Bird Photography with Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Canon EOS 6D Mark II and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Vernon Chalmers, Birds (in Flight) Photography with Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Little Egret in Flight : Canon EOS 6D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Canon EOS 6D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens for Bird Photography

"Vernon Chalmers is a professional photographer based in Cape Town, South Africa, who specializes in various genres of photography, including bird and wildlife photography. He often pairs the Canon EOS 6D Mark II with lenses like the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM for bird photography. He uses this combination to capture stunning images of birds in flight and other wildlife." (Source: Microsoft Copilot)

During the the past 15 years I developed a strong affinity with my professional and enthusiast Canon EOS bodies and EF lenses.

I recently acquired an absolute pristine Canon EOS 6D Mark II from a very special client and dear friend for upgrading my Canon EOS 6D body. This body will mainly be used for landscape / street photography and most of my Kirstenbosch Garden photography paired with my EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens.

The majority of the Canon photography training sessions I facilitate are currently with the latest Canon EOS R bodies and RF lenses. Canon made significant strides from the original Canon EOS R to the latest Canon EOS R5 Mark II and R1 bodies and there’s some phenomenal upgrades in each body (especially the latest autofocus systems). I have written quite a number of articles and researched the evolution of the Canon R System.

I am often asked why I don’t own any Canon R / RF products. The answer is relatively simple. For my main genre, which is Birds in Flight photography, I use the nimble Canon EOS 7D Mark II and EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. For my Woodbridge Island morning photography and Intaka Island late afternoon photography this body / lens combination is an absolute pleasure to work with.

However, I’m waiting for Canon to release the Canon R7 Mark II (or equivalent) as an APS-C body (as like-for-like replacement) of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II before any investment in the R System.

For landscape / street / general photography the 26 MP Full-Frame Canon EOS 6D Mark II is my current Canon body of choice – paired with any of my EF lenses. I have all the confidence in the world that any combination of my current EOS cameras and lenses should meet most of my personal requirements.

Up to date I have trained on about every Canon EOS R body on the market and I personally believe Canon is moving into the correct futuristic direction with the EOS R System.

Perhaps I’m just too nostalgic to part with my own EOS system, then again, not one of my bodies or lens combinations have disappointed me over the years.

Birds Photographed with Canon EOS 6D Mark II

• Little egret in flight
• Double-breasted cormorant in flight
• Yellow-billed duck in flight
• Grey heron in the river
• King gull perched
• Egyptian goose in flight
• Blacksmith lapwing in flight
• Egyptian goose next to the river 
• Cape canary

Canon 6D Mark  Camera / Lens for Bird and Other Images

• Canon EOS 6D Mark II (Full-Frame)
• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens
• Canon EF 24-70mm F/4 IS USM lens

Canon 6D Mark II Exposure / Autofocus Settings for Bird Images

• Manual Mode / Aperture Priority (Av) Mode
• Aperture: f/5.6 / f/8 / f//11 (Table Mountain Image) 
• Auto-ISO: 320 - 1000
• Focal Length: 400mm (45mm Table Mountain Image)
• Focal Length: 560mm (Images with Canon Extender 1.4x MIII)
• Zone Autofocus (All AF Points Table Mountain Image)
• Canon Extender 1.4x MK III (Three Images) 
• Handheld

Lightroom Image Post-Processing

• Lightroom Classic (Ver 13.5) - minor adjustments /  RAW to JPEG conversion
  
  

White-Breasted Cormorant in Flight, Woodbridge Island : Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Yellow-Billed Duck, Woodbridge Island : Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Grey Heron, Diep River : Canon EOS 6D Mark II

- With Canon Extender 1.4x MK III at f/8  / Single Point AF Only - 

King Gull, Woodbridge Island : Canon EOS 6D Mark II

- With Canon Extender 1.4x MK III at f/8  / Single Point AF Only - 

Egyptian Goose in Flight, Woodbridge Island : Canon EOS 6D Mark II

- With Canon Extender 1.4x MK III at f/8  / Single Point AF Only -  

Blacksmith Lapwing in Flight, Diep River :  Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Egyptian Goose, Woodbridge Island : Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Cape Canary, Arnhem Milnerton : Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Table Mountain from my 2nd office Woodbridge Island : Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright | Intellectual Property Policy

Kirstenbosch Garden Sculpture Photography Canon EOS 6D Mark II

More About Vernon Chalmers Photography Genres Cape Town

"Vernon Chalmers is a professional photographer and educator based in Cape Town, South Africa 1. He specializes in various genres of photography, including bird and wildlife photography, landscapes, close-ups, and macro photography 1. Vernon offers tailored Canon photography training sessions for both Canon EOS DSLR and EOS R mirrorless cameras 2.

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Sessions:

• Introduction to Photography
• Bird and Flower Photography
• Macro and Close-Up Photography
• Landscape and Long Exposure Photography
• Canon Speedlite Flash Photography 2

Vernon conducts these training sessions at various locations, including Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Woodbridge Island, and even in the comfort of your own home or garden 2. He also provides one-on-one training tailored to individual needs and gear analysis 2." (Source: Microsoft)

More About Canon EOS 6D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens for Bird Photography

"The Canon EOS 6D Mark II paired with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens is a great combination for bird photography 1. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:

Camera Settings

• Autofocus Mode: Use AI Servo mode for continuous autofocus, which is ideal for tracking moving subjects like birds 2.
• AF Points: Select the center AF point or use the 45-point all cross-type AF system for precise focusing 2.
• Shutter Speed: Use a fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000s or faster) to freeze the motion of birds in flight 2.
• Aperture: Choose a wide aperture (e.g., f/5.6) to create a shallow depth of field and isolate your subject from the background 1.
• ISO: Set your camera to Auto ISO and set a maximum ISO limit to avoid excessive noise 2.

