Canon EOS C1–C3 Custom Settings Birding Guide

Canon EOS Custom Shooting Modes for Perched Birds & Birds in Flight Photography

Learn to configure Canon EOS R5 and R6 custom modes C1, C2 and C3 for perched birds, birds in flight and general photography. Explore exposure, autofocus, shutter speed, mode registration and practical field settings.

A bird can land, stay still and then explode into flight within seconds. Custom shooting modes let you switch the whole camera set-up with one turn of the mode dial. This guide sets out what to register in C1 for perched birds, C2 for birds in flight (BIF) and C3 for general photography on the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 series (R5, R5 Mark II, R6, R6 Mark II and R6 Mark III). It covers shutter type, shooting mode, Auto ISO, aperture for RF and EF lenses, shutter speed, Flexible Zone AF, exposure compensation and metering, with tick-box tables and field checklists. A printable A4 version is available for learners.

How to read this guideYou asked for C1 for perched birds and C2 for birds in flight. The second block in your brief was also headed C1, so this guide treats it as C2 (BIF): Electronic shutter, Manual mode, Auto ISO, f/4 to f/11 and 1/1000 s to 1/4000 s. All values are starting points. Test them on your own camera and lens (section 14).

1. How to use this guide

Each custom mode stores a complete set-up: shooting mode, shutter type, ISO behaviour, exposure settings, AF settings and most menu and Custom Function settings. Canon’s manual says current camera settings such as shooting, menu and Custom Function settings can be registered (Canon Inc., n.d.-a). You set the camera once, register it to a mode, and recall it with the dial.

The order is: C1 for a bird on a perch, C2 for a bird in flight, and C3 for everything else. Each section has a tick-box table. Fill in the table, set the camera, then register the mode (section 11).

TipSet up one mode at a time. Turn the dial to C1, set everything, register, then repeat for C2 and C3. Do not copy from one mode to another by memory; use the tables.

Watch outAperture, shutter speed and Auto ISO limits depend on your lens and your light. The values here are ranges to choose from, not a single setting for every day.

Canon EOS R5 & R6 Autofocus Settings for Birds in Flight

2. Quick menu setup: C1 to C3

Set up one mode at a time, in this order. Menu names follow Canon’s manuals; the position of each tab differs by body, so use MENU search or My Menu to find an item quickly. Each row tells you what to set for C1, C2 and C3.

Tick	Step and where	C1 Perched	C2 BIF	C3 General
☐	1. Turn the mode dialTo Av or M first. Register comes last.	Av	M	Av
☐	2. Shutter modeShooting menu > Shutter mode.	Mechanical	Electronic	Mechanical
☐	3. ISO speedISO button, or Shooting menu > ISO speed settings.	Auto; set the maximum	Auto; set the maximum	Auto; maximum 6400
☐	4. ApertureFront dial in Av. In M, one dial sets aperture, another the shutter speed.	Widest the lens allows	Widest the lens allows	f/5.6 to f/8
☐	5. Shutter speedAv: automatic. M: set with the dial.	Automatic; set the minimum where offered	1/1000 s to 1/4000 s	Automatic
☐	6. Metering modeQ menu, or Shooting menu > Metering mode.	Evaluative	Evaluative	Evaluative
☐	7. Exposure compensationExposure compensation dial or scale.	−1/3 EV to start	0 to start	0
☐	8. Drive modeDrive button, or Q menu.	Single or low-speed burst	High-speed continuous	Single
☐	9. AF operationAF menu > AF operation.	Servo AF	Servo AF	One-Shot or Servo
☐	10. AF areaAF menu > AF area; resize the Flexible Zone frame.	Flexible Zone AF 1 to 3 (small), or 1-point	Flexible Zone AF 3 (horizontal), or Whole area tracking	Whole area AF
☐	11. Subject detectionAF menu > Subject to detect; Eye detection.	Animals; eye Auto	Animals; eye Auto	As the subject
☐	12. Servo AF characteristicsAF menu.	Case Auto 0	Case Auto 0 or +1	Default
☐	13. Anti-flickerShooting menu > Anti-flicker shooting.	Off, unless artificial light	Off, unless artificial light	Off
☐	14. Image stabiliserLens switch; Shooting menu > IS settings.	On	On; Mode 2 to pan	On
☐	15. Pre-captureWhere your body offers it.	Off	On if the bird may leave	Off
☐	16. RegisterSet-up tab > Custom shooting mode (C1–C3) > Register settings > C1, C2 or C3 > OK.	C1	C2	C3

TipRegister the mode, turn the dial away and back, and check the screen: C1 with Av, C2 with M, C3 with Av. If it is wrong, reset the settings and register again.

3. The three modes at a glance

Setting	C1 Perched Birds	C2 Birds in Flight	C3 General
Shutter type	Mechanical	Electronic	Mechanical (or Electronic first curtain)
Shooting mode	Av (Aperture Priority)	M (Manual)	Av (Aperture Priority)
ISO	Auto ISO	Auto ISO	Auto ISO
Aperture	Widest the lens allows; typically f/4 to f/11 by lens	Widest the lens allows; typically f/4 to f/11 by lens	f/5.6 to f/8 to start
Shutter speed	Set by the camera; check it against the bird	Fixed: 1/1000 s to 1/4000 s by bird	Set by the camera
AF area	Flexible Zone AF (small to medium) or 1-point AF	Flexible Zone AF (horizontal) or Whole area tracking	Whole area AF or 1-point AF
Exposure compensation	As conditions need (section 10)	As conditions need (Auto ISO responds in M)	0, adjust as needed
Metering	Evaluative; Spot or Partial in tricky light	Evaluative; Partial or Spot in tricky light	Evaluative

4. Know your body

The five bodies share the same custom-mode logic, but a few features differ. Where a feature applies to only some bodies, this guide says so. Detail on menus comes from Canon’s product manuals (Canon Inc., n.d.-a; n.d.-b); see section 16 for what to confirm on your body.

Feature	R5 and R6 (original)	R6 Mark II	R5 Mark II	R6 Mark III
Custom modes C1 to C3	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (dial shows C1 to C3)
Flexible Zone AF 1, 2, 3	Yes; frame size adjustable	Yes; frame size adjustable	Yes; frame size adjustable	Yes; Canon’s manual lists Flexible Zone AF 1 to 3 with frame size set freely
Whole area tracking Servo AF	Use Face+Tracking	On or Off	On (Canon’s bird settings)	On or Off
Pre-capture	None	About 0.5 s	About 15 frames	20 frames
Saved AF sets	Use C1 to C3	Use C1 to C3	Up to six AF sets (SET1 to SET6), plus C1 to C3	Use C1 to C3

TipOn the R5 Mark II, the six saved AF sets add a second layer: use C1 and C2 for the whole camera, and AF sets for quick AF changes inside a mode.

Canon EOS R5 & R6 Perched Bird Photography Guide

5. C1: Perched Birds

A perched bird gives you time, so C1 favours image quality and a quiet, consistent set-up. You choose the aperture; the camera chooses the shutter speed and ISO. Mechanical shutter avoids electronic-shutter banding under artificial light and keeps flash available.

Tick	Setting	C1 value	Notes
☐	Mode dialTurn to C1 after you register.	C1	Register in section 11.
☐	Shooting modeAperture Priority.	Av	You set the aperture; the camera sets the shutter speed.
☐	Shutter typeShooting menu > Shutter mode.	Mechanical	Reliable under artificial light; flash available.
☐	ApertureDepends on lens; see section 6.	The widest aperture the lens allows, f/4 to f/11 by lens	Close one stop only if the body and tail both need to be sharp and the light allows.
☐	ISOISO speed settings.	Auto ISO	Set the Auto ISO maximum from your own Denoise test and keep it the same all session.
☐	Minimum shutter speedAuto ISO setting, where your body offers it.	1/500 s to 1/1000 s	Stops Av choosing a speed that is too slow for a bird that moves its head.
☐	AF operation	Servo AF	Even for a perched bird: it keeps focus if the bird shifts.
☐	AF areaFlexible Zone AF 1, 2 or 3 where your body offers it.	Flexible Zone AF (small to medium frame), or 1-point AF behind twigs	Narrow the frame where there is clutter; see Flexible Zone below.
☐	Subject detection	Animals, eye detection Auto	On bodies with Subject to detect.
☐	Drive mode	Single, or a low-speed burst of 2 to 3 frames	Several frames give you a sharper choice when the speed is risky.
☐	Lens stabiliser	On, Mode 1	Switch off on a tripod if your lens manual says so.
☐	Exposure compensation	Starting point −1/3 EV	See section 10 for conditions.
☐	Metering	Evaluative	Switch to Partial or Spot against a bright or dark background.
☐	White balance and file	Fixed preset; RAW or C-RAW	Fixed white balance avoids frame-to-frame variation.

