Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 15 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally. Small birds demand long lenses and a close approach — a blind or feeder setup helps.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 367 mm | 536 mm | 245 mm | 183 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 734 mm | 1,071 mm | 489 mm | 367 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 1,101 mm | 1,607 mm | 734 mm | 550 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 1,468 mm | 2,143 mm | 979 mm | 734 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 2,202 mm | 3,214 mm | 1,468 mm | 1,101 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 3,669 mm | 5,357 mm | 2,446 mm | 1,835 mm |
About the Chimney Swift#
The chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica) is a bird belonging to the swift family Apodidae. A member of the genus Chaetura, it is closely related to both the Vaux's swift and the Chapman's swift; in the past, the three were sometimes considered to be conspecific. It has no subspecies.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Chimney roosts at dusk give the best chance.
- Swallows and swifts are the hardest flight subjects — use wide tracking AF and shoot where they repeat a pattern.
- Sightings peak in May, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Chimney Swift?
At about 15 cm long, a chimney swift fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 734 mm, or at 20 m with 1,468 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Chimney Swift?
1/1600 s when it's still; 1/3200–1/4000 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Chimney Swift?
Observations in North America peak in May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources