Pied Kingfisher hovering, EX3, slow motion

Annie Haycock · July 17th, 2009, 01:47 AM

Ofer - I watched the clip a few days ago, but got interrupted before commenting on how good it is. If only other kingfishers (and other species) would hover for long enough to find them in the viewfinder and get adequate footage. I've photographed them with a stills camera but not yet had the opportunity for video. Watching birds hover in slow motion is quite something - seeing the intricacies of movement that you can't see in real time.

Ofer Levy · July 17th, 2009, 02:00 AM

Thanks Annie, I am currently working on a documentary featuring the ten Kingfisher species of Australia. It is going to be a long journey which will probably take me 2-3 years to complete but for me it's a dream come true to be able to film them. I am sure I will post quite a few clips in the coming few months...(-:

Annie Haycock · July 17th, 2009, 04:09 AM

That is quite a project. Good luck with it.

Caleb Royer · July 23rd, 2009, 09:41 PM

What tripod and head did you use with the 600mm lens?

Ofer Levy · July 24th, 2009, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caleb Royer

What tripod and head did you use with the 600mm lens?

Miller Solo CF tripod, Miller Arrow 25 fluid head.

Jerry Merrell · July 24th, 2009, 04:05 PM

Ofer,

Looking forward to seeing your documentary on these kingfishers. This footage is really excellent - it provides an appreciation of these birds that is impossible with still footage.

Regards,

Jerry

Jonathan Ramsey · July 30th, 2009, 09:52 AM

Ofer,

Stellar! Exceptional skill in finding the focus on those shots. And, I might add, as to how the wings appear online -- they are right-on. We had that discussion about the bat wings and I don't recall what you shot those at, but for this little bird, you nailed it! Also, I particularly like and appreciate the second angle you grabbed with the bird at 45 degrees off camera line. Hovering birds are too often shot at 90 degrees -- which is fine, but it's become less engaging IMO since it's more common. You got something much more special.

Ramsey

Ofer Levy · July 30th, 2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Ramsey

Ofer,

Stellar! Exceptional skill in finding the focus on those shots. And, I might add, as to how the wings appear online -- they are right-on. We had that discussion about the bat wings and I don't recall what you shot those at, but for this little bird, you nailed it! Also, I particularly like and appreciate the second angle you grabbed with the bird at 45 degrees off camera line. Hovering birds are too often shot at 90 degrees -- which is fine, but it's become less engaging IMO since it's more common. You got something much more special.

Ramsey

Thanks for your comment Jonathan!
This was shot with the Sony PMW EX3 and Nikon Lenses - Nikon 200-400 f4 G VR and Nikon 600 f5.6 ED.
Camera was set to 720 25p at 60 fps, shutter at 180 degrees, -3 gain.
Cheers,
Ofer

July 17th, 2009, 01:47 AM	#16
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	Ofer - I watched the clip a few days ago, but got interrupted before commenting on how good it is. If only other kingfishers (and other species) would hover for long enough to find them in the viewfinder and get adequate footage. I've photographed them with a stills camera but not yet had the opportunity for video. Watching birds hover in slow motion is quite something - seeing the intricacies of movement that you can't see in real time. __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

July 17th, 2009, 04:09 AM	#18
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	That is quite a project. Good luck with it. __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

July 30th, 2009, 09:52 AM	#22
Jonathan Ramsey Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 32	wings and eye Ofer, Stellar! Exceptional skill in finding the focus on those shots. And, I might add, as to how the wings appear online -- they are right-on. We had that discussion about the bat wings and I don't recall what you shot those at, but for this little bird, you nailed it! Also, I particularly like and appreciate the second angle you grabbed with the bird at 45 degrees off camera line. Hovering birds are too often shot at 90 degrees -- which is fine, but it's become less engaging IMO since it's more common. You got something much more special. Ramsey __________________ Jonathan Ramsey director/producer treeline film company colorado

July 17th, 2009, 02:00 AM	#17
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Thanks Annie, I am currently working on a documentary featuring the ten Kingfisher species of Australia. It is going to be a long journey which will probably take me 2-3 years to complete but for me it's a dream come true to be able to film them. I am sure I will post quite a few clips in the coming few months...(-:

July 23rd, 2009, 09:41 PM	#19
Caleb Royer Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ozarks, Missouri, USA Posts: 109	What tripod and head did you use with the 600mm lens?

July 24th, 2009, 04:05 PM	#21
Jerry Merrell New Boot Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Winter Park Florida Posts: 23	Ofer, Looking forward to seeing your documentary on these kingfishers. This footage is really excellent - it provides an appreciation of these birds that is impossible with still footage. Regards, Jerry