jteee Loc: Montana

I just found this section of UHH (I'm not sure where I've been, but obviously not paying attention), so sorry if this has been covered here. BIF is something I have been working on, so much so, that I decided my 6D wasn't cutting it for this aspect of photography, so added the 7DII. So far my BIF attempts have been marginal at best, with complete failure the norm (I have added two of my better attempts so far). I have researched AF Case settings by several BIF "experts/pros", and all seem to use different settings (yea I know, imagine that, photographers who have differing opinions). Anyway, still researching, and am curious if there are any 7DII shooters out there that have had success, and how? Am using the Sigma 150-500 for most, but also have the Canon 70-200 f2.8.

6D, 1/2000, f8, ISO 800 tripod/gimbal

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7II, 1/2000, f6.3, ISO 400 tripod/gmbl

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7II (70-200) 1/640, f8, ISO 100, tripod/gmbl

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cmc65

Hello! I too have your gear and about the same result,however, you should look at the photos that Regis (on this forum) takes. He's always nice enough to post his info for us and his results on Bald Eagles is outstanding. I think you would find it helpful.

jteee Loc: Montana

Thanks. I have seen some of Regis' work, and he definitely has it figured out.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Yesterday, I was out photographing birds with a brand new 7DII, and I'm also having spotty luck. I found this link, which I'm hoping may help.

http://www.timboyerphotography.com/2015/01/how-to-set-up-the-canon-eos-7d-mark-ii-part-3-auto-focus-and-flight-photography/

jteee Loc: Montana

Thanks, that is one of the sites that I have already researched. Another was Arthur Morris who is a Canon sponsored Bird Photographer. But both have differing settings for their success.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Has either Tim Boyer or Arthur Morris hit on anything that works, for you? I just found the Boyer article, this morning.

The 7DII is very new, to me. I had been shooting with either a 5DIII or a 70D. With either of those cameras, photographing birds against a bright blue sky was best achieved by using all available focus points (19 on the 70D and 61 on the 5DIII). That approach didn't seem to work as well, with the 7DII. Yesterday, I was out shooting BIFs, experimenting, and I found that the expanded points worked better.

There is something else. Maybe it pertains to your equipment, maybe not. My 7DII seemed to need the auto focus fine tuned to my lenses. The 70D (which I no longer have) and the 5DIII seemed to work well with default settings. I calibrated them using the Dot-tune method. That made a difference.

jteee Loc: Montana

I would have to say no regarding the AF fine tune settings by both photographers. I tried both AF fine tune settings. Now to be fair, the air has been pretty smokey, so how much that might be skewing the results is hard to say. I took the camera to the dealer (we have two great stores here), and they micro adjusted the lens to camera. I think that has helped some, but haven't now had the opportunity to test it on BIF. The dealer thought I should use the smallest focus pattern I can get away with (that is where I started, then expanded from there with no improvement in results). He also showed me how to check focus tracking speed in the various AF Case defaults, and now has me back in the default Case 1. I guess I will just continue experimenting until I find something that works (I'm remaining optimistic given the fact that others have had success).

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

About the only thing I can add is that I feel your pain. Although I've been a photographer for almost 50 years, sports mostly, I recently obtained a Sigma 150-600 Sport with the idea that I'd like to try my hand at BIF in flight. Like everything else in photography, experience, technique, gear and patience are required in large measures. While I have most of the gear, the other three are sadly lacking in this area. What my brain has determined, since I have absolutely no patience, is that I should do some research on where I might find some birds to shoot. I would guess that, unlike dogs, treats will not be helpful with this subject! As soon as the current heat wave breaks, I plan to calibrate the focus on a few lenses and go some place to continue my practice. What I am trying to say, in a roundabout way, is not to be discouraged as this takes practice, work and dedication. Regis seems to be ahead of us with that. Best of luck. By the way, your posted pictures aren't bad.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I also have a similar set-up, using the 7DII with a 400mm DOII plus 1.4x and 2.0x extenders. Your hawks look a lot like those I have posted on this site. Take a look if you like. It seems to me that static subjects or those moving slowly seem to be spot on regarding focus, but I (like you) seem to be having trouble with BIF. One of the posts talks about microfine adjustments and this may be one of the issues. However where I discount that is that the static subjects achieve good focus while the BIFs don't. Why would there be a difference? One explanation, camera shake, even on a tripod. Is it therefore all about technique? Also, after looking at the suggested article re case settings, as well as suggestions by Arthur Morris, one totally dismisses Case 3, while another suggests using it with modifications. I still need to read the article linked on this post more carefully. There does seem to be some very good info.

Anyway, I'm still hunting. Best of luck. Love Montana and lots of opportunities for birds. If you find the solution would love to hear it, and I will reciprocate if I get it fine tuned.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

PS: We will be back up there next summer and as always will be looking for good birding opportunities. We found the Ruby River area, above the reservoir to be great for hawks, cranes, and others, while the reservoir has lots of shore birds and white pelicans as well as a local pair of nesting Bald Eagles. Do you have suggestions for other areas as well? Good hunting.

jteee Loc: Montana

Thanks for the support and encouragement, we'll just keep shooting :-D

jteee Loc: Montana

Thanks I will keep posting with any progress. Ruby Reservoir is a great place, as is Ennis Lake. I monitor a page on Facebook called Montana Birders. It is pretty active, and one of the stipulations of posting photos is noting where the birds were located. Great source for finding places to go. Good shooting.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Thanks, appreciate the suggestion. Ennis Lake: relatively close by. I'll give it a try next summer.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

The 7D Mk II is a beast to get to know. I have had my best luck with case 2 modified with tracking sensitivity to 0, Accel/Decell tracking to 1 and Af point auto switching to 2. I am using a 100-400 Mk I and seem to get good results. I turn off IS an d I shoot at at least 1/2000 in bright sunlight.

In effect, I am not using case 2 but my own set up. sometimes I have used case 5 to great advantage when shooting small, erratic birds.

I also frequently shoot with all 65 AF points active. When in AI-Servo mode, the selected AF point initiates autofocus and then all other points are available to assist. Sometimes I use just AF point expansion which is a cluster of 5 adjacent Af points. The former works best with smaller birds.

Most importantly, BIFs take a lot of practice to master so please don't get discouraged. Use good panning technique and work on being as smooth as possible. track the bird and allow the camera to achieve focus before firing the shutter. I find this easier to do with back button focus.

Yes, AF micro-adjustment is important.

F/8, 1/2000, ISO 800, lens zoom at 100mm, uncropped

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jteee Loc: Montana

Great info, thanks. Do you use the High Speed Shutter, or the next step down? With my lens, I don't think that it can focus fast enough to accommodate what the camera can achieve at high speed. I think that the 100-400 you have is a faster lens. Wow you must have been right on top of that falcon.