How do you freeze flying birds with Canon 1d mark III?

[mjf0048]

Hey Bob,

How do you freeze birds that are flying to get a clear photo that is not burry with the Canon 1d mark III? Do you set it on Av or Tv or can you use manual? I tried several times and only got lucky once or twice? what plays a major factor when freezing flying bird shots light, shuttle speed, etc? What is the best method of doing this an getting the best possible shots with the Canon 1d mark III?

Marc

[KeithB]

What lens are you using and how far away were the birds?

If it is 1-2 good shots out of 10 you are probably doing things right!  If it is 1-2 good shots out of 1000, your technique could use some improvement. 8^)

[Bob Atkins]

Focus and shutter speed are the most important factors. You can get a fast shutter speed by keeping the ISO setting high, and that will help. You can't do a lot about focus, but a fast focus (USM) lens will help, and you'll get better results with a fast lens (f2.8 or faster).

[photosbybrian]

Hi MJ.
To keep good focus on moving subjects, set your autofocus mode to "AI Servo". This will allow the auto focus to track the bird (or any other moving object) as it moves. You'll want to catch the bird early, press the shutter halfway down to get the AF lock on it, pan (follow) the bird in the viewfinder while holding the shutter halfway down till your ready, then fire! Also shoot in 4 or 5 shots bursts. Practice makes perfect. Like Bob said, set your ISO up a notch or two until you get a pretty fast shutter speed - 1/500 or better.  Hope this helps.

BB
www.photosbybrian.photoreflect.com

[mjf0048]

I will be using a Canon 300mm F4 IS and 70-200 F2.8 IS both with 1.4ex. How much do I increase my ISO by from 125 to 200 or 400? Do you have to set any of your custom settings in some special way?


Marc

[klindup]

I have tried this with a manually focussed 400mm lens back in the good old days of film.  What I found worked was a shutter speed of 1/250 or 1/500 depending on the light.  I used a film speed of 400 iso and picked a bird and followed it around the sky keeping the camera moving at all times.  Focussing became something I did not have to think about.  When I fired the shutter I kept the camera moving still following the bird.  It is easier to keep a moving camera steady.  Of course the background was blurred but that just gave an impression of speed of flight.  I guess with IS lenses the same trick would work.  Of course it depends on the bird.  Large birds that glide are much easier to track than small birds tht dart around

[marcfs]

Here are some suggestions to consider with your 1DMIII and lens:

1.   My experience with the 300 f/4 IS L and a 1.4 converter is that focus is slow;  Given that this is one of the lens you are using, you may be doing quite well with your capture rate
2.   Try using the 300 without the extender;  you may be able to crop the image if you are not making large prints
3.   I own the 70-200 f/4 IS L and use this without an extender on birds that are relatively close; it’s a terrific lens
4.   I’d boost the ISO and try 800 and 1600 and see if it changes your success rate;  the images that I have seen from the 1DIII are very clean and since it is digital there is really nothing to lose
5.    Check the website www.Birdsasart.com ; Artie Morris offers a Mark III users guide for sale;  also consider signing up for his free newsletter;  this will help your capture rate
6.   I have found my success with Birds in Flight with either my 400 f/5.6 – excellent for Birds in flight, very sharp and fast focus - and my 500 f/4 with and without an extender

Good luck!!

Marc

[mjf0048]

 

Thanks marc,

But I already purchased the 1D Mark III guide from Art in December and also ordered his first book. I think the Al Servio would work best with the honey comb around the bird when is moving and the FEL single honey comb spot when the bird is not moving. Only works good on animals that are tamed. But you still need to know how to work the aperture and shuttle speed. Rick Simmon also has good books on these tips.

Marc