... and then, depression set in.

OK, is it me or my lens, or both. I'm leaning towards me and I'm disappointed I missed a great opportunity.

I spotted an osprey flying over a local pond. My 40D was in Av mode at f/4.5-5.6(100-400L) with the basic camera settings. I changed my focus mode to AI Servo. ISO was at 400. Shutter speeds of 1250, 800, and 3200 were used on these three shots. All shots are 100% crops. See full EXIF for all below photos.

In retrospect I should have switched to burst mode, but I didn't.

I want to improve. Is the trick blasting off as many shots as possible to get one good one, or trying to steady the lens and frame the shot—or both? (both, duh) I guess I learned something.

Or, does my lens appear to need repair?

1. Just after the "grab". He was relatively stationary at this point.

You have goldfish in your local pond?

Skrim17 wrote in post #5384123
You have goldfish in your local pond?

I'm sure it was introduced by someone. When I saw it with my naked eyes I thought it was just a 'goldfish' carp, but then I saw the fancy fins and I couldn't believe it. I'm assuming it's been living in the pond for a while. I'm not sure why someone would toss a fish like that. They're pretty expensive!

Well, you can't shoot a moving bird with One Shot. AI Focus would work though, and I had to use it with the 30D and Bigma. So you have to use AI Servo or AI Focus. However, the 40D has 4 or 5 Custom Function settings that will screw with the lens focusing in a way your not us to with earlier 10 series models. It's a cross between 30D and 1D stuff.

Also, don't forget, in AI Servo, the shutter will fire even if there is no focus lock.

Goldfish like that are a nickle apiece when they are dime size.

Am I understanding that you were trying to photograph the osprey with your lens wide open? If so, I would suggest that you try f8 to f11, that way you will have a deeper DOF and more of your shots will be in focus.

canonloader wrote in post #5384168
Well, you can't shoot a moving bird with One Shot. AI Focus would work though, and I had to use it with the 30D and Bigma. So you have to use AI Servo or AI Focus.

I had AI Servo set.

canonloader wrote in post #5384168
Also, don't forget, in AI Servo, the shutter will fire even if there is no focus lock.

I thought I was getting focus lock. I had the center spot active.

canonloader wrote in post #5384168
Goldfish like that are a nickle apiece when they are dime size.

Not only that, but they're practically worth 5¢! Thanks for the pointers, Mitch.

IraRunyan wrote in post #5384197
Am I understanding that you were trying to photograph the osprey with your lens wide open? If so, I would suggest that you try f8 to f11, that way you will have a deeper DOF and more of your shots will be in focus.

Good point, Ira. If I shoot f/8 to f/11 I'll lose shutter and need to crank ISO, right? I should have tried, but it was bright and sunny, so I thought I'd try to minimize any potential grain.

Thanks

All I can add is that I have a 400 F5.6L and it's focus is so fast I miss shots. With a fast focus if you slip off the bird for a fraction of time it will try to focus on the BG. In the first photo it seems the tree was coming into focus.
One other thing. I have a 70-300 IS that gave me shots like this when the IS was going up. You may try some test photos with the IS off. Still, or moving it would lock (out of focus). It never hurts to try.

cool breeze wrote in post #5384263
. You may try some test photos with the IS off. Still, or moving it would lock (out of focus). It never hurts to try.

I was going to ask if the IS was on or off in these photo's. Everything I've read says on in'flight to turn the IS off....if it was off ignore my reply.

Duane N wrote in post #5384291
I was going to ask if the IS was on or off in these photo's. Everything I've read says on in'flight to turn the IS off....if it was off ignore my reply.

It was on, mode 1. Thanks for the tips, Will and Duane!

If you dont mind Carl, when you save your photos use the "save as" tab, this keeps the exif(photodata) attached to your images, then we could read your shutterspeed etc, then we could guess a little more educatedly.. if thats a word .
I use the XT and the 400 5.6. AI servo, iso 400 with the sun behind me to get the best lighting. I use center point and have the * button on the back set for af and the shutter button set for the exposure lock. Are these big crops? how far away were you?
If you havent already, set your focus limiter switch to the longest distance, this will speed up the AF.

bromm wrote in post #5384513
If you dont mind Carl, when you save your photos use the "save as" tab, this keeps the exif(photodata) attached to your images, then we could read your shutterspeed etc, then we could guess a little more educatedly.. if thats a word .

Hi Trevor, I am conditioned to using "Save for Web" since I do it daily at work—plus I like seeing the compression preview. I'll try to remember to "Save As" next time I post a question like this. See EXIF above in original post.

bromm wrote in post #5384513
I use the XT and the 400 5.6. AI servo, iso 400 with the sun behind me to get the best lighting. I use center point and have the * button on the back set for af and the shutter button set for the exposure lock. Are these big crops? how far away were you?

They are 100% crops and I was probably 300-750' away.

bromm wrote in post #5384513
If you havent already, set your focus limiter switch to the longest distance, this will speed up the AF.

It was on 6.5m. I think maybe I just strayed too much while tracking with AI Servo.

Thanks for the tips.

csquared63 wrote in post #5384303
It was on, mode 1. Thanks for the tips, Will and Duane!

You should use mode 2 for panning, or at those shutter speeds, you could turn it off, but no need to.

IraRunyan wrote in post #5384197
Am I understanding that you were trying to photograph the osprey with your lens wide open? If so, I would suggest that you try f8 to f11, that way you will have a deeper DOF and more of your shots will be in focus.

I would have to disagree...I mostly shoot my bird shots wide open...F8-11 will only give more motion blur.

csquared63 wrote in post #5384303
It was on, mode 1. Thanks for the tips, Will and Duane!

I would turn the IS off. If you leave it on, it must be in Mode 2. Mode one will try to correct your panning motion and introduce blur. Mode 2 only corrects movement in the vertical so it does not try to correct the panning motion. Still, I would turn it off at those shutter speeds.