Struggling with focus

[artyman]

I have been trying to get some BIF shots and have experimented with AI Auto and AI Servo and have great difficulty in gaining focus, I have been using the centre focus point and have difficulty in keeping the bird on target hence it loses focus and frequently blurs as the lens hunts and I can't even see the bird. What is the secret, can anyone give me any pointers as to what I should be doing.

I guess setting exposure manually and hoping as well, as there is no time for adjustments as I have enough trouble tracking the bird. I'm using a Sigma 150-500 OS on a 350D incidentally.

[gh patriot]

I have been trying to get some BIF shots and have experimented with AI Auto and AI Servo and have great difficulty in gaining focus, I have been using the centre focus point and have difficulty in keeping the bird on target hence it loses focus and frequently blurs as the lens hunts and I can't even see the bird. What is the secret, can anyone give me any pointers as to what I should be doing.

I guess setting exposure manually and hoping as well, as there is no time for adjustments as I have enough trouble tracking the bird. I'm using a Sigma 150-500 OS on a 350D incidentally.


I experience the same problems as well as I am a new photog as well. I have found that when shooting BIF against a blue sky, switching the settings to using all the focus points helps. Thats not a good idea when shooting against more complex backgrounds because the camera will most likely not pick the bird to focus on (which you probably already knew). I think that it is just going to take lots of practice keeping that focus point on target. Practice, practice, practice. I shoot in AI servo focusing mode and I have noticed that my abilities have improved in the short time I've been shooting.

You might want to start out by shooting birds that will be a bit easier to track. Soaring eagles, sea gulls, and huge swans come to mind. Get better practicing with larger, more precictable targets and you will get better with time. I get frustrated myself and feel your pain. Im also looking forward to other tips people can give.

[Roy C]

I have been trying to get some BIF shots and have experimented with AI Auto and AI Servo and have great difficulty in gaining focus, I have been using the centre focus point and have difficulty in keeping the bird on target hence it loses focus and frequently blurs as the lens hunts and I can't even see the bird. What is the secret, can anyone give me any pointers as to what I should be doing.

I guess setting exposure manually and hoping as well, as there is no time for adjustments as I have enough trouble tracking the bird. I'm using a Sigma 150-500 OS on a 350D incidentally.
Hi 'Artyman' not sure what AI Auto is but AI servo is the best for BIF. I must admit that I never found the 350D that easy for BIF but what you are doing seems to be about right.

The main difficulty with BIF is keeping the bird over the focus point after the initial lock and that is where the skill comes in. All I can suggest for this is practice, practice and more practice.

You could try using all focus points but the initial lock must be with the centre point - the trouble with the XXXD and XXD cameras is that the focus points are a big distance apart and when you lose focus on one point it takes a while before being picked up by another focus points (if at all) - after a lot of playing around with centre and all focus points I now use just the centre point.
I use the AF-ON button to focus (instead of the shutter button) and find this helps with BIF but this is not available on the 350D although you may be able to transfer focus to the '*' button

Manual exposure is a must for BIF IMO as a bird could be flying through hugely different backgrounds (biright sky, dark trees ....) with manual the exposure will be correct regardless of the backdrop.

I have never used the 150-500 so cannot comment on the 'hunting' but maybe the OS should be turned off. A quick focusing lens helps a lot with BIF.

I am currently using a 40D (which has better servo performance than the 350D) and a lens which is considered the very best available for BIF by many top pros BUT nailing birds in flight is still not easy.

Hope this helps and the best of luck.

[BradM]

I would just repeat some of the suggestions, use AI servo. AI focus which is supposed to note the change from a stationary subject to a moving one just doesn't work as designed.

If a clean background with the subject is available using all AF points can be helpful but as mentioned if only you first acquire the subject with the much sensitive centerpoint. If the background is cluttered with the typical trees and such using the center only and staying on the subject is imperative to keep a number of shots in focus.

The equipment does make a difference though, the 350/Xt AF system is not that good compared to the bodies that have followed it, it certainly can capture in flight images I have done so with one. The other vital part of doing so is the lens and I'm not familiar w/ the the Sigma's abilities but it should be able to do so.

And I might disagree with Roy a bit on the manual settings is a requirement for BIF, I am most often in AV and use it with some considerable success. His point about changing lighting conditions is is an important one.

