Heat Haze

[Unframed Dave]

I mentioned in passing yesterday that my shots were being affected by heat haze. A couple of examples:

• ILCE-1
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 500

This bluethroat was about as close as they get to humans. I estimate no more than 8 metres. This is quite a heavy crop as they are quite a small bird. The settings were absolutely fine ISO 500, f6.3 and 1/4000. Focus was spot on as the camera had detected and locked on to the eye.

• ILCE-1
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 500

This purple swamp hen was a little further out at around 12 mtrs, although being a much bigger bird, a far easier target. Settings were the same. Full frame.

I was getting fairly frustrated, when I mentioned this to my wife, she was having the same issue.

I tried removing the lens hood when a stonechat came into range, but no improvement.

Temperature at the time was around 19 - 20 deg C.

Sony A1 with 200 - 600.

I can only put this down to heat haze, I wasn't aware that it had such a large effect at such a short range and at not particularly high tempratures.

 

[spudhead]

Dave It is a common problem and as you have noted it doe`s not need to be very warm either and obviously can be worse at ground level near water, and I often see it with birds in flight.