Flexible Zone AF in C1

Tick	Choice	When to use it
☐	Flexible Zone AF 1 (square)	Bird on an open branch; the default frame. Make it small to medium so it stays on the bird.
☐	Flexible Zone AF 2 (vertical)	Upright birds: herons, owls, kingfishers on a vertical post.
☐	Flexible Zone AF 3 (horizontal)	Birds along a wire or a long branch.
☐	1-point AF	Bird behind twigs, leaves or reeds, or on crowded perches.

Canon’s manual says you can freely set the size of the Zone AF frame for Flexible Zone AF 1 to 3, and that the defaults are a square, a vertical rectangle and a horizontal rectangle (Canon Inc., n.d.-b). Set the size before you switch between the three, so the frame is ready when you need it. The buttons that resize the frame differ between models; use the INFO button to restore the default size.

Tip
For perched birds, Canon’s recommendation is Flexible Zone AF or 1-point AF. Keep the frame just larger than the bird’s head.

6. Aperture for your lens

The aperture range of f/4 to f/11 covers the lenses most bird photographers use on the R5 and R6 series, including EF lenses on the RF-EF adapter. The rule is the same for every lens: use the widest aperture the lens allows, and close it down only when you need more depth of field. A lens with a fixed f/11 aperture gives you no choice.

Tick	Lens type	Typical aperture	Note
☐	Fast super-telephoto (for example an f/2.8 or f/4 prime)	f/4 to f/5.6	Wide open is very sharp; stop down only for body depth of field. Extenders cost stops.
☐	f/5.6 telephoto prime or zoom	f/5.6 to f/8	f/5.6 for most work; f/8 when the body and tail both need to be sharp.
☐	Variable-aperture zoom at the long end (for example f/7.1 or f/8 at 400 to 500 mm)	f/7.1 to f/8	The aperture is set by the focal length you zoom to.
☐	Fixed f/11 lens	f/11	No choice: raise ISO or accept a slower shutter speed.
☐	EF lens on the RF-EF adapter	As the lens, no change	The adapter does not change the aperture. Check lens and body compatibility.
☐	Lens with extender	One to two stops narrower than the bare lens	A 1.4x costs one stop; a 2x costs two.

Watch outIn Av (C1) the camera sets the shutter speed. With a slow lens such as f/11 in dull light, check the shutter speed on screen before you shoot, and raise the Auto ISO ceiling if needed.

7. C2: Birds in Flight

Flight needs a fast, fixed shutter speed so every frame is sharp. C2 uses Manual mode with Auto ISO: you fix the aperture and the shutter speed, and the camera varies only the ISO. The electronic shutter allows the fastest burst rates and silent shooting.

