How to capture birds in flight?
 

What is the best way of taking good photos of birds in flight?

I have a Canon EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 III lens. I always make sure the camera is set on the central focal point and is on 'Spot' itself.

The Tutorials on this website are now a mystery to me - there were dozens of them when it was PhotoRadar. However, keep your eyes open on the Home page - there are links to new tutorials, reviews, news and other stuff all the time - and [URL="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/21/talon-ted-photographers-10-top-tips-for-pictures-of-birds-in-flight/"]this one about photographing birds in flight[/URL] was on there a few days ago (and is still there if you scroll down).

I haven't read it, but I guess it would recommend:
a fast lens
get as close as you can
practice panning
tripod or monopod if possible.

Thanks for the link.

I'm not planning on buying a new lens.

You could always try this link

[url]http://digitalbirdphotography.com/windows/contents.html[/url]

[QUOTE=SunderlandPhotography;74927]Thanks for the link.

I'm not planning on buying a new lens.[/QUOTE]

Fair enough..... but that's what you need for birds in flight (generally) - a fast, long lens - which can be very expensive. Failing that, at least a fast (like f/2.8) lens with at least some range (100mm at least). Zoom lenses tend to be quite slow, relatively. Depends what other lenses you have, though..... so what have you got?

I cannot afford to buy another lens. I chose between the wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. But of course, I chose the wide-angle.

I only have the other kit lens, the 18-55mm.

This is my best photo using the 75-300mm lens.

[IMG]http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii482/SunderlandPhotography/gull1-1.jpg[/IMG]

Well that's a good job. So you actually have a 18-55mm plus a 70-300mm? The link that [B]2Beers[/B] gave has all the answers you need (though a lot of it is a bit 'techy').

There's 'best for BIF' in which case Geoff's advised list is good and there's 'possible for BIF' in which case you can get away with pretty much anything - I initially used an M42 400mm telephoto, so requiring manual everything - which massively helped my DIFs (Dragonflies in Flight) but I've used 70-300 slow lenses as well as 100mm. Whatever you use, three things are pretty much vital: practice, practice and practice! ;)

[QUOTE=Markulous;74991]There's 'best for BIF' in which case Geoff's advised list is good and there's 'possible for BIF' in which case you can get away with pretty much anything - I initially used an M42 400mm telephoto, so requiring manual everything - which massively helped my DIFs (Dragonflies in Flight) but I've used 70-300 slow lenses as well as 100mm. Whatever you use, three things are pretty much vital: practice, practice and practice! ;)[/QUOTE]

What does 'BIF' stand for?

BIF = 'Birds in Flight'?