Which meter setting is best?
Apr 3, 2018 11:27:00 #
To capture photos of birds in flight, which meter setting is best? I use spot metering most, but wondering if another setting might be better to keep birds sharp as I am photographing them in flight. Thank you for your input.
Apr 3, 2018 11:38:46 #
Depending on your distance to the subject and the size of the bird, spot meter will prove next to impossible to meter on an actual bird in flight.
Consider instead using a manual exposure, based on an initial capture using Matrix (Nikon) or Evaluative (Canon). If shooting against the sky, let the camera meter on the sky and then adjust the exposure +1 to +2 stops, based on results from your test shots on a subject. You'll need more exposure for darker birds, less for lighter and depending on the quality of the sunlight. You can do the same in Aperture or Shutter priority, using Exposure compensation to push the exposure to the right. Check your histogram and highlight warnings to confirm your settings. If you pan across the sky, note where changes to the exposure are needed as your shooting direction changes. Practice making the needed changes, while shooting, as you track subsequent birds.
Meter and sharpness are different issues where maybe you meant to ask about the AF mode. For a Drive mode use Continuous-Servo (Nikon) or AI Servo (Canon). Use one of the dynamic focus tools such as Zone AF on a Canon or Group Area on a Nikon to have the camera automatically track a subject within a group of focus points.
Consider instead using a manual exposure, based on an initial capture using Matrix (Nikon) or Evaluative (Canon). If shooting against the sky, let the camera meter on the sky and then adjust the exposure +1 to +2 stops, based on results from your test shots on a subject. You'll need more exposure for darker birds, less for lighter and depending on the quality of the sunlight. You can do the same in Aperture or Shutter priority, using Exposure compensation to push the exposure to the right. Check your histogram and highlight warnings to confirm your settings. If you pan across the sky, note where changes to the exposure are needed as your shooting direction changes. Practice making the needed changes, while shooting, as you track subsequent birds.
Meter and sharpness are different issues where maybe you meant to ask about the AF mode. For a Drive mode use Continuous-Servo (Nikon) or AI Servo (Canon). Use one of the dynamic focus tools such as Zone AF on a Canon or Group Area on a Nikon to have the camera automatically track a subject within a group of focus points.
Apr 3, 2018 11:43:59 #
I don't think the metering mode would make a difference in sharpness. Sharpness has to do with eliminating motion blur and out of focus which has nothing to do with metering. As for meter bird in flight I would use incident technique.
Apr 3, 2018 11:46:25 #
lwhitlow wrote:
To capture photos of birds in flight, which meter setting is best? I use spot metering most, but wondering if another setting might be better to keep birds sharp as I am photographing them in flight. Thank you for your input.
It seems like you are mixing up exposure and focus. The metering method has nothing to do with getting a sharp focus. Most DSLR's have three metering methods, spot, matrix and center weighted. For BIF I use center weighted as it's very difficult to keep the center spot on a flying bird.
Apr 3, 2018 15:22:27 #
Incident readings can work, if. . .
You are in the same light.as the subject, the subject is not bright white and sundrenched, and you don't have snow or sand reflecting lots of light from the ground.
Otherwise, using the spot meter in the camera (or hand held) is better. In these situations an actual reading of highlight reflectance along with some experience.placing the light value in the proper zone (1 - 2 stops more light arrived at by some trial and error) will always result in perfect exposures.
Read the light set the camera, and don't change the settings unless the light changes.
You are in the same light.as the subject, the subject is not bright white and sundrenched, and you don't have snow or sand reflecting lots of light from the ground.
Otherwise, using the spot meter in the camera (or hand held) is better. In these situations an actual reading of highlight reflectance along with some experience.placing the light value in the proper zone (1 - 2 stops more light arrived at by some trial and error) will always result in perfect exposures.
Read the light set the camera, and don't change the settings unless the light changes.
Apr 3, 2018 19:19:49 #
lwhitlow wrote:
To capture photos of birds in flight, which meter setting is best? I use spot metering most, but wondering if another setting might be better to keep birds sharp as I am photographing them in flight. Thank you for your input.
If you want sharpness for HH BIF use a high shutter speed. I use 1/2000 with a 600mm and let the ISO go up in S mode. Dramatic increase in keepers. I have a D750 body which seems to handle 6400 ISO really well although it usually stays below 800 in good light. This shot was 1/2000 f/6.3 @600mm ISO 720 of an Osprey landing with dinner on Easter Sunday. Too bad there was a stick in the way.
Apr 3, 2018 19:21:47 #
lwhitlow wrote:
To capture photos of birds in flight, which meter setting is best? I use spot metering most, but wondering if another setting might be better to keep birds sharp as I am photographing them in flight. Thank you for your input.