Tick	Setting	C2 value	Notes
☐	Mode dial	C2	Register in section 11.
☐	Shooting modeManual with Auto ISO.	M	You fix aperture and shutter speed; ISO moves with the light.
☐	Shutter typeShooting menu > Shutter mode.	Electronic	Silent, with the fastest burst. See the warnings below.
☐	ApertureDepends on lens; see section 6.	The widest aperture the lens allows, f/4 to f/11 by lens	Fix it and leave it. Do not close down in flight.
☐	Shutter speedSee section 8.	1/1000 s to 1/4000 s	Choose by bird size and speed.
☐	ISO	Auto ISO	Set a maximum from your own Denoise test. BIF files are usually cleaned with a higher Denoise Amount.
☐	AF operation	Servo AF	Continuous focusing on the moving bird.
☐	AF areaFlexible Zone AF where your body offers it.	Flexible Zone AF (horizontal frame), or Whole area tracking	Canon: a wide zone suits horizontal flight. On the original R5 and R6, use Face+Tracking.
☐	Subject detection	Animals, eye detection Auto	Birds are detected among the animals.
☐	Servo AF characteristics	Case Auto, level 0; +1 for small, erratic birds	On older bodies treat Case A as Case Auto.
☐	Drive mode	High-speed continuous	Use the electronic shutter burst rate your body offers.
☐	Pre-captureWhere your body offers it.	On, if the bird is likely to leave	Records frames before you press fully; check the file count.
☐	Lens stabiliser	On; Mode 2 for panning	Mode 2 stabilises only the axis you are not panning.
☐	Anti-flicker	Off outdoors; On only under artificial light	Banding appears under some artificial lights with the electronic shutter.

Watch outThe electronic shutter can distort fast-moving subjects (rolling shutter), cannot sync with flash, and can show banding under artificial light. Check a test frame of a fast pan before you rely on it. Distortion is smaller on bodies with faster sensor readout.

TipIf the bird is still on the perch, stay in C1. Switch to C2 only when it is about to fly: a fixed fast shutter speed on a still bird wastes ISO.

8. Shutter speed by bird

The shutter speed in C2 is a trade-off: faster freezes the wings but raises ISO. Start in the middle of the range and adjust after a test burst. Canon’s own examples and independent photographers use a wide range; these are starting points.

Tick	Bird	Starting shutter speed	Why
☐	Large, soaring birds (eagles, pelicans, herons)	1/1000 s to 1/1600 s	Slow wing beats; lower ISO.
☐	Medium birds in steady flight (gulls, egrets, ibis)	1/1600 s to 1/2500 s	Faster wing beats; freeze the wing tips.
☐	Small, erratic birds (swallows, bee-eaters, sunbirds)	1/2500 s to 1/4000 s	Rapid wings and direction changes.
☐	Fast raptors and falcons in a stoop	1/3200 s to 1/4000 s, faster if light allows	Very high speed.
☐	Panning with a slow bird, for motion in the wings	Slower than 1/1000 s	Deliberate blur; not part of C2 as set.

TipJudge the shutter speed by the wing tips at 100%. If the tips are soft and the eye is sharp, raise the shutter speed one stop.

9. C3: General photography

C3 is your go-anywhere mode for every other genre: a safe, flexible set-up that is quick to adjust. Register the general set-up below, then change what you need for the situation. If you shoot one other genre often, register C3 for that genre instead.

Tick	Setting	C3 value	Notes
☐	Mode dial	C3	Register in section 11.
☐	Shooting mode	Av	Aperture Priority is quick and predictable.
☐	Shutter type	Mechanical (or Electronic first curtain)	Avoids banding and rolling shutter.
☐	Aperture	f/5.6 to f/8	A sharp aperture with enough depth of field. Change as needed.
☐	ISO	Auto ISO, maximum 6400	Low noise for general use.
☐	AF operation	One-Shot AF for still subjects; Servo AF for moving subjects	Switch as needed.
☐	AF area	Whole area AF, or 1-point AF for precision	Whole area AF is fastest for casual shooting.
☐	Metering	Evaluative	The default for most scenes.
☐	Exposure compensation	0	Adjust as needed.
☐	White balance and file	Auto white balance; RAW or C-RAW	Fix white balance for a series.

Genre	Change from the C3 base	Why
Landscape	Av f/8 to f/11, ISO 100, One-Shot AF, tripod	Depth of field and low noise.
Close-up flowers	Av f/4 to f/8, Flexible Zone AF; see the Wildflower guide	Soft background with the subject sharp.
Ship spotting	Av f/8 to f/11, shutter 1/500 s or faster, One-Shot or Servo AF	Ships are slow; sharpness and depth of field matter.
Portraits and people	Av f/2 to f/4, Face+Eye detection	Shallow depth of field.
Street and travel	Av f/5.6 to f/8, Auto ISO, Whole area AF	Fast and flexible.

