p.184 #1 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
The sequel of the pouncing kestrel image I posted a few pages back. I didn’t post the two together simply because I just edited this today . There is another frame after this but the kestrel missed and I cut off the feet of the kestrel in that frame . So, I wouldn’t bother editing that one...
p.184 #2 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
Probably the last of the bluebirds for this year.
a7R4. 200-600.
Removing branches is a pain.
I hope these birds learn to find cleaner perches next year.
p.184 #10 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
arbitrage wrote:
I've taken a lot of little things that I've read on the internet and put them into practice. I'm really not sure which is the magic bullet.
I don't use Tracking modes (suggestion from Mark Smith and a few others)
I use Tracking Sensitivity set to "5" (where as on my A9 I use "1") (again from Mark Smith)
I don't use OSS mode 1. I use 2 or 3 and then turn OFF OSS when at 1/1600 or faster SS. (found via my own experimentation and a recent video by Stefano Ianiro and was confirmed by a few people who left comments on his recent video)
I use e-shutter for perched birds (I don't always do this but try to remember to if I'm only looking for perched birds)
I use single shots or very small bursts...firing away often doesn't work. A friend also mentioned turning FPS speed down seemed to help consistency.
I believe that the OSS mode is the biggest factor in improving results. Although I think all of the things have helped. OSS Mode 1 is just a no go with this combo and traditionally I've left my lenses in Mode 1 for everything and left it ON for fast SS with my A9. I can still do that with A7RIV and 600GM but not with the 200-600. Sure I can sometimes get sharp shots in Mode 1 but switching to the other modes or OFF at high SS is working.
The recent Stefano Ianiro video really sunk the message home for me. He has successfully been using A7RIV and 200-600 as his main rig for awhile now.
His recent video said he found using OSS 2 worked best for him. I had stumbled onto turning OFF OSS or using Mode 3 was helping on my own. I actually never even tried Mode 2. The last outing I used Mode 2 (for the shots above). That seemed to work also.
You nailed this one! I have so many near misses in attempts to get this type of image, but here everything all comes together. This is really challenging with small songbirds.
p.184 #12 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
Accidental shot at f9 because I just removed the TC.
Sony ILCE-9
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
ƒ/9.0 600.0 mm 1/800 400
Didn't realize this one picked up a hitchhiker on his beak until reviewing the shots later:
Sony ILCE-9
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
ƒ/6.3 600.0 mm 1/1250 640
p.184 #13 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
Hodie wrote:
Sorry to dig up an old post, but are you still using these settings with the A7RIV?
For shutter speed at or above 1/1600th:
AF tracking sensitivity = 5
OSS mode = 2, 3 or off
Also, I'm sure this has been stated somewhere in this thread, but are people using HI or HI+ for drive mode?
Thanks!
I'm still finding that OSS 2,3 or OFF are best.
I have dropped my AF tracking sensitivity to 3. Some have been using 1. I'm not sure if this setting has much effect??
Stopping down 1/3-2/3 stops also helps with my results. Just allowing that little bit extra DOF to cover slight focus shifts.
When I do see it miss it is always back focusing...I've observed that from the beginning.
p.184 #14 · Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Image Thread
photonoclast wrote:
You nailed this one! I have so many near misses in attempts to get this type of image, but here everything all comes together. This is really challenging with small songbirds.
Thank you , lighting wasn’t great and the iso was higher than I’d have liked
. There is another frame after this but the kestrel missed and I cut off the feet of the kestrel in that frame 
. So, I wouldn’t bother editing that one...