Reduce your focus points to around nine if you can.
Apr 3, 2018 19:41:04 #
r.grossner wrote:
Reduce your focus points to around nine if you can.
And shoot raw so you can adjust highlight and shadow details in PP.
Apr 3, 2018 20:07:10 #
lwhitlow wrote:
To capture photos of birds in flight, which meter setting is best? I use spot metering most, but wondering if another setting might be better to keep birds sharp as I am photographing them in flight. Thank you for your input.
That would depend on which camera you use.
The pro models from Nikon and Canon will spot meter with an individual focus point that is NOT the center point.
Don’t know if other Nikon’s can do that besides the Dx series.
I use it all the time with the Canon 1D series for sports. Unfortunately in the Canons ONLY the 1D series will meter with individual focus points. But that’s almost enough reason to own one for action.
But it’s not without its problems. Because of the Servo tracking it’s possible to loose the focus area, stay in focus but meter next to what your shooting , thus missing the proper exposure. Or if the light is mottled it’s essy to measure the light area or the dark area since the are next to each other.
When it works as intended, it’s an indispensable mode and way to shoot.
So no, exposure and focus can be VERY connected!!!
SS
Apr 3, 2018 22:38:48 #
Shot these on a really bright day. Nikon d750, 85 1.8 at f4, high ss. spot meter, d9, continuous focus
Apr 4, 2018 06:18:10 #
rdubreuil
Loc: Dummer, NH USA
r.grossner wrote:
If you want sharpness for HH BIF use a high shutter speed. I use 1/2000 with a 600mm and let the ISO go up in S mode. Dramatic increase in keepers. I have a D750 body which seems to handle 6400 ISO really well although it usually stays below 800 in good light. This shot was 1/2000 f/6.3 @600mm ISO 720 of an Osprey landing with dinner on Easter Sunday. Too bad there was a stick in the way.
Nothing Photoshop or the like can't fix RG, it's still a nice capture.
Apr 4, 2018 07:50:03 #
Some of the Nikons have group focus. I believe this is unique to Nikon. This is good to use with birds flying.
**The camera focuses using all the focus points in a group of 5 selected by the user, reducing the risk of the camera focusing on the background. Choose for subjects that are difficult to photograph using a single focus point.**
**When compared to the regular Single-Point AF Mode, Group-area AF activates five focus points to track subjects. This focus mode is great for initial focus acquisition and tracking of subjects when compared to a Single-Point or Dynamic AF, especially when dealing with smaller birds that fly erratically and can be really hard to focus on and track. In such situations, the Group-area AF mode might give better results than Dynamic AF, showing better accuracy and consistency from shot to shot.**
**The camera focuses using all the focus points in a group of 5 selected by the user, reducing the risk of the camera focusing on the background. Choose for subjects that are difficult to photograph using a single focus point.**
**When compared to the regular Single-Point AF Mode, Group-area AF activates five focus points to track subjects. This focus mode is great for initial focus acquisition and tracking of subjects when compared to a Single-Point or Dynamic AF, especially when dealing with smaller birds that fly erratically and can be really hard to focus on and track. In such situations, the Group-area AF mode might give better results than Dynamic AF, showing better accuracy and consistency from shot to shot.**
Apr 4, 2018 07:57:26 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
lwhitlow wrote:
To capture photos of birds in flight, which meter setting is best? I use spot metering most, but wondering if another setting might be better to keep birds sharp as I am photographing them in flight. Thank you for your input.
I use center weighted when shooting birds in flight.
Apr 4, 2018 07:58:25 #
if you are shooting Nikon, Steve Perry, who is also a member of this group has a fantastic book on focus settings... it is actually a real science if you want to get it right! Personally, for birds in flight, I like single point focus but have a button on my D850 set to go to group AF at the push of the button if I am not getting a good lock on. I keep it set to 9 points most of the time. it is an opinion as to which gives you the best focus, but you have to test them to see what works best for your type of shooting... on a canon... I have no clue as to what is available, but they do have something.
Kelly
Kelly
Apr 4, 2018 08:22:20 #
If you are capable of taking an exposure of birds in flight with a spot meter I tell you that you are very good using the spot meter. The matrix meter of my cameras I seldom use except when I am shooting birds in flight. I do not have the time to think about exposure because the action is happening fast. Yes, I can meter BEFORE the birds approach me but I do not do that often. Or I take the shot or I miss the opportunity.
I use spot metering as my most used metering modality but I use it for static subjects only.
I use spot metering as my most used metering modality but I use it for static subjects only.
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