In flight photos

I hope this is in the right section, but how do you guys manage to get 'in flight' photos so well taken?
i have only achieved one " a seagull' at it took me forever to get them in site with looking thru the view finder!!!

what ISO do you use and lens?

Maybe the following will help you out.
http://www.shawnkrausp​hoto.com …graphing-Birds-In-Flight/

thank you so much!!! i will certainly give it a try with lots of practice

Shawn is spot on with his advice.
Here is what I use.

Manual mode
shutter speed 1/1000 or so
aperture F7.1
ISO - i use auto and I often pan from the ground or water up to the sky.
but you could put it at 400-800 or so and work from there.

AI servo
and go for it!

I use a 50d with a Canon 400/5.6. Usually Manual, f5.6 (this lens is great wide open,I used to use a Sigma 150-500 at f8), shutter speed 1/1000 or more, and whatever ISO makes this work (usually 200 to 400 on a sunny day.) Sometimes I use AV, especially if I may be dealing with changing light. Same f stop, whatever ISO will keep the shutter at 1/1000 in the darker light I expect - so anything lighter puts the speed higher. I set the camera on AI Servo, continuous shooting (I normally shoot bursts of at least three shots) and center point focusing.

Practice a lot, take lots of pictures, and don't be discouraged by a low rate of "keepers."

photocopy wrote in post #14007706
I hope this is in the right section, but how do you guys manage to get 'in flight' photos so well taken?
i have only achieved one " a seagull' at it took me forever to get them in site with looking thru the view finder!!!

what ISO do you use and lens?

you should be able to do seagull BIF shots easily with the 55-250IS or the 100-400

e.g.
XSi (450D)
Canon 100-400