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Pied Kingfisher with Catch Woodbridge Island : Copyright Vernon Chalmers |
Over the past 10 years I have used more or less the same AF Settings for photographing birds in flight at Woodbridge Island, Cape Town.
Here is an overview of the Canon AF Settings (and other considerations) that I have applied with various Canon EOS APS-C and Full Frame bodies during this period.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF System / Dual Pixel CMOS AF II System
My main camera during the 10 year was the Canon EOS 7D Mark II paired with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. I am very impressed with the EOS 7D Mark II's Dual Pixel CMOS AF System and the only other / best AF System I personally used apart from the EOS 7F Mark II was the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II System deployed in the EOS R6.
Birds in Flight Photography Image Gallery
Setup and Tips for Birds in flight Photography
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Mastering Birds in Flight Photography Canon EOS / EOS R AF System Application |
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Canon EOS 70D Autofocus Settings For Birds in Flight Photography |
Considerations for improved Birds in Flight Photography
Canon Equipment- Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Camera Body
- Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
- Shutter speed: 1/2500 - 1/4000s
- Aperture: f/5.6 - f/6.3
- Focal length 400mm
- Auto-White Balance (AWB)
- Auto ISO (400 - 3200)
- AF Mode: Zone / Wide Zone
- AF Case: Case 1 (Default)
- AI Servo / 10fps multi-shot
- RAW processing (shooting to RAW only)
- Handheld
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens Setting
- Autofocus On
- No Image Stabilization
- Focal Length 400mm
- Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens
- Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens
- Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens
- Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens
- Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens
- Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM lens
- Canon EF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens
Birds in Flight Photography Post-Processing
Image 1: Pied Kingfisher in Flight with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
Image 3: Juvenile Kelp Gull in Flight with Canon EOS 70D / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
Image 4: Cape Shoveler Duck in Flight with Canon EOS R6 / RF 800mm f/11 STM Lens
Canon Autofocus (AF) Setting For Birds in Flight : Grey Heron Woodbridge Island Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island |