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Photographing birds in flight Canon/Sigma
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Oct 13, 2020 08:36:12   #
tonycan Loc: UK
 
Hi,

I'd be very grateful for advice on the following problem - I have a Canon EOS 80D - it is my first DSLR. Nearly all of my photography is wildlife. When using it with the Sigma 150-600 C lens I have great difficulty in focusing on flying birds against a background of sky using autofocus. Even when I align the focus point precisely on the bird (a visible blur) it fails to focus at all most of the time. It sometimes works if the bird is large enough and close enough, but mostly not. The problem doesn't occur if there is a solid background of trees or whatever, just if the sky is the background. Even the easiest shots like a kestrel hovering are impossible with autofocus. The frustrating thing is my cheap Panasonic Lumix bridge camera used to focus on flying birds 99% of the time.

Any ideas? Thanks, Tony

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Oct 13, 2020 10:18:09   #
47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range
 
I guess my obvious question, Tony, is what is your setup, both camera and lens settings? Mode, focus, burst, AV or SV, you get the picture. I'm assuming you are handheld?

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Oct 13, 2020 10:45:07   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
tonycan wrote:
Hi,

I'd be very grateful for advice on the following problem - I have a Canon EOS 80D - it is my first DSLR. Nearly all of my photography is wildlife. When using it with the Sigma 150-600 C lens I have great difficulty in focusing on flying birds against a background of sky using autofocus. Even when I align the focus point precisely on the bird (a visible blur) it fails to focus at all most of the time. It sometimes works if the bird is large enough and close enough, but mostly not. The problem doesn't occur if there is a solid background of trees or whatever, just if the sky is the background. Even the easiest shots like a kestrel hovering are impossible with autofocus. The frustrating thing is my cheap Panasonic Lumix bridge camera used to focus on flying birds 99% of the time.

Any ideas? Thanks, Tony
Hi, br br I'd be very grateful for advice on the... (show quote)


You can describe all your settings. It's easier and less likely to miss a setting if you just attach an original JPEG example (or few) direct from the camera. You must be sure to store the files as attachments.



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Oct 14, 2020 04:15:27   #
tonycan Loc: UK
 
Thanks both for getting back to me! I don't have a file to hand – I rarely bother taking the shot if it won't focus and delete out of focus files. Typical settings (handheld) would be:

Canon
TV, speed 1000 or more
AI servo
Burst
Focus single point (but have tried all settings)

Lens

AF (have tried MF sometimes with success, eg hovering bird)
Focus distance FULL (have tried 10m-infinity, doesn't help)
OS 2
Custom OFF

Works fine if there is a solid background, just not against sky.

Thanks

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Oct 14, 2020 07:08:45   #
foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC
 
Back Button Focus? A1 Servo??

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Oct 14, 2020 07:23:25   #
tonycan Loc: UK
 
Yes, A1 Servo, I've tried BB Focus and shutter release focus, no difference

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Oct 14, 2020 07:31:11   #
John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK
 
Insufficient contrast for the camera to use autofocus. Bird on a plain background isn't going to offer the camera much chance, especially if the bird is small.

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Oct 14, 2020 11:05:55   #
GaryLL Loc: CT/FL
 
Hi Folks .....newbie here.
Tony, I have the same lens. I think it's OS1 for hand held and OS2 for panning/tripod.

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Oct 14, 2020 11:19:24   #
tonycan Loc: UK
 
Thanks, I'll try OS1

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Oct 14, 2020 11:21:25   #
tonycan Loc: UK
 
Yes, good point, but I can take planes flying no problem (except I'm not interested in planes!). I've been struggling to get shots that I could get with my bridge camera (which cost about 1/10th as much)

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Oct 14, 2020 13:29:47   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
tonycan wrote:
Hi,

I'd be very grateful for advice on the following problem - I have a Canon EOS 80D - it is my first DSLR. Nearly all of my photography is wildlife. When using it with the Sigma 150-600 C lens I have great difficulty in focusing on flying birds against a background of sky using autofocus. Even when I align the focus point precisely on the bird (a visible blur) it fails to focus at all most of the time. It sometimes works if the bird is large enough and close enough, but mostly not. The problem doesn't occur if there is a solid background of trees or whatever, just if the sky is the background. Even the easiest shots like a kestrel hovering are impossible with autofocus. The frustrating thing is my cheap Panasonic Lumix bridge camera used to focus on flying birds 99% of the time.