However shooting in AV and using the AF on button or * button to focus and with the custom settings to separate metering from the shutter release handles that issue very well. If one is aware that the lighting is changing while looking through the viewfinder a slight release and repress of the shutter while change the metering for the different light. In a worst case situation it may require some quick EC input butthat is just thumb dial away.

I am not saying this technique is any better it is more of six of one, half dozen of another, different methods get you to same point.

The last thing I will mention is that to shoot BIF it takes practice, practice and maybe a bit more practice. The biggest thing I see from people is they are usually behind the subject and can get great shots of the birds rear end.

Shooting BIF takes anticipation of the action occurring, acquiring focus on the subject before it gets to where you want to shoot, tracking smoothly and keeping it in focus and then smoothly releasing the shutter, and finally follow through with the subject.

Rotate from the hips and not the shoulders, start off tracking so when the bird is framed where you want it you are then basically square to the subject and have secure footing and then follow through.

Good luck!

[artyman]

I can confirm I have some tail feather shots :-)

[artyman]

Been looking through some of my shots and here is one I did manage to get in focus.
http://************/djz7kf/IMG_4018.jpg was this more luck than judgement I have to wonder :-)

[MJA]

Post #10 by Jim Neiger has a few tips on focus -POTN Birding FAQ- Guides, Technique, Research, Equipment, etc. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=518554)
I am just starting out and have yet to try much BIF stuff but what he recommends makes sense.

[artyman]

Went out today and tried both manual focusing and also tried with all the focus points, more of the shots seemed better, but think I still need a lot of practice as I don't think I had a single one that was as I would like it.

http://************/djz7kf/Img_4457c.jpg

http://************/djz7kf/Img_4459c.jpg

http://************/djz7kf/Img_4460c.jpg

http://************/djz7kf/Img_4468c.jpg

http://************/djz7kf/Img_4481c.jpg

This one is a full frame shot the others are crops.
http://************/djz7kf/Img_4473.jpg

[davebreal]

I wouldn't bother with manual focus for moving birds. Looks like noticeable motion blur on all of the flight images. Shoot in aperture priority mode, and make sure shutter speeds are 1/1000 or better for flight. Also, always shoot in burst mode. I think I read that the first and last image of a burst are the least sharp. Leave IS on Mode #1. Maybe try a few without the TC as well.

[Roy C]

As above, you cannot really use Manual focus for BIF.

[Sean]

One thing with "all points" selected. As per the manual of the 40D, it will use the center FIRST then move to the outside points. If you restrict it to the center it stays with the center is what I get out of that bit of info, no?

[C4Miles]

One thing with "all points" selected. As per the manual of the 40D, it will use the center FIRST then move to the outside points. If you restrict it to the center it stays with the center is what I get out of that bit of info, no?
That's correct. If the center AF point is the only one selected in AI Servo that's the only one that will be active. I use it this way, never liked the "all points" method - just never worked as well for me.

[j37r]

you cannot really use Manual focus for BIF. Says who?

People were successfully taking pictures of BIF long before autofocus came on the scene.
I use manual focus all the time for my bird photography, including BIF, got used to doing it over the years using an F1,A1,T90 and now a 350d using FD lenses via an adapter.

It just takes practice thats all.

[hollis_f]

you cannot really use Manual focus for BIF. Says who?

People were successfully taking pictures of BIF long before autofocus came on the scene.
I use manual focus all the time for my bird photography, including BIF, got used to doing it over the years using an F1,A1,T90 and now a 350d using FD lenses via an adapter.

It just takes practice thats all.

And I'm sure it would be possible to do it whilst bouncing on a trampoline whilst whistling 'Halleluah' with a bit if practice. But why?

[Tom Reichner]

you cannot really use Manual focus for BIF. Says who?

People were successfully taking pictures of BIF long before autofocus came on the scene.

It just takes practice thats all.

"Successfully" may mean different things to different people.

I believe the advent of AF and digital photography has drastically raised the bar for wildlife images. Ever page thru an old National Geographic? Or any older bird magazines (such as Audubon), or duck hunting magazines, or bird books, etc. Many of the images selected for publication before AF would simply not make the grade today. These days, we're seeing dramatic images of birds in flight that are razor sharp and crystal clear, even when printed or displayed at a fairly large size. I just don't see that in the older, vintage publications that were pre-AF.