Shooting Techniques

• Positioning: Position yourself at the bird's eye level for a more engaging and natural perspective 2.
• Panning: Practice panning with your camera to follow the bird's movement smoothly 2.
• Pre-focus: Pre-focus on a spot where you expect the bird to fly and wait for it to enter the frame 2.
• Continuous Shooting: Use continuous shooting mode to capture multiple frames per second, increasing your chances of getting a sharp image 2.

Lens Features

• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM: This lens is lightweight and offers excellent image quality 3. It includes one Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) element and one UD element, which help to reduce chromatic aberrations and produce sharp, high-contrast images 3.
• Autofocus: Equipped with a Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), it offers fast and quiet autofocus 3.
• Build Quality: The lens is part of Canon’s L-series, known for its robust build quality 3.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II - DIGIC 7 Image Processor

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II, released in 2017, features the DIGIC 7 image processor. This processor brought significant improvements to image quality, performance, and features compared to the older DIGIC 5+ processor in the original Canon EOS 6D." (Source Microsoft Copilot)

Key Features: Canon EOS 6D Mark II with DIGIC 7 Image Processor:

1. Image Quality:

• 26.2 MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor: Paired with the DIGIC 7 processor, it delivers excellent image quality with enhanced detail and dynamic range.
• Improved ISO Performance: Native ISO range of 100 - 40,000 (expandable to 50–102,400) with reduced noise, especially in low-light conditions.
  
  

2. Autofocus System:

• 45-Point All Cross-Type AF System: Significant upgrade over the 11-point AF in the original 6D, offering better subject tracking and accuracy.
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF: Provides smooth and reliable autofocus in Live View and during video recording.
  
  

3. Continuous Shooting:

• Up to 6.5 frames per second (fps), suitable for action and sports photography.
  
  

4. Video Features:

• Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps.
• Time-lapse movie mode with 4K output, a handy feature for creative videographers.
  
  

5. Connectivity:

• Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth for easy file sharing and remote control.
• Built-in GPS for geotagging photos.
  
  

6. Other Features:

• Vari-Angle LCD Touchscreen: A 3.0-inch fully articulating display for creative compositions and easy navigation.
• Weather-Sealed Body: Offers durability and resistance to dust and moisture.
  
  

How the Canon EOS 6D Mark II DIGIC 7 Enhances Performance:

• Improved Noise Reduction: Allows for cleaner images at high ISOs.
• Faster Image Processing: Enables quicker write times, allowing for better burst shooting and shorter buffer clearing.
• Advanced Autofocus Algorithms: Enhances subject tracking and precision in various lighting conditions.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II Genre Applications:

The 6D Mark II is an excellent choice for enthusiasts or professionals seeking an affordable full-frame DSLR for:

• Portraits
• Landscape photography
• Event shooting
• Travel photography (thanks to GPS and compact size for a full-frame DSLR)"

(Source: ChatGPT 2024)

Canon EF 400mm f/4/5L USM Lens Applications

The Canon EF 400mm f/4.5L USM lens is a professional-grade telephoto lens designed for various applications where long focal lengths and high-quality optics are required. Its performance and features make it suitable for the following applications:

1. Wildlife Photography

• Capturing distant animals in their natural habitats.
• Ideal for safaris, birdwatching, or photographing elusive creatures without disturbing them.
• The 400mm focal length provides enough reach to frame subjects far away.

2. Sports Photography

• Used for shooting action-packed events like football, soccer, or track and field.
• The telephoto range allows photographers to capture athletes from the sidelines or stands with sharp detail.

3. Astrophotography

• Its long focal length makes it suitable for capturing celestial bodies such as the moon or planets.
• Combined with a stable tripod and tracking mount, it can produce stunning astrophotography results.

4. Landscape Photography

• While unconventional for landscapes, it can isolate specific features within a scene, like mountain peaks or distant subjects.
• Compresses perspective, creating unique compositions.

5. Portraits in Nature

• Produces a flattering compression effect for outdoor portraits, particularly when isolating the subject against blurred backgrounds.

6. Event and Concert Photography

• Perfect for capturing performers on stage from a distance while maintaining image quality.
• Helps in situations where proximity to the subject is limited.

7. Surveillance and Documentary Work

• Useful for documenting subjects discreetly from a safe distance.
• Offers professional results for investigative or documentary projects.

Key Features Supporting Applications:

• Fast Autofocus: The USM (Ultrasonic Motor) ensures quick and silent autofocus, critical for wildlife and sports.
• L-Series Quality: Known for exceptional optical performance, weather sealing, and durability.
• Relatively Lightweight: Compared to larger aperture telephoto lenses, the f/4.5 aperture keeps the lens more portable. " (Source: ChatGPT 2024)
  
  

Canon EOS 6D Mark II Overview >>

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town | Intaka Island

Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island Photography, Cape Town