Posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on November 26, 2015 at 3:51 AM
These days I have switsched to a Canon EOS 7D MK II after having photographed for more then 9 years with a Canon EOS 30D.
As usual in these days an technology update means also that one needs to learn a lot about the new gear. While many things remain Canon alike, some others have changed dramatically and one of that points is the AF settings.
With the 30D that was an easy thing. One has had 9 sensors which were all active or one was able to select a single one for a more precise focus.
With the 7D MK II which is according to that what I read in this perspective identical to the 1Dx, one has many options, like selecting all 65 sensors, or 45, or 21 or only 9. On top one can set different modes, if all sensors should be used and automatically selected by the camera, or only 1, even in spot mode, or 9 in the middle, and so on.
Per example the image I have uploaded caused my some trouble because I have had all 65 sensors active and the camera was selecting automatically the sensors for AF, which leaded to many images where the eye was not in focus.
Last night I went trough the manuals to learn a bit about the different settings and I guess that many of you made already some experience with the 7D MK II or 1Dx and I would like to know which settings do you have found out to be apropiate for avian and wildlife photography.
Posted by Dennis Plank on November 26, 2015 at 4:20 PM
Hi Cay-Uwe. I almost invariably use the narrowest autofocus point I can get for perched birds (I forget what they call it, but it's the one with the dot in the single square). For birds in flight with the 7Dii, I've been using one of the expanded sets of autofocus points. If there's background I want to avoid I'll use the center point with either the four surrounding or the 9 centeral points. If it's open sky, I'll use the one with the center 15 to aid in quick acquisition.
Glen Bartley has a set-up guide for the 7Dii that's quick and easy to use and has some good points. It's $5 American from his website:
Discussion
3 repliesAs usual in these days an technology update means also that one needs to learn a lot about the new gear. While many things remain Canon alike, some others have changed dramatically and one of that points is the AF settings.
With the 30D that was an easy thing. One has had 9 sensors which were all active or one was able to select a single one for a more precise focus.
With the 7D MK II which is according to that what I read in this perspective identical to the 1Dx, one has many options, like selecting all 65 sensors, or 45, or 21 or only 9. On top one can set different modes, if all sensors should be used and automatically selected by the camera, or only 1, even in spot mode, or 9 in the middle, and so on.
Per example the image I have uploaded caused my some trouble because I have had all 65 sensors active and the camera was selecting automatically the sensors for AF, which leaded to many images where the eye was not in focus.
Last night I went trough the manuals to learn a bit about the different settings and I guess that many of you made already some experience with the 7D MK II or 1Dx and I would like to know which settings do you have found out to be apropiate for avian and wildlife photography.
http://www.timboyerphotography.com/2015/01/how-to-set-up-the-canon-eos-7d-mark-ii-part-3-auto-focus-and-flight-photography/
Glen Bartley has a set-up guide for the 7Dii that's quick and easy to use and has some good points. It's $5 American from his website:
http://www.glennbartley.com/Canon7DmarkIISetupReviewandSettings.html
Art Morris has one of his super thorough camera guides for the 7Dii for $59:
//store.birdsasart.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=399