How to set up follow-focus on a 5D2?

I'd like to ask the experts about how to set my 5D MK2 up to shoot fast moving birds (Hawks, Owls etc) on flying displays.

Today I was at the Andover Hawk and Owl Conservancy using a 100-400L IS lens and could not get the camera to follow focus as the bird flew towards its next "reward" and towards me. I was trying to achieve a shot of the bird in flight "head-on" coming straight at me, sadly I was unable to get the camera to "follow-focus" on the centre focus point.

I assume it's possible, but how should I set the camera up?

I now have 159 CR2 images (one completely full card) to examine and process those I consider worth it. A lot will not be of course, but I can recommend the show to everyone.

One Owl actually brushed my hair with its talons as it flew close overhead, an amazing show.

Well, fortunately the 5D Mark II doesn't offer many options, so it's quick and easy to go through them all.

Set the camera to Servo AF. Select the center point. Aim at target, hold focusing button. If you can track for a while before the bird is coming too close, then so much better.

How fast are they flying? The specifications say no more than 50 km/h at 8 m distance.

Now if this doesn't work, then you do have one more trick. Enable the assist points. They are the only addition to an AF system which otherwise has its roots in the 20D, so don't expect miracles. The assist points surround the center point, and makes it possible for the camera to hand over focusing to one of them, if it fails to see the target with the center point.

If this doesn't work, then what you want to probably isn't possible with your equipment. Even if there are lenses that are faster than the EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM in focusing, it's no slouch, so it's probably well on par with the camera.

apersson850 wrote in post #16991689
Set the camera to Servo AF. Select the center point. Aim at target, hold focusing button. If you can track for a while before the bird is coming too close, then so much better.

How fast are they flying? The specifications say no more than 50 km/h at 8 m distance.

Of course! That's what I totally forgot about - Servo AF. I have an excuse, because part of my brain died during a series of blackouts some few years ago. I used to shoot F1 and MotoGP events and it was normal to use Servo AF.

How fast do they fly? Well the commentator claims 100mph for a Hawk when stooping (that's diving down to its next target from a height), but I suspect its less than that as it closes with it's prey. Other birds, like Owls, are much more reliant on silent flight at fairly slow speed.

Many thanks for the reminder!

Yikes, not having AI Servo turned on will greatly reduce your keeper rate, I fear. Most of the static shots will be fine, but many, if not nearly all, flight-based shots would be out of focus.

Sounds like the event was quite a hoot though.

Yep, Servo is the way to go. That sounds like a lot of fun, and a great opportunity to capture photos of raptors in action. I wish we had something like that near me, I'd love to participate.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #16991895
Yikes, not having AI Servo turned on will greatly reduce your keeper rate, I fear. Most of the static shots will be fine, but many, if not nearly all, flight-based shots would be out of focus.

Sounds like the event was quite a hoot though.

We always visit once a year. Yes, its a good day out, but although I've not yet started looking through the nearly 160 shots I fear many will be put straight in the bin!

Sorry to have to admit very few of my birds in flight shots are keepers. I feel such an idiot for forgetting AI Servo AF.

Lowner wrote in post #16993874
Sorry to have to admit very few of my birds in flight shots are keepers. I feel such an idiot for forgetting AI Servo AF.

That's too bad, I know what it's like to shoot an event, then go home and find most of your images are useless.

The last time this happened to me, I was shooting a missions conference, and I just put a cheap UV filter on my 70-200 to protect it from the people milling around. Just about 90% of the images were soft or worse than soft. It took me a few hours at home to finally hunt down the issue. Not quite the same conditions, but definitely self-induced and same final results.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #16991895
Sounds like the event was quite a hoot though.

*groan*
Just thought I'd let you know somebody appreciated that!

Lol I figured a few caught that.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #16993876
That's too bad, I know what it's like to shoot an event, then go home and find most of your images are useless.

The last time this happened to me, I was shooting a missions conference, and I just put a cheap UV filter on my 70-200 to protect it from the people milling around. Just about 90% of the images were soft or worse than soft. It took me a few hours at home to finally hunt down the issue. Not quite the same conditions, but definitely self-induced and same final results.

I've been there so many times whether it's photography, golf, car detailing or handyman work around the house, there's nothing more punishing than a self-inflicted wound, totally avoidable.

Lowner wrote in post #16993874
Sorry to have to admit very few of my birds in flight shots are keepers. I feel such an idiot for forgetting AI Servo AF.

Wow! I feel for you, in fact there have been times when I've forgotten to switch to AI Servo myself, even though it's pretty much my "common" mode, but Wow!