arbitrage wrote:
"Who needs 20FPS" is often thrown around these parts....well in this case I could have used 30-40 FPS to nail the moment of impact. These are three consecutive frames at 20FPS....missed it....
Holy smoke - very, very impressive captures, Geoff! I am speechless that you could follow them in flight... unless the Canadian swallows are slower than the ones here in Southern California.....
arbitrage wrote:
"Who needs 20FPS" is often thrown around these parts....well in this case I could have used 30-40 FPS to nail the moment of impact. These are three consecutive frames at 20FPS....missed it....
Amazing sequence! I would not classify this as a miss, even though the exact moment of impact was between frames. I agree that sometimes more than 20 fps is needed. Regardless, these frames are superb.
Another excellent sequence of shots. The third one is an amazing shot.
I don't recall seeing your comparison of the A9 and the A9II. Have you commented on whether the cost of the upgrade is worth it? For example, did the A9II make any difference in capturing the swallow sequences you posted?
AGeoJO wrote:
Holy smoke - very, very impressive captures, Geoff! I am speechless that you could follow them in flight... unless the Canadian swallows are slower than the ones here in Southern California.....
No they were insane and the Violet-green are the most difficult species I shoot. It was a recipe for total frustration but I spent at least 2hrs shooting them....arms were tired...switched to the 200-600 for awhile. The Tree swallows are easier and the Barn Swallows easier still but they haven't arrived yet in any significant numbers to start shooting them.
dclark wrote:
Amazing sequence! I would not classify this as a miss, even though the exact moment of impact was between frames. I agree that sometimes more than 20 fps is needed. Regardless, these frames are superb.
Dave
Thanks Dave. I agree that it was still a great sequence (there are another 10+ shots from before the snag) but still wish I had beak on bug on water....maybe today I can get that
---------------------------------------------
dclark wrote:
Another excellent sequence of shots. The third one is an amazing shot.
I don't recall seeing your comparison of the A9 and the A9II. Have you commented on whether the cost of the upgrade is worth it? For example, did the A9II make any difference in capturing the swallow sequences you posted?
Dave
This was my first time really putting the A9II to work as I had been using my time to evaluate the A7RIV and the new lens more than the A9II.
I don't find any difference in the A9II AF so far after the swallow shoot yesterday. But I will continue to evaluate it today on swallows and going forward.
The net amount I paid to upgrade from A9 to A9II was around $1200 CDN. The A9II retails for $6K CDN. I got a pretty good deal on my purchase because I bought three big ticket items at once. That deal combined with selling my A9 got me to a decent net cost.
For that type of net cost it was totally worth it to me for two main reasons:
1) The ergonomics of the AF button, smoother dials and slightly longer grip
2) The speed which it displays the AF point and starts focusing when you use a secondary AF-ON button (AE-L) programmed to either Recall Custom Hold or Reg AF Area + AF ON. This improvement (I assume just from the faster processor) is my number one new feature.
Lastly I believe the A9II will eventually see some new FW for AF which may be an update for Bird eye AF or new AF modes/algorithms just as the A9 did later in its life cycle. Of course there is no guarantee of that but for sure the A9 won't get anything further.
My original plan was to stick it out with the A9 until such a FW update materialized but when I was able to get the discount I did on the A9II, I had to jump on it now. If my upgrade cost had been more like $3K CDN then I wouldn't upgrade.
Better light yesterday but the shorties decided to hunt after sunset and were far away. Got one roosting at a distance, and was graced by a Gray Ghost (male Northern Harrier)
Thanks Scott. Will have to wait for next year then.
What is the best time at your place and the Conowingo for bald eagles and such? I've never seen these beauties in the wild anywhere close enough to be able to take good photos.
I forgot to ask you whether you used an external sighting device, like a Dot Sight, for those swallow images or did you rely sold on the viewfinder? Frankly, my keeper rate using just the viewfinder for larger burrowing owls was fairly low, especially, when I had the TC on. I could see a significant improvement after I started using a Dot Sight and I use that religiously for tracking now.
AGeoJO wrote:
I forgot to ask you whether you used an external sighting device, like a Dot Sight, for those swallow images or did you rely sold on the viewfinder? Frankly, my keeper rate using just the viewfinder for larger burrowing owls was fairly low, especially, when I had the TC on. I could see a significant improvement after I started using a Dot Sight and I use that religiously for tracking now.
