In-flight Swallow (attempt!)

We have a lot of Swallows around here every year and this year is no different. They nest about 50 yds from my backdoor. After seeing Joe F.N.'s swallow shots I was inspired to try my hand at some in-flight images of the Swallows. I've never even tried my hand at BIF images at all and I'm jumping straight into the little fighter jet Swallows. Wow, is that hard!!! Makes me appreciate Joe's work even more than before!!! Anyhow, I have my camera (50D) set on AI Servo AF, High Speed Continuous, Automatic AF selection point and manual mode. I couldn't get anything in-focus to acceptable standards. The image below is the best of the bunch so you see where I'm starting at . Tracking the Swallows is like trying to stay on a bumble bee . Any suggestions to improve my in-flight Swallow skills would be appreciated. Including camera settings.

I've seen lots of these too and haven't even attempted capturing them yet. You did pretty well.

Just had to look at this first attempt Dave. First off... you did well just out of the gate. I read your EXIF and see some changes you can make. Open your lens all the way. Even wide open your DOF is enough for a Swallow at that distance. Manual settings is the way to go. On a bright day such as you had, set ISO to 400. All your other settings are correct. Now for the tricky part. Set your AF point to center point only. Don't look at a bunch of birds and try to get one as it shoots by. It won't work. Pick one bird and follow it around keeping your center point on it as much as you can. Swallows all fly big circles when hunting bugs so the one you're following will eventually turn around and come toward you. As it gets closer you'll see it come into focus as it crosses your AF point. When that happens SHOOT, DAVE SHOOT. The secret is in the tracking. Don't be missled by birds that are closer to you. The bird you're tracking will eventually come closer so be patient. Then....practice, practice practice.
Your 'keeper' rate won't be great but ours isn't either. Read the EXIF data in this one and check it against yours. Come as close as you can by copying the data and using it on your 50D. Good luck my friend, I'm anxiously awaiting your results.

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Dave,

well done for your first attempts, they can certainly be a challenge. overall I think you did well for a first attempt especially with no previous in flight work, you jumped rite in didn't you...

I played around with them the other day I shot them with the 7D at Iso 800 midday sunlight, 600F/4 at F/5 @1/1250 th on the slow end up to 1/3200th on the fast end in manual mode. some AV but mostly manual.

Dan

Tsmith wrote in post #9996673
I've seen lots of these too and haven't even attempted capturing them yet. You did pretty well.

Thanks for your kind comments.

Joe F.N. wrote in post #9996907
Just had to look at this first attempt Dave. First off... you did well just out of the gate. I read your EXIF and see some changes you can make. Open your lens all the way. Even wide open your DOF is enough for a Swallow at that distance. Manual settings is the way to go. On a bright day such as you had, set ISO to 400. All your other settings are correct. Now for the tricky part. Set your AF point to center point only. Don't look at a bunch of birds and try to get one as it shoots by. It won't work. Pick one bird and follow it around keeping your center point on it as much as you can. Swallows all fly big circles when hunting bugs so the one you're following will eventually turn around and come toward you. As it gets closer you'll see it come into focus as it crosses your AF point. When that happens SHOOT, DAVE SHOOT. The secret is in the tracking. Don't be missled by birds that are closer to you. The bird you're tracking will eventually come closer so be patient. Then....practice, practice practice.
Your 'keeper' rate won't be great but ours isn't either. Read the EXIF data in this one and check it against yours. Come as close as you can by copying the data and using it on your 50D. Good luck my friend, I'm anxiously awaiting your results.

Joe, Thank you for the insight and helpful guidance. Looking at the EXIF Data on the image you attached (simply beautiful by the way!), I specifically notice I have to get my SS much higher. This evening should have plenty of sun, so another opportunity to put your suggestions into practice. Thanks again, Joe.

CanaHolic wrote in post #9997002
Dave,

well done for your first attempts, they can certainly be a challenge. overall I think you did well for a first attempt especially with no previous in flight work, you jumped rite in didn't you...

I played around with them the other day I shot them with the 7D at Iso 800 midday sunlight, 600F/4 at F/5 @1/1250 th on the slow end up to 1/3200th on the fast end in manual mode. some AV but mostly manual.

Dan

Thanks, Dan. Sharing information is helpful.