Hello,
I am a new user and this is my first post. I am looking for advice on settings and techniques for people using the EOS-R for birding. I have been having several problems with focusing including 1) obtaining focus and 2) keeping it. Depending on lighting conditions, my keeper rate can be 20% when the bird is moving (by keeper I mean percent of photos where the bird is in focus, ignoring composition). I am using the 100-400 Mark II either by itself or with a 1.4x III teleconverter.
Some of my problems are no doubt technique, but others are likely due to using the wrong settings.
In terms of exposure, I am shooting in manual mode with the lens wide open (F6.3 or F8 with 1.4x), shutter between 1/2000 and 1/4000, auto ISO, and spot metering. Many times my birds are severely underexposed when shooting against a bright sky, so I often set an exposure compensation of +1 or higher. Should I use a different metering method for BIF? Should I switch to fully manual and fix the ISO?
On an aside, what is the highest ISO I should use? I see a fair amount of noise starting at 3200. Maybe I should use Auto ISO, but set the upper limit at 1600 or 3200?
A few things happen with focusing. Sometimes the camera never obtains focus when pressing the * button. I was forced to use manual focus to get close then the * button would work. FYI, I have the * button set for metering and AF Start, and the lens is set to limit the focus range to 3 meters+. This problem got much better once I turned continuous focus search on.
Now I have two main challenges with AF. First is photographing large birds like Osprey in flight. The camera will achieve focus, then go out of focus, then have a hard time achieving focus again. Maybe I am using the * button incorrectly? Once I focus on the bird should I continue pressing *, or let go? I have Continuous AF off. Which AF method should I be using? 1 point, expand, expand around, or zone? The other challenge is focusing on a hovering humming bird. I almost wonder if I should go to manual focus in that scenario?
I would really appreciate it if some EOS-R birders would share all of their camera settings with me.
AF Operation: Servo is what I use, read a post suggesting using one shot
AF method: Typically use one point or expand, should I be using Zone?
Continuous AF - disabled or enabled?
Tracking Sensitivity: currently set -1
Accel/decel tracking: currently set +1
AF point autoswitching: usually set to 0, going to try using zone auto focus and set this to +2
Lens drive when AF impossible: currently turned on
Limit AF methods: which AF methods should I use?
Any other custom settings I should know about for birding?
I apologize for so many questions. THANK YOU for reading such a long post and for any insights!!
Chip
I am a new user and this is my first post. I am looking for advice on settings and techniques for people using the EOS-R for birding. I have been having several problems with focusing including 1) obtaining focus and 2) keeping it. Depending on lighting conditions, my keeper rate can be 20% when the bird is moving (by keeper I mean percent of photos where the bird is in focus, ignoring composition). I am using the 100-400 Mark II either by itself or with a 1.4x III teleconverter.
Some of my problems are no doubt technique, but others are likely due to using the wrong settings.
In terms of exposure, I am shooting in manual mode with the lens wide open (F6.3 or F8 with 1.4x), shutter between 1/2000 and 1/4000, auto ISO, and spot metering. Many times my birds are severely underexposed when shooting against a bright sky, so I often set an exposure compensation of +1 or higher. Should I use a different metering method for BIF? Should I switch to fully manual and fix the ISO?
On an aside, what is the highest ISO I should use? I see a fair amount of noise starting at 3200. Maybe I should use Auto ISO, but set the upper limit at 1600 or 3200?
A few things happen with focusing. Sometimes the camera never obtains focus when pressing the * button. I was forced to use manual focus to get close then the * button would work. FYI, I have the * button set for metering and AF Start, and the lens is set to limit the focus range to 3 meters+. This problem got much better once I turned continuous focus search on.
Now I have two main challenges with AF. First is photographing large birds like Osprey in flight. The camera will achieve focus, then go out of focus, then have a hard time achieving focus again. Maybe I am using the * button incorrectly? Once I focus on the bird should I continue pressing *, or let go? I have Continuous AF off. Which AF method should I be using? 1 point, expand, expand around, or zone? The other challenge is focusing on a hovering humming bird. I almost wonder if I should go to manual focus in that scenario?
I would really appreciate it if some EOS-R birders would share all of their camera settings with me.
AF Operation: Servo is what I use, read a post suggesting using one shot
AF method: Typically use one point or expand, should I be using Zone?
Continuous AF - disabled or enabled?
Tracking Sensitivity: currently set -1
Accel/decel tracking: currently set +1
AF point autoswitching: usually set to 0, going to try using zone auto focus and set this to +2
Lens drive when AF impossible: currently turned on
Limit AF methods: which AF methods should I use?
Any other custom settings I should know about for birding?
I apologize for so many questions. THANK YOU for reading such a long post and for any insights!!
Chip