Settings for bird feeding stations

[rjl]

I use a 7d and shoot mostly in servo with the centre point. Normally my photos require some form of cropping which allows me room to alter composition. However,this is not possible at feeding stations when getting very close. What are the best settings for this situation? Is it better to switch to one shot mode and to focus and recompose or to carry on in servo and constantly alter the autofocus point?

 

[Roy C]

Hi Rob, I use AI servo just about all the time but I use the back button to focus (not the shutter button). That way you can be shooting in AI Servo but also simulating one shot at the same time by just releasing your thumb from the back button and recomposing before taking the shot. By using the back button to focus you have AI Servo, one shot and full manual all without having to change a thing.
Mind you if the bird is very big in the frame you might have to change the focus point to get the right composition - this is very easy to do on the fly with the 7D though.

 

[rjl]

Thanks Roy, will try the back button

 

[hollis_f]

Mind you if the bird is very big in the frame you might have to change the focus point to get the right composition - this is very easy to do on the fly with the 7D though.

Especially if you make the changes specified on p. 218 of the manual so that the joystick can be used without having to press a button first.

 

[rjl]

Thanks Frank, have just made the changes and its eactly what I was after. Maybe I should read manuals more often!

Rob