Birds in Flight

john.margetts

john.margetts

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Been out today to have my first serious session with my new EOS 80D. Also my first attempt at birds in flight - also the first time I have used my 'new' (to me) Tamron 200-500mm lens.

Turns out there is only one thing I need to learn: everything!

Usually, I take landscapes and architecture - I didn't think to change camera settings at first: Av mode, one shot focusing and centre spot focusing. After 20 minutes, I thought to change to shutter priority to increase shutter speed to 1/4000 seconds which greatly improved things as the blobs are now recognisable as birds but not in focus.

Next change was to to AI Servo so the camera could monitor focus. This actually made things worse as did changing from centre spot to each of the alternatives in turn.

My tripod (an elderly Velbon) was not sturdy enough in today's wind (cliff top at Flamborough Head) as my test shot of a cargo ship was also not so sharp. I suspect my Tamron 200-500 lens is not excessively fast in the focusing stakes but it is the best I can afford (it has no IS).

Perseverance is going to happen - possibly inside a bird hide next time. Any pointers will be gratefully received!
 
I am no expert but on my 7Dii I use TV but lower than than 1/4000 and auto ISO. For Af I use centre point expansion avoid the spot exposure setting. I generally hand hold for BIF as I find it easier to track them. If I use a tripod I make it as solid as possible eg use a bag to stabilise. If your set up does not work with a ship it will not work with BIF. Perhaps see if your set up works on still conditions in your back garden or similar. If it doesn't something may be wrong with the camera and/or lens.
 
Seems like you are setting your camera correctly. My set up for BIF is AV,ISO400-800(Pending on light conditions)expansion point extended,like crosshair . But the best you can set it for is Zone AF,page 120 of your manual. Aperture f5.6-f8 depends on your background.

Test your lens,it might be back or front focusing (focusing before or after your subject)
Pick a subject and try your lens at 100mm then 200mm up to 500mm. Test each shot for sharpness.

Place a target in your garden (piece of cardboard ) lay a ruler in front of it amd focus in the target. You will see if any of the ruler is sharp. Eg an inch or two before the target. This will indicate that your lens is front focusing.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J3XK4hf-NF0
 
By the way this is the first video I found on YouTube,there's loads more. That guy might go on a bit.

Forget to mention camera in AI servo and AF switch on ,on lens. Plus have a look at back button focusing on YouTube also.
 
I have the 80D and use it with the rather heavy sigma150-600 sport ,I have to admit it took a bit of getting used to but once mastered it's a dream of a camera .there are quiet a few changes that need to be made in the menu ,but there's no point confusing you at this point in time .
Basic settings a/v mode ,a.i servo ,multi point focus for b.i.f ,ISO 800 to whatever depending on light ,I have gone up to 6400 and still got noise free shots .your case sounds like basic lack of knowledge combined with poor settings ,if you want to p.m me a phone number I will go into things in more depth and run through my menu settings that do actually work .
Although if my memory serves me right the lens you are using could well be THE major problem as the tamron 200- 500 had a poor reputation and I certainly wouldn't be using it with a modern camera like the 80D
 
My goto settings for BIF are manual mode on a 7D2, 1/1000, F8 and auto-ISO. If particularly low light I might drop the aperture down to F5.6 (widest lens will go) and then shutter speed down to 1/800 or 1/640. Assume the 80D has a lot of focus settings that can be changed in the menus - I would read the manual and/or read about recommended settings.
 
If it's against the sky I'd not use Auto ISO, you tend to get really nice silhouettes :)
 
BIF's - I go for single to small group, (5), focus points, spot exposure ...... and the highest shutter speed that is reasonable, (over 1/1000th sec but up to 1/2500th if the light is good) - if the sky is light add + 1 EV at least ..... over expose if anything, as it is difficult to bring the blacks back without noise ....... bg noise you can always deal with
 
Lots of good advice here - thank you all.

Looking more closely at my photos, the background (aka the sea) is in near perfect focus while the birds are nothing like. Clearly this is where I need to concentrate. My biggest problem is so many years of concentrating on landscapes. This BIF lark is nothing like landscapes.
 
Sounds like you are having trouble keeping the focus point on the BIF and the camera is focusing on the background, might find it easier hand held rather than on a tripod especially if you are after faster birds.
 
OK. My old tripod - Velbon cheap model, 20+ years old - is not very good so I have bought a Benro tripod that is actually taller than me (6 feet, 5 inches) without the column being raised and is as solid as a rock. It has made a large difference.

I have been to Messingham Gravel Pits today. Rather a grey day which has not helped. I managed this picture of a swan in flight. Not top rate but my best so far - in focus at least. Help[s that swans are not too fast.

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just a quick one, John

level the image with the horizontals
 
Point taken, but those are not necessarily horizontals. Still, would look better if they were.
 
Using a zone AF can help, because then you are not restricted to keeping a single spot on your subject. Also, change tracking sensitivity to -1 so that it locks on and doesn't jump to the background. You'll need to change your AF zones depending on background though. Zone AF is less effective with a complex background like your swans, where spot with expansion is best.
 
I just today changed tracking sensitivity to +1 in the hope the camera will track the birds better - admittedly, I was guessing here. I shall set to -1 tomorrow.
 
The are the edges of an irregular gravel pit. While I am aware that water remains horizontal, if the edges of the pit are at a slight diagonal, the far edge will not be horizontal.
 
Last edited:
john.margetts said:
The are the edges of an irregular gravel pit. While I am aware that water remains horizontal, if the edges of the pit are at a slight diagonal, the far edge will not be horizontal.
Click to expand...

so you are saying that the water was not level, (not horizontal)
 
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