globetrekker Loc: Bend, OR

Recently I read a reference on UHH to saving a custom set of BIF settings in the camera (C on the mode dial for my Canon). Could not find a more detailed post about that, so please feel free to reply with the URL if this has already been discussed.

I just set mine up. I chose:

• Av @ f/7.1
• ISO 320
• High speed continuous shooting
• Cloudy white balance (I always use that.)
• AI Servo
• Center AF point
• Partial metering
• Highlight alert enabled
• AF point display enabled

Any comments or suggestions? For example, what about partial metering? Would spot be preferable?

I realize situations and light vary, and this is only a starting point. But seems like a great idea to have a BIF setup ready to turn on at a moment’s notice. Thanks for any advice or comments.

globetrekker Loc: Bend, OR

Hmmm, after looking at birdpix's BIF primer, I think I'll change to f/8 and ISO 800.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Saving your settings for BIF's is a great idea and is one that I use all the time. You can be out shooting small birds in the bushes and, if a bird flies overhead, a twist of one dial gets you your favorite BIF settings.

Let me explain: Many cameras allow you to memorize your favorite camera settings that can be accessed easily when needed. On many of the Canon cameras, they are on the mode dial. My 7D allows up to three different ones which I have set for several different situations that I find myself in, one of course, is Birds in Flight. I'm sure Nikon, Sony, Olympus etc. have something similar but someone else who is familiar with those brands will have to pipe in here.

As to which metering mode to use, I think that becomes more of a personal preference as long as you are aware of the ways that the meter can be fooled by white or black birds. To see a further discussion about this, see my sticky post about metering white birds. Personally, in clear sunlight, I shoot manual settings and only revert to an automatic mode if the light is frequently changing such as on a partly cloudy day. My personal preference is to use "Evaluative" metering. That's "Matrix" on a Nikon, but I know plenty of other bird photographers that use spot. I use spot metering for those tricky lighting situations such as strong backlighting.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Make sure your 60D handles noise well at ISO 800. If is doesn't, stick with the settings that you originally quoted. Using the sunny 16 rule, they will still get you up to around 1/1000 sec in bright sun which should still be good with your 250mm lens. Consider upping the ISO only if the light starts to fade.

globetrekker Loc: Bend, OR

Thanks, as always, for the advice, birdpix. I'll have to do some shooting at ISO 800 and see how noisy the shots are.

As an aside, wouldn't settings for small birds in the bushes be very similar to these? Apart from AI Servo, is there anything else you'd change?

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

The 7D allows for what they call "Focus Point Expansion" where you chose one focus point and the 4 adjacent points are available to assist with focus acquisition and tracking. This is what I use for BIFs as it is easier than trying to keep that small focus point on the birds head. For BIBs I use spot focus. Since I use back button Autofocus, I don't need to switch to "One Shot AF". The 7D has three available user presets which I set to BIFs, BIBs and back lit situations where I use spot focus and spot metering.

Just as an aside to your aside, note that there is a difference between "Single Point AF" and "Spot AF". Single Point AF covers an area about twice the size of the focus point as it is shown. Spot Focus is smaller than the focus point as shown. It can make a difference when you are trying to focus on a birds eye when it is buried in the leaves.

CanonShot Loc: Lancaster County, PA

BIBs... Bird in Branches?

globetrekker Loc: Bend, OR

I assumed "bushes".

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Bushes, branches, whatever!!!! I just made it up.

CanonShot Loc: Lancaster County, PA

HA! I love it. I will use that line with our bird club members during our weekly walk on Wednesday. There is humor in birding, too.