Canon 5D mk3 -Best AF Area for fast wildlife?

jetpack

jetpack

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Guys,

I'm looking for some help on the back of a session I had trying to shoot Osprey. I got a few shots but I really struggled with misfocus when it hit the water. After investigating, reviewing, and dissecting (we've all done it) why it didn't focus I've come to the conclusion that the AF Area Selection Mode was probably wrong.

Can anyone give me any tips of pointers on how I can improve this, I use single point focus which I think is the issue - should I use the 61-point focus? Any tips would be welcomed before my next trip.

Thanks in advance,

JPJ
 
What was happening to focus when it hit the water?
 
Try AF point expansion manual selection of AF expansion surrounding points. Using all the points and leaving it to the camera can work if the background is uncluttered but if there is a busy background it has a tendency to confuse it.
 
Gaz J said:
Try AF point expansion manual selection of AF expansion surrounding points. Using all the points and leaving it to the camera can work if the background is uncluttered but if there is a busy background it has a tendency to confuse it.
Click to expand...

Gaz I think this is it actually. I had it on Single-point AF (Manual selection) and have now adjusted it. I've now two different AF setups on two different Custom controls.

That was an easy one! Just need some Ospreys to practice on now. The local seagulls will have to do for now..
 
OK, based on what you have said, I would be tempted to experiment with the area mode. Full 61 point is OK but you can easily find yourself not focussing on the head with that. I'd say single point with 9 point af expansion is your best option.

The key is which AF case you are using - case 2 seems like the best bet. This has a low tracking sensitivity so it won't attempt to move focus onto something else too quickly. But it will move focus point when needed.
 
jetpackjack said:
Thanks for getting back to me. The resulting shots showed focus on the back of the pond it hit, I think it maybe that I've got only one point of focus meaning a very small area to actually get the focus. I just wondered if anyone had some suggestions on what to use.
Click to expand...

well this sounds like you came off the bird or the point were it hit the water .

I think single point is best for this type of shot ,with more points active any one of them could grab focus on a contrasty wave rather than the bird .

Rob.
 
Cheers guys, here are the 6 different AF Area Selection modes for anyone else visiting the thread:

8b88662f3991efb1931571b51769d904



I've set up 2 different custom selections on the dial (C1 & C2), one with AF mode 2 and one with AF mode 4.

I'm also going with Case 3 for the Selecting AI Servo AF Characteristics (For a Subject).

There are so many different settings!

I'll feedback with any findings.
 
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