10. Conditions: exposure compensation, metering and more

Light changes more often than your custom mode does. These adjustments sit on top of C1 and C2. If a condition repeats (for example white birds on a bright estuary), you can register it into a custom mode as well, but keep C1 and C2 clean for general use.

Exposure compensation

Tick	Condition	Adjustment	Notes
☐	White or pale bird in bright sun	−1/3 to −1 EV	Protects feather detail; slight underexposure is easier to recover than blown highlights.
☐	Dark bird in shade or against a bright sky	+1/3 to +1 EV	Lifts the bird in the file; check the histogram.
☐	Backlit bird	+2/3 to +1⅓ EV, or Spot metering	The bird is darker than the sky.
☐	Bird against a dark background	−1/3 to −2/3 EV	The camera over-brightens the bird.
☐	Blue sky, bird in good light (BIF)	0 to +1/3 EV	Evaluative metering handles uniform sky well.

TipIn C2 (Manual with Auto ISO) exposure compensation works through the ISO, so the shutter speed and aperture stay fixed. In C1 (Av) it works mainly through the shutter speed.

Metering mode

Tick	Mode	Use for
☐	Evaluative	Default for C1, C2 and C3. Birds that fill a good part of the frame in even light.
☐	Partial	A bird against a bright or dark surround, filling a fraction of the frame.
☐	Spot	A small bird against a very bright or very dark background; place the spot on the bird.
☐	Center-weighted average	Steady scenes where you want predictable, centre-biased exposure.

Other settings worth adding

Tick	Setting	Use for
☐	Highlight alert (blinkies)	Check white feathers on the first frame; on in C1 and C2.
☐	Anti-flicker shooting	On only under artificial light with the electronic shutter.
☐	Servo AF characteristics	Case Auto 0 for most; +1 for small, erratic birds.
☐	Back-button focus (AF-ON)	Separates focus from the shutter; keep the same in all three modes.
☐	Touch shutter and touch AF	Off in the field to avoid accidental changes.
☐	Silent or beep off	Beeps off for birds that are easily disturbed.

11. Register the modes

The menu path is the same on the bodies in Canon’s manuals that were checked: Set-up tab > Custom shooting mode (C1–C3) > Register settings, choose the mode, and select OK (Canon Inc., n.d.-a).

Tick	Step	What to do
☐	1. Set the camera	Set shooting mode, shutter type, ISO, AF, metering and everything else for the mode you are registering.
☐	2. Open the menu	Set-up tab > Custom shooting mode (C1–C3).
☐	3. Register	Select Register settings, choose C1, C2 or C3, then OK.
☐	4. Auto update	Auto update set. is off by default. Leave it Disabled while you are learning, so a stray change in the field does not overwrite the mode. Canon’s manual says Enable updates the mode automatically (Canon Inc., n.d.-a).
☐	5. Test	Turn the dial to the mode and check the screen shows the right shooting mode and shutter type.
☐	6. Clear if needed	Select Clear settings to restore a mode to its pre-registration defaults.

Watch outCanon notes that, depending on the menu item, setting options changed in other shooting modes may not be carried over into a custom mode. After you register, turn the dial to the mode and check each key setting once (section 14).

TipOn the R6 Mark III, the screen shows the base shooting mode next to the custom mode, for example C1 with Av or C2 with M, so you can check you have the right mode at a glance.

12. Switching between modes in the field

Situation	Mode	Why
Bird perched, waiting for a good pose	C1	Image quality and a quiet, consistent set-up.
Bird stretches, preens or looks about to take off	C2	Be ready with the fixed fast shutter speed.
Bird in flight, steady light	C2	The reason C2 exists.
Bird in flight, light changing fast	C2 and adjust Auto ISO and exposure compensation	Manual with Auto ISO responds through the ISO.
Landscape, flowers, ships or people between birds	C3	General set-up, one turn away.

13. Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
C1 frames are soft and the shutter is slow	Av chose a slow speed in dull light	Set a minimum shutter speed; raise the Auto ISO ceiling.
C2 frames are dark	Auto ISO has hit its maximum	Raise the maximum, lower the shutter speed one stop, or add exposure compensation.
Banding in C2 frames	Electronic shutter under artificial light	Turn on anti-flicker, or switch to the mechanical shutter.
Wings or tail look bent in C2	Rolling shutter on a fast pan	Slow the pan, or use the mechanical shutter if your shutter speed allows.
Focus jumps to the background in C2	Whole area tracking has locked on the wrong subject	Switch to a smaller Flexible Zone, or assign a button to start or stop tracking.
A mode has the wrong settings	Mode was not registered, or was changed with Auto update on	Turn the dial to the mode, reset the settings, register again.
Exposure compensation does nothing	M without Auto ISO	Turn Auto ISO on in C2.

14. Test your set-up

Turn the dial to C1 and C2 and check the screen shows the shooting mode, shutter type and AF area you registered.
In C1, shoot a still subject at f/5.6 and your widest aperture; compare sharpness and the shutter speed Av chose.
In C2, pan across a moving subject at 1/2000 s and 1/4000 s with the electronic shutter; check rolling shutter and wing tips at 100%.
In C2, shoot under artificial light to see whether banding appears, and test anti-flicker.
In C3, shoot a landscape and a portrait to check the general set-up works.
Write the final values on the field checklists in section 15.

15. Field checklists

C1: Perched Birds

Dial on C1; screen shows C1 with Av.
Shutter type: Mechanical.
Aperture: widest the lens allows (f/4 to f/11 by lens).
Auto ISO with a maximum I have tested.
Minimum shutter speed set (1/500 s to 1/1000 s).
Servo AF; Flexible Zone AF small or medium, or 1-point AF.
Exposure compensation set for the light; metering Evaluative, Partial or Spot.
First frame checked for highlights (blinkies) and sharpness.

C2: Birds in Flight

Dial on C2; screen shows C2 with M.
Shutter type: Electronic.
Aperture fixed: widest the lens allows (f/4 to f/11 by lens).
Shutter speed fixed: 1/1000 s to 1/4000 s by bird.
Auto ISO on with a maximum I have tested.
Servo AF; Flexible Zone AF horizontal or Whole area tracking; subject detection Animals.
Pre-capture on if my body offers it.
Anti-flicker off outdoors; test frame checked for banding and distortion.

C3: General photography

Dial on C3; screen shows C3 with Av.
Aperture f/5.6 to f/8, or changed for the genre.
Auto ISO with a maximum of 6400.
AF operation and area chosen for the subject.
Metering Evaluative; exposure compensation 0.

16. Verify on your own gear

The following points could not be fully confirmed from the sources checked, or depend on your body and lens. Check each one before you teach it as fact.

Manual pages: the custom-mode and AF-area pages were confirmed for the EOS R6 Mark III. The same menu path appears in Canon’s manuals for other EOS R bodies; confirm it on your R5, R5 Mark II, R6 and R6 Mark II.
Flexible Zone AF resizing: the buttons that resize the frame differ between models. Check the page for your body and note it here.
Minimum shutter speed in Auto ISO: confirm that your body offers it in Av, and what range it allows.
Pre-capture: the frame counts and availability are repeated from the R5/R6 pre-shoot report. Confirm on your body.
Electronic shutter: burst rate and rolling-shutter behaviour differ by body. Test your own.
Dial and button assignments: confirm whether custom button or dial assignments are stored in the custom mode on your body.
All aperture, shutter speed and exposure values: practical starting points, not Canon specifications.

17. References

Canon Inc. (n.d.-a). Custom shooting mode (C1–C3). EOS R6 Mark III product manual. https://cam.start.canon/en/C022/manual/html/UG-08_Set-up_0290.html

Canon Inc. (n.d.-b). Selecting the AF area. EOS R6 Mark III product manual. https://cam.start.canon/en/C022/manual/html/UG-05_AF-Drive_0060.html

Chalmers, V. (2026). Canon EOS R5 and R6 Perched Bird Photography Guide. Vernon Chalmers Photography. https://www.vernonchalmers.photography

Chalmers, V. (2026). Canon EOS R5 and R6 Autofocus Settings for Birds in Flight. Vernon Chalmers Photography. https://www.vernonchalmers.photography

Starting values only. Test on your own gear. Prepared October 2026 for Vernon Chalmers Photography learners.

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