40D, Highlight Tone Priority & Birds

I've got a new 40D and will probably shoot 80% nature shots with 80% of those nature shots being of birds.

Is there any agreement or experience with the whether Highlight Tone Priority (pg 157, C.Fn II-3) being enabled or disabled is best for bird photography?

If using a telephoto lens for close ups on birds, I'd say set to OFF as might see a slight increase of noise in the shadow detail.

Since you have the option to use however be sure and do some comparisons with it. That way you'll know for sure.

i used the HTP about 99% of the time and i shoot birds about 99% of the time since many many birds have white in their feathers, i found the HTP to be very good at extracting details from the white feathers. here is a little example of a not so good shot but it will show you what i mean about the feathers:

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

If I think there's a chance the white areas of any given birds plumage being blown out then I tend to have it enabled. I have noticed it does make a difference in managing to keep more of the detail and I've not noticed any particular increase in noise. I have the HTP C.Fn in the short cuts menu so I can enable/disable it quickly via the set button.

I leave HTP on all the time. I haven't seen any real reason not to.

Thanks guys - that's exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get. I like the idea pulling it out on the My Menu page.

i tried HTP once
tried shooting the next day at iso 100 and it wouldnt let me
i guess HTP doesnt allow for anything under iso200

What a great board! I was also wondering " ..why not leave HTP on all (or most of) the time..". I'll be shooting a lot of ski racing in the couple of weeks and thought HTP might help save some detail in the snow.

Thanks
Rob