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Forums · Bird Photography

BIF tips

Discussion

6 replies
Posted by Simon Allen on July 12, 2011 at 3:06 AM
BIF tips
As a novice in the field I would really appreciate any advice on the best camera settings for BIF shots - having recently spent a day on the Farne Islands in the UK trying to capture puffins in flight with little success! - They are small and move fast!

Camera = Canon 7D
What is the best AF mode - presumably AI Servo?
What AF selection is best - single point, single point expansion etc?
Any other tips to improve the hit rate - other than practice of course!

Any help would bemuch appreciated
Posted by Keith Bauer on July 12, 2011 at 8:40 AM
Simon: Your 7D will certainly perform very well for BIF. Here's a link to a blog entry by a good friend on how to set up the 7D for flight photography. You've got a good start... AI Servo, Center point with Expansion points on.... Read on.
http://www.deepgreenphotography.com/2009/12/setting-up-your-new-canon-7d
Posted by Elizabeth Arellano on July 12, 2011 at 12:01 PM
This is super!
Posted by Lance Warley on July 12, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Wonderful shot, Simon, including the terrific bg.

Doug Brown's article - Keith's link above - will be a huge help to you. Once you get comfortable with the settings, I think you'll really like the 7D.

Posted by Nate Chappell on July 12, 2011 at 3:02 PM
I agree you are off to a good start there using AI Servo and the center point with expansion points. One other thing I'd add that you may already know is that for birds in flight you want to keep your shutter speed fairly high, above 1/1000 and even higher - above 1/2000 is ideal. Adjust your shutter speed by increasing your iso and/or decreasing your depth of field. I also turn off my IS as I find I don't need it at higher shutter speeds and it slows down the AF a little bit. Different photographers have different opinions on this point but I would try it both ways and see what works for you.
Posted by Simon Allen on July 13, 2011 at 3:15 AM
Many thanks for the helpful and encouraging replies! Doug Brown's article looks to be just what I need.
Posted by John Stuart-Clarke on July 14, 2011 at 6:29 AM
All of the advice here is spot on. And this is a great place to learn :)

I've got a BIF tutorial on my site that, whilst not specific to the 7D, has pretty comprehensive coverage of hand-holding technique, camera settings and setting the exposure. I hope it's of help to you.

http://www.johnstuartclarke.co.uk/photographing-birds-in-flight/