thanks Scott. I have experimenting with different focusing modes and also changed my metering mode so those helped alot. Plus going out to forsythe more in the last 2 months than I ever have has motivated me to improve
Could you tell us what you are using? ; Sounds like something I could use for the upcoming fall migrations.
thanks Michael. Scott. I used to use single point single servo focusing all the time but then I figured out that as the birds moved closer or further away of course the focal point would change and I would get 1 in focus shot and then blur in the rest so I starting trying all the different modes and find that FOR ME single point AF-A or single point AF-C with wide area works best for birds in flight. I changed my metering to center point weighted from spot. I tried multi points and dynamic and 3d matrix but always ended up with the points jumping all over because the ; background confused it. Now for birds flying high and slower it may be different. Thank goodness for digital and the ability to experiment
Great shots Howie! ; Thanks for the info also. ; I have recently started using center point for focusing also. ; It has made a difference, I think for the better. ; I know where I want to have in focus, point the center point there, and I am golden, so to speak.
thanks Jeff. I think I need to expand a bit on why I use AF-C with single point focus. Now bear with me as I am not good at putting thoughts on paper. (am surprised I was ever able to write a police report) I find that for me using that mode lets me start tracking a bird at a distance of about 85 yards or closer and keeping it in focus with half press as it moves toward me and then when it is where I want I then take the shot or shots. When I was just using single servo I would lose the focus and then it would be hard getting it back in time when the bird arrived. It helps alot with skimmers as I can start tracking them early as they go by pretty quick. hope this makes sense. Today I used both AF-A and AF-C and AF-A worked the best for me as it focused faster on birds sitting still and worked just as well as AF-C on birds in flight so if I am shooting say an osprey in the nest and it takes off I can still track it without having to switch modes which can be a pain as birds can take flight without warning and it is easy to miss anything if having to change modes. I also shoot in A priority and change iso if need be to keep the shutter speed high.
