Getting the right DOF when photographing birds in flight?

7 years 11 months ago - 7 years 11 months ago #480827 by Kid Prodigy
This is so frustrating, I can't seem to get the birds in sharp focus when in flight.  Either just the tips of the wings are in focus, or body.  


How how are you locking in the entire bird in focus?

Canon EOS 7D|Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L USM |
Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM |
(2) Canon Speedlite 480EX II

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7 years 11 months ago #480839 by Shadowfixer1
First question is what f-stop are you using? The answer will most likely be you are shooting with too large of an aperture. My advice is to shoot in manual, set your f-stop for DOF, set your shutter to freeze the motion and have the camera set to Auto ISO. I you have enough light, you can forgo the auto ISO and pick it as well. Keep it as low as the shutter and aperture combination will allow.
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7 years 11 months ago #480877 by effron
Another tip is to use back button focus. Its hard to keep a moving target in focus and trip shutter with the same button.....A Google search for "birds in flight" tips will yield many tutorials.....

Why so serious?
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7 years 11 months ago #480930 by Joves
:agree: with both.
And I will add. If your camera has any form of 3D Tracking, use it. I can pan pretty good, but the tracking really helps take some of the stress out of it.


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7 years 11 months ago #480976 by Chris Briggs
Good stuff here guys


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7 years 11 months ago #481014 by Jacko
What's a good lens to use for photographing birds?  70-200 with 2x work? 


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