i got of the swifts, they can only be described as intercept missiles!!

[Speed]

I know i have posted swallow pictures in the past but i was going through my picture CD's and found some more which i had'nt posted, the swift one was a close call, therefore just being in the frame, these guys are fast, erratic and i am sure they enjoy every minute trying to outwit you! This was the only decent shot i got of the swifts, they can only be described as intercept missiles!!

Cool shots Bev! I'm amazed that you got shots that clear. I've seen those suckers fly, and they are FAST and they fly very erratically! Kudo's on some nice captures.

[Old Timer]

Nice catches Bevb. Number 2 is the one that catches my eye allthought my hat is off to yoou on #1 as well.

[Bevb]

Thank you speed and OT, trying to get good shots of these birds certainly is a challenge, and a good lesson in panning!!

[SmartWombat]

Good captures, Bev.
Now the challenge is to get a background where these dark birds really pop out at you !
THEN submit it for the IBP competition.

You are entering that swallow over the river aren't you?
The one with wings outstretched in that high G turn...

[Bevb]

Good captures, Bev.
Now the challenge is to get a background where these dark birds really pop out at you !
THEN submit it for the IBP competition.

You are entering that swallow over the river aren't you?
The one with wings outstretched in that high G turn...

Oh that would be a challenge, i will endevour to take it on!

Yes thanks Paul i have got it all prepared, i have presumed it to go in "Birds in flight" section, as the sparrow & mayfly picture, i am thinking would go in "Bird behaviour" reading the requirments for a shot like this.

Your advice on this would be greatly appreciated before i post the envelope!

[paulnj]

Bev though the swift isn't your best image in the thread it is the best PICTURE by far due to the challenge I find in getting them. KUDOS to you!!

[SmartWombat]

Your advice on this would be greatly appreciated before i post the envelope!

And I'm not even entering - you want my advice?
I think your categories are right for those shots.

[Bevb]

Bev though the swift isn't your best image in the thread it is the best PICTURE by far due to the challenge I find in getting them. KUDOS to you!!

Thanks Paulnj, we were there a fortnight and although these guys were'nt about everyday unlike the swallows, they put us to a real challenge, alot of hair was pulled out over that fortnight!

Paul, you and many others on here have a lot more experience and knowledge than i probably will ever have, and i am always grateful for any advice, and criticism that you give me. I have learned a hell of a lot since being on this forum. Total respect.:thumbsup:

[SmartWombat]

By the way, that fourth photo is better than I thought, there's TWO birds in there.
I didn't notice before because it's dark, and not well it against the background.

What's your longest lens?
I know it would get harder going from your 70-200 to a 400 or 300, but I think that third shot you could do a lot better with a longer lens - more bird, less background.

[Bevb]

By the way, that fourth photo is better than I thought, there's TWO birds in there.
I didn't notice before because it's dark, and not well it against the background.

What's your longest lens?
I know it would get harder going from your 70-200 to a 400 or 300, but I think that third shot you could do a lot better with a longer lens - more bird, less background.

I totally agree, i have been looking at the 400 as i think if i am going to go up its worth going more than 300, i have heard that the 100-400L USM is a good lense but since heard its quite soft at the top end, I have a 75-300 IS USM lense but its so slow and clunky compared to my 70-200L, and i have a Sigma 135-400 APO (really basic) ok for static work, much to slow for what i like and has'nt been out of the case for over 2 years.

I have the 1.4 & 2x converters but not keen on using them for action shooting, im going to have to rob a bank i think!! and go for the 400.

[paulnj]

While I get some great images from my 100-400IS, I would go prime if I was doing it over again. Why would you need to rob a bank? Please don't tell me you would by the 400F2.8 ! If so, save some $ and get the 500F4IS

[Bevb]

While I get some great images from my 100-400IS, I would go prime if I was doing it over again. Why would you need to rob a bank? Please don't tell me you would by the 400F2.8 ! If so, save some $ and get the 500F4IS

I take it you mean Canon L series? if so the 500f4 is nearly £4,500 (i think approx $9000)
Lots of Money!! the 400f2.8 is £3,800, "if" i had that type of dosh at the moment, i certainly would go for the 500, the 100-400L IS USM is only £1200, a big difference but probably in range and quality, have you any picture samples you can post using the 100-400?

