p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Kestrel sequence with A9 II (8 images)
I usually try to pick the best frame and post it not to make you bored with redundant frames but since using the Sony A9 II I have been ending up with more than 1 ideal frames in a sequence. the sequence below is from a single pass of this handsome American kestrel. This small raptor is incredibly skittish in my area and without a blind, very long focal length is a must to come up with keepers. usually a single good flight frame of the kestrel is the trophy of the day but I cannot believe I got so many in a single burst. the AF performance of the A9 II is amazing. Even with the 2x TC attached to my 600 GM I was able to nail 40+ plus frames of the take off and thanks to 20 fps I had no less than 8 with ideal wing positions! all sharp too. It's not easy to track the kestrel darting at 1200mm. even the tiniest amount of finder lag or blackout will ruin the whole thing. This would have been impossible with my previous rigs. hope you like these.
settings for all of the frames (manual exposure used)
Sony 9 II 600 GM + 2X. ISO-2500 f/8 at 1/3200 sec hand held. processed with C1P
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Kestrel sequence with A9 II (8 images)
Hi Ari,
No question in my mind, the first is my favorite and a beauty. Too 20 FPS, are you using the electronic shutter? If yes, do you ever see roiling shutter?
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Kestrel sequence with A9 II (8 images)
morris wrote:
Hi Ari,
No question in my mind, the first is my favorite and a beauty. Too 20 FPS, are you using the electronic shutter? If yes, do you ever see roiling shutter?
Morris
Hi Morris I do use e shutter and fortunately the a9 II does not have any rolling shutter issue
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Kestrel sequence with A9 II (8 images)
Lovely captures, with convincing proof that in the right hands the a9II a enormous focal lengths does an outstanding job with speedy subjects. Like Morris, I am also interested in your rolling shutter experience. I have only seen it a few times with my a9 with hummingbirds. The a7R4 is another matter.
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Kestrel sequence with A9 II (8 images)
dallvr wrote:
Lovely captures, with convincing proof that in the right hands the a9II a enormous focal lengths does an outstanding job with speedy subjects. Like Morris, I am also interested in your rolling shutter experience. I have only seen it a few times with my a9 with hummingbirds. The a7R4 is another matter.
Thanks for the kind words. I have more than 30000 bird images with the a9 II. My camera is set to e shutter to get 20fps and blackout free EVF. I can’t find a single example of rolling shutter to post here. I am sure I will never want mechanical shutter again.
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Kestrel sequence with A9 II (8 images)
Fabulous. If I had to pick one and only one, I would choose #2. It's tail turned just slightly toward the viewer, giving an ever so slightly richer image, IMHO.
p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Kestrel sequence with A9 II (8 images)
Nice selection of the frames here. 3rd one stands out with the wing and talon position and bird is looking straight down on a target and in full flow of flight.
I think 3rd last image should be last image of this sequence due to timing of the frames and by that time bird was turning away from you as well.
Bird taking off sequences normally starts with a perch but I understand that could be man made structure (or other reason) that you don't want to post.
hope you are doing well