Any ideas? Thanks, Tony
Hi, br br I'd be very grateful for advice on the... (show quote)


What focus mode are you using ?? ......My first opinion is you really should be using a CANON lens - I use the 400 f5.6 about the same cost as your Sigma. IMO, any problem is probably in the lens/communications - but could also be with the camera - try a different lens if you can.

Do you have the Sigma dock and have you used it with the proper firmware updates ??
.

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Oct 14, 2020 16:20:45   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
tonycan wrote:
Hi,

I'd be very grateful for advice on the following problem - I have a Canon EOS 80D - it is my first DSLR. Nearly all of my photography is wildlife. When using it with the Sigma 150-600 C lens I have great difficulty in focusing on flying birds against a background of sky using autofocus. Even when I align the focus point precisely on the bird (a visible blur) it fails to focus at all most of the time. It sometimes works if the bird is large enough and close enough, but mostly not. The problem doesn't occur if there is a solid background of trees or whatever, just if the sky is the background. Even the easiest shots like a kestrel hovering are impossible with autofocus. The frustrating thing is my cheap Panasonic Lumix bridge camera used to focus on flying birds 99% of the time.

Any ideas? Thanks, Tony
Hi, br br I'd be very grateful for advice on the... (show quote)


First off, the 80D is not the best camera for birding. It doesn't have state of the art focusing capabilities, nor does it have a very large buffer for bursts; doesn't have a fast burst rate, slow to transfer images to the cards, uses SD cards that are older technology etc.... I started off with a Canon T2i which had the same problems. The 80D is much better than my old T2i, but it's still not going to give you what you ask. It depends on your finances, but you'd be better off if you can purchase a used 7D MkII and use CF cards that are 1066x fast cards. It has a much better processor, large buffer, 10fps burst, one of the best focus systems even by today's standards, and you can probably find them pretty cheap. I have one, but I'm not ready to part with it. I use it along with my 5D Mk IV. Not ready to part with either.

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Oct 14, 2020 17:20:25   #
smiller999 Loc: Corpus Christi
 
jeep_daddy wrote:
First off, the 80D is not the best camera for birding. It doesn't have state of the art focusing capabilities, nor does it have a very large buffer for bursts; doesn't have a fast burst rate, slow to transfer images to the cards, uses SD cards that are older technology etc.... I started off with a Canon T2i which had the same problems. The 80D is much better than my old T2i, but it's still not going to give you what you ask. It depends on your finances, but you'd be better off if you can purchase a used 7D MkII and use CF cards that are 1066x fast cards. It has a much better processor, large buffer, 10fps burst, one of the best focus systems even by today's standards, and you can probably find them pretty cheap. I have one, but I'm not ready to part with it. I use it along with my 5D Mk IV. Not ready to part with either.
First off, the 80D is not the best camera for bird... (show quote)

I'll second this, as well as what John N said about contrast. The contrast part is probably the main issue, as I have problems in blue skies sometimes even with the 7Dii and 5Div. Also be aware that that lens is not the fastest to focus, so it may not be able to keep up. This is a tough subject even with the very best equipment.

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Oct 14, 2020 17:41:56   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
imagemeister wrote:
What focus mode are you using ?? ......My first opinion is you really should be using a CANON lens - I use the 400 f5.6 about the same cost as your Sigma. IMO, any problem is probably in the lens/communications - but could also be with the camera - try a different lens if you can.

Do you have the Sigma dock and have you used it with the proper firmware updates ??
.


As Larry notes:

Is the camera's firmware up to date?

If the lens have firmware, is that up to date?

How does a Canon EF lens perform in the same / similar situations with this EOS body?

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Oct 14, 2020 17:47:09   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
jeep_daddy wrote:
First off, the 80D is not the best camera for birding. It doesn't have state of the art focusing capabilities, nor does it have a very large buffer for bursts; doesn't have a fast burst rate, slow to transfer images to the cards, uses SD cards that are older technology etc.... I started off with a Canon T2i which had the same problems. The 80D is much better than my old T2i, but it's still not going to give you what you ask. It depends on your finances, but you'd be better off if you can purchase a used 7D MkII and use CF cards that are 1066x fast cards. It has a much better processor, large buffer, 10fps burst, one of the best focus systems even by today's standards, and you can probably find them pretty cheap. I have one, but I'm not ready to part with it. I use it along with my 5D Mk IV. Not ready to part with either.
First off, the 80D is not the best camera for bird... (show quote)


80D, 400 prime .....I have no problems . Are there "better" bird cameras ? yes - MORE $$$ - https://fineartamerica.com/featured/eagles-pursuit-larry-nieland.html
.

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