Losing birds while tracking through lens

[ddlj81]

I have a 100-400 lens and I love to shoot birds in flight. But often at 400mm, I find it so difficult the transition from seeing the bird in flight with naked eye and quickly tracking it through my lens. Any tips on this ??

[BradM]

Shoot with both eyes open helps in aquiring the subject.

With the 100-400mm (or any other zoom) you have the ability to zoom out and get the subject centered and then zoom back into it, which is probably the easist method to keep a subject in the frame.

[ddlj81]

Shoot with both eyes open helps in aquiring the subject.

With the 100-400mm (or any other zoom) you have the ability to zoom out and get the subject centered and then zoom back into it, which is probably the easist method to keep a subject in the frame.

yeah probably two eyes open will be a good try. thanks.

the other method u mentioned to zoom out first. do u zoom out, get focus and zoom again with focus locked??

[BradM]

I would make sure that I had gotten a confirmed focus with any change in focal length. As I am using AI servo, center focus point, and focusing off the * button the camera should keep the focus accurate as the subject is in movement but it is quick and easy to release the AF and hit it again to confirm focus.

[marcoj70]

There are two distinct things you need: first, is having a rough focus for the bird in flight: usually infinite is a good start, so focus manually to infinite before you even start.
Second, practice this with your camera on a tripod: look where it is pointing through the lenses, then look above the camera and align the flash socket with the tip of the hood to the same spot (moving your head, not the camera!); try to find the right position and get used to aligning the camera this way. After a little practice, you'll be able to align the camera to your subject and then quickly put your eye on the eyepiece (moving your head and not your arms!)

[MarkEvan]

Your best bet as Brad said is to zoom out aquire focus and zoom back in, don`t get in too close though as you will need to leave room so that if the bird does any unexpected moves you can pick it up easily.