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.

 

[Tim Mayo]

You best get back to the UK quick Dave, you won't have that problem here!

 

[Doug Herr]

Heat per se isn't the problem, it's two or more air masses with different refractive properties between the camera and the subject. The air masses don't have to be large, one can be air trapped in the lens hood warmed by the lens if the lens isn't at ambient temperature. Cars are a great source of atmospheric distortion, either from a warm interior, a warm engine, or heat from the sun reflected off the car's surface.