Dragonflies in flight

Tried my hand at this for the first time today. This is a real challenge, don't they know they have to stay STILL for me to focus! These don't have the clarity of the still dragonfly shots but I think with a little more practice I can improve.

Comments Welcome.

180.00 mm 1/800 s at F 5.60 with ISO 640

No.1

Look very good to me - still haven't managed a decent DIF - well done. What lens were you using ?

Brian V.

LordV wrote in post #3230427
Look very good to me - still haven't managed a decent DIF - well done. What lens were you using ?

Brian V.

thanks Brian, Canon 180 Macro with a combo of auto and manual focus for these. Manual focus to get me into the ballpark and auto to snap onto the dragonfly. I'm just not good enough to go full manual on these when they are moving so much. I guess a split screen would a big assistance.

How can you improve on that? They look pretty good to me too.
I'm amazed that you can actually get these guys in flight. Great job, Greg!

Nick C. wrote in post #3230442
How can you improve on that? They look pretty good to me too.
I'm amazed that you can actually get these guys in flight. Great job, Greg!

Thanks Nick, I guess in flight is a bit misleading in one way. This is at the point when they stop briefly to hover. You usually have about 1sec to grab your shot, hence the manual/autofocus. The 180 has a fair bit of travel and I missed a few if I waited for it to full autofocus. With the full time manual focus I got it almost there and finished off with Auto.

They fly a circular pattern and you can semi predict where they will stop. Best position seems to be with the wind at your back as they will spend more time hovering into the wind than going with the wind, face shot being more attractive than bottom shots.

Hehe... nice shots greg you can have a play with my 30D split screen if you like when we meet up....

great shots grerg, the third one is just ace! Pin sharp!
I got my toy today, off tomorrow morning to play! It is heavy, but i love the collar on it, rests in my hand nicely if i have no tripod.

Excellent Greg I've had a go at DIF so I know how tricky it is did not manage anything as good as yours
Pete

Greg
What do you mean these are not clear. They are fantastic.
My DIF shots are still blurry, but I will get there

wakko wrote in post #3230562
Hehe... nice shots greg you can have a play with my 30D split screen if you like when we meet up....

Thanks Feng, Be very interested to look at it, thanks

catsith wrote in post #3230722
great shots grerg, the third one is just ace! Pin sharp!
I got my toy today, off tomorrow morning to play! It is heavy, but i love the collar on it, rests in my hand nicely if i have no tripod.

thanks Tina.

Lawrie B wrote in post #3230928
Greg
What do you mean these are not clear. They are fantastic.
My DIF shots are still blurry, but I will get there

Thanks Lawrie, I think it's that I mentally compare them to the shots I get when they are stationary. But for those shots I usually have tubes on so you get more details in the eyes. I guess something like that is the target to aim for with the DIF shots.

They look good to me. Tough job catching them in flight.

wow, I find hoverflies a challenge and they sit there for more than a second!
Well done for getting dragonflies! I don't think there is anything to criticise, just practice and you can only get better!

Attic wrote in post #3231649
They look good to me. Tough job catching them in flight.

Thanks Alby

olly_k wrote in post #3231673
wow, I find hoverflies a challenge and they sit there for more than a second!
Well done for getting dragonflies! I don't think there is anything to criticise, just practice and you can only get better!

Thanks

Excellent DIF shots Greg Particularly like #3 - I suspect that with time, and practice, you should be able to nail some better, even sharper shots

Dave

Clever shots, can't be easy to catch them like that.
Sun shines tomorrow for us - I'll have a go in "Sports" mode
David