Birds in Flight Photography with the Canon R5 Mark II Essential Settings & Pro Techniques
Photographing birds in flight is an exhilarating but challenging scenario—requiring precision autofocus, rapid shutter response, and flexible tracking performance. The Canon EOS R5 Mark II offers an exceptional suite of features tailored for just that:
- Advanced autofocus with deep learning-based detection, including Animal Subject and Eye Detection.
- Fast continuous burst shooting: up to 30 fps (electronic shutter) or 12 fps (mechanical) with Pre-Capture.
- Stacked sensor with DIGIC X + DIGIC Accelerator for fast readouts and no viewfinder blackout.(Tom's Guide, Wikipedia, B&H Photo Video)
- Wide AF coverage and a multitude of AF points - ensuring flexibility and compositional freedom. (Wikipedia, Simply Birding)
Recommended AF Settings from Canon for Birds in Flight
Large Flying Birds
- AF Operation: Servo AF
- AF Area: Flexible Zone AF or 1-Point AF
- Orientation-Linked AF Point: Separated AF points
- Whole-Area Tracking Servo AF: On
- Subject Detection: Animals
- Eye Detection: Auto
- Servo AF Characteristics: Case Auto (Case Auto = 0)
- Servo First Image Priority: Equal priority
- Lens Electronic MF: Enable (actual size)
(Cam Start Canon)
Small Birds / Diving Birds
- AF Operation: Servo AF
- AF Area: Flexible Zone AF or Whole area
- Orientation-Linked AF Point: Separated AF points
- Whole-Area Tracking Servo AF: On
- Subject Detection: Animals
- Eye Detection: Auto
- Servo AF Characteristics: Case Auto (set to 1 = Responsive)
- Servo First Image Priority: Equal or Release priority
- Lens Electronic MF: Enable (actual size)If focus is delayed: Set Case Auto to Responsive (+1). If still lagging, set Servo AF to Case M, and increase Tracking Sensitivity and Accel./Decel. tracking to +2.
(Cam Start Canon)
Additional Recommended Settings & Workflow
Drive & Exposure Settings
Environmental Guidance
Exposure & Display
Pre-Capture / Pre-Continuous Shooting
Real-World Workflow Example (from Vernon Chalmers)
Community Insights (via Reddit)
- Drive Mode: High-Speed Continuous (20 fps electronic or 12 fps mechanical)
- Shutter Speed: Minimum 1/2000 s to freeze wing motion
- Image Stabilization: Enabled for hand-holding/panning; disable when using gimbal or tripod
- Auto ISO: OK with max threshold (e.g., ISO 6400)
(Vernon Chalmers Photography)
- Sky Background: Whole Area AF works well for clean separation
- Cluttered Backgrounds: Opt for Flexible Zone or smaller AF zone to reduce focus errors
(Vernon Chalmers Photography)
- Exposure Mode: Use Manual or Shutter-Priority (Tv) with fixed ISO to reduce EVF lag
- Noise Reduction: Disable High ISO NR to maintain shooting speed
- Continuous AF: Turn off (distinct from Servo), to preserve battery and reduce lag
- EVF Settings: Disable Image Review; set display to ‘Smooth’ for real-time viewfinder responsiveness
(SNAPSHOT - Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd.)
-
Pre-Capture Mode: On
- Buffers up to 15 frames before you fully press the shutter—ideal for unpredictable lift-offs and flight starts. Works in RAW, JPEG, and HEIF.
(BirdGuides, B&H Photo Video, Canon South Africa)
- AF Operation: Servo AF with Back-Button Focus (AF-ON)
- AF Method: Whole Area AF with Subject Tracking
- Subject to Detect: Animals + Eye AF On
- Drive Mode: High-Speed Continuous (Electronic)
- AF Case (or Default): Case 2; Tracking Sensitivity –2; Acceleration/Deceleration +1
- First Image Priority: Release
- Shutter: ~1/2500 s
- ISO: Auto (Max ISO ≈ 6400)
- White Balance: Auto or White Priority
- Image Format: RAW
(Vernon Chalmers Photography)
One experienced R5 Mark II user shared:
“Wide AF area; H+ continuous; Pre-capture On; Animal subject detection On; Eye Detection On – Auto; Servo AF On; Manual Case: Tracking Sensitivity –2, Accel/Decel Tracking +1; Servo First Image Priority: Release.”
“Once the subject is in view, half-press shutter to engage pre-capture, then fully press and pan.”(Reddit)
Another long-time wildlife photographer recommends:
“Use Case 2 with Tracking Sensitivity –2 to stick focus on subject and avoid switching to background distractions.”
(Reddit)
| Setting Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| AF Operation | Servo AF (back-button preferred) |
| AF Area / Method | Flexible Zone / Whole Area AF with Animal Tracking & Eye Detection |
| AF Case Settings | Case Auto default; adjust to Case 2 or Case M with Tracking Sensitivity (–2 to +2) & Accel/Decel accordingly |
| Drive & Burst | High-Speed Continuous (20/30 fps) + Pre-Capture enabled |
| Shutter Speed | ≥1/2000 s (adjust per lighting) |
| ISO | Auto with sensible max (e.g., 6400) |
| Exposure Display | Manual or Tv mode; disable EVF lag features |
| Workflow Tip | Use back-button focus; half-press for Pre-Capture, full-press to capture action |
| Environmental Strategy | Tailor AF area to background complexity (wide for sky, narrow for clutter) |
Final Thoughts
Content: ChatGPT 2025
Image: Canon USA
To master birds-in-flight on the Canon EOS R5 Mark II:
- Capitalize on Animal + Eye Detection, Servo AF, and Pre-Capture.
- Use the appropriate Servo AF Case rules to tune focus retention or responsiveness.
- Combine fast burst, high shutter speeds, and flexible AF zones suited to your composition and environment.
- Practice panning and pre-emptive focus to trigger Pre-Capture at just the right moment."
Image: Canon USA