[paulnj]

Bev... I own 2 lenses in EOS mount a 100-400IS and a 28-70F2.8. Nearly every image I have posted over the last 2+ years was with a 100-400IS.

a 400F2.8 L IS is $6500 us

a 400F4 DO IS is $5200 us

a 400F5.6 L is $1100(amazingly sharp)

a 500 F4 L IS is $5400

a 600F4 L IS is $7200

The 100-400L IS is around $1400

I can quote telephoto prices from my head roughly, as I want one so bad I can taste it. These are all what B&H charge.

Since my pay check basicly just went up $300 a week(if all works out) , after I get out of debit and get a newer truck.... TELEPHOTO prime is in my future.

[Bevb]

Bev... I own 2 lenses in EOS mount a 100-400IS and a 28-70F2.8. Nearly every image I have posted over the last 2+ years was with a 100-400IS.

a 400F2.8 L IS is $6500 us

a 400F4 DO IS is $5200 us

a 400F5.6 L is $1100(amazingly sharp)

a 500 F4 L IS is $5400

a 600F4 L IS is $7200

The 100-400L IS is around $1400

I can quote telephoto prices from my head roughly, as I want one so bad I can taste it. These are all what B&H charge.

Since my pay check basicly just went up $300 a week(if all works out) , after I get out of debit and get a newer truck.... TELEPHOTO prime is in my future.

Wow! such a difference in prices from over here, i went on the site that you recommended re flashes etc, "Naturescape" (I think thats right), but they dont ship to UK and they had a blind on there that i have wanted which was 1/2 the price to over here!! i would expect your B&H company are the same?

Oh well time will tell, and good luck with the pay rise!

[paulnj]

here's the link and they ship world wide

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...x=9&Submit.y=8

I searched through this site's featured merchants, but no direct link to a telephoto prime could be found from here.

[Bevb]

here's the link and they ship world wide

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...x=9&Submit.y=8

I searched through this site's featured merchants, but no direct link to a telephoto prime could be found from here.

Thanks Paulnj for this, its great! im sure il be ordering from there very soon.:thumbsup:

[paulnj]

Being as I live in the US, I buy the "US" version(same as grey market) . I am pretty sure the GREY version is warrantied in Europe, but check to be sure. Also the shipping may be a bit higher, you may need to pay import tax and the time to get there could be weeks?? You might ask SMARTWOMBAT(Paul) where he gets his gear also.

[Bevb]

Being as I live in the US, I buy the "US" version(same as grey market) . I am pretty sure the GREY version is warrantied in Europe, but check to be sure. Also the shipping may be a bit higher, you may need to pay import tax and the time to get there could be weeks?? You might ask SMARTWOMBAT(Paul) where he gets his gear also.

Yes that is the only draw back, but i will look into everything before i would order, but thanks for pointing it out.
I will ask Smartwombat, thanks.

[SmartWombat]

I will ask Smartwombat, thanks.

All my gear is UK sourced, except for one 70-200 bought second hand form this very forum !
Angie was visiting her sister in Texas so brought it back in her cabin luggage for me...

I think purchasing in the UK and getting warranty was worth it, having had the 100-400 serviced free, the shutter replaced on the 1DSmkII free, and the 1DmkIIN serviced free.
The two 70-200 replacement IS units were expensive, as was the new fornt end on one of the 70-200s, but the new zoom ring and realignment on the 24-70 wasn't bad.

Using a professional dealer means you get good service, I use Park Cameras (Burgess Hill) and they've been brilliant.

[terryger]

hey bev, those shots are outsatnding. to get one in the lens is a piece of work but to have on ecome out clear is fanatstic. :thumbsup:

the fastest bird i shot is a quail. go lucky and you casn actually identify it as a qauil but not withthe qauilityof yours.

you go girl!:thumbsup:

btw, did i hear you mentios at one time you were a "dog person"?

[paulnj]

She's a groomer I do believe, I wonder if she knows what a Tosa Inu is because that